Indiana University. Dept. of Student Guidance.

A student guidance program was established at Indiana University in the fall of 1939 to help incoming students adjust to college life. Herman T. Briscoe served as the director of the department during its short existence, as in 1942 the program and its responsibilities were replaced by the Junior Division.

Indiana University created the Student Guidance Office in September 1939 to assist incoming freshmen and new upperclassmen to adjust to Indiana University. This action was taken in response to the recommendations made by the Self-Survey Committee which was investigating the administrative structure of the University. According to this committee, there was a need for an office to help prepare high school students for the transition to university life and academic standards.

A major duties of the Student Guidance Office was to provide students with faculty advisors and counsellors. It gave freshman their first introduction to Indiana University by coordinating the freshman orientation programs. The office also conducted testing services to match students with the appropriate class level and established clinics to help students in speech, studying, and reading.

The Student Guidance Office existed for only three years. After 1942 it was replaced by the Junior Division (later renamed University Division) which was a department designed to assist all students regardless of the division or school in which they were enrolled.