General information
What is Orientation?
Orientation is a three-day event jam-packed with opportunities for you to meet and engage with your peers; learn all about SPU; meet key faculty, staff, and administrators; and simply acclimate to this new season at SPU.
When is Orientation?
- Orientation is a three-day event that starts with Move-In on the Friday before classes start and continues through to Sunday.
- This year’s dates: September 8–10.
- Parent and Guest Orientation takes place on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9.
Where can I find the schedule?
What do my parents and/or guests do while I’m at Orientation?
Check out our Parent and Guest Orientation program.
How do I register for Orientation?
Students register for Orientation here. Note: Students must also register on behalf of their guests.
Is Orientation mandatory? Do I need to attend the whole time?
Attending Orientation is mandatory for all first-year and transfer students. Our Orientation program is an essential combination of informative sessions to help new students navigate SPU and opportunities to make connections with other new students. All first-year students and new students living on campus are required to attend the full four-day Orientation.
For transfer students who are unable to make Thursday through Saturday's events, we offer an abbreviated Orientation on Sunday, Sept. 10, called Transfer Express.
When do parents and/or guests typically leave their students?
Parents and guests are encouraged to say goodbye to their students at the conclusion of New Student Convocation on Saturday mid-afternoon
Is there a make-up Orientation?
We do not offer a make-up Orientation. If you have further questions or concerns about this, email orientation@spu.edu
Can we arrive late/leave early?
In order to maximize the benefits of New Student Orientation, students and guests are strongly encouraged to check in and move in during their assigned times. If for some reason you cannot check in for Orientation on Friday, please stop by Orientation Central on the second floor of Weter Hall between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday or between 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sunday.
See more information in the “Move In Day” section.
Where do I go if I have questions while I'm on campus?
Our professional and student Orientation staff will be able to answer any questions you or your guests have while on campus! Orientation staff will be available to assist on Friday across campus and in Upper Gwinn during Check-in, and will be stationed at Orientation Central on the second floor of Weter Hall between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sunday.
What if I need accommodations at Orientation?
- If you need any accommodations other than move-in times (students, parents, and guests), please email orientation@spu.edu.
- Examples of prior accommodations include wheelchair accessibility, interpretation services, reserved seating, etc.
- Please note: We cannot accommodate a new or changed move-in time.
What are Orientation Leaders?
Orientation Leaders are students who volunteer their time to lead new groups of students through the four-day Orientation program. They have been trained during the summer to ensure you will have a successful transition into college life.
When do classes start?
Autumn Quarter classes start on Monday, Sept. 11.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any questions, email orientation@spu.edu or contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at 206-281-2689.
Cost
What is the cost and what does it pay for?
- All students (first-year and transfer) pay a mandatory $150 Orientation fee, which will be charged directly to their student account regardless of what program they attend.
- This fee covers Orientation meals, supplies, T-shirt, activities, and all other costs associated with Orientation.
- There is no additional fee for parents or guests. A portion of the fee covers the costs of the Parent and Guest Orientation program.
What if I am not attending every event? Do I still have to pay?
All students (first-year and transfer) will be charged a mandatory $150 orientation fee — charged directly to their student account — even if they do not attend the program in its entirety.
Is there an adjusted cost for parents and siblings?
There is no additional fee for parents or guests. A portion of the fee covers the costs of the Parent and Guest Orientation program.
Where do I pay to attend Orientation? Is this attached to my registration?
The Orientation fee is charged directly to a student’s account, and it should be charged to the student’s account by the first billing cycle in Autumn Quarter.
Move-In Day
When can I move in? What happens on move-in day?
- If you are living on campus, you will be able to move in on Friday, September 8, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Between mid-July and mid-August, students living on campus will receive their housing assignment via email.
- Residential Students participating in Early Connections will have priority check-in from 9:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
- Residential students with last names starting with A–L are invited to check in and move-in from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Residential students with last names starting with M–Z are invited to check in and move in from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- At your selected check-in time, you will be able to check in at Upper Gwinn and gain access to your residential living area to begin the move-in process.
