The basic purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of using trained peers to lead small process groups in freshman orientation. The College and University Environment Scale (CUES) was the basic instrument used to determine whether perceptions of the college campus climate differed after an alternate freshman orientation program. Subjects were 250 college freshmen enrolled in a freshman orientation program in Oklahoma. The findings indicated that the experience of participating in a small group led by a trained peer did not change the perceptions of the freshman in such a way as to be observed on the CUES. The conclusion was reached that the attempted orientation procedures did not make a significant difference on the variables of freshman life as measured. The need to consider the results of this study with the purpose of ongoing evaluation of programs was recommended. (Author)