WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Two more dates have been added to the schedule of STudent Advising and Registration (STAR) Orientations for new students planning to begin taking classes at Missouri State University-West Plains this fall.

The new dates are Wednesday, Aug. 8, and Thursday, Aug. 16.  Both sessions will begin at 1 p.m.

“We are excited about the need to add two new STAR Orientations to our schedule,” said Veronica Mays, coordinator of student academic advisement at the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center, which hosts the orientations.  “Missouri State-West Plains is a university where students come first, and we are honored to be part of helping them create a better life through education.”

Spaces also are still available for original STAR sessions set for 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14.  Space is limited for each STAR session, so students are encouraged to register early for their preferred session, Mays stressed.

STAR Orientations are for first-time freshmen or transfer students with less than 10 hours.  They 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 computer user ID number, 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 campus on Aug. 20,” Mays said.

She also pointed out a separate program is available during the sessions for parents, spouses and friends of the students who 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,” she said.

Before attending an orientation, students must be admitted to the university and complete required ACT testing and an in-house writing sample.  For more information about the admissions process, call the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office at 417-255-7955.  For more information about required testing, call the SAAS Center office at 417-255-7222.

For more information about 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.