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New Student & Family Programs records

 Record Group
Identifier: 004-001-003

Scope and Contents

This record group's materials are largely textual and contains schedules, correspondance, budget requests, reports, minutes, floor plans, pamphlets, handbooks, photographs, and other material related to the planning and execution of orientation. Included in the material related to the execution of orientation are handouts and a gift students would have received, as well as banners used during the event.

Dates

  • Creation: 1927-2004
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1962 - 1997

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

Towson University Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections; however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with SCUA to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical / Historical

From approximately 1931-1968, orientation for incoming freshmen was a week-long, scheduled event, during which freshmen and other new students got to know the campus, did testing (standardized, achievement, and advanced placement), went to seminars, and took part in a range of social activities.

The group in charge of planning orientation has had different names throughout Towson University’s history. Orientation was originally planned by committees of faculty and staff. However, in 1976 a formal department was established called the Orientation Department. It was renamed Orientation and New Student Relations in 1992, became the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs in 1998, and, as of 2006, is called the Office of New Student Programs.

In 1974 the TRIAD (not an acronym; represents the triad of orientation, registration, and advising) program was added to the department. Although in 1992 the name of TRIAD was no longer associated with orientation, orientation as of 2017 still contains both registration and advising.

In addition to the faculty and staff, students also helped plan orientation. From approximately 1946-1965, a student organization called the Freshman Advisory Council (FAC) helped new students adjust to college and sponsored some of the student handbooks. From approx. 1966-1973 the Student Orientation Council (SOC) worked with the Orientation department.

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This record group is arranged based on function.

Series 1: Orientation Planning. This series contains general materials for the planning of orientation, including schedules, correspondace, welcome letters.

Series 2: Budget Requests. This series contains budget requests from 1966-69 and 1971-72.

Series 3: Handbooks. This series contanis student and parent/family handbooks.

Series 4: Student Handouts. This series contains handouts students received during orientation.

Series 5: Photographs. This series contains printed photographs from 2002 and CDs containing digital photographs from 2002, all of orientation.

Series 6: Event Materials. This series contains banners used at orientation.

In all series, materials are arranged chronologically. Any undated items are placed after the dated items in alphabetical order.

Title
Guide to the New Student Programs records
Status
Completed
Author
Cassondra (updated by John Esh, 2020)
Date
4/25/2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Towson University Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
Albert S. Cook Library
8000 York Rd
Towson MD 21252 United States