IMMEDIATE JULY 9, 2004

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION JULY 22 AT ABAC

TIFTON-- Orientation for new freshmen students at Abraham Baldwin College will be held July 22 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the J. Lamar Branch Student Center. Those who have already paid registration fees can report at 9:30 a.m. Registration for other new and returning students will take place on July 23 beginning at 9 a.m.

There is an orientation fee of $35, and pre-registration is encouraged. “Pre-registration is a plus,” said Dr. Maggie Martin, Orientation Coordinator. Martin is also ABAC’s Director of Student Development. Geoff Clements, Assistant Professor of Science & Mathematics, is also an Orientation Coordinator.

There will be planned activities for students to get acquainted with future classmates during orientation, as well as a time for parents to get all their questions answered. “Parents can meet with the administrators while students can meet with their advisor and see what each major entails. It’s a great question and answer time for parents,” said Martin.

One new aspect to this orientation is the Parent Reception upon check-in. “Parents can go to a room where refreshments are served as their student registers for classes. It’s neat to see the parent-to-parent interaction,” Martin said.

While students are talking with their advisors, parents also get an afternoon snack. “It provides parents a place to keep cool while waiting for their student and serves as a meeting place where the student can go once advising is over,” Martin said.

Orientation leaders are available to assist students. Martin said, “Each student leader participating in orientation is a part of one club or another. A wide range of student leaders will be represented so if students have any questions, they can get a club member’s viewpoint.”

For this orientation session, ABAC is expecting to host 200-300 students and 150 parents.

One more freshmen orientation session is scheduled on Aug. 19 prior to the beginning of the fall term on Aug. 23. All first-time entering freshmen must attend one of the orientation sessions.

Students who need assistance paying for their college education can still apply for financial aid, but they must be prepared to pay initially and be reimbursed for the aid that they qualify for at a later date. Fee payment deadline for fall semester is Aug. 11. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (229) 386-3235.

For additional information about the fall semester or to request an application, contact Enrollment Services at (229) 386- 3230, or visit the ABAC web site at www.abac.edu.

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