The Office of Orientation has its origin in the Freshman Week created by University of Michigan President C.C. Little in 1927. Little, noting the high attrition rate of Michigan freshmen and acting on the advice of Registrar Shirley Smith, created Freshman Week as an orientation period. Its objectives were to guide incoming students in course selection, to test their intellectual and psychological aptitudes, and to ease the transition from the safety of home to the uncertain life at a large university. The week initially consisted of eight days of activities offered only to freshmen, but this proved too lengthy and too narrow in scope. By 1930 the week was reduced to five days and the scope expanded to include orientation of transfer students. The Office of Orientation served its vital function for the University of Michigan, guiding the first halting steps of initiates to the campus community.
In a 1995 reorganization of student services, the Office of Orientation became part of the newly created Office of New Student Programs.
From the guide to the Office of Orientation (University of Michigan) records, 1925-1994, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
