New Student Programs

The Office of New Student Programs (NSP) coordinates orientation and student success programs with the goal of ensuring that as a new student, you will have every opportunity to become an integral part of the University community. NSP programs include:

University 100: Introduction to Higher Education "UNIV 100" is a first semester course for new students. A faculty and upper-class peer instructor team-teach this course which focuses on academic, social and personal issues, including decision-making skills. Radford University has developed its own textbook to ensure content relevance which includes university and local resources, organizations and happenings.

Success Starts Here is a lecture series intended to compliment the curriculum of University 100, and covers topics including academic success, values, building character, and responsible decision making.

S.O.R.T.S. (Students On the Road To Success) Program The SORTS Program offers a second chance to new students who were academically unsuccessful in their first semester. SORTS students sign a stringent contract and agree to participate in structured study halls and meet regularly with Peer Mentors and SORTS staff.

New Freshman Orientation for new freshmen is a two-day summer orientation program that provides a comprehensive overview of university culture, resources and services. Its main objective is to academically advise and schedule new students for the upcoming fall semester. Faculty advisors and student leaders who serve as Orientation Assistants offer new students guidance and reassurance during the two days they and their families are at Radford.

Transfer Student Orientation is a one-day summer orientation program designed specifically for transfer students. During this program, students meet with an advisor and register for classes, and through conversation with faculty and student orientation assistants, obtain an overview of university culture, resources and services.

For those students, freshmen and transfers, unable to attend one of our summer programs, RU holds an abbreviated orientation and registration program a few days prior to the start of classes, each semester.