Orientation is the first thing that incoming freshmen experience when they get to college. Tech’s week-long event does a decent job at acclimating students to the campus and the college experience. However, like any large logistical challenge, it can always be improved. Shortening the current week-long orientation in August and adding a summer session is a good way to get incoming students involved with Michigan Tech earlier in the admissions process.
I agree with the mindset of getting our metaphorical foot in the door sooner with incoming students. With Houghton being so remote, early communication is a must to retain the possibility of a student attending MTU. In addition, Tech must showcase its unique qualities when competing with the likes of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan State. The summer orientation sessions would accomplish this while showcasing the beauty of the area in a season students see little of during the school year.
There are a couple concerns with the new model, including finding staff during the summer and the implementation timeline.
Most of Tech’s students either go home to work or find internships within their field of study during the three and a half months between the spring and fall semesters. There are some students that do stick around in the summer for various reasons, whether it be because of local jobs or working with Tech’s Summer Youth Programs. I think the new orientation model could be done; I am just skeptical, knowing how sought after Tech’s students are for professional positions.
In terms of the timeline, this feels very rushed. When talking to a couple students who have experience helping with orientation, one of the common thoughts is “why the fall of 2025 semester and not the fall of 2026?” From the student perspective, it feels like there is scrambling to get plans in place before the hiring process starts in late Jan. Students were only introduced to this new plan in Oct., and we had a lot of feedback for the planning committee and administration after being introduced to the new model.
Overall, the new orientation plan is a good idea and one that streamlines some of the formalities for the week. However, I have concerns about the implementation and timeframe of how this will be introduced. Myself and much of the student body will be watching this to see how it all shakes out.
