Components & 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.

Transfer New Student Orientation recognizes the previous educational experiences students bring to CSUN while supporting their transition into a new university environment. The program is designed to:

  • Increase students’ knowledge of CSUN-specific resources, services, and academic support systems.
  • Connect students with academic planning tools and resources that support progress toward degree completion.
  • Help students understand CSUN’s academic expectations, policies, procedures, and community standards.
  • Support students in navigating the academic and institutional structures of CSUN.
  • Encourage students to develop connections and utilize appropriate support throughout their CSUN experience.

 

Component: Resource Fair

The Resource Fair provides new transfer students with direct access to departments, programs, and service areas from across the university. Campus partners share information about resources designed to support students’ academic, social, cultural, and personal success. Students are encouraged to explore the fair, engage directly with campus representatives, ask questions, and identify CSUN resources that may support their individual needs throughout their university experience.

Learning Outcomes

Through this component, new transfer students will:

  • Identify key CSUN 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 campus resources that 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.

 

Component: Group Meetings & Campus Tour

Group Meetings & the Campus Tour help new transfer students become familiar with the physical, academic, and social environment of CSUN while developing connections with peers and Orientation Leaders. Through guided campus exploration and group interaction, students are introduced to key buildings, services, and resources and have opportunities to ask questions specific to their transition to CSUN. Orientation Leaders serve as an initial peer support system and help transfer students begin developing connections within their new university community.

Learning Outcomes

Through this component, new transfer students will:

  • Identify key campus buildings, academic locations, parking areas, and student service locations.
  • Recognize major campus resources and where they are located.
  • Develop connections with other transfer students and members of the CSUN community.
  • Identify peers and Orientation Leaders who can serve as sources of information, connection, and support.
  • Demonstrate increased familiarity with navigating the CSUN campus.

 

Component: University Welcome

The University Welcome formally welcomes transfer students into the CSUN community through messages from university leadership and New Student Orientation staff. The session introduces students to the academic, social, and cultural dimensions of the CSUN experience while recognizing the previous educational experiences they bring to the university. Students are encouraged to make use of available resources, become active participants in the campus community, and continue making choices that support their progress toward degree completion.

Learning Outcomes

Through this component, new transfer students will:

  • Recognize themselves as members of the CSUN academic and campus community.
  • Identify academic, social, and cultural dimensions of the CSUN experience.
  • Connect their previous college experiences with their transition to CSUN.
  • Recognize the importance of personal choices and active participation in shaping their CSUN experience.
  • Connect their transition to CSUN with continued progress toward degree completion.

 

Component: Student Life & Involvement

Student Life & Involvement introduces transfer students to opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom and emphasizes the role involvement can play in developing belonging, leadership, professional experience, and connection at CSUN. Students learn that involvement extends beyond clubs and organizations and can include leadership and service, academic internships, on-campus employment, event volunteering, recreation, and other opportunities that complement their academic and professional goals.

Learning Outcomes

Through this component, new transfer students will:

  • Identify opportunities for involvement, leadership, service, employment, and engagement at CSUN.
  • Recognize that student involvement extends beyond participation in clubs and organizations.
  • Describe ways involvement can contribute to belonging, leadership development, applicable experience, and connection to CSUN.
  • Identify involvement opportunities that complement their academic, personal, or professional interests.
  • Recognize the value of becoming an active participant in the CSUN 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.

Learning Outcomes

Through this component, new transfer 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, staff, and student leaders, 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 transfer 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.