New Student Orientation

The First-Year Student Experience is a three-day orientation program designed to help you with your academic, personal, social, and cultural transition into the Westminster and Salt Lake community. This program is geared toward both first-year and transfer students and occurs prior to the start of class. The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities throughout campus.

The First-Year Student Experience starts on  Saturday, August 17  (the day after  move-in day), at 9:00 a.m., in the Richer Commons in the center of campus and continues that night with a convocation ceremony. The NSO program will continue to occur each day through  August 19, when we celebrate your completed transition with an annual block party.

The cost of orientation is billed to your student account as a mandatory $300 fee, which covers all program and administrative costs to run New Student Orientation, as well as your Griffin GearUp experience.

Classes start  August 21, and the  Associated Students of Westminster College  (ASW) events team will have optional activities every night of orientation experience and throughout the first week of the semester to help you meet other students on campus.

The Transfer Student Experience is geared toward students who have previously attended another college or university. Westminster College may be very different from your previous institution and we want you to feel comfortable as you transition to this new experience.

The Transfer Student Experience will be held on  Saturday, August 17  from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Richer Commons in the center of campus. This portion of the New Student Orientation program provides the foundation of what it means to be a Westminster College student. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with campus partners, other transfer students, and faculty.

All transfer students are required to participate in the NSO—trust us, we provide a great deal of information that is important to your successful transition to Westminster College. Orientation is a great opportunity to begin developing relationships with your classmates, some of which will grow into lifelong friendships

The Parent and Family Orientation Experience is a one-day, family-oriented program that gives you the tools and information needed to best support your student.

You will have a chance to find answers to any lingering questions about housing, financial aid, or how to send a care package to your student during workshops and sessions designed to help relieve some of the nerves that come with leaving your child for the first time. You will have time to check out resources on campus, meet other parents and families who have a student attending Westminster College, and enjoy an open reception in the afternoon to ask questions of faculty and staff in a casual environment.

The Parent and Family Orientation Experience is on Saturday, August 17, at 9:00 a.m., in Richer Commons in the center of campus and ends that night with the convocation ceremony, along with dinner for both students and family members.

If you have any questions during or after the transition to Westminster College, please don't hesitate to contact the Dean of Students Office at 801.832.2230.

The Spring Orientation program is a one-day program for first-year and transfer students that provides a quick nuts-and-bolts approach as you begin spring semester. Plus, you’ll have opportunities to chat with staff and faculty about any questions you might have.

Spring Orientation is mandatory for new students and is planned specifically to help you transition to Westminster's campus. You can choose between an evening and morning session—whichever works best for your schedule.

At Spring Orientation, you will get a chance to:

• Make changes to your class schedule.
• Discuss academic needs and financial aid packages.
• Discover ways to get involved on campus.
• Complete any final office visits needed before starting classes.

Contact studentinvolvement@westminstercollege.edu with any questions.

Griffin GearUp registration for the 2019–20 school year is now open.

Griffin GearUp is a program designed for admitted first-year students that includes meeting with an academic advisor, registering for classes, understanding the financial aspect of education at Westminster College, exploring leadership development, and meeting some of your peers. We offer both one-day and two-day (overnight) programs.

Learn More