Student Engagement Programs
Each year, campus organizations and departments sponsor trips for faculty, staff, and students to area attractions, such as museums, plays, and sporting events.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
NSO is a series of videos housed in an online format through Moodle that are viewed as a part of the First Year Seminar curriculum.These videos are intended to give new/transfer students an introduction to all Rochester College has to offer. This includes a snap shot of available resources such as the library, Academic Center for Excellence (tutoring lab), campus ministry, Global Educational Opportunities (GEO), IT, and campus security. NSO is important because it gives a high level view of how to successfully navigate the Rochester College experience. For more information about NSO, contact the Student Life Office at 248.218.2041.
Welcome Week/First Year Experience
Welcome Week is scheduled the week before classes begin each fall and is the kick off for our First Year Experience (FYE). The First Year Experience includes: Welcome Week, chapel, and the First Year Seminar, among other activities and events for new students.
Welcome Week involves all first-time college students by engaging and gearing them up for classes through a series of activities where students experience time-honored traditions like learning the Alma Mater, meeting staff/faculty, being introduced to the campus and local community businesses, all while engaging with peer advisers who have experienced the transition between high school and college.
After Welcome Week the First Year Experience continues in the fall semester with chapel and First Year Seminar. Chapel and the First Year Seminar are way incoming students gain college transition skills and learn to cultivate their own valuable RC experience.
Students who are engaged in their own experience get more out of their education and are generally more successful as employees in the workplace and citizens within their communities. Rochester College aims to provide each student with an academic education, along with a holistic experience that spurs each of us into working together so as to positively impact our campus, communities and neighborhoods.
Homecoming
During the fall semester, Student Government, the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Center for Student Life host Homecoming. This week-long event culminates on Saturday with a tailgate party, an alumni basketball game and a varsity men’s basketball game. During halftime, the Homecoming king and queen are crowned.
Celebration
The social clubs and interested students annually present Celebration. The program features selected hosts/hostesses and musical skits presented by students. Auditions for hosts/hostesses and song and dance ensembles are open to all current traditional students.
Academic Symposium
The fall and spring Academic Symposiums celebrate the academic achievements and capstone projects of graduating seniors. Participation in the symposium or another approved venue is required of all students for graduation. A diverse array of subjects are presented each year, ranging from executive simulations to scholarly papers to musical recitals.
Chapel/Convocation Series
Every full-time traditional student participates in integrated learning through the Rochester College Chapel/Convocation series (RCC). The RCC series offers opportunities for students to participate in community chapels, convocations, career and wellness workshops, and service initiatives, all of which are aimed at building Christian faith and community, affirming Christian values, and developing a holistic understanding of wellness. For more details, see “Chapel/Convocation Series” in the “Academics” section of this catalog.
Accelerated program students also have opportunities to experience chapel at each site, at least once per semester. Students at each site are notified of these dates each semester.