New Student Orientation

The First-Year Student Experience is a 3-day orientation program designed to help you with your academic, personal, social, and cultural transition into the Westminster and Salt Lake City 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.

Registration

Registration for the First-Year Student Experience will occur during your Griffin GearUp program.

What to Expect

The First-Year Student Experience starts on  Saturday, August 15  (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 18, when Westminster celebrates your completed transition with an annual block party. Then, your classes begin on August 19.

Students who are admitted into the Honors College and international students will begin their orientation experience on Friday, August 14.

The  Associated Students of Westminster College  (ASW) events team will additionally have optional activities every night of your orientation experience and throughout the first week of the semester to help you meet other students.

Cost and Billing

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

2019 Schedule

The 2019 orientation schedule gives you a good idea of what you can expect at your own orientation in 2020. You will have many opportunities to bond with your community and get to know your new home. The 2020 schedule will be released in the spring/summer of 2020.

Saturday, August 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, August 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, August 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, August 20

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

The Transfer Student Experience is a 1-day orientation program (with additional events on following days) 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.

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

Registration

Registration for the Transfer Student Experience will be emailed to you during the summer of 2020.

What to Expect

The Transfer Student Experience will be held on  Saturday, August 15 beginning at 9:00 a.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.

Students who are admitted into the Honors College and international students will begin their orientation experience on Friday, August 14.  

Transfer students are also invited to convocation on Monday, August 19 and the annual block party on Tuesday, August 18.

Cost and Billing

The cost of orientation is billed to your student account as a mandatory $25 fee that covers all program and administrative costs to run New Student Orientation.

2019 Schedule

The 2019 orientation schedule gives you a good idea of what you can expect at your own orientation in 2020. You will have many opportunities to bond with your community and get to know your new home. The 2020 schedule will be released in the spring/summer of 2020.

Saturday, August 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, August 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, August 20

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

The Parent and Family Experience is a 1-day, family-oriented orientation program that gives you the tools and information needed to best support your student.

Registration

Registration for this program can be completed by visiting the orientation webpage in June 2020 or by having your student register parents/family members when they register.

What to Expect

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 student for the first time. You will also have time to check out resources on campus, meet other parents and families who have a student attending Westminster, and enjoy an open reception in the afternoon to ask faculty and staff questions in a casual environment.

The Parent and Family Experience is on Saturday, August 15, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Richer Commons and concluding at 6:30 p.m. after students and family members eat dinner.

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

2019 Schedule

The 2019 orientation schedule gives you a good idea of what you can expect at your own orientation in 2020. You will have many opportunities to get to know Westminster, your student’s new home. The 2020 schedule will be released in the spring/summer of 2020.

Saturday, August 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 1-day program for first-year and transfer students that provides a quick nuts-and-bolts approach as you begin spring semester. 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 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 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.