STAFF EDITORIAL: A beter freshman orientation

The better freshman orientation The better freshman orientationThe freshman orientation period has been lengthened. Now Penn must find ways to do more with the time. NSO is a time for freshmen to make new friends, become acclimated to campus and prepare for the academic rigors that lay ahead. If used wisely, the extra time will help the Class of 2004 better adjust to University life. But to be worthwhile, the program must be accompanied by further changes in Penn's advising system and in the structure of orientation. One of College Dean Richard Beeman's priorities this semester is an overhaul of the school's oft-criticized advising system. A longer orientation period is only one piece of the puzzle, and we look forward to more announcements soon. Among these, we support doing away with summer advanced registration for entering freshman. Giving students the opportunity to meet with advisors before picking classes will cut down on the inevitable first-semester mistakes. We also hope the College enacts Beeman's proposal to designate one advisor as each student's primary advising contact over his or her undergraduate career. This plan promotes continuity and focus in a system where students often do not know to whom to turn for help. The NSO programs on campus safety, West Philadelphia and community service are all well-intentioned and valuable. But in the context of an overhauled advising system, we hope that freshmen begin the first day of classes secure in the academic options before them -- and in the knowledge that there are people there to help them. The deans have done a great service in making orientation longer. The challenge is to ensure that the goals of NSO are sufficiently met.