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Native American Symposium
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Your first step towards academic success at
NC State University begins with your orientation
to the university. The University requires all
first-year students to attend New Student Orientation,
during which you will be introduced to the academic
opportunities available to you. As part of your
orientation we invite you to attend the Native
American Symposium. Faculty and staff members,
as well as the Symposium Counselors will be on
hand to assist you and to answer your questions
about NC State's academic programs and campus
activities.
Through your involvement in the Native American
Symposium, you will gain valuable insight into
campus life from the perspective of Native American
faculty, staff and students. You will have the
opportunity to enhance your knowledge of self,
develop transitional strategies for academic success
and begin building your personal network of support.
This orientation is an introduction to a variety
of exciting academic and cultural experiences,
which will challenge your minds. It's a chance
to learn about NC State University's diverse academic
disciplines, offerings which push you beyond the
ordinary by encouraging participation in independent
study, major research projects, special seminars,
scholars programs and forums. It is also a sampling
of State's cultural and social opportunities.
The opportunity
is at hand to absorb all the ingredients,
which have made NC State University one of
the nation's premiere institutions. Seize
the moment and join us! The faculty, staff
and students are anxious to meet you and welcome
you to NC State University.
See you in August!
Warmest regards, |
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Dr. Tracey E. Ray, Director, Multicultural Student
Affairs
Abraham Dones, Assistant Director, Native American
Student Affairs
Dr. Jose Picart, Vice Provost, Office of Diversity
and African American Affairs |
For more information regarding
Native American Symposium, please contact the office
of Native American Student Affairs.
Visitors since August
4, 2004:
002586
The Native American Symposium History and Purpose
The Native American Symposium is
a summer educational and transitional experience sponsored
by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and
the Office of Native American Student Affairs. Its
purpose is to foster a sense of community for incoming
first-year students and to provide them with information
about campus support, personnel, coping strategies
and Native American heritage and contributions as a
basis for helping ensure their academic, social and
emotional success at NC State.
This marks the 8th Annual Native
American Symposium. Symposium is a retention and advancement
effort of the university and is specifically designed
to achieve the following objectives:
| 1. |
To
maximize the academic success of students. |
| 2. |
To
encourage multiculturalism. |
| 3. |
To
facilitate the enhancement of strong cultural identity
and positive self-esteem. |
| 4. |
To
coordinate activities which enable them to get to
know each other. |
| 5. |
To
educate students and parents/relatives about the
availability and appropriate use of various campus
resources and support services. |
| 6. |
To
provide opportunities for interaction with faculty,
staff and upper-class students. |
| 7. |
To
provide information about our rich Native American
heritage and the valuable contributions we've contributed. |
The content of Symposium is determined
by the Multicultural Student Affairs' staff. Additionally,
the logistics and implementation of Symposium are facilitated
by the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs and
Assistant Director for Native American Student Affairs.
Several students also work in the Symposium as paid
counselors during the summer.
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What is the Native American Symposium
The Native American Symposium is
a summer educational and transitional experience sponsored
by the Department of Multicultural Student Affairs,
the Office of Native American Student Affairs, and
the Office for Diversity and African American
Affairs. Its purpose is to foster a sense of community
for incoming
first-year students and to provide them with information
about campus support, personnel, coping strategies
and Native American heritage and contributions as a
basis for helping to ensure their academic, social
and emotional success at NC State.
The Symposium is a partner
to the University’s
required summer New Student Orientation. The Symposium
will be held on August 15-16, 2008, prior
to the beginning of the academic year. Information
describing
the Native
American Symposium is also included in your New Student
Orientation registration materials. There is no cost
for students. Parents and guest are also invited to
attend at their expense (housing and meals are not
covered).
At the Symposium, students receive written materials
about NC State among which the most important is the
Symposium Handbook. The handbook contains information
about campus resources, faculty and staff, academic
tutorial, student organizations, local businesses and
churches. Students also attend workshops geared to
provide them with valuable information to aid in their
successful transition to NC State and prepare them
for any challenges they may encounter.
Symposium is an excellent first-time opportunity
for students to become familiar with the challenge
of college
life, experience cultural growth and to network with
each other. Again, students are strongly encouraged
to attend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| If I have a conflict on my schedule date, what should I do? |
- Students are encouraged to attend the Native American Symposium scheduled for August 15-16th. There is no make-up session. This program is limited to first year and transfer students, so you only have one opportunity to attend. Contact Multicultural Student Affairs at 515-3125 for conflicts with other campus programs and events (Marching Band, Athletics, Park Scholars, University Honors Program, WISE Village, SAY Village).
