WEST PLAINS, Mo.– First-time freshmen or transfer students with less than 10 credit hours have several dates from which to choose to attend Missouri State University-West Plains’ STudent Advising and Registration (STAR) Orientation sessions for the 2011 fall semester.

Spaces are available for sessions on May 6, May 20, May 26, June 3, June 10, July 22, July 28, Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 16, according to Veronica Mays, coordinator of student academic advisement at the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center, which hosts the events.  Space is limited for each STAR session, so students are encouraged to register early for their preferred session, she stressed.

STAR Orientations are designed to provide students with an introduction to the university and its services, policies and procedures, and to assist students in registering for their first semester.  During STAR, students will meet with a faculty adviser, schedule fall classes, receive a photo ID, be assigned a BearPass login, receive a parking permit, have an opportunity to visit with a financial aid representative, purchase textbooks at Drago College Store and, if desired, take a tour of the campus.  “In short, they will be totally prepared for the first day of classes on Aug. 22,” Mays said.

She also pointed out a separate program is available for parents, spouses and friends of the students to attend.  “They will hear from a number of university administrators and staff members who will present information about the campus, explain important topics such as academic degree programs, financial aid, etc., and provide insightful tips about how they can help their student achieve academic success,” Mays said.

Before attending an orientation, students must be admitted to the university and complete required ACT testing, as well as an in-house writing sample.  Additional testing may be required for placement purposes depending upon ACT scores.  For information about the admissions process, call the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office at 417-255-7955.  For more information about the required testing, contact the university’s SAAS Center office at 417-255-7222.

For more information about the STAR Orientation sessions and how to register for an orientation session, contact SAAS at 417-255-7222.  All university offices can be contacted toll free by calling 1-888-466-7897.