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As one herd of buffalo moves out, another prepares to move in at West Texas A&M University.

Following commencement ceremonies held May 7, New Student Orientation sessions begin May 13 and 14 for incoming freshmen. Nine sessions will be held between May and August.

“NSO is the one of the first hands-on experiences our freshmen will have on campus,” said Amanda Lawson, WT assistant director of new student and transfer orientation. “The students can have their questions answered while getting to know the campus and making new friends.”

The overnight programs introduce new students to the campus and community. All new freshmen are placed in small groups with a current student leader.

Orientation includes information on academics, campus resources, campus life, technology, traditions and more. Students also will meet with an academic adviser and register for classes on the second day.

Family orientation sessions are offered on the second day of each NSO, offering a companion experience for guests and family members of new students attending orientation.

“These sessions give families useful information, opportunities to ask questions and helpful tips about having a student in college,” said Sami Thompson, assistant director of family orientation, Buff Branding and peer leaders. “Family sessions are designed to help you better understand the services that WT has to offer as well as ways to help and encourage your student during this exciting time.”

Spanish family sessions will be held June 23-24 and June 30-July 1.

“We will offer the same program for Spanish-speaking families, with translation by our own faculty, staff and students,” said Jazmyn McGuire, orientation graduate assistant. “It’s a great opportunity for them to ask questions and get useful information.”

To attend, interested students must visit wtamu.edu/nso to complete a pre-orientation information module and select a date.

Up to 150 students can be accommodated at each session. Sessions are a day-and-a-half long and can either include all six of WT’s Colleges or three of the colleges at a time to offer students more flexibility in scheduling.

Upcoming NSO sessions will include:

May 13-14 for all Colleges;
June 2-3 for Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and College of Engineering;
June 9-10 for Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities;
June 16-17 for Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and College of Engineering;
June 23-24 for Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Engler College of Business, Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Spanish family session available);
June 30-July 1 for Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences and College of Engineering (Spanish family session available); `
July 18-19 for all Colleges;
4-5 for Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and Engler College of Business; and
15-16 for all Colleges.

Transfer registration days for students coming to WT from another institution of higher education will be held May 13 and July 18. They are optional events transfer students can take part in following completion of online orientation sessions.

Online orientation sessions also are available for high school students enrolled in dual-credit courses through WT’s Pre-University Programs, and for students who wish to enroll temporarily before returning to their home institution.

Engaging and retaining the best students is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised about $110 million.

-West Texas A&M University