STUDENTS FIRST! PROCESS REDESIGN
CHANGE PROPOSAL AND ACTION PLAN

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SERVICE: Enrollment--New Student Information Session

Current Situation:

In new student information sessions, students learn what they need to know to enroll and begin the first several weeks of classes. Students learn about Lane's enrollment process, including information about ClassLine, how to register for classes, CreditLine, skills testing, and program orientations. They review the class schedule and college catalog, especially references for how to drop and add classes, administrative drops, grade options, and important deadlines. A campus map, a student schedule worksheet, and some checklists are reviewed in the sessions. A list of counselors or academic advisors assigned to majors and programs is provided. New students who attend information sessions receive a complimentary copy of Connections, a calendar/planning handbook that includes information about college services and deadlines.

According to the OSRL survey, approximately one-third of new student respondents attended new student information sessions. Of those students, eighty-seven percent found the sessions to be helpful. According to the survey, those who attended a session take their classes at the college level for credit toward an academic goal, on the main campus, and are enrolled a year or longer. Both employees and students who attended input sessions affirmed the value of the new student information sessions and expressed a concern that so few students attended. Employees indicated that students greatly benefit from having general knowledge about the College and enrollment and registration procedures. Also, employees noted that large group sessions saved employees time and ensured the delivery of consistent information. Employees also noted that more students would attend sessions if rooms were available for more flexible scheduling. Scheduling rooms for the sessions has been a problem because classroom space is unavailable and space is not dedicated to orientation functions.

Some employees suggested that new student orientation sessions be either mandatory or incentives are offered for attendance. Site visits indicated that Linn-Benton (LBCC) and Clackamas Community (CCC) Colleges use different approaches to providing new students with information. Linn-Benton Community College requires new students taking twelve or more credits to attend orientation and provides an orientation video. Clackamas CC offers a free one credit course.

Desired Situation:

A majority of new students access information concerning the enrollment process and available resources for ensuring success. Students have a variety of options for obtaining the information including group sessions, videos, WAN/WWW pages and cable television. In addition, Lane offers an in-depth optional, free course for any interested new or continuing student.

Proposed Solution:

Expand the new student information session program with:

• improved web format and access (adding graphics to existing new student information web page, placing terminals in waiting areas, and creating advertisements that direct new students to web information)
• development of video tapes that can be viewed in waiting areas and multiple locations (i.e., Career and Work Information Center)
• creation of Cable 12 advertisement for sessions and regularly scheduled showing of video tape
• more flexible scheduling of group sessions (including evening hours)
• information about admission and early registration processes
• continued exploration of providing orientation services for non-credit, continuing education students

Attendance will be boosted by providing incentives, such as early registration, a first-time tuition break, and credit. Lane will offer a tuition-free, one-credit (ten instructional hours) class that will qualify for state reimbursement. The class will include participation in a new student information session and completion of a checklist of assignments (such as attending program orientation sessions, locating information in the Career and Work Information Center, meeting with an advisor or counselor, conferring with instructors, completing job shadow interviews). Workbook pages from the credit class will be piloted as a handout and later added as an appendix to Connections.

A new student information team will provide the creativity and long-term commitment to develop the items proposed above. The team will include advisors, counselor(s), a video specialist, and information employees assigned to the Students First! Center.

Dedicated space will be critical to increasing the number of new student information sessions and linking these sessions with complementary orientation sessions on telecourse, financial aid, and women's re-entry programs.

Coach (from Redesign Team): Bee McRae, Carol Lynn Morse
Sponsor: Linda Fossen, Larry Warford
Due Date: Summer 1998
Performance Measure(s):

Measurement	Tools for Measuring	Responsibility for Tracking Measurement
increase percentage of students using sessions from 33% to 66% by July 1998 maintain 87% student satisfaction level with the sessions	baseline = OSRL survey follow-up = student survey	Students First! Center Process Owner Manager

Action Plan for Implementing Solution:

Task	By Whom	By When	Resources Required
Identify and convene new student information session planning team.	Linda Fossen	Fall 1996
Update curriculum for new student orientation sessions.	New Student InformationTeam	1996-98
Create a process for involving students who participate in new student orientation sessions in early registration.	Team in consultation with Mason Davis
Develop curriculum for a one-credit, tuition-free new student information class.	Team in consultation with Julia Poole	Winter 1997
Revise Connections to include workbook appendix from one-credit class.	Ginger Yamamoto in consultation with team	Spring 1997
Refine WAN/WWW orientation page.	Ginger Yamamoto in consultation with Team	Fall 1996
Develop Cable 12 access for providing new student information.	Team in consultation with Cindy Leathers	Fall 1997
Develop advertising and public relations strategies.	Team in consultation with Diane Dann	1996-98
Explore implications of making orientation sessions mandatory.	Team	Spring 1997
Investigate orientation needs of non-credit, continuing education students.	Team in consultation with Debra Lamb	Spring 1997
Develop new student satisfaction evaluation.	Team in consultation with Craig Taylor	Fall 1996