New-student orientation begins

Incoming freshmen and transfer students will begin their transition to UW–Madison life this week as the summer SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) program gets under way.

More than 6,000 new and transferring students plan to visit UW–Madison during continuous sessions of summer orientation. The first two-day session for new freshmen began Sunday, June 6. Sessions will run until Thursday, July 29.

SOAR provides a wide range of services and information for new students, including advising and class registration for their first semester of classes.

Carren Martin, assistant director of the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs, says SOAR also helps new and transferring students learn about campus resources and expectations, and gives them a chance to make friends and meet other students, faculty and staff.

“The SOAR program is just the beginning of a student’s transition to the university,” she says. “The staff works hard to create a welcoming environment for students to begin preparing for their college experience.”

Parents of new and transferring students also attend SOAR sessions designed specifically for them. Some of the topics covered include health, safety, alcohol, financial aid and social services.

One new addition this year is a session entitled “Family Transitions and Transformations,” specifically addressing the changing relationship between students and parents when students go off to college.

The emphasis will be on having parents share their concerns, stories and advice with one another. University staff members will also share tips on how parents can be sources of support to their students during the college experience.

Among other activities, students will have a chance to visit residence halls where they will live this fall. They also will sign up for a NetID, which will give them access to university online resources, including the new MyUW Web portal.