FAQs

• What happens during Orientation?
• Are there prerequisites for attending Orientation?
• What does the Orientation fee cover?
• How do I register for orientation?
• Do parents have to attend orientation?
• What else should I do before attending orientation?
• Do I have to take the THEA Test?
• I am in a summer program so must I attend Orientation?
• What do I bring to Orientation?
• Student Responsibilities

What happens during Orientation?

During orientation, you will receive overviews of the services the campus provides, sit down with an academic adviser and register for classes (if proper tests scores are on file), participate in Financial Aid Counseling and Panther Tracks Training, and take part in other sessions to ensure that your university business is taken care of prior to the beginning of classes. THEA Testing does not take place during orientation and is the student’s responsibility to take for class registration. Orientation is mandatory for all newly admitted students.

Are there prerequisites for attending Orientation?

Yes. Prior to attending an orientation session, students should have taken the THEA Test and have scores on file with the university, or have proof of already taken the test or an exemption. Students must have submitted their registration online and received a confirmation card with the session date from the Office of New Student Orientation; no other department can confirm your attendance in any particular session but the New Student Orientation Office. If students do not make arrangements to take the THEA Test prior to attending Orientation, class registration cannot take place, yet others overviews can be participated in. If there is difficulty with taking required test prior to attending an orientation session, it is better to still attend orientation and take tests at your earliest convenience so that class registration can take place at a later date.

What does the Orientation fee cover?

• The summer orientation fee will cover Phase I and Phase II of orientation for freshmen students. Phase I is a one-day session and includes the student’s lunch. Phase II is a three- day session that freshmen participate in after moving onto campus prior to the beginning of classes. Freshmen receive a welcome packet to prepare them for the upcoming days workshops, sessions and activities. Freshmen must participate in both Phases to fulfill their mandatory requirements for the New Student Orientation program.
• The summer orientation fee will cover Phase I of orientation for transfer students. Phase I is a one-day session and covers the student’s lunch. Transfer students must participate in the one-day session to fulfill their mandatory requirements.
• The spring orientation fee will cover Phase I of orientation for both freshmen and transfer students. This session is half a day and students should move into their room prior to attending this session. Freshmen and Transfer students must participate in the half day session to fulfill their mandatory requirements.
• Parents and guests are invited to participate in orientation and can dine on campus at their own expense.

How do I register for orientation?

All students must complete the registration found online; brochures are mailed but students visit the webpage for details.  Once the registration is completed, students will be mailed a confirmation card detailing the session they are to attend, check-in time and the location on campus. Remember that once your first choice is filled to capacity, your next available choice will be assigned.

Do parents have to attend orientation?

It is not mandatory for parents to attend orientation, however we encourage them to participate in this phase to get a better understanding of the services the university provides and to receive first hand information on necessary steps to take when certain situations arise. There is no parent orientation fee. Parent Orientation runs in conjunction with Phase I of the student orientation session.

What else should I do before attending orientation?

• During orientation, students will receive advisement and class registration if necessary placement tests have been taken. Students should take the THEA Test prior to attending orientation so that class registration can take place.  If testing has already taken place, you can contact the Advisement Department to register for classes early.
• Students should also look into completing and submitting the necessary Financial Aid documents to the university.  Visit the Student Financial Services webpage for details. This link will provide the necessary documents that must be filled out and mailed to the university’s Financial Aid Office. 

Housing is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Securing your room with the security deposit and first month’s installment can be taken care of prior to attending orientation. Freshmen Housing will mail a packet to students once they have been admitted, however they can be reached at 936-261-5990.  Upperclassmen should call the University Village at 936-857-4559.

Do I have to take the THEA Test?

The THEA Test must be taken prior to students receiving academic advisement and class registration. Please contact the Testing Center at 936-261-3610 with questions. However, you can also visit the Testing Center website for additional information.

 What are my next steps?

After your admittance to the university, you should take care of the items listed under “What else should I do before orientation” to ensure that orientation goes smoothly for you.

I am in a summer program so must I attend Orientation?

Yes. Students participating in summer programs are still required to participate in New Student Orientation. Your summer department will orient you to your department, but New Student Orientation will acquaint you with the services that the university provides. Student should sign up for an orientation date that will not conflict with their summer program.  Contact your summer department head.

What do I bring to Orientation?

You should bring your confirmation card which will be mailed to you once your registration is received. If there are missing documents which must be submitted to Financial Aid, the Admissions Office, or any other department on campus, they should be brought to orientation for submission.  Students should also bring a picture ID and dress comfortably as you will travel on campus during the orientation session; a light jacket maybe needed for cool rooms.

Student Responsibilities

The university is responsible for the services that it provides to the student; however, the student has responsibilities that must be taken care of so the university can properly provide its services.

• Students must submit the online orientation registration in advance so that the university can prepare for their arrival. Without confirmation from the New Student Orientation Office for a particular session, space is not guaranteed and upon your arrival rescheduling will take place.
• Students must take the THEA Test or else class registration cannot take place. Testing will not be offered during orientation and should be taken at least 2 weeks before your session. Students cannot take the THEA Test and participate in orientation on the same day.
• Financial Aid documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office to generate an award. During orientation, you will be shown how to accept your awards online; therefore documents should be submitted early.
• University Housing must receive a deposit and the first month’s installment before a room can be reserved. This fee is an out of pocket expense which Financial Aid will not cover as these fees are due before the posting of any awards. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary fees to American Campus Communities and University Village to reserve a room.