The Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI) at Wayne State University is accepting applications for the spring session scheduled on three consecutive Thursdays, April 23, 30 and May 7, 2009. Program registration forms and a sample agenda are available at www.doi.wayne.edu.

As we are all affected by the downturn in the economy, the DOI will offer a special discount to make the spring course more affordable. There is so much to learn and so many opportunities for Detroit and the region to grow and prosper. The DOI continues to present an historical perspective and candid look at our area, providing participants an opportunity to see and learn about parts of Detroit that are "off the beaten path".

A discounted fee of $750 (regular tuition is $900) per person covers meals and transportation. Registrations are accepted by phone or fax; however, full payment must be received by April 9, 2009 to secure a reservation.

Among this fall's highlights will be a fascinating backstage tour of the Detroit Opera House, a walking tour of downtown Detroit including a tour of the newly renovated Doubletree Fort Shelby Hotel, lunch at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and an auto industry panel at the historic T-Plex where Henry Ford designed the assembly line. The final luncheon speaker will be Cindy Pasky, President and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions.

The DOI, now in its 18th year of operation, offers a three day session that is beneficial to newcomers or anyone wishing to learn more about the city and metropolitan area. Business executives, professionals from nonprofit organizations, university faculty, high school teachers and administrators, government administrators and journalists typically attend.

Each participant receives a CD-Rom that includes more than 200 pages of background information, which is updated annually, and is written exclusively for the Institute by WSU faculty, local journalists and community experts.

The next scheduled session will not be offered until October 2009.

For more information, contact Ann Cuddohy Slawnik, Detroit Orientation Institute director, at (313) 577-0171, ann.slawnik@wayne.edu, fax (313) 577-8800.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.