This time of year we would normally be welcoming new friends and faces to our campus for in-person New Student Orientation. However, we’ve switched to a virtual format for now. We know there are a lot of changes, so here’s what to expect.
What is the point of Orientation?
New Student Orientation is your opportunity to learn about PSU and prepare for your first term. You will get details about campus life, student services, and degree requirements, and more! Online Orientation includes information about how to connect with your academic advisor and what types of remote advising opportunities are available. Once you complete Online Orientation you’ll obtain access to enroll in fall term courses via Banweb.
What’s required and what’s optional?
There are many events, some mandatory and some optional, which let you create the Orientation experience you would like. All incoming students must complete Online Orientation. Attendance is required in order to gain course registration access for the fall term. Orientation covers topics like campus life, student services, how to select and sign up for classes, and how to connect with an academic advisor. Students can register for classes after completing the Online Orientation.
Optional, but attendance is encouraged:
- Connect2PSU days: These are afternoons of virtual presentations and webinars from offices across campus, like Financial Aid and the Transfer and Returning Student Resource Center. These programs build on what you already know about PSU. You can sign up for as many of these as you would like. And there’s usually some dedicated time for socializing with other new students like yourself! Family members are welcome to join you for these virtual events.
- Virtual Resource Center Events: On some days, we are co-hosting virtual events with resource centers (Campus Rec, the Queer Resource Center, Cultural Resource Centers, and more!) across campus to connect students with those resources.
- Virtual Registration Labs: Once you have finished online orientation, you’ll have access to register for your first term courses. However, you may still have questions about your degree map, selecting courses, or the new tools available to you.
How do I complete Orientation?
Once you sign up for Online Orientation, you will get a custom link to access the module. The link will expire after three weeks, so we suggest you set some time aside to complete it sooner rather than later because classes can fill up quickly! We estimate it will take about 90 minutes to complete from start to finish. Though, if you don’t complete it in one sitting, you can leave and return to where you left off using the unique link sent to your email.
Also, expect to hear from our student Orientation Leaders at some point this summer. Our student Orientation Leaders plan to call every student admitted for the fall term to touch base and answer any questions you may have at the moment.
What time do I have to be online for the Orientation?
Online Orientation is self-paced and can be completed when you are available to do so. You can go as fast or slow as you like. Orientation is a mixture of videos and text.
How do I reach out to my advisor?
You’ll find your advisor’s contact information in the Online Orientation and you’ll likely hear from their team via your PSU email at some point soon. They’ll present a few remote advising opportunities to connect in a remote setting.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact us at orientation@pdx.edu. You can even send questions that are not orientation related and we’ll help you in the right direction.
We are excited to meet you!