New Student Orientation
Westminster College 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. There is also helpful information provided for family members who attend.
2022 New Student Orientation Programs
The First-Year Student Experience is an 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 towards first-year students and occurs before the start of fall classes. The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities throughout campus and online.
Program Registration
First-year students must register for New Student Orientation by Aug. 1, 2022.
What to Expect
The First-Year Student Experience is an in-person program. The Associated Students of Westminster (ASW) team will 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.
2022 Schedule
Sunday, Aug. 21
- 8:00 a.m.–12 p.m. Residential Student Move-in and Orientation Check-in at Shaw Student Center
- 1:30 p.m. Residential Student Floor Meetings
- 3 p.m. Program Welcome
- 3:30 p.m. Meet your Griffin Orientation Leader
- 5 p.m. Welcome Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. Honors College Sessions
- 9 p.m. ASW: Movie on the Library Lawn
Monday, Aug. 22
- 8 a.m. Breakfast
- 9 a.m. Convocation
- 10:15 a.m. Learning Community/Honors College Meetings
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1 p.m. Program Sessions (part 1)
- 5 p.m. Dinner
- 9 p.m. ASW: Capture the Flag
Tuesday, Aug. 23
- 9 a.m. Breakfast
- 10 a.m. Tour of Sugar House and Campus
- 11 a.m. Griffin Expo Fair
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1 p.m. Program Sessions (part 2)
- 2:30 p.m. Program Closing
- 3:30 p.m. All Student Athlete Meeting (required for all student athletes)
- 5 p.m. ASW: Block Party
The Transfer Student Experience is an orientation program designed for students who previously attended another institution.
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 must participate in the Transfer Student Experience (including students transferring into the Nursing program). RN-to-BS and BBA program students will attend a separate orientation program.
Program Registration
Transfer students must confirm their registration for New Student Orientation by Aug. 1, 2022.
What to Expect
The Transfer Student Experience is an in-person program, with additional online content required before check-in. The online components of the program will be completed before a student’s academic advising appointment or shortly after using Canvas. The in-person component, a full-day orientation program, will give transfer students a chance to explore campus and connect with other incoming transfer students, staff, and faculty.
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.
2022 Schedule
Tuesday, August 23
- 9 a.m. Check-in at the Dolores Dore Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center
- 9:30 a.m. Program Welcome
- 10 a.m. Campus Tour and Griffin Expo Fair
- 11 a.m. Morning Sessions
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1 p.m. Afternoon Sessions
- 3:30 p.m. All Student Athlete Meeting (required for all student athletes)
- 4 p.m. Program Closing
- 5 p.m. ASW: Block Party
The Parent and Family Experience is a family-oriented orientation program that gives parents (and family members) the tools and information needed to best support your student. Students are currently allowed to bring up to 2 guests.
Program Registration
When first-year and transfer students register for New Student Orientation, they will also register any guest (up to two). Guest emails will be collected on the registration and guests will receive program details via email.
What to Expect
The Parent and Family Experience is an in-person program, designed specifically for parents and guests of first-year students. Offered 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, and some of the staff and faculty who are here for your student’s success.
Note: Parents or guests of transfer students will join their student at the Transfer Student Experience program on Aug. 23.
Cost and Billing
There is no cost for this program.
2022 Schedule
Sunday, Aug. 21
- 4 p.m. Faculty, Dean, and Parent Reception at the Jewett Center
- 5 p.m. Welcome Dinner
Monday, Aug. 22
- 11 a.m. Check-in for parents and family members at the Jewett Center
- 11:30 a.m. Program Welcome
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1 p.m. Student Resource and Involvement Sessions
- 5 p.m. Dinner
Preparing for Orientation
As you prepare to arrive on campus, take a moment to complete some forms that will help make your orientation experience and first year go more smoothly.
- Sign the Dolores Doré Eccles Heath, Wellness, and Athletic Center Membership Agreement and Release of Liability (required for all new students)
- Purchase a parking pