General information
What is Orientation?
Orientation is a four-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 four-day event that starts with Move-In on the Thursday before classes start and continues through to Sunday.
- This year’s dates: September 24–27.
- Parent and Guest Orientation takes place on Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25.
Where can I find the schedule?
Find the New Student Schedule here.
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 Friday through Sunday's events, we offer an abbreviated Orientation on Sunday, September 27, 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 Friday mid-afternoon
Is there a make-up Orientation?
We do not offer a make-up Orientation. If you are concerned that you may have a conflict with some or all of New Student Orientation, please email orientation@spu.edu.
Can we arrive late/leave early?
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 Thursday during your assigned time between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., please head to the Orientation Central tent in Martin Square between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday or throughout the weekend to complete a late check-in.
- 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 across campus and in Upper Gwinn during check-in on Friday.
- They will be stationed at Orientation Central in Martin Square between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
What if I need accommodations at Orientation?
- If you (i.e., students, parents, and guests) need any accommodations other than move-in times, please email orientation@spu.edu.
- Examples of prior accommodations include wheelchair accessibility, interpretation services, reserved seating, etc.
- Note: We cannot accommodate a new or changed move-in time.
Who 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, September 28.
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 $125 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 $125 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 will be living on campus, you will be able to move in on Thursday, September 24, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Between mid-July and mid-August, students who will be living on campus will receive their housing assignment via email.
- Residential students with last names starting with A–L are invited to check in and move-in from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Residential students with last names starting with M–Z are invited to check in and move in from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Commuter students and international students are invited to check in from 1:30 p.m. to 2 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 30-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, McKenna, or Ross lots — to provide more space for the next wave of new students.
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 our excellent campus dining team.
- Parents and guests are invited to join us for a selection of Orientation programming on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
- On Thursday, parents, guests, and their students are invited to join us for resource fairs, and open houses before the Opening Dinner and Welcome that evening.
- On Friday morning, parents and guests are invited to join us in Upper Gwinn at 8 a.m. for a continental breakfast and three special Parent and Guest sessions, before rejoining with their students at New Student Convocation in Tiffany Loop. The parent and guest programming concludes Friday afternoon after New Student Convocation.
- See a detailed schedule here.
- Parent and Guest 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. 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?
- Lunch on Thursday, September 24, is on your own, though student meal plans will be active and our Gwinn Commons dining hall will have discounted meals for family members who wish to eat lunch on campus.
- Meals for parents and guests are as follows:
- Thursday, September 24, dinner
- Saturday, September 25, continental breakfast
- Lunch on Saturday, September 25, is also on your own. We encourage you to try some of the great Seattle dining options around the neighborhood as you bid farewell to your student.
Travel/Transportation
How do I get to campus?
Where do I park when I arrive on campus?
- When you arrive to check in on Thursday, please park in the top three tiers of the Dravus Visitor Lot, located at the intersection of W. Dravus St. and 4th Ave. W., or in the Ross Lot, accessible on 3rd Ave. W.
- After you check in, students living on campus should head to their residence halls to move in. You may park temporarily in one of three locations, where our Orientation team will help your student unload their belongings int
- Ashton Hall: Those living in Ashton Hall should head to the Ashton Lot, located near 502 W Etruria St. After our team greets you and helps move your student's belongings in, you can park in the lot for 30 minutes before we’ll ask you to move your vehicle to make room for other new students and families, with parking available in the Ross Parking Lot located on 3rd Ave W. Ashton
residents with registered vehicles will be able to return to the Ashton Lot on Thursday evening.
- Emerson Hall: Those living in Emerson Hall should head to the front of Emerson Hall, at the intersection of W Emerson St. and W Bertona St. After our team greets you and helps your student move in their belongings, you’ll be asked to move your vehicle to the McKenna Parking Lot, located just behind Emerson Hall, accessible from 6th Ave W.
- Moyer Hall: Those living in Moyer Hall should head to the lowest tier of the Dravus Visitor Lot, located at the intersection of W. Dravus Street and 4th Ave W. After our team greets you
and helps move in your student's belongings, you’ll be asked to move your car to the second tier of that same lot.
- Students not living on campus may opt to remain parked on the top three tiers of the Dravus Visitor Lot, located at the intersection of W. Dravus Street and 4th Ave W.
Parents, guests, and commuter students returning throughout Orientation weekend may opt for street parking or park in any of the final parking locations which they accessed the day before:
- Ashton Hall: Ross Lot
- Emerson Hall: McKenna Parking Lot
- Moyer Hall: Second Tier of Dravus Visitor Lot
- Non-residential students and guests: Top three tiers of the Dravus Visitor Lot
Please check out the campus map to see our various parking lots available to you during your time on campus.
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 student parking permits.
Where can family and friends eat and stay?
Meals
When do meal plans start for students? Are meals covered during Orientation?
- Meal plans begin Thursday at lunch, and parents may join their students in Gwinn Commons for a reduced rate lunch.
- Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast are provided for parents and guests of incoming students.
- Orientation will cover all meals for new students who are attending Orientation from Thursday 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 Thursday 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 Thursday 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.
I am an international student. Do I need to attend two Orientations?
- We offer an International Student Welcome as a part of our larger New Student Orientation program, tailored to meet the requirements of the F-1 visa, as well as providing opportunities to connect with more international students. More details about this welcome program are forthcoming.
- Orientation is a four-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 acclimate to this new season at SPU.
- International Students will check in on Thursday for New Student Orientation at the conclusion of their International Welcome Program. General Orientation programming will begin on the afternoon of Thursday, September 24.