Save SOAR And TRANSFERmation

Stockton University is a truly unique college for many reasons. One of its most unique aspects is Stockton’s Outdoor Adventure Retreat (S.O.A.R.) and TRANSFERmation. S.O.A.R. is a three-day, two-night, outdoor adventure retreat where 250 incoming freshman embark on a camping retreat at YMCA of the Pines to form lifelong memories. On this retreat, students have the opportunity to learn about all the great services Stockton offers and meet the dedicated faculty and staff who provide these services. Students also learn leadership skills and have discussions on topics relating to diversity, inclusion, and involvement on campus. Along the way, students are able to make lifelong friendships and bonds with fellow new students as well as the upperclassmen mentors who attend the retreat. This experience not only eases a new student’s transition into college, but also allows students to learn how to engage in healthy, responsible, and rewarding experiences in their college career.

The S.O.A.R. program has been in existence for 14 years and boasts remarkable rates on retention and student involvement. The number of students the program has reached is in the thousands and many attest to the impact it has made on their lives. Many students, even on their graduation day, will list S.O.A.R. as one of their fondest memories in their time as an osprey.

TRANSFERmation is a new leadership retreat that was launched last summer. This retreat was designed specifically for transfer students with the understanding that transfer students have different needs than many freshmen.  Transfer students can often have an arduous adjustment period where it can be difficult for them to find friends and find where they belong on campus. TRANSFERmation provided an opportunity for transfer students to meet students just like themselves, stay in the residential dorms at Stockton, and attend the first Orientation date together. This past summer, 30 transfer students were able to be involved in this remarkably successful program and it is incredibly disheartening that this program is  being discontinued.

On February 26th, the student leaders who facilitate these two programs were told in a meeting with their supervisor that both the SOAR and TRANSFERmation retreats would be canceled. These two programs have changed the lives of thousands of students and have allowed many of us to find our home at Stockton. This change was not brought to the attention of the student body before it was made. As students who have been greatly affected by this change, we feel that our voices should have been heard before removing these programs as we are the ones who these programs are supposed to benefit. 

The SOAR and TRANSFERmation programs have helped new Stockton students with the difficulties of adjusting to a new environment by connecting new students to student leaders and staff who encourage them to get involved at Stockton. Getting new students involved on campus enables students to feel a sense of belonging in their new university and in term, allows them to fully engage in Stockton's culture and community.  Students that have attended these programs have been exposed to current leaders on campus that have shown them that getting involved is one of the most important things to do in college. Leaders involved with sports teams, fraternity and sorority life, cultural organizations, Student Senate, and more have all played a crucial part in this. Studies show that if a student gets involved in just one thing during their college career, they have better success in college as well as in the professional world post-graduation. S.O.A.R. and TRANSFERmation help link students to resources and clubs on campus and those students in turn, also work to get other students involved as well.

These two programs are based heavily in research in what helps students acclimate to university life and there are annual student surveys that prove the viability and importance of these programs. Student development theories and multiple years of feedback has allowed these programs to be modified so they can help students in an impactful and effective way. These programs, along with Orientation and Welcome Week,  give students the skills and resources they need to be successful at Stockton. But, most importantly, these retreats have given students bonds and experiences that simply cannot be measured through data and statistics. They have given students upperclassmen mentors who they can go to for support. They have given them connections with faculty and staff. And lastly, they have given them genuine, authentic, friendships with their peers. It is on these retreats where people have met their lifelong best friends, significant others, and many others who enrich their college experience in immeasurable ways.

One of the most upsetting things about this change is that new students coming after us will not have the opportunity to have the same remarkable experience we had. Students deserve to experience this incredible program. Students deserve to make these lifetime friends and memories. And students deserve to have a voice in the decision. We ask that if you or someone you know has been positively affected by these incredible programs that you sign this petition and emphasize that these programs are imperative to the Stockton University community. Thank you.