“We believe that orientation helps students gain more knowledge about what to expect during their college experience and helps them become engaged with the college community right away,” said Stephen Camp, DCCC’s dean of student support and campus life. “We know if students feel welcomed and involved in all the college has to offer that their chances of academic success are much better.”

As part of the two-hour orientation session, new students schedule an appointment with their academic advisor to register for classes. They also watch a DCCC video, take tours, meet key college personnel, explore student support services and other resources available to them, and learn the importance of time management.

Adult family members of DCCC students are invited to attend a separate Family Connections information session while their student attends orientation. The session for students’ spouses, parents or adult children is designed to help family members learn how they can support and assist their student during the college years.

In addition to requiring attendance at orientation sessions, DCCC recently implemented earlier registration deadlines for the summer session and for fall and spring semester enrollments to help students become better prepared to begin classes. The extra time between enrollment and the start of classes was built in to allow students more flexibility to attend an orientation session.

Knowing as much as possible about DCCC in advance and avoiding the last-minute stress of late registration helps students get off to a smooth start when classes begin, according to DCCC student surveys. Students reported that they benefited by attending orientation in advance of their classes where they met other students in their academic program, learned about campus activities and clubs, and found out how to access resources they needed.

Students seeking financial aid for the summer term must complete the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 29. Students wanting to begin summer session classes June 1 must complete their college application and other admission documents by May 10 and attend an orientation session by May 16.