Spring Break
AARO welcomes new students to the Hilltop
Brooks Powell, Staff Writer, blpowell@smu.edubro
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: News
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The two-day program is designed to acclimate incoming students to their new surroundings by focusing on academics, campus resources and involvement opportunities, according to the SMU Web site.
AARO begins with a discussion about the transition from high school to college. The bottom line is that in college each student controls his or her own destiny, with the responsibility for success resting squarely on his or her shoulders. However, students are not simply tossed into the wilderness to fend for themselves - they may rely on a host of campus resources, including their academic advisors.
While selecting classes is a primary goal, Ashley Stone, assistant director of new student orientation and student support, wants attendees to know that AARO is not just about registering for class.
"We want students to become aware of the academic climate of SMU," Stone said.
According to recent trends, students are seeking more intellectual engagement, which Stone says places a greater imperative on her office to thoroughly address the topic.
A luncheon on day two allows students and parents to meet faculty in an informal setting to get advice on how to succeed. Stone believes this will foster relationships between students and faculty by forging connections early.
"SMU Essentials" provides an introduction to several departments, including Services for Students with Disabilities, Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH), SMU Dining Services, and the SMU Police Department.
The Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, located in the SMU Memorial Health Center, hosts its own session to educate about substance use and abuse.
A recent report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that binge drinking among college students is on the rise. That statistic, as well as SMU's own recent history with alcohol and drug-related deaths, has forced administrators to take a hard look at how these topics are addressed, beginning with orientation.
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