Orientation for Parents (June)

June Orientation Dates for the families of the incoming Class of 2012:

June 19-June 20, 2008 - Session A

June 24-June 25, 2008 - Session B

Parent Orientation Assessment Survey

Our Orientation program is an overnight program. Parent attendees will be provided with a number of options through local hotels and other accommodations.

Here is a copy of the brochure that has been mailed out: Orientation Brochure.pdf

As a part of the Parent Orientation program, we have solicited University Faculty and Staff to present sessions to you and your student on Day 2 of Orientation. These sessions are listed below. If you are unable to attend Orientation, the materials from these sessions will be posted on this web site in mid-July. Some of the presentations will also be podcasted and available for download via iTunesU.

You do not need to register for these program sessions. Sessions will be closed once the room has reached capacity. The locations and times of these sessions will be in the Parent Program that you will receive when you arrive for Orientation.

Parent and Student Sessions
Day 2

Business Education at a Jesuit University - An Interdisciplinary Learning Experience
Presented by: Heather Petraglia, Assistant Dean & Director of Undergraduate Programs & Kathy Tellis, Director of Internships, and two current business students.
This session will be aimed at assisting students in navigating their learning experience while at Fairfield University and will explore the various resources and opportunities within the Dolan School of Business. First year students will be encouraged to embrace being 'undeclared', diversify their learning experience, foster a connection between the business curriculum and the liberal arts core curriculum, and individualize their plan of study.

Successful transition to College for Students with Disabilities
Presented by: Aimee Tiu-Wu, Director of Academic & Disability Support Services, Susan Birge, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services, Gary Nelson, Director of the Student Health Center, and Jason Downer, Associate Director of Residence Life.
As high school students with disabilities prepare for college, it is pertinent to learn about the differences between high school and college. Doing so will improve your opportunity to succeed as you anticipate the increased workload in a faster-paced academic setting, lengthy readings, harder work to get that "A", more financial responsibilities, and social pressures. This session will include topics like how to register with the Office of Academic & Disability Support Services, how to deal with stress, how to stay healthy, etc.

Financial Aid - What's left to do before classes begin?
Presented by: Erin Chiaro, Director of Financial Aid
Learn the steps that have to be taken in order for your financial aid to disburse on your billing statements and how your financial aid will appear on your billing statement.

Visual and Performing Arts - How and Why It's For You!
Presented by: Visual and Performing Arts Department
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts consists of five programs: Art History, Music, New Media, Studio Art, and Theatre, each of which has majors, minors, and extracurricular groups and activities to meet most every student need and interest. The arts instill empathy, discernment, and sensitivity to and respect for, the expressions of individuals and groups and their visions of the world. By studying the arts, students have the creative and artistic abilities required for many future professional challenges.

Living and Learning Communities
Presented by: Representatives from the Office of Residence Life
Fairfield University is pleased to announce its first year Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) for the 2008/2009 academic year. Each community offers a specially designed floor in each residence hall. These floors will provide students with specialized support and attention as well as the opportunity to collaborate and interact with faculty and administration on a daily basis, in addition to unique programming and activities for students to enjoy. For more information about housing click here.

Residence Life 101
Presented by: Area Coordinator Keenya Horton and Public Safety Officer Rob Didato
Come explore some of the misconceptions of residential living and college life with an Area Coordinator and Public Safety Officer who have seen it all.

Living/Learning in the World: Study Abroad's Place in a Jesuit Education
Presented by: Chris Johnson, Assistant Dean of University College
Study abroad is increasingly, not just desirable, but essential to a complete education.  Using the Jesuit approach to teaching and learning as a backdrop, this session will examine global learning opportunities through the eyes of returned study abroad students. Student presenters will discuss the value of study abroad in a globalized economic and academic community and the importance of intercultural preparation for success on campus and after graduation. A particular emphasis will be on the importance of aligning a study abroad destination with major and minor with a view towards underlining the Fairfield academic experience.

The Arts and Sciences Internship Experience: Preparing for
Tomorrow's Career Today!
Presented by: Dr. David Gudelunas, Director of Internship Programs in the Department of Communication
This panel will provide an overview of the internship opportunities available to students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Special attention will be given to planning ahead for internship experiences as well as how to locate, secure and then thrive at an internship site. Linking the practical internship experience to a liberal arts education will also be addressed. 

Becoming a Teacher!
Presented by: The Curriculum and Instruction Department
The Curriculum and Instruction Department, located in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, offers a variety of planned programs for undergraduates aspiring to earn Connecticut teaching certification, explore teaching as a career, or jump-start their graduate studies in education. This presentation provides the opportunity to meet the teacher education faculty and to learn more about how to join our undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs.

Health Professions Preparation Program (HP3)
Presented by: Dr. Keith Bradley, professor
For a student at Fairfield to discern, qualify and personally develop for a career in the health professions involves an interesting and exciting, but rigorous process. This presentation is designed to give students and their parents a step-by-step guideline and tips for how to be successful in achieving their goals. Specific advice will be offered on how to start off in the right direction from the first semester of school, a particularly critical time for our HP3 students.

Computer Science - More Than Just Computers
Presented by: Adam King, Director Computer Science
Somewhat misnamed, "computer science" is not so much about computers as it is exploring the nature of information and how specific actions affect that information - concepts applicable to psychology, business, biology, mathematics, and even philosophy. This group will explore how computer science is not only a way to learn skills with market value, but also to explore many deep and fascinating issues. Computer science is changing the way we live, think, and interact with others and the world around us.

Being a D1 Athlete
Presented by: Fairfield University Athletic Department and Student Athletes
This session is for incoming students who plan to participate in varsity athletics. This session will introduce you to several athletics administrators, and some basic policies and procedures that will help you understand the expectations of being a student athlete.

OMG! I heart the Library!
This program will be conducted as a mock class, designed to imitate the library instruction classes students will undertake during their first year. Working together, students and their parents will be given quizzes comprised of actual course-related research questions we have received at the reference desk. These questions will be selected to highlight library resources, research support services available to students, and how the library can help students as they transition towards the higher expectations of college level research.

If you have any questions about the Orientation Program, please contact Joe Ginese at jginese@mail.fairfield.edu or via phone at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2375.