Engaging Your Student at CSU

Orientation & Transition Programs

As your students transition to CSU, they may not realize the opportunities available that allow them to connect with other new students and create a connection to their University.  How many of your students were involved in high school? were high school athletes? were involved in student council? are a transfer student? Opportunities for new students to explore involvement begin with Ram Welcome, the first four days on campus.

This experience allows new students to explore academic programs and meet faculty and staff, learn about the services available to support their college experience, become part of the CSU community, connect with other students, learn traditions, and discover what it means to be a CSU Ram!

In a student’s first year, Orientation & Transition Programs offers new first-year students and transfer students an opportunity to get involved.  First-year students can join a group of peers who share a passion, interest or identity and work with a Peer Mentor and Faculty/Staff Mentor as part of the First Year Mentoring Program.  In the spring semester, students can attend the Getting to Year 2 @ CSU Conference to help provide them with skills and resources.

Transfer Students can participate in the Transfer Mentoring Program, join the Transfer Student Association, be inducted into Tau Sigma National Honor Society, or join Transfer Student Communities.

Students can get involved in their residence hall community by attending programs planned by their Resident Assistant (RA) or joining their hall council or the Residence Hall Association. For more information on getting involved in the residence halls, your student should ask their RA. If your student is interested in exploring clubs or students organizations, they can explore the close to 300 organizations at CSU including academic-related organizations through their academic college.

The Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement (SLiCE) connects students to student organizations as well as provides other leadership and service opportunities for students. Beyond, SLiCE, students can connect to a variety of fraternity or sororities through the Office of Greek Life or connect to free fitness classes, outdoor experiences or just maintaining their physical health through Campus Recreation!

The opportunities for involvement are endless for new students. Students who get involved in their college experience not only perform better academically than their non-involved peers, but are able to build a community with CSU which assists them with their transition to a new environment.