Our Programs
The Office of New Student Programs has put together several programs that provide a comprehensive web of support for new students. Our goal is to ensure that new students are an integral part of the University community. Our programs include:
University 100: Introduction to Higher Education
"UNIV 100" is a first semester course for new students. Faculty, staff, and upper-class peer instructors focus on academic, social and personal issues, including decision-making skills. Radford University has developed its own textbook to ensure content relevance which includes university and local resources, organizations and happenings.
Success Starts Here is a lecture series intended to compliment the curriculum of University 100, and covers topics including academic success, values, building character, and responsible decision making.
S.O.R.T.S. (Students On the Road To Success) Program
The SORTS Program offers a second chance to new students who were academically unsuccessful in their first semester. Some students' academic failures are often the result of personal and social difficulties, so we gear skills and strategies toward coping as well as to academics. They participate in structured study halls and meet regularly with Peer Mentors and SORTS staff. The student's progress is closely monitored by Academic Advisers and the SORTS staff.
Pre-major advising is an option for students at Radford University to choose rather than declaring a major when they enroll at RU. Students attending Radford who wish to change their majors, but who are not sure about a new major may also be advised as a pre-major student.
Fall Opening 2009
For those students, freshmen and transfers, unable to attend one of our summer programs, we will hold abbreviated orientation and registration programs for you a few days prior to the start of classes. This year, Fall Orientation will take place on Thursday, August 27th and continue on Friday, August 28th.
Spring Opening 2010
Spring Advising and Registration, for both new freshmen and transfer students, will take place on a few days prior to start of classes on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010. Please check back for specific dates and times. Students planning to attend Radford University for the spring term should plan to attend this program. Invitations with additional information will be mailed in early December.
Summer Programs 2009
New Student Orientation for new freshmen is a two-day orientation program that begins the supportive process with a comprehensive overview of university culture, resources and services. Its main objective is to academically advise and schedule new students for the upcoming fall semester. Faculty advisors and student leaders who serve as Orientation Assistants offer new students guidance and reassurance during the two days they and their families are at Radford.
Transfer Student Orientation will take place on July 23rd*, July 24th, July 25th, July 27th, and July 28th. For those unable to attend these programs, there will be another opportunity to register for classes begin in the fall. Invitations for the July programs will be mailed beginning in April, and in early August for the fall program.
*This program is only for students transferring from Virginia Community Colleges.
