Spring Break
New transfer mentor program created for orientation this fall
by Shana D. Lebowitz
Features Editor
News | 9/4/07
Posted online at 2:16 AM EST on 9/4/07
/ Last updated at 8:18 PM EST on 9/4/07
In an effort to make transfer students' transition to Brandeis more smooth, a new transfer mentor program has been created.
Approximately 30 transfers arrived on opening Sunday for an orientation tailored to meet the specific needs of transfer and commuter students.
"Most [transfer students] have been to college already, so info sessions like how to manage your time or the dangers of drugs and alcohol-they already know that stuff," said Dan Newman '09, organizer of the new orientation program for transfers and member of the core committee, which organizes the first-year orientation.
Instead, Newman said the orientation includes programs on how to get credits transferred from their previous schools, the differences between Brandeis and other colleges and information about campus transportation for commuter students.
Newman said the program was created to make transfer students feel more integrated in the Brandeis community.
Transfer students were placed in orientation groups together and had orientation leaders, six of whom are current transfer students trained by Newman this year.
"I gave [the transfer OLs] the power to choose how the group functions," he said. For example, groups could opt out of attending certain programs they felt wouldn't be helpful. One group decided to take a tour of Waltham this week, according to Newman.
A transfer orientation leader, or a "mentor," acts as "someone [the incoming transfers] can call and say 'Should I go to this?' or 'I have questions about this professor,'" Newman said.
"I hope that the mentors will keep in touch [with the new transfers] over the year," he said, adding that he plans to organize special events for the transfer students throughout the academic year.
During orientation, a transfer resource breakfast was held by the Hiatt Career Center. Newman said representatives from Student Activities, Academic Affairs, as well as community service groups also attended the event.
"Transfer students need more of a social hookup," Newman said. "Trying to find social opportunities for the transfer and commuter students was, I thought, more important."
Another of several informational get togethers for transfer students during orientation was an academic advising session run by Wendy Russman-Halperin, advisor to the transfer students and to the junior and senior class. The meeting focused on transferring credits, as well as the differences between Brandeis and other schools.
Last year, transfers were put in?AIDE groups solely with other transfers, which was not the case earlier years, but did not have separate events. For example, the alcohol session was still mandatory then. After Orientation Newman asked the students what they liked and didn't like about the special transfer related activities during the week.
Approximately 30 transfers arrived on opening Sunday for an orientation tailored to meet the specific needs of transfer and commuter students.
"Most [transfer students] have been to college already, so info sessions like how to manage your time or the dangers of drugs and alcohol-they already know that stuff," said Dan Newman '09, organizer of the new orientation program for transfers and member of the core committee, which organizes the first-year orientation.
Instead, Newman said the orientation includes programs on how to get credits transferred from their previous schools, the differences between Brandeis and other colleges and information about campus transportation for commuter students.
Newman said the program was created to make transfer students feel more integrated in the Brandeis community.
Transfer students were placed in orientation groups together and had orientation leaders, six of whom are current transfer students trained by Newman this year.
"I gave [the transfer OLs] the power to choose how the group functions," he said. For example, groups could opt out of attending certain programs they felt wouldn't be helpful. One group decided to take a tour of Waltham this week, according to Newman.
A transfer orientation leader, or a "mentor," acts as "someone [the incoming transfers] can call and say 'Should I go to this?' or 'I have questions about this professor,'" Newman said.
"I hope that the mentors will keep in touch [with the new transfers] over the year," he said, adding that he plans to organize special events for the transfer students throughout the academic year.
During orientation, a transfer resource breakfast was held by the Hiatt Career Center. Newman said representatives from Student Activities, Academic Affairs, as well as community service groups also attended the event.
"Transfer students need more of a social hookup," Newman said. "Trying to find social opportunities for the transfer and commuter students was, I thought, more important."
Another of several informational get togethers for transfer students during orientation was an academic advising session run by Wendy Russman-Halperin, advisor to the transfer students and to the junior and senior class. The meeting focused on transferring credits, as well as the differences between Brandeis and other schools.
Last year, transfers were put in?AIDE groups solely with other transfers, which was not the case earlier years, but did not have separate events. For example, the alcohol session was still mandatory then. After Orientation Newman asked the students what they liked and didn't like about the special transfer related activities during the week.
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