The Student Success Center held nine orientations in the summer of 2008 for students, family, and friends.  Our theme last year was "My SSU is your SSU".   The overview of the parent session provided a great deal of information, covering topics such as financial aid, housing, academic policies, billing policies and procedures.  The number of our family and friends in attendance this year far surpassed our greatest hopes and anticipation with the largest groups we have ever had attending.  Thank you to all of you who were able to attend.  If you were unable to attend, here are a few comments from some of the folks who attended.

              "You answered a lot of questions we didn't even know that we had".

               "Thank you for being there in the Big Step in life with our daughter".

               "I felt the orientation was a very good experience.  I feel more 
                comfortable with my son attending the university.  Everyone we
                have come in contact with in person and over the phone has been
                very friendly and helpful".

                "This is great that you all care so very much about our kids and 
                 their career".

                 "Thanks".  "It was fun".  "It was very informative".

Student Success

Shawnee State University is in the business of making your student successful.  Remember the following services for your student:

                  -Academic Support through Tutoring - provided by the Student
                   Success Center FREE of charge.

                  -Counseling services available on campus free of charge for 
                   students who may be having adjustment or other problems are 
                   provided by our Office of Counseling and Psychological Services
                   as well as counselors at the Student Success Center.

                  -Career Services are available through our Career Services Office
                  for students who are still deciding on a major, and for those who want
                  to be sure they are in the right major for them.

                  -Academic Advising is normally provided by each academic
                  department.  If your student is a deciding student (Undecided Major), 
                  a pre-health science major (not accepted into one of our pre-health
                  science programs) or has placed into one or more developmental 
                  math or English classes.  The academic advisor for these students is 
                  located in the Student Success Center.

Freshman Adjustment

The first semester of college is an adjustment period for any student, when both residential and commuter students are making adjustments to college life. All students are adjusting to new social settings, time management demands, budget management responsibilities, making new friends, and trying to meet the rigors of college academics.

This is a trying time for both the student and the family.  The family-student relationship may be strained as students move towards becoming more independent.    Questions may arise such as: "Ok, why am I here?"  "Am I here because my parents/family want me to be?"  "Who am I?"  "What and who do I want to be?"  "How will I fit in?"  "Can I survive on my own?" ...are just a few of the questions many students have.

Starting college is the beginning of a major life change. Its normal to be fearful of change, at first.  There are many "unknowns to be faced."  It is also a very exciting time....a time for growth, for exploration, and taking on new responsibilities and challenges. Believe it or not, both you and your student will survive the struggles, the challenges and most important the victories.  And there will be many victories.

Academic Difficulty

What happens if after the first semester your student finds himself or herself on academic probation?

We have a system in place to work with your student.  The student will meet with a staff member from the Student Success Center.  The staff member and student will spend the next semester working together to make sure they are  successful.  Academic advising is provided to make sure the student is taking the correct classes and class load.  Tutoring services are available .  Time management and study skills will be assessed and recommendations made.  Adjustment issues are also discussed with the student.

We also have built into our system a communication plan with faculty to determine how the student is doing in classes.  The faculty member communicates the student's progress and the SSC staff member then is in contact with the student to address any issues that may need attention.

Parents Session Mission:

To provide information regarding academic policies, procedures, requirements, and programs that will affect you and your student.

Goal of Parents Orientation:

*invite you to a tour of the campus
*introduce you to the staff who are available to assist your student
*familiarize you with the services that increase chances of success at SSU
*provide information on safety and security
*answer any questions you may have

Parents Tentative Agenda - Orientation 2009

While your student is in orientation with the orientation leaders, we offer a session just for you!

 8:00-8:30         Check-in
 8:30-9:00         Welcome To Orientation 2009
10:00 -12:00      Parents Session
12:00-1:00         Lunch
1:00-2:00          Panel Discussion with students
2:00 - 2:30         Housing Tours