Staff Editorial
It is amazing how much support there is on our campus to ensure student success. Countless advisers, counselors, teachers and centers all promoting the idea that the student comes first. Health, wellness, fitness, academics, and clubs: they’re all here and waiting to be utilized, but how does CSU Bakersfield let students know about all of these incredible resources? By making all incoming freshman and transfer students pay a mandatory $55 fee to sit in a gym for seven hours to hear all about it.
There is no reason to be opposed to something as simple as an orientation. It makes perfect sense to make sure all students know what is available to them, and make them feel welcome by the CSUB community. However, taking their money and then calling all of the food and refreshments available there “free” feels more like a slap in the face.
Most students who show up have no idea of the expected end time, leaving many to awkwardly sneak out between speakers, distracting the rest of the audience. It just seems misleading to ask a class of students, many of whom work and have other time-sensitive responsibilities, to clear an entire day for something that, if streamlined effectively, should take no more than two hours.
The current setup is a welcome by CSUB President Horace Mitchell himself, with various staff introductions, tour of campus, and a student panel Q&A session. The information they all give is definitely useful, but there is only so much information one can process while their leg is falling asleep and a distinct, hours-old-coffee smell fills the room.
A true welcome shouldn’t feel like an obligation. Perhaps there should be more of a relaxed atmosphere. Imagine the Icardo Center is filled with a little music, reusable decorations and booths for each participating resource so students can focus on the information they will utilize most.
The orientation should start out with President Mitchell of course, introducing each booth with a two-to-three sentence description. Most centers and clubs already have pamphlets, business cards and internet sites where all of their services are listed. Why not just give those out so they can be used by students when they personally need them? Should they seek specific mentoring, they can go straight up to the source and have it answered face to face, a far more enjoyable experience than awkwardly shouting their questions from the bleachers in front of hundreds of people just to get back a generic response.
Additionally, instead of the prepared folder for each student, everyone gets a ticket. At each booth where they receive information, they get their ticket punched. About 10 punches and a list of links lets the student get back to their life. That way those who are already familiar with how college-level resources work can get in and out, while those students who need a little bit more attention receive it. Orientation doesn’t have to be so forced and groan-inducing. If you want students to feel welcome at their university, lose the useless jelly bracelet giveaway and give them their time and money back.
