This report provides a conceptual framework for guiding decisions regarding the administrative delivery and course content of the freshman orientation seminar. The proposed framework relies heavily on empirical evidence generated by college-level research in the areas of student retention, student learning and academic achievement, and student development. The report proposes and discusses 10 guidelines for course administration and 7 topics for course content. It is noted that such guidelines may be especially relevant today because the alarmingly high rate of attrition among first-year students makes an effective freshman year orientation seminar more critically important than ever. Among the guidelines present are: (1) that institutions should offer a full-semester freshman course, i.e, "student adjustment" or "student success" course; (2) the orientation course should be conducted as a credit-earning course; (3) college faculty should be involved; (4) small class sizes should be adopted by using multiple sessions; and (5) upper-class students should be used as counselors or peer mentors. Among the suggestions for course content are: areas involving self-concept and self-esteem; problem solving and decision making skills development; learning skills and strategies; and interpersonal relations. Contains 117 references. (GLR)