Explore the Roar prepares staff, faculty to welcome new students

On May 30, faculty and staff gathered for the second annual Explore the Roar: A Campus-Wide Orientation Kick-Off. As the transition to IU Indianapolis draws near, campus leaders provided important information on changes related to financial aid and FAFSA, orientation, transfer and adult students, and the first-year experience.  

Advisors could also attend breakout sessions, which included topics related to Accessible Educational Services, orientation advising best practices, serving specialized populations, and placement testing updates. 

“We're all here to support our students, and you start them on that journey,” said Latha Ramchand, inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis, of those involved in orientation. “They see you as a part of orientation, and that’s who they rely on as a trusted partner. And so, by being at the front end of that journey, you help our students get engaged.”

Several offices shared updates throughout the event.

With recent changes to the FAFSA, national delays and confusion for students have occurred.

Some of the major changes have brought benefits for students, including a shorter application process for those able to log into their accounts and more students receiving federal Pell Grants. However, the changes also brought challenges such as IU Indianapolis students needing to manually input the school code, 001813, instead of searching by name as well as universities being unable to make corrections to any FAFSA.

“Some students are afraid to come and get assistance,” said Amber Phillips, assistant director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. “Please reassure them that this is what we do, this is the knowledge we have. We’ve been working closely with other campuses and universities to get information and share it so we can help our students the best that we can.” 

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is working to support students in many ways. Throughout the summer, the office is open for virtual appointments with students. During orientation, the office will also provide a 30-minute mandatory presentation, along with opportunities for students to receive one-on-one financial counseling. 

Students looking for financial information should check their to-do list in the Student Center, watch their IU emails for more information, and schedule an appointment with Financial Aid if they have any questions.

Orientation is an integral part of the first-year experience, and it’s important for students to be prepared. Prior to orientation, all students complete a set of online modules called Jaguar Launch. Out-of-state and international students unable to attend orientation must complete the modules before consulting with an academic advisor.  

Multiple types of orientations are available for different groups of students. Students who have under 18 credit hours are to attend first-year orientation dates. Students with 18 or more credit hours are to attend transition orientation dates. There are also two orientation dates specifically for Honors students, and two Come-One-Come-All dates, where any students and guests are welcome to attend.

Any faculty or staff members in need of contacting the orientation office should reach out via Teams. Students and guests should send questions to welcome@iu.edu.

Transfer and adult students will have multiple new opportunities to become involved on IU Indianapolis’s campus. 

• A new career development class called “Career Connections with CTAS” will be offered to students. 

• A three-day Bridge Week section will be available for students in the Passport Program. 

• Returning adult students in general studies will be welcomed back to campus during the Adult Returner Roundup. 

• Students will have the opportunity to join the Transfer and Adult Student Advisory Board and receive scholarship funding. 

“Imagine how our transfer and adult students feel during the orientation season,” said Janice Bankert-Countryman, assistant program director of student services. “They are going through a world of change, and it’s our job to help these students feel safe and confident.”