First Year Student Orientation

A comprehensive orientation schedule will be posted July 1.

Schedule Summary:  

All residence halls will open Wednesday, Aug. 21. Students are asked to go to the Grand Salon for check-in unless cleared for curbside check-in. Curbside check-in students should report directly to their residence hall. Following check-in for orientation, students are welcome to move into their assigned residence hall. Please don't forget to bring your photo ID to complete the check-in process!

Students may spend time waiting if they arrive before their assigned time.

Throughout the day on Wednesday, Aug. 21., students are encouraged to complete all check-in related tasks as outlined on their check-in envelope. 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 Thursday, Aug. 22,  through Friday, 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.

 A comprehensive orientation schedule will be posted on November  1st. 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. 16, at the Vaughn Center Information Desk. Commuter and late orientation check-in is Friday, Jan. 17, 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. 16, and Friday, Jan. 17, 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. 17, 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. 18, and Sunday, Jan. 19. Monday, Jan. 20, 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!