NSO Components and Student Learning Outcomes
Program Components
& Student Learning Outcomes
Program Goal
The goal of New Student Orientation (NSO) is to support the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural, and social context of California State University, Northridge.
In support of this goal, the International Student Orientation program is designed to:
- Increase students’ knowledge of campus resources and services.
- Introduce strategies and resources that support academic success.
- Encourage interaction among new and continuing students to support a successful transition to CSUN.
- Create opportunities for connection with university administrators, faculty, staff, and peers.
- Introduce opportunities for campus involvement and engagement.
The following program components and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) support these goals.
Component: Group Meetings & Tours
Group Meetings & Tours help new students become familiar with the physical, academic, and social environment of CSUN while developing initial connections with peers and Orientation Leaders. Through guided campus exploration and group discussion, students are introduced to key buildings, services, and resources while having opportunities to ask questions and discuss their transition to university life. Orientation Leaders also serve as an initial peer support system, helping students identify where to seek assistance and encouraging continued connection with the CSUN community.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Identify key campus buildings, academic locations, parking areas, and student service locations.
- Recognize major campus resources, including the Klotz Student Health Center, University Library, University Student Union, and Student Services Building.
- Develop at least one interpersonal connection with another student during Orientation.
- Identify peers and Orientation Leaders who can serve as sources of information, connection, and support.
- Demonstrate increased familiarity with the physical layout of the CSUN campus.
Component: University Welcome
The University Welcome introduces new students to CSUN through messages from university leadership. The session establishes the broader purpose of the university experience, introduces CSUN’s mission and community, and encourages students to consider their role within the university and how their educational experience connects with their personal and academic goals.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Recognize the broader purpose and value of higher education.
- Identify connections between their educational goals and their experience at CSUN.
- Recognize themselves as members of the CSUN academic community.
Component: Steps to Academic Success
Steps to Academic Success introduces new students to the academic structures, resources, and support systems that can help them successfully navigate their CSUN experience. The component develops students’ understanding of their college identity and emphasizes academic advisement and planning, degree-planning tools, tutoring, and broader campus resources. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their education by understanding where to seek assistance, monitoring progress toward graduation, and accessing support before challenges become barriers to their success.
The component reflects the presentation’s stated goals of increasing awareness and understanding of resources and empowering students to become active participants in their education.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Identify their academic college and recognize key people, departments, services, buildings, and resources associated with their academic experience at CSUN.
- Explain the role of academic advisement and identify when and how to seek support from academic advisors, faculty, staff, and Student Services Centers.
- Recognize academic planning tools and resources available to help them understand degree requirements, plan coursework, and monitor progress toward graduation.
- Identify tutoring, health and wellness, career, and involvement resources that can support their academic and personal success.
- Describe their responsibility for maintaining satisfactory academic progress and taking an active role in decisions and behaviors that contribute to their continued academic success.
Component: Classrooms & Community
Classrooms & Community introduces new students to the academic expectations, community standards, and responsibilities associated with university life at CSUN. Facilitated by faculty and/or staff, the session explores classroom expectations, academic success strategies, appropriate use of technology, academic integrity, and respectful conduct. Students are also introduced to university policies, resources, and procedures related to student rights, safety, privacy, and well-being, including Title IX, sexual misconduct, FERPA, hazing, alcohol and substance use, and emergency preparedness.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Identify behaviors and practices that contribute to respectful and successful participation in the university classroom.
- Describe academic success strategies, including appropriate use of faculty office hours, study groups, time management, course syllabi, and technology.
- Recognize CSUN’s expectations regarding academic integrity and the potential consequences associated with cheating and plagiarism.
- Identify university policies and resources related to student rights, privacy, safety, and well-being, including Title IX, FERPA, hazing, and alcohol and substance use.
- Describe appropriate actions and resources available when confronted with a campus emergency or safety concern.
- Identify technology resources and services available to support their academic experience.
- Recognize where to seek assistance when academic, personal, safety, or community concerns arise.
Component: Immigration Briefing
The Immigration Briefing introduces international students to important regulations, policies, and procedures associated with maintaining F-1 student status. Through interactive discussion, students are reminded of their responsibilities as international students and introduced to resources where they can obtain accurate information and assistance regarding immigration requirements throughout their CSUN experience.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Recognize key immigration requirements and responsibilities associated with maintaining F-1 student status.
- Identify university resources that provide information and assistance related to immigration regulations and procedures.
- Recognize where to locate current information regarding policies and requirements affecting international students.
Component: Campus Resources & Services
Campus Resources & Services provides new students with direct access to campus departments, programs, and service areas through an interactive tabling fair. Campus partners share information about resources designed to support students’ academic, social, cultural, and personal success at CSUN. Students are encouraged to explore the fair, engage directly with campus representatives, ask questions, and identify resources that may support their individual needs throughout their university experience.
Learning Outcomes
Through this component, new students will:
- Identify key campus departments, programs, and services available to support their academic, social, cultural, and personal success.
- Describe services or forms of support available through participating campus resource areas.
- Recognize which campus resources may be appropriate for their individual needs and circumstances.
- Engage with campus representatives to ask questions and gather information about available programs, services, and opportunities.
- Identify how to access campus resources when assistance or support is needed.
- Recognize opportunities for involvement, connection, and engagement within the CSUN community