Freshman orientation travels to Hawaii

A significant number of Hawaiian high school graduates and transfer students enroll at the UW each year. Recognizing this fact, the UW's Office of New Student Programs (NSP) will travel to Hawaii later this month to present an orientation program to incoming students from Hawaii. The two-day program, to be held Aug. 25-26, will duplicate the orientation program held throughout the summer on the UW campus.

The UW is not the first college to hold an orientation in the islands. Colleges from Oregon have been present for several years, giving the UW more reason to provide Hawaiian students with cost-effective alternatives to a Seattle-based orientation.

"What we're trying to do is replicate a UW orientation program off-site. It's going to be a challenge, but we think we can do it," said Terry Hill, assistant director of orientation and transition programs. Hill says he receives calls every year from potential students in Hawaii concerned about the costs of flying out to visit the campus. On average, it costs a small family from Hawaii over $1,500 for airfare and lodging for a trip to Seattle, according to Hill. The money adds up quickly for students already paying higher tuition rates because of their out-of-state status.

Hill says that the UW will also save money by sending a minimal orientation staff of 15 students and staff to support academic advisers making the trip. The orientation will also utilize current students and UW alumni from Hawaii as well as members from the UW Hawaii Club. These individuals will share with the new undergraduates their own experiences and what they can expect from the UW. George Bridges, dean of undergraduate education, is scheduled to fly in for one day to speak to students.

"Students will be able to register for classes, take workshops about housing situations and get their questions on residency answered," Hill said. Students will get prepared for life at the UW without stepping foot on campus. Even a barbecue picnic with salmon and apple pie will give Hawaiian natives a taste of the Northwest. Also, since students at the Hawaii orientation won't have an opportunity to tour the campus, a half-day campus tour will be offered on Sept. 27 for arriving students that wish to be physically oriented with the campus.

The UW had been looking into a Hawaiian orientation program for about three years, but it wasn't until last year that the ball started rolling when the UW signed a conference contract with the hotel, Sheraton Waikiki. Alicia Kawamura, a senior at the UW, says the new program is a step in the right direction. Kawamura had to fly to Seattle for orientation as a new student. The trip was her first to Washington.

"It's costly to fly from Hawaii to Seattle and back again, but I knew I had to go to orientation to get familiar with the campus and to register for classes," Kawamura said.

The new Hawaiian orientation program will also allow parents to take a more active role. Family members can attend a one-day family program for $135 per person. Kawamura says her parents couldn't get the time off from work to visit the campus and really knew little about the school that their daughter would be attending.

"I think it would be beneficial to the UW to have orientation in Hawaii if they wanted to attract future students. Not only can students see what the school has to offer, but the parents can too," Kawamura said.

Students attending orientation in Hawaii will pay $365, nearly twice as much as the fee for the Seattle orientation, but the benefits of avoiding expensive travel plans will outweigh the costs. The UW is expecting 101 native Hawaiian students this fall, down from an average of 150. If the new orientation program is successful, Hill expects that it will have a positive impact and the numbers will go back up.