How was your orientation experience (Part III)?

Check out some photos!

These are our student orientation advisors performing for our college meeting.  It's ok to laugh!

How was your orientation experience (Part II)?

New Student Video Contest!

Student Video Contest - Cool Prizes including an Apple iPad! The top 5 videos will be shown at Gone To Texas on August 23rd! 


Make us proud!


http://www.utexas.edu/events/gtt/student_video.php

Don't Miss CommUnity! August 23rd!

How was your orientation experience?

Freshman Session #4 - What do you think of orientation so far?

Signature Courses - UGS 302/UGS 303

All first-year students are required to take a Signature Course which are taught by some of the best professors at The University of Texas at Austin.  Students are required to chose from either UGS 302 or UGS 303 to complete the Signature Course requirement.  

Signature Courses cover a wide-range of topics and will explore various campus resources and University gems like the Blanton Museum, The Harry Ransom Center or Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Visit the website below for more information about Signature Courses, the Faculty that teach them and a list of University Gems. 

Signature Course Information

Two Sessions Down....4 More To Go!

So far we have completed two Freshman Orientation sessions out of six for this summer.  The first two sessions went really well and the new communication students are awesome!  Next week is a big week for us.  Not only are we welcoming 105 more new freshman into the College of Communication, we also start our Transfer Orientation on Thursday, which will bring another 50 new students.  The College of Communication is a very exciting place to be this summer!  

Get A Little Taste of Orientation!

We like to create excitement during the College of Communication meeting at Summer Orientation.  This video is a brief taste at some of the Orientation Advisors working hard during their presentation.

Only 1 day until Summer Orientation 2011 starts!!!

Are you ready?

First-Year Interest Groups!

A First-year Interest Group (FIG) is a small cohort of first-year students who develop community by taking two to four classes together. Students get to know their classmates by attending a weekly seminar facilitated by a peer mentor and staff member. Students may discuss issues such as study and time management strategies and campus life and involvement opportunities.  FIGs only last for the first semester.

In addition to the generally outlined activities, major-focused COMM FIGs will allow students to chose FIGs that focus on a specific major. We strongly encourage you to choose a FIG which includes a course in your intended major so that you can make the most informed decision about your future in the College of Communication. You will receive more information about the FIG program at Orientation.

We will cover more about FIGs at each Orientation session.  When you meet with your Academic Advisor they will help you decide it the FIG program is right for you.  Click on the link below to jump to the College of Communication FIG page.  You can download a list of the various FIGs in the College of Communication on the right of that page.

College of Communication FIGs 2011

What Will I Do At Orientation?

Several of you are asking me about what you will do at orientation.  The Orientation Advisors put together a quick list of just a few of the things you will do at orientation.  Enjoy!

Click here to view Episode #4

Award Winning Academic Advisors!

 At summer orientation, you will meet with an Academic Advisor in your major to assist you in building your schedule. Your Academic Advisor is one of the most important people you will work with during your time at Texas.  The Academic Advisors in the College of Communication are some of the best on campus and in the Nation.  Take a moment and read the press release below about a National award that they recently won.

Office of Student Affairs Named Outstanding Advising Program

AUSTIN, TexasOct. 1, 2010

The College of Communication Office of Student Affairs has been named an "Outstanding Advising Program" by theNational Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

The College of Communication is one of only three institutions in the nation to be recognized Oct. 3 at NACADA annual conference in Orlando, Fla. The NACADA awards program annually recognizes advising programs that document innovative and exemplary practices resulting in improvement of academic advising service.

"I am delighted that the Office of Student Affairs has been recognized by NACADA. We strongly believe that the services and programs we provide are an integral and valuable part of each student's experience in the College of Communication," said Mark Bernstein, associate dean of the College of Communication and associate professor of communication sciences and disorders. "We have designed our philosophy and services to mix the convenience of technology with warm personal interaction, so that our programs are easy to access, enjoyable and effective."

Personalized advising and technology are two of the key tools advisers use to connect students to their major, the college and the university. To build long-term personal relationships, students are assigned one adviser for the duration of their time as undergraduates in the college.

Technology is fundamental to this student-focused advising model. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and AIM, and the STudent Appointment Reservation system (STAR) are comfortable and convenient communication channels that put important information to students where they are most comfortable and make it easy to schedule advising appointments.

Since 1983, NACADA has honored individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising in higher education. The goal of NACADA is to promote quality academic advising and professional development of its membership to enhance the educational development of students.

###

Contact:

Erin Geisler

512-475-8071

Original Press Release

What Do You Want to Know Before Summer Orientation?

You tell us!  We want you to give us some ideas of information that you would like to know before you come to summer orientation or your first semester on campus?  Is there something about the College of Communication or about the student experience that you would like to know?  We will take some of the ideas that you have for topics and use them as future blog posts or videos.  Email topics to:  WelcomeToComm@austin.utexas.edu or comment here if you want!

Did your family sign up for Family Orientation?

Family Orientation happens on the first day of each session of summer orientation.   This is a great opportunity for family to come and see your new home away from home!  If you are interested check out the Family Orientation page to get signed up. 
Family Day Registration Link

Facebook / Twitter

Are you following UTCommFirstYear on Facebook?  Twitter? 


More than 350 students have signed up for New Student Orientation.  Are you one of them?  We can't wait to meet you!

Orientation Advisors answer....Why Texas?

The latest video gives the Orientation Advisors the opportunity to tell you why they  decided to come to The University of Texas at Austin.  

Click here to see the video 

What do you wish someone had told you?

In our second video we asked the College of Communication student Orientation Advisors to offer first year students a tip they wish someone would have told them prior to college. 

 Click here to watch the video
Also, don't forget to register for orientation if you have not done so already.  The early you do so the better!  

Check out the Orientation Advisors!

The Orientation Advisors are part of a class in the spring in which they learn how to better help you navigate summer orientation. They are a fun group and will be a great help to you this summer.

Have You Registered for Summer Orientation?

212 students have registered for summer orientation.  Have you?  Sign up today and save your spot!
 http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss/

Communication Orientation Advisors

Each summer, 8 students work closely with new students in the College of Communication while they are here during summer orientation.  We refer to them as OAs (Orientation Advisors) and we want you to get to know them.  Throughout the spring they are going to create and post short videos to help provide you with some information that will be helpful as you make your transition.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/UTCommFirstYear?feature=mhum

Click on the title - not the picture to start the video

Welcome UTCommFirstYear

Welcome to the UTCommFirstYear blog!  By the title of the Blog, you probably know that it is intended for students entering their first year in the College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. We hope it provides some insight into our College and serves as a place to gather helpful information throughout Spring and Summer as you enter your first year with us.  If you have any questions email WelcomeToComm@austin.utexas.edu and one of the Orientation Co-Coordinators will answer your email.


Congrats and Hook'em Horns! 

Andrea Poag & Theresa Thomas
College of Communication Orientation Co-Coordinators


Important Links and addresses:
College of Communication Prospective Students:
http://communication.utexas.edu/prospective/


College of Communication Summer Orientation:
http://communication.utexas.edu/prospective/freshman-summer-orientation

Apply to attend summer orientation:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss/


College of Communication Orientation Email:  WelcomeToComm@austin.utexas.edu


College of Communication Orientation Twitter: UTCommFirstYear