Freshman Orientation

All residence halls will be open on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, to allow resident students to drop off personal belongings in their rooms. The times available for drop off will will be announced June 1, 2012. Overnight stays will not be permitted on Sunday, Aug. 19, and keys will not be issued until check-in on Monday, Aug. 20.

The official program for parents and families begins on Monday, Aug. 20, at check-in. Students and parents check in at assigned times from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Please see the orientation schedule for your specific check-in time.) A final orientation schedule will be available at that time.

Students should report as assigned on the orientation schedule. Bring a photo ID. Students may spend time waiting if they arrive before their assigned time. Students with starting times for noon and after should have lunch before checking in. After-hours check-in will be held at the Vaughn Center information desk.

Throughout the day on Monday, Aug. 20, students are encouraged to complete all check-in related tasks as outlined on their check-in envelope. There will also be select major meetings occurring in the afternoon. These times will be announced later this summer. A mandatory residence hall floor meeting will occur in the evening for all residential students followed by a social program for all students.

On Tuesday, Aug. 21,  through Thursday, Aug. 23, students will begin their first collegiate course, Gateways or Pathways to Honors. Attendance is required and time missed during the orientation period will be considered a course absence. Students will be meeting their faculty advisors, covering academic course materials, participating in opening convocation, engaging in orientation-related activities and listening to national speakers highlighting various educational and safety issues. Each evening, social activities will be sponsored by our social Greek letter organizations, Student Productions or Residence Hall Association.

More information for Fall 2012 Orientation will be available in the Spring 2012.

A comprehensive Orientation schedule will be posted October 2012. We look forward to seeing you in January!

All new residential students are required to check in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Vaughn Center Information Desk. Commuter and late orientation check-in is Friday, Jan. 18, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Vaughn Center information desk. The final orientation schedule will be available to you at that time.

Throughout the day on Thursday, Jan. 17, and Friday, Jan. 18, students are encouraged to complete all check-in-related tasks as outlined on their check-in envelopes. There will be a transfer program occurring on Friday, Jan. 18, and Gateways for all new freshmen. Attendance is required in the Gateways course; time missed during the orientation period will be considered a course absence. Students will be meeting their faculty advisers, covering academic course materials and engaging in orientation-related activities.

Evening events are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20. Monday, Jan. 21, is the PEACE Community Service Project  Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. This is an opportunity for students to work alongside faculty members, staff and other students on community service projects in the Tampa Bay area. Advance registration is required. We encourage you to sign up for our most popular orientation program!