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New Student Orientation



Westminster University is thrilled you decided to join the Griffin community. New Student Orientation is a mandatory program for all new students entering the fall and spring semesters that helps students adjust to life at Westminster.

2024 New Student Orientation Programs

About the Program

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 before the start of Fall classes.

The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities throughout campus. The Associated Students of Westminster (ASW) team will have optional activities every night of the orientation experience and throughout the first week of the semester to help you meet other students.

Registration and Cost

New students can register for New Student Orientation once they register for classes at New Griffin Enrollment.

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 select Welcome Week programming.

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, August 18

  • 11:00 a.m. Check-In
  • 11:30 a.m. Lunch
  • 12:45 p.m. Orientation Welcome and Program Overview
  • 1:30 p.m. Griffin Resource Sessions and Community Conversations
  • 5:00 p.m. Dinner
  • 9:00 p.m. Movie on the Library Lawn

Monday, August 19

  • 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
  • 9:00 a.m. Convocation
  • 10:00 a.m. Academic Community Meetings
  • 11:30 a.m. Lunch 
  • 1:00 p.m. Life Outside the Classroom Rotations
  • 5:00 p.m. Dinner 
  • 9:00 p.m. Campus-Wide Capture the Flag

Tuesday, August 20

  • 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
  • 10:00 a.m. Tour of Campus (find your classrooms)
  • 11:00 a.m. Griffin Resource and Job Fair  
  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m. Griffin Community Activities
  • 5:00 p.m. Welcome Back Block Party

About the Program

The Transfer Student Experience is an in-person orientation program designed for students who previously attended another institution to explore campus and connect with other incoming transfer students, staff, and faculty. Westminster may be very different from your previous institution and we want you to feel comfortable as you transition to this new experience.

Registration and Cost

All transfer students must participate in the Transfer Student Experience (including students transferring into the Nursing program). Students may bring up to 2 guests with them to the Transfer Student Experience. BBA program students will attend a separate orientation program. Transfer students will receive communication to their Westminster student emails with information about registering for orientation after they meet with an Academic Advisor to register for classes.

The cost of orientation is billed to your student account as a mandatory $100 fee covering all program and administrative costs to run New Student Orientation.

Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, August 20

  • 9:00 a.m. Check-In
  • 9:20 a.m. Program Welcome
  • 10:00 a.m. Griffin Resource and Job Fair
  • 11:00 a.m. Griffin Resource Sessions
  • 11:45 a.m. Lunch
  • 12:45 p.m. Student Engagement Sessions
  • 3:00 p.m. Program Closing
  • 5:00 p.m. Welcome Back Block Party

About the Program

The Parent and Family Experience is an in-person orientation program designed to give parents and family members the tools and information needed to best support their first-year student. Parents and guests of transfer students will join their student at the Transfer Student Experience program on August 20.

Sessions will give parents and family members the chance to find answers to any lingering questions about housing, financial aid, and academics. Parents and family members 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 their student’s success.

Registration and Cost

Students are allowed to bring up to 2 guests to the Parent and Family Experience. Parents and guests can register for the Parent and Family Experience in early June. The registration link will be posted here with supplement material being emailed and/or mailed to families. There is no cost for this program.

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, August 18

  • 11:00 a.m. Check-In
  • 11:30 a.m. Lunch
  • 12:45 p.m. Parent and Family Welcome
  • 1:45 p.m. Informational Sessions (4 rotating blocks)
  • 4:00 p.m. Parent and Family Reception
  • 5:00 p.m. Dinner

Preparing for New Student Orientation

Students should take some time to complete these forms prior to arriving to campus:

Special thanks to our sponsor, U First Credit Union.

UFirst Credit Union black and white logo

Plan Your Visit

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We're happy to accommodate any special needs you may have in order to participate in this event. Reasonable prior notice is required to arrange accommodations for people with disabilities.