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 Richer Commons in the center of campus and continues each day through  August 20, 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.

2019 Schedule

Event times and locations are subject to change.

Saturday, Aug. 17

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | New Student Orientation Check-In | Richer Commons

9–10:00 a.m. | Breakfast | west side of Meldrum Science Center

9–11:30 a.m. | Griffin Expo Fair | Bassis Center

9:30–11:30 a.m. | Campus Showcase | Gore School of Business

10–11:00 a.m. | First in Family to Attend College | Malouf 201

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Commuter Student Meeting (students only; both first-years and transfers not living on campus) | Gore School of Business Auditorium

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Lunch | west side of Meldrum Science Center

12:30–1:00 p.m. | Official Orientation Welcome | Richer Commons

1–3:00 p.m. | GO Group Meeting | specific to each GO group

3–4:30 p.m. | Learning Community/Mentor Meeting | Meet in Richer Commons

4:35–5:15 p.m. | First-Year Group Challenge | Residential Village Green

5:15–6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Richer Commons

10–11:30 p.m. | ASW: Legends Tour | east side of Converse Hall

Sunday, Aug. 18

8–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | west side of Meldrum Science Center

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Sessions | various locations on campus

• Bias and Campus
• Centers for Centers
• GO Group Meeting and Visit Resources

12:45–2:00 p.m. | Lunch | west side of Meldrum Science Center

2–5:00 p.m. | Griffin Information Sessions | see group schedule

• Title IX and Student Code of Conduct: Understanding Campus Responsibilities
• Student Involvement and ASW
• How to College: Faculty Panel on Success Strategies

5–6:00 p.m. | Dinner | Shaw Student Center

9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. | ASW: Capture the Flag | Richer Commons

Monday, Aug. 19

8:45 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Shaw Student Center

9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | Meet with Your GO Leader | Residential Village Green

10–11:00 a.m. | Convocation | Richer Commons

11:15 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Brunch | West Side of Meldrum Science Center

1–4:00 p.m. | Griffin Information Sessions Part II | various locations on campus

• Career Center and Student Employment
• Student Wellness: Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation Department
• Risky Business

5–6:00 p.m. | Dinner | Shaw Student Center

9–11:30 p.m. | ASW: Movie Night | Library Lawn

Tuesday, Aug. 20

5–8:00 p.m. | Annual Block Party | Richer Commons

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.

Transfer students are also invited to convocation on Monday, August 19 and the annual block party on Tuesday, August 20.

All transfer students are required to participate in the New Student Orientation—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.

2019 Schedule

Event times and locations are subject to change.

Saturday, Aug. 17

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | New Student Orientation Check-In | Richer Commons

9–10:00 a.m. | Breakfast | west side of Meldrum Science Center

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Griffin Expo | Bassis Center

9–11:30 a.m. | Campus Showcase | Gore School of Business

10–11:00 a.m. | First in Family to Attend College | Malouf 201

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Commuter Student Meeting (students only; both first-years and transfers) | Gore School of Business Auditorium

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Lunch | west side of Meldrum Science Center

12:30–1:00 p.m. | Official Orientation Welcome | Richer Commons

1–5:30 p.m. | Transfer Student Sessions | Gore School of Business

• Centers of Centers
• Outdoor Program
• Associated Students of Westminster
• Academic Support for Transfer Students
• Transfer Student Social
• Study Abroad 101
• Beyond Westminster: Jobs, Internships, Grad School, and Career Planning
• Student Involvement

5:30–6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Richer Commons

10–11:30 p.m. | ASW: Legends Tour | east side of Converse Hall

Monday, Aug. 19

10–11:00 a.m. | Convocation | Richer Commons

11:15 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Brunch | West Side of Meldrum Science Center

Tuesday, Aug. 20

5–8:00 p.m. | Annual Block Party | Richer Commons

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.

2019 Schedule

Event times and locations are subject to change.

Saturday, Aug. 17

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | New Student Orientation Check-In | Richer Commons

9–10:00 a.m. | Breakfast | west side of Meldrum Science Center

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Griffin Expo Fair | Bassis Center

9:30–11:30 a.m. | Campus Showcase | Gore School of Business Classrooms

10–11:00 a.m. | First in Family to Attend College | Malouf 201

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Residential Parent Meeting (parents only) | Gore Concert Hall, Jewett Center

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Commuter Parent Meeting (parents only) | Malouf 201

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Lunch | west side of Meldrum Science Center

12:30–1:00 p.m. | Official Orientation Welcome | Richer Commons

1–4:00 p.m. | Parent Information Sessions | HWAC

• Financing Your Education
• Study Abroad 101
• Beyond Westminster: Jobs, Internships, Grad School, and Career Planning
• Student Involvement
• Academics at Westminster
• Diversity and Diverse Student Success

4–5:15 p.m. | Parents, Deans, Faculty Reception (parents only) | Tanner Atrium in Jewett

5:15–6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Richer Commons

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 2020–21 school year opens in spring 2020.

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