PECS: An Evidence-Based Orientation Event Framework for Enhancing Students' Sense of Belonging

In 2020, staff at Griffith University, Australia used a best practice and evidence-informed orientation event framework to create the University’s first series of fully online, university-wide sessions. The PECS design was created ensure that events focused on developing students’ sense belonging their institution. For time, this as foundation new “Griffith Welcome Sessions”. This study uses established qualitative methods analyse 572 student surveys about Sessions. It finds use improved experience helped them develop connection university. also establishes PECS-based sessions remained key driver for many continued five weeks after were delivered.