EIU New Student and Family Programs

New Student and Family Programs Overview

Mission

New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) is committed to providing services to cultivate new student and family connections and engagement in the community. EIU views orientation as on ongoing and multi-faceted transition process which involves academic, intellectual, civic, and personal development. NSFP builds collaboration between students, families, and the institution for the common goals of student learning, development, and success.

Vision

The vision of New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) is to deliver best-in-class services that promote retention and graduation through services and programs that encourage students to connect, engage, and learn. The department, with the expertise and wisdom of the University and its resources, provides for student success through education, communication, and collaboration with parents and families.

Core Values

• Collaboration - NSFP builds and maintains CommUniversity partnerships that embody shared goals and mutual support in services and programs.
• Innovation - NSFP values creative, forward thinking that generates solutions that will build, sustain, and improve resources, programs, and processes to achieve greatness.
• Growth & Development - NSFP pursues continued learning and knowledge acquisition to provide the best opportunities that invest in the personal and professional development of our students and staff.
• Positivity - NSFP embraces an optimistic outlook in what we do and how we do it. We empower those around us, and respond to the needs of each person with kindness and concern.
• Leadership - NSFP strives to develop a shared vision that supports our CommUniversity with respect and integrity; allowing individuals to work with their strengths in achieving excellence, envisioning possibilities, and seeking opportunities to succeed.
• Service - NSFP commits to supporting our CommUniversity and demonstrates this by a commitment to our common cause, making the environment and those living in it better.
• Community Building - NSFP commits to creating and enhancing our shared CommUniversity interest, forged through a shared understanding and expectations that provide a strong community.
• Inclusion - NSFP commits to creating environments that foster belonging, equality, and empowerment ensuring individuals find worth, dignity, and recognition.

Programs

Orientation, Advisement, and Registration 

Once admitted to EIU, students will be required to attend the Orientation, Advisement, and Registration program. New Student and Family Programs invites students to attend a respective freshman or transfer program. Students meet with their advisor to develop a course schedule, learn about academic life at EIU, and discover opportunities and services available to them. Family is welcome and encouraged at all EIU Orientation programs!

Welcome Weekend

All new students (freshmen and transfers) are required to participate in Welcome Weekend. The program provides ongoing orientation and transition programming for new students. The objective is to provide educational and social opportunities for students to understand community standards/expectations and to make connections to EIU, providing them with a solid foundation.

Welcome Weekend begins the Friday prior to the first class day and will continue for the first six weeks of the fall semester. Events fall into five categories: Civics & Citizenship, Academics, Personal Wellness, EIU Traditions & Culture(s), and Social Connections. These categories will be represented in programming prior to the first day of class, providing a thematic foundation for the weeks to come.