New Student Orientation

Abstract

At the beginning of the l974-75 term, Florida A & M University innovated the concept of the miniquarter. Its central purpose was to foster the development of the collegiate life styles, attitudes, motivations, and work-study habits almost absolutely demanded by competitive curricula. The idea appeared to be rational, relevant, and workable. However, its implementation fell considerably short of the original hopes, goals and plans. The results also suggest that to make the innovation work in the future, it must be supported by certain elements, such as: (1) administrative commitment and overt support by way of making the experiment official for the benefit of all administrators, staff, teachers and students; (2) ample information and inservice training for administrators, staff, faculty and student leaders; (3) making the miniquarter a part of the official calendar; and (4) provision of support services needed to communicate the overriding importance of the innovation as a significant academic program of the university, provided it can be done well and is deemed worthy of further experimentation. (Author)