For the first time in Hatter history, Stetson University held a Hatter Fast Track Day, an event designed for to assist students and families in registering for classes and offer a hands-on opportunity to complete enrollment for the fall.

The event was coordinated by Lua Hancock, assistant provost for Student Success, and Shane Ryan, associate director of Admissions with the group efforts of Career Development and Academic Advising; Admissions; Athletics; Housing and Residential Life; Stetson Bookstore; Information Technology; Student Health Service; Student Development and Campus Vibrancy; Stetson One Stop, including the offices of Student Financial Planning, The Bursar, The Registrar and Dining Services; Stetson World Wise, including the Center for Community Engagement and the Cross Cultural Center; and Stetson’s community partners, MainStreet DeLand Association and Fifth-Third Bank.

Stetson’s Fast Track Days involve many of Stetson’s resources in helping new and transfer students complete their enrollment.

“It is an added touch over the summer,” said admissions associate director Ryan. “It is a chance to meet classmates, current students, and staff that will be helping you over the next few years. It is a chance to experience the new Hatter Checklist rather than just go through the motions. Students can attend advising workshops and even come away with a full schedule if all their materials have been turned in.”

Not only were these new students introduced to the collaborating Stetson community, they also were given the opportunity to relieve any worries or concerns about the upcoming semester as well as the chance to complete their New Hatter Checklist, a page designed to be a resource for students as they go through the final steps before arrival at the start of the semester.

The new Hatters also had the opportunity to take tours of the campus and learn the housing options. The Student Ambassadors and Housing and Residential Life staff administered the tours. New students had the chance to talk to current Stetson students as well, asking questions and sharing any concerns they might have.

“As a student ambassador and rising sophomore, I am asked frequently how I adapted to college, since it was just recently that I came to Stetson,” said Grace Aguda ’17, pictured left, with fellow Student Ambassador Andrew Townes ’16. “It is tremendously normal for these students to have concerns about making friends, being homesick, and doing well in college, but through these Fast Track days, they can let go of these fears. I tell these new students that they have a very large Stetson family to back them up and help them with the transition. Working with everybody involved with this event provided me with an insight into Stetson’s dedication to the student body.”

“The idea behind the day is to give students a chance to come to campus and complete their post-deposit checklist in person,” said Ryan. “All forms can be done online, but this program helps guide students and parents through the advisement process and gives an added recruitment touch throughout the summer.”

Stetson’s Fast Track Days were organized through the Enrollment and Transitions committee at Stetson. The mission is to work as a collective to envision and actualize an outstanding enrollment and transition experience for the student, the family and the university on the DeLand campus.

At the first Fast Track Day, on May 24, there were more than 50 families in attendance and many smiling, stress-free new students, Ryan said. “It turned out nicely.”

This Hatter Fast Track Day was the first of four events. The next Fast Track Days are:

• Friday, June 6 (1-3 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 14 (10 a.m. to noon)
• Friday, June 27 (1-3 p.m., in conjunction with Summer Bridge Day)

For more information about Hatter Fast Track Days click here.

By Grace Aguda