Incoming MTSU freshmen and their parents or guardians are coming to campus this summer to attend the annual CUSTOMS orientation program.

CUSTOMS helps new students become acquainted with what will be their academic and social home for the next four years. The program helps ease the transition of entering college and decreases students’ anxiety before they return in August for the 2012-13 academic year.

Eleven CUSTOMS sessions will be held this summer. The sessions began May 23-24; the final CUSTOMS session will be Tuesday and Wednesday, July 31-Aug. 1, and is open to entering freshmen from all colleges.

While CUSTOMS is not mandatory, students are strongly encouraged to attend the entire orientation to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings and establish their fall class schedules with advisers.

Reservations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so students should register as early as possible.

During each two-day program, students will be shown the campus and local environment while also being taught the policies, procedures, requirements and programs of MTSU.

Representatives from admissions, financial aid, housing and residential life and other campus departments are involved in CUSTOMS.

Students attending CUSTOMS will be accommodated with on-campus housing in an MTSU residence halls.

Organizers strongly encourage families to attend the session with their students, and the University offers a separate program to answer families’ questions and familiarize them with their students’ new environment.

CUSTOMS is just one of the areas of New Student and Family Programs. For more information and for the complete 2012 CUSTOMS schedule, visit www.mtsu.edu/customs online or call 615-898-5533.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)