NIU’s orientation staff is using a new evaluation system to determine what helps students get to know NIU and what needs improvement.

The previous system used a questionnaire with a rating scale of one to five for each orientation-day item, from the lunch incoming students are served to the advisers who help them plan their schedules, said Daniel Turner, assistant director of Orientation and Campus Information.

Those evaluations were to be placed in boxes at the end of orientation days, but a large percentage weren’t returned.

The new format consists of qualitative statements, where students answer from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” A check-out system also was implemented, so participants must turn in their evaluation forms to receive NIU OneCard instructions and Internet “z-numbers.”

“Once we started doing check-out, the evaluations we’re getting are over 90 percent, which really gives us a good picture of what we’re doing,” Turner said.

A comments section also was added to the evaluation form to let students and their parents give specific orientation feedback.

During summer orientation programs, about 2,700 family members and 3,300 students returned evaluation forms. Written comments were organized into several dozen categories ranging from opinions on T.R.A.C.S. to the orientation staff and academic advising.

Suggested improvements included a shorter or longer tour, better academic advising and allowing students and parents to spend more time together during orientation. But most students and family members thought no improvement was needed.

Turner said the orientation program’s goal is helping new students with the transition to university life.

“We see it as a three-part system,” he said, with orientation day, New Student Welcome Days and the University 101 orientation class all part of the plan.

Director of admissions Bob Burk said orientation is an integral part of the university.

“The orientation program is the very last of our recruiting programs at NIU, but the very first of our retention programs,” he said. “If (students) don’t have a good experience at that, they’re not going to enroll here.

“For every 1 percent of students we retain, that’s 10 percent fewer we have to recruit to replace them.”

A successful orientation process emphasizes advising, which helps students graduate in four years, Burk said.

Also vital is an effective student staff. Student orientation leaders were commended by about one-third of students and about one-half of total family members in summer evaluations.

“It’s the opportunity these people have to see a real NIU student and see what the university is about,” Turner said.

Orientation team leader Alex Underwood, a sophomore accountancy major, started with the orientation staff in 2000 and now trains new orientation leaders.

“I think it’s a phenomenally run program; the organizational skills it takes to put on a program like this with such ease … it really helps people connect with Northern,” he said.

Team leader Emiko Pope, a junior communication major, said being part of the orientation program helps her focus her goals.

“You just learn about all the resources that are available,” she said. “I know where I can go for academic advising, to get help with job interviews … and what I like the most is that I can help people.”