The NSTP team had several focused conversations and discussed a variety of factors that influenced our decision to move forward with the formats outlined above. Additionally, we asked for input from campus stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, and administrators). We recognize that the remote environment poses unique challenges for students given their circumstances, but we also believe the benefits of this format will support student success in our current environment. We considered the following factors: 

  • Student experience considerations
    • Access/equity: Non-WA state resident student travel, costs to come to campus in summer, access to technology
    • Student learning styles/modalities 
    • Engagement
    • Public safety
    • Student leader experience
    • Access to on-campus programming such as FIGs and New Husky Networks during the academic year. 
  • Campus partner experience
    • Advisor 10 and 11-month appointments. 
    • Access to housing for student staff. 
  • Administrative logistics
    • Room reservations and active learning classroom availability during the summer quarter. 

A primary component of Advising and orientation includes students registering for their first quarter classes.* Academic advisers are critical partners in facilitating sessions and are responsible for staffing the appointments. In the spring, summer, and autumn of 2022, we consulted explicitly with the following units to discuss modality delivery of the A&O one and two-day sessions. 

  1. Arts & Sciences: College Advising 
  2. College of Engineering: Advising & Retention 
  3. Foster School of Business: Undergraduate Programs 
  4. Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering: Studnet Services 
  5. Student Life: Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange
  6. The Information School: Informatics Academic Advising 
  7. The UW Honors Program - Student Services 
  8. Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity: Academic Counseling 
  9. Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Undergraduate Advising 
  10. Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Deans Office  
  11. Undergraduate Academic Affairs: EEP and UW Academy 

NSTP will continue to consult with departments and, if warranted, can shift modality (given 1-2 years of time). NSTP will continue to assess what students need in their transition to UW.  

*Survey results indicated a 16% increase in students who registered for a majority or all of their classes after attending an A&O Session (66% - 2019; 82% - 2022).