A visit by Eastern Michigan University faculty and administrators begins with a knock on the door. First-year freshmen know it's not an early Halloween prank, but visitors who are part of EMU's Third Annual House Calls Program Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Some 50 faculty and administrators will knock on the doors of about 1,600 first-year students to welcome them and ease their transition to campus.
"We want to reach out to first-year freshmen and let them know that the University cares about them and wants them to know about and connect with on-campus resources," said Matt Calfin, EMU assistant director of
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MAKING A HOUSE CALL: During last year's
House Calls program, Men's Head
Basketball Coach Jim Boone (left, sitting)
and Bernice Lindke, (standing), asisstant
vice president, Enrollment Services, visit
with freshmen (from left) Anna Busby
and Brigette Lootens. As part of the House
Calls program, the two, along with other
EMUadministrators, visited freshmen to
see how they were adjusting to college life.
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housing, and initiator of the program at EMU.
"One year, the program helped keep a student in school who was considering dropping out after only a few weeks. He was nervous and had some general concerns so we told him about the available counseling services," Calfin said.
Students ask a variety of questions - from how to get financial aid to the date of the next football game.
The program is quite simple. Pairs of EMU volunteers visit students from 6-8:30 p.m. in their residence halls. The volunteers introduce themselves, ask how things are going; inquire as to whether they can help the students with anything; and tell them about the many resources available on campus. The program's visit sites include Best, Wise, Walton, Putnam, Phelps and Sellers residence halls.
"The program enhances how they feel about the University and gives us a better understanding of the customer (students) which is important to all of us. It's also fun to connect with younger students," said Steve Holda, assistant to the vice president in business and finance, and a third-time participant.
"Students were actually waiting for us," added Elizabeth Broughton, associate professor, EMU leadership and counseling department, and past program participant. Broughton credits the program with giving her an opportunity to meet other professionals on campus and first-year students.
For more information, contact EMU Housing and Dining Services at 487-1303.
