First-Year Students
Dates & Schedule
Dates
Orientation is a two-day program held between June 10 - July 16. During the two-day program, you’ll meet other new students, learn about university resources, meet with an adviser, and register for fall classes. Beginning in March you will receive more information from your college about this required program and your opportunity to select your orientation date (registration begins on April 3). Please note that only students who have paid their confirmation fee will receive information about orientation.
If you have not received Orientation information from your college by the end of May, please contact your college right away!
Schedule
The two-day program is packed with lots of helpful
information to make your transition to the University
of Minnesota a smooth one.
Parents are also highly encouraged to attend Orientation. Find information on your parent orientation here. Registration for
Parent Orientation is made separately from arrangements
for New Student Orientation.
Sample Freshmen Orientation Schedule
Your Day 1
Check-In 8:30-10:15 a.m.
Orientation begins at the check-in site located
on the ground floor of Coffman Memorial Union
on the East Bank of the Twin Cities campus.
Optional Morning Sessions
8:30-10:15 a.m. - Individualized Meetings with a
Financial Aid Counselor
8:45-9:10 a.m. - Tour of Coffman Union
9:00-10:15 a.m. - Computer Resources & Internet
Account Initiation
9:00-10:15 a.m. - University Department Resource
Fair
9:10 a.m. - East Bank Campus
tour
9:15-10:30 a.m. - Residence Hall Tour
9:20-9:45 a.m. - Go Global!
9:50-10:20 a.m. - How to Pay Your Tuition Bill
University Honors Students
8:40-9:10 a.m. - Required Information Session
This is a mandatory meeting for students in the University Honors Program. Here students will be introduced to the people who will play an important role in shaping their Honors experience as they begin connecting with Honors students from across all colleges and meet the UHP director, Dr. Serge Rudaz, along with the UHP team of advisors. UHP students will also learn about the wide variety of Honors experiences available to them and hear about Honors requirements and expectations.
Welcome
Orientation officially kicks off with the University Welcome planned for new students and their parents/guardians. You will meet the Orientation Leaders during this session.
Small group sessions and lunch
During these sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet other new students and learn how to navigate your way through the orientation experience and through the first year as a student at the U. Lunch is provided. Vegetarian options are available. If you are in need of additional dietary accommodations besides vegetarian, please contact our office at (800) 234-1979 or (612) 624-1979 two weeks prior to your orientation date.
Academic sessions
Meet with your college representatives and begin planning your course schedule for fall semester 2009.
Dinner & Frontier Hall Check In
Nothing is more fun than a dinner with your new friends. This is a time to touch base with your Orientation Leader, get any questions answered, and have dinner in our residential restaurants. Vegetarian options are available. If you are in need of additional dietary accommodations besides vegetarian, please contact our office at (800) 234-1979 or (612) 624-1979 two weeks prior to your orientation date.
During this time is also when you will check in for the required overnight stay in Frontier Hall.
Student life issues
Take a look at some of the issues facing today’s college students through a theatrical presentation performed by the Orientation Leader staff. This session is a student favorite at Orientation.
Your first day of structured Orientation programming will be complete at 9:30pm.
Overnight Activities
Play pool or go bowling in Goldy's Gameroom, or just hang out and play games in The Whole. These are just a few of the options available to you during the scheduled overnight activities.
Your Day 2
Breakfast
Your day will start early with hot breakfast in Centennial Hall at 7:00 a.m.
Course registration for Fall Semester
During your college meeting on your first day of orientation, you are told what specific time your college meeting, schedule planning, and Course registration will happen.
Get your U Card
Your U Card is your official University ID card. This card also acts as your library card, meal card for residence hall students, as well as serves as an optional TCF banking card.
Your second day of Orientation will be complete by 4:00pm at the latest. Please make arrangements to determine how you will reconnect with your parent/guardian.