BYU Harold B. Lee Library

Revision as of 14:45, 18 August 2010

From 1938 on, the programs and activities for introducing students to Brigham Young University were known simply as Orientation. During the years 1968 to 1972, the structure of the organization underwent several changes. In 1968, a University Orientation Committee was organized with Bob Baird serving as Chairman. In 1972, an Orientation Committee was appointed by the President and Deans of the university. Erlend Peterson served as Chairman and reported to the Dean of Student Life. They were charged with planning and organizing an orientation program for new students that would provide them with proper perspective of the academic, religious, and social opportunities available and the various community facilities that serve the students.

Orientation activities typically included participation in small groups, tours of campus, help with registration, and disseminating information about all of the social, religious, and academic opportunities available, meetings with leadership, and get-together activities. Later, orientation also came to include seminars in career opportunities, mini courses, orientation to the academic support services, and testing opportunities.

In 1973, the title officially changed to New Student Orientation, later known as NSO. At that time, academic colleges were charged with orienting their new students.

Reference groups were added as part of New Student Orientation in 1978. These groups of 8-15 students were usually led by a faculty member. Their purpose was to help students build friendships, discuss challenges, inform students about University resources, and help them identify and acheive goals. (catalog 1978-79, pg. 8)

Variant Names

NSO

Description

Established: 1973

Abolished:

Location: Provo, Utah (1973-1955)

Functions

Orientation programs were designed to help incoming freshmen and transfer students make the personal, social, and academic adjustments necessary for a successful college career. Orientation also provides new students opportunities to become acquainted with the resources available to them on campus.

Assets and Administrative Structure

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1972-)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Orientation (1938-1972)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Student Personnel Services (1955-1972)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Admissions and Credits (1945-1955)

Associated Archival Materials

Sources

UA 1086 Box 489 Fol 10 (University Orientation Committee, Bob Baird as Chairman)

University Archives (Orientation Committee)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1973-1974: p. 20 (Called New Student Orientation, under the direction of academic colleges)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1972-1973: p. 20 (Orientation activities)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1975-1976: p. 17 (Later orientation activities)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1978-1979: p. 8 (Reference groups)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 2002-2003: p. 16-17 (New Student Orientation called NSO)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1972-1973: p. 20(Functions)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1992-1993: p. 2-3 (Functions)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00223

Creator: PBL