Educating the Student
 
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation (NSO) has as its goal the orientation and integration of new students, most of whom are first-time freshmen, into the life of Point Loma Nazarene University. The program covers a wide variety of topics.

Academic Support Center
Transitioning into college presents numerous challenges.  The Academic Support Center assists students in choosing a major, provides tutoring, and offers career counseling.

Freshman Writing Courses and Psychology 101
A course in each, Psychology and Writing, is the Freshmen component of Point Loma Nazarene University's General Education Program.  These courses provide students with core knowlegde and skills that they will use throughout their college careers.  Classes include not only lectures, but colloquia, small groups, and lab work.

Academic Programs for Freshmen
The Integrated Semester for Freshmen (ISF) and Learning Experience for Academic Progress (LEAP) provide unique learning opportunities.  Approximately 50 freshman students are invited to participate in ISF, an integrated approach to academic life.  ISF provides a variety of experiences through the purposeful integration of four courses from the General Education Program.  LEAP is a program designed to assist at-risk, first-time frfreshmen in achieving a successful academic career. The program emphasizes important study skills such as time management, note taking, and exam preparation, and has the potential to change a new college student's academic experience from one of deep frustration to one of immense reward.

Developing the Student

Community Life
Not only to Freshman have a new set of academic challenges, they also are adjusting to a new community and living situation.  Within the the first few weeks of the school year, The Freshman Retreat, provides students an opportunity to meet their peers and numerous University personnel.  Many of the students services are housed in Nicholson Commons--the Wellness Center, Student Development and Spiritual Development Offices, the Common Knowledge Bookstore, and the Dining Hall.  Resident Assistants work to get to know each Freshman student and plan activities throughout the year.

Preface
This is PLNU's summer reading program.  All incoming students will read the same book and prepare for discussion during NSO.

The Cooperative Institutional Research Project
At the beginning of the First-Year Experience, the Office of Institutional Research surveys all students utilizing the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Freshman Survey of the University of California, Los Angeles' Higher Education Research Institute. The survey covers a range of topics and assists the University in developing a profile of entering freshman classes. At the conclusion of the freshman year, students complete a similar UCLA-sponsored survey called Your First College Year (YFCY). 

Serving the Student

Academic Advising
During the Summer Pre-advising Program entering freshmen are assigned a class schedule. The schedule is mailed in late summer. During the first semester of enrollment, freshmen meet with faculty advisors to design a spring schedule, for which they register on-line in November.  During the New Student Orientation (NSO) program, students are introduced to their "academic home" by meeting with faculty in their declared area. The information session and tour of department facilities are followed by dinner on the grounds. Freshmen who are undeclared in their major attend a session designed especially for them, featuring a discussion with one of the academic deans and a representative of the Career Services Office.

Spiritual Development
Numerous opportunities for spiritual growth are available to students.  Students may get involved in worship ministries, small groups, service projects, and community outreach.  All of this is part of a student's education at Point Loma.

Promoting and Supporting Diversity
In seeking to promote the diversity of the student body, the University recognizes that the transition to campus life may present unique challenges to US minority students as well as those from other countries. 

Student Organizations
An array of clubs and organizations provide Freshmen ways to continue in favorite activities or try new ones.  In addition many students gain valuable leadership and career skills while having fun. 

Commuter Students
PLNU strives to serve commuter students academically, socially, and spiritually. In order to accomplish this, the Commuter One Stop (C.O.S.) Center, staffed by staff and students, provides a variety of services in one location. Services include simple tasks, such as making copies or providing access to e-mail, as well as serving as a connector -- assisting commuters by connecting them to existing on-campus services: academic advising, tutoring, recreational activities, equipment, library services, clubs, etc.