New Student Orientation

The First-Year Student Experience is an in-person orientation program designed to help first-year students with their academic, personal, social, and cultural transition into the Westminster and Salt Lake City communities. This program is geared toward first-year students and happens before the start of fall classes. The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities, on campus and online.

Program Registration

Students who register for classes through a Griffin GearUp program are automatically registered for the First-Year Student Experience. However, first-year students will receive an email in late July verifying student information needed for the program (i.e., dietary restrictions, t-shirt size).

What to Expect

The First-Year Student Experience is an in-person, 4-day program that takes place August 14–17. Classes begin on August 18 (the day after residential student move-in day).

Students admitted into the Honors College and all international students will begin their in-person First-Year Student Experience on August 13, with a pre-orientation program led by the Honors College (for Honors students) and the Office of Global Engagement (for international students).

The  Associated Students of Westminster College (ASW) events team will also be hosting optional activities every night of your orientation experience and throughout the first week of the semester to help you meet other students and find ways to get involved.

Cost and Billing

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

2021 Schedule

The 2021 schedule was adjusted to ensure it follows safety measures while still delivering a high-impact experience.

August 14

9 a.m. | Check-in and breakfast

10 a.m. | Program welcome

10:30 p.m. | Meet your peers (small group)

Noon | Lunch

1–3:00 p.m. | Student safety and responsibility sessions

• Campus safety and security (30 minutes)
• Community standards and code of conduct (30 minutes)
• Title IX (1 hour)

3 p.m. | First in family to attend college

4:15 p.m. | GO Group debrief

5 p.m. | Dinner

9 p.m. | Legend tours (student activity)

August 15

9 a.m. | Breakfast

10 p.m. | Campus skits in small groups

Noon | Lunch

1 p.m. | ASW: Student involvement

2 p.m. | Campus culture and community

5 p.m. | Dinner

8:30 p.m. | Capture the flag (student activity)

August 16

8 a.m. | Breakfast

9–10:00 a.m. | Convocation

10 a.m. | Learning community and Honors College meetings

11:45 a.m. | Lunch

1 p.m. | Center for Centers rotations

2 p.m. | Student Wellness and Engagement sessions

• Integrated wellness (1 hour)
• Dumke Center for Civic Engagement (15 minutes)
• Environmental Center (15 minutes)
• Student Diversity and Inclusion Center (15 minutes)
• Financial literacy
• Study abroad

5 p.m. | Dinner

8:30 p.m. | Movie on the green (student activity)

August 17

9 a.m. | Breakfast

9:45 a.m. | Meet in small groups

1 a.m. | Tour of Sugar House and campus

11 a.m. | Griffin Expo Fair

Noon | Lunch

1 p.m. | Major exploration and navigating your degree

4 p.m. | Welcome Back Block Party

The Transfer Student Experience is an in-person orientation program designed for students who have previously attended another college or university. Westminster College will be very different from your previous institution and we want you to feel comfortable as you transition into your new community. All transfer students must participate in the Transfer Student Experience (Note: RN to BS and Bachelor of Business Administration students will have their orientation separate from the Transfer Student Experience).

Program Registration

Transfer students will receive an email from the Office of Student Involvement and Orientation as early as mid-July, verifying student information needed for the program (i.e., dietary restrictions, t-shirt size).

What to Expect

The Transfer Student Experience is an in-person, 1-day program on August 17 that gives transfer students a chance to explore campus and connect with other incoming transfer students, staff, and faculty.

International transfer and exchange students will begin their in-person Transfer Student Experience on August 13 with a pre-orientation program led by the Office of Global Engagement.

Cost and Billing

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

2021 Schedule

The 2021 schedule was adjusted to ensure it follows safety measures while still delivering a high-impact experience.

August 17

9–10:00 a.m. | Check-in and program welcome

10 a.m. | Small groups

10:30 a.m. | Griffin Expo Fair

11 a.m. | Campus tour

11:30 a.m. | Student panel

Noon | Lunch

1 p.m. | Student engagement

• Dumke Center for Civic Engagement (15 minutes)
• Environmental Center (15 minutes)
• Student Diversity and Inclusion Center (15 minutes)

2  p.m. | Campus safety and security and community standards

2:45 p.m. | Snack break

3 p.m. | Title IX

3:30 p.m. | Integrated wellness

4:30 p.m. | Program closing

5 p.m. | Welcome Back Block Party

The Parent and Family Experience is an in-person program that gives parents and family members the tools and information needed to best support their student.

Program Registration

Students can have up to 2 parents/family members attend the Parent and Family Experience.

Register for the Parent and Family Experience

What to Expect

The Parent and Family Experience is an in-person, 1-day program on August 14. Parents and family members will have a chance to find answers to any lingering questions about housing, financial aid, academics, campus life, campus safety, and parent/family engagement opportunities. Parents will also have an opportunity to meet other parents and families who have a student attending Westminster, as well as some of the staff and faculty who are here for your student’s success.

If you have any questions during or after the transition to Westminster College, don't hesitate to contact the Office of Student Involvement and Orientation at studentinvolvement@westminstercollege.edu or 801.832.2242.

2021 Schedule

The 2021 schedule was adjusted to ensure it follows safety measures while still delivering a high-impact experience.

August 14

9 a.m. | Check-in and breakfast

10 a.m. | Program welcome

10:30 a.m. | Student Support Panel for Parents

• Dean of students
• Campus safety
• Campus security
• Residence life
• Title IX

Noon | Lunch

1–4:00 p.m. | Parent rotations

• Study abroad
• Integrated wellness and student engagement
• Academics at Westminster
• Beyond Westminster: Internships, on-campus student jobs, and career planning
• First in family to attend college

4 p.m. | Parents, deans, and faculty reception

5:15 p.m. | Dinner