UCSB Orientation Programs & Parent Services

UCSB Orientation Programs and Parent Services designs and implements comprehensive student and parent programs that introduce educational, social, and personal resources to facilitate the success of new students. We focus on innovation, collaborate with UCSB departments, and develop skilled and confident Orientation leaders in order to meet the changing needs of our diverse community. Each summer, Orientation Programs offers approximately 17 Orientation sessions for new students and their parents. These sessions are two days for freshmen and one day for transfer students and are designed to assist with the transition to UCSB from high school or other institutions. The student and parent programs include large and small group meetings (discussions, lectures, presentations, panels); academic advising in small groups for students; tours of the campus, facilities, and Isla Vista; meals in a campus dining commons (during freshman sessions only); an overnight stay in a campus residence hall (during freshman sessions only, optional, and dependent upon availability); student social activities; parent social hour; workshops on student life; and assistance with fall course registration. Each year during fall and winter quarters, Orientation Programs advertises the availability of student staff positions. Two students are hired from among previous staff members to act as Student Coordinators, and approximately 28 students are hired as Orientation Staff advisors. Orientation Programs seeks to recruit a diverse staff representative of the range of students making up the UCSB student body. Those who are hired will participate in a three-month spring training program and help to plan and implement the upcoming Orientation sessions. The process of students interviewing, training, and working in these positions is valuable for their personal and career development, as well as for the success of the Orientation program.