Student Affairs : Student Involvement : New Students

INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS

Getting Started at SJSU

It's perfectly normal for new students to experience apprehension about starting college for the first time or transferring to a new campus. There are so many details to take care of, including registering for classes, parking, housing, and learning your way around campus, to name just a few. In addition, most new students don't know many, if any, faculty, staff, or other students. This adds to those initial feelings of disconnection and unease.

San José State University is well aware of the adjustments new students face and offers several programs and activities to get you off to a good start. These programs will provide you important information and interaction with students, faculty, and staff who want to get to know you and assist you in your transition to SJSU.

Be Sure to Attend the Following

Frosh Orientation (mandatory for all first-time freshmen)

SJSU is pleased to offer a 1 ½ day orientation program designed for freshmen and their parents. This overnight program assists new students with making the transition to college. Frosh Orientation is delivered collaboratively by two SJSU departments, Academic Services and Student Involvement. These departments work with new students at Frosh Orientation and beyond by utilizing student leaders who are trained in issues of transition.

At the program, both professional and student staff will advise students about required General Education courses, major courses, and prerequisites. Orientation Advisors, who are knowledgeable about the campus, will guide students and parents through experiences that educate them about campus programs and services.

Registration for Frosh Orientation is an ONLINE process. To submit your registration request, begin by logging-on to: http://nextsteps.sjsu.edu/. You will need your student ID number (nine digit number) and PIN (four digit number, which is the month/day of your birthday) in order to access the site. For more information about registering for Frosh Orientation, please visit our website at www.sjsu.edu/orientation. You can also call the office at 408.924.5972 or email orientation@sjsu.edu.

Orientation Staff - Every fall, approximately 30 students are selected to serve as student Orientation staff and provide support for the Frosh Orientation program the following summer. Student Involvement recruits a diverse student staff, and in the spring provides a full semester of Frosh Orientation preparation and leadership development training through a three unit class. Student staff continues to develop a strong community at the Frosh Orientation retreat in January, and during a week of additional training before the summer programs are to begin.

Benefits of joining the staff include on campus summer housing, a stipend, priority registration for classes, three units of elective credit, extensive leadership training, and recognition as a premier student leader. Applications are available in October at Student Involvement.

Transfer Information Program (TIP) (for transfer students)

Transfer students are encouraged to attend a TIP session during the summer. You will receive general information about the campus and major academic advising. This program is not mandatory but is recommended. For more information check out Transfer 101 which is included in your admissions packet.

Fall Welcome Days

The first six weeks of the fall semester are called Fall Welcome Days. Fall Welcome Days has two goals. The first goal is to officially welcome the campus community back to SJSU, and the second goal is to continue our new students? transition from high school to SJSU. Fall Welcome Days takes the work that is begun at Frosh Orientation and continues it into the academic year. For more information about Fall Welcome Days, please visit our website at http://sa.sjsu.edu/sll/programs/welcomeweek/index.html. You can also call the office at 408.924.5950 or email getinvolved@sjsu.edu.

Fall Welcome Board - Every spring, students are selected to lead the Fall Welcome Board. This board is responsible for organizing Fall Welcome Days events, serving as liaisons to the Frosh Orientation staff, as well as other faculty and staff constituents around campus. Benefits of joining the board include a stipend, priority registration for classes, and leadership training. Applications are available in April at Student Involvement

Welcome Convocation is held on the Tuesday before classes begin. It marks the official start of your academic career at SJSU, and the beginning of Fall Welcome Days! We invite you and your family to hear the University President's welcome address, view the traditional faculty processional, and be introduced to some of SJSU's traditions and the SJSU pep band.