- When you first arrive on campus, park in one of our open parking lots (Dravus or Ross Lot, #45 and #51 on the campus map) and make your way to Orientation Check-In in Upper Gwinn to check in.
- After you have checked in, you will be directed to your respective living area and greeted by a student volunteer who will give you a 45-minute parking pass. You will then be directed to park in a designated parking space near the living area.
- After you move your belongings into your living space, you will be asked to move your car to the designated parking lot — Dravus or Ross lots, #45 and #51 on the campus map — to provide more space for the next wave of new students.
- Please note: If you are not living on campus, you’re invited to check in at Upper Gwinn between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8.
Families and Guests
Is there a program for families and guests? When do things officially end for parents?
- Yes! Parents and guests are invited to help their student move in, if their student is living on campus. During move-in, there will be open houses with faculty and staff from offices across the university — watch for them in the afternoon. We then invite you to a Welcome Dinner that evening, catered by a local Mexican restaurant.
- Parent and Guest Orientation is a one-day program that runs concurrently with the student program on Saturday morning. Parent and Guest Orientation begins with a light continental breakfast in Upper Gwinn before sessions begin at 9 a.m. The parent and guest programming concludes Saturday afternoon after New Student Convocation.
- See a detailed schedule here.
- Parent Orientation is not required but encouraged, especially if this is your first student attending SPU.
Where should we stay?
- The SPU website has a list of suggested hotels and businesses in the area. Please visit this page for more information.
How do we register for Orientation?
- Family and guests are registered by their student on the student’s registration form. If updates need to be made, students can access their form via the link provided in their registration confirmation email to change guest information.
Are meals provided for families and guests?
Travel/Transportation
How do I get to campus?
Where do I park when I arrive on campus?
- You can park in the Dravus and Ross lots (#45 and #51 on the campus map)
- If you are moving your student into their on-campus housing, you will be given a 45-minute parking pass for the specialized parking lot located nearest your student’s living area.
Where do I get my parking permit?
- During Orientation, all private SPU parking lots are free for new students and their guests to park in. However, the University reserves the right to remove vehicles that are parked improperly. We recommend that guests use university lots rather than parking on the street in our surrounding neighborhoods. If families or students choose to park on city streets, we encourage you to pay close attention to the parking signage.
- If you’re a new student who wants to park on campus during the academic year, a permit is required. Here is information about parking permits.
Where can family and friends eat and stay?
Meals
When do meal plans start for students? Are meals covered during Orientation?
- Breakfast and lunch are on your own during move-in and check-in on Friday, September 8.
- Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast and lunch are provided for parents and guests of incoming students.
- Orientation will cover all meals for new students who are attending Orientation from Friday evening through Sunday.
Special Population
What if I am an athlete and I move in before Orientation?
- Our athletes often move in at different points. Please work with your coach on your specific move-in day and time.
- Student athletes will still need to check in at Upper Gwinn on Friday during their assigned check-in time. Orientation check-in will provide you with important information that you will need to know for the duration of our program.
What if I am a Dining Services employee and I move in before Orientation?
- Work with your supervisor for your specific move-in day and time.
- Students will still need to check in at Upper Gwinn on Friday during their assigned check-in time. Orientation check-in will provide you with important information that you will need to know for the duration of our program.
What if I am attending Early Connections?
- Early Connections participants will have priority check-in from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Upper Gwinn. Early Connections programming will occur throughout New Student Orientation. Keep an eye out for more information about Early Connections from our Multi-Ethnic Programs Office. Please also note that Early Connections is an invitation-only program.
I am an international student. Do I need to attend two Orientations?
- Yes. Attendance at both programs is mandatory. International Orientation is a tailored program to meet the needs of international students and provides opportunities to meet other international students.
- Orientation is a three-day event jam-packed with opportunities for you to meet and engage with your peers; learn all about SPU; meet key faculty, staff, and administrators; and simply acclimate to this new season at SPU.
- International Students will be given their general Orientation materials during International Student Orientation, and will not need to check in on Friday for New Student Orientation. General Orientation programming will begin on Friday, Sept. 8.