The LMC Student Orientation and Success Program

Purpose of the Program:

The LMC mentoring program is intended to increase student success in college.  It accomplishes this, first and foremost, by providing a structured way in which to build connections between faculty and incoming freshmen.  Each incoming freshman is assigned a mentor and an orientation group.  The LMC mentor is an advocate for their students' success throughout the students' tenure at the college.  It is our expectation that student knowledge of academic and life skills will grow quite naturally from their interaction with their faculty mentor and the orientation curriculum. 

Who is Eligible to Participate as a Mentor?

LMC faculty, staff, and administration are eligible to serve as mentors.  Preference will be given to individuals who have worked at least one year at LMC.

Course Credit:

ORIE 1100 carries one hour of credit and is a requirement for LMC graduation.

Class Meeting Times:

ORIE 1100 meets every Monday of the fall semester from 11-11:50 am.  A limited number of spring ORIE 1100 sections are scheduled to accomodate new spring students and those students who must repeat the course for credit.  Those classes will also meet every Monday from 11-11:50 am.  Additionally, it is required that mentors meet with their advisees on at least one additional occasion per semester to discuss student academic progress and transitional issues.  This outside meeting should be scheduled at a time convenient for both instructor and student, and should be sensitive to the student’s other time commitments (i.e.: practices for a variety of extra-curricular activities, games, service learning participation, etc.).  Though regular class meetings and an office visit are the only required instances of contact, it is strongly recommended that mentors take advantage of other opportunities to interact with their advisees.  As this program is designed to build and solidify the LMC community, mentors often choose to attend sporting events or fine-arts production as a mentoring group, for example. 

The general topics covered in ORIE 1100 will include skills-based instruction such as time-management and study strategies.  Additional topics will address Lon Morris tradition and history as well as student and faculty concerns regarding character development and health and safety issues. 

Textbook:

Students receive a copy of the Lon Morris College Student Success Guide that will serve as an information source for class instruction.  Instructors will address the handbook’s policies and procedures section, as the Guide contains a wealth of valuable information for students.  Additionally, mentors may supplement with class hand-outs and resource material as appropriate. 

Presentation of Information:

Due to the nature of a first year experience course, a broad range of material must be made available to students in a brief period of time. While most topics will be covered by LMC mentors, those instructors may engage guest speakers at various points during the semester to aid in the presentation of material.  This is particularly beneficial in cases where instructor expertise does not match the substance of the week’s discussions.  (i.e.: a health-care provider is better qualified to discuss issues of substance abuse or health risks)

Bearcat BBQs:
Efforts to further build community at LMC are enhanced by a series of BBQs held at the Vice President for Student Affairs' home over the course of the year.  Each freshman will be invited (along with the other members of his or her ORIE group and their instructor) to join in the fun once a year.  The BBQs offer a chance for students to interact with other students they might not normally have an opportunity to meet, other ORIE instructors and members of the LMC staff and administration.   

Coping with College Series: 

The mentoring program will be reinforced by occasional presentations in the Coping with College series.  The Coping with College series invites speakers to address issues commonly confronted by college students and is hosted on occasional Monday evenings during academic terms.    Coping with College Series Dates 

 
Final Thoughts:

The mentoring program is designed to encompass a much broader focus than just the ORIE class.  If functioning properly, our efforts at facilitating student success will monitor academic as well as behavioral issues (including attendance and any disciplinary measures taken by the college’s judicial agents).  It is the mentor's job to be sincerely and consistently interested in their students’ success in all areas of their life here at LMC.  It is the responsibility of the Director of Student Orientation and Success to provide staff with adequate support in that task.  The program director will act as an information clearinghouse and liason between campus departments and faculty mentors so that we may collectively work to better our students’ experience and enhance their chances for success.