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| What do I need to do to register for the Symposium & Orientation? |
- Return the Symposium registration card or register online by Friday, July 18, 2008. Registration by this deadline allows us to make accommodations with University Housing for early check-in for all students attending the Symposium. You will need to register separately (online or by mail) for New Student Orientation. Registration for New Student Orientation is suggested by June 27, 2008.
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| Do we have to attend Symposium? |
- We strongly encourage all Native American students as well as other interested students to attend their respective symposium session. Students who do not attend the Symposium often times report feeling at a disadvantage when they enter the university. This is a time to gain valuable information and connect with resources and people who can make a positive difference in your academic career at NC State. In addition, data shows that first year students that attended the Native American Symposium demonstrated higher grade point averages during their first year at NC State than those that did not attend.
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| Where should we go first? |
- You should first check-in at your assigned Residence Hall for the fall semester/2008-09 academic year. Residence Hall check-in is only available between 8:30 am -10:00 am on Friday, August 15th. For students traveling from out-of-state and more than 3 hours away, Residence Hall check-in is available on Thursday, August 14th from 1pm to 4pm. When you register online, you will be asked to indicate your date of check-in.
- Check-in for the Symposium will begin at 11:30am in the Witherspoon Student Center. For formal program begins at 12:30 pm. You should eat lunch (Fountain Dining Hall or On Your Own) prior to coming to Witherspoon Student Center. Counselors will be available to escort students from their residence halls to Fountain Dining Hall and Witherspoon Student Center. Students not staying in the residence hall overnight should arrive between 11:30am and 12:00 noon and check-in at Witherspoon Student Center.
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| What time will the Symposium begin & end? |
- The Symposium will begin at 12:30 pm on Friday, August 15th and conclude at 12:30pm on Saturday, August 16th.
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| Is there a fee for Symposium? |
- There is not a fee for students to attend Symposium. Parents and others are responsible for their overnight accommodations and meals. Students arriving on Thursday, August 14th will be responsible for their own meals until the Symposium formally begins with lunch on Friday.
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| What should I bring ? |
- Notebook, pen and a light jacket (building is air conditioned and students often report being cold).
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| Should my parents come? |
- Parents are encouraged and welcome to stay and participate in Symposium. There will be a discussion session held just for parents. Parents and guests attend symposium at their own expense (overnight accommodations and meals), however there is no charge to parents and guests to attend the Symposium.
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| What if I need to arrive early for the Symposium (Thursday)? |
- If you need to arrive on Thursday, August 14th (Check-in will be from 1pm-4pm), please indicate that with your online registration for the Native American Symposium.
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| Is the Native American Symposium in July with New Student Orientation? |
- Formerly, the Native American Symposium did take place in July along side the required New Student Orientation. Changes were instituted in 2008 that moved the program to be a one time program held in August.
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Additional questions may
be answered by contacting:
Multicultural Student Affairs
at
919.515.3125
(Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)
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Office of Native American Student Affairs
The Office of Native American Student
Affairs (ONASA) researches, designs, and implements
unique programs that promote the pursuit of academic
success, retention, and graduation of Native American
students from NC State University. Many of the programs
expand students' cultural horizons, while celebrating
and honoring their cultural experiences. The Office
of Native American Student Affairs works in conjunction
with a number of university departments and colleges
to conduct programs related to recruitment, orientation,
academic, personal, professional, and cultural development
which foster skills and strategies for being successful
at NC State. Some of these programs include the Native
American Symposium, Peer Mentor Program, Pow Wow, Freshman
Honors Convocation, Student Leadership Development,
and Student Organization Advising.
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Save the Date!
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August 15-16, 2008
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Native American Symposium
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| August 18 |
Freshman cookout at Pullen Park |
| |
 |
30th Annual National AISES Conference: October 30-November 1,
2008, Anaheim, California |
|
| November |
Indian Heritage Month |
| January |
Freshman Honors Convocation |
| March 27, 2009 |
NASA/AISES Annual Awards Banquet |
| March 28, 2009 |
POW Wow & Native American Visitation Day |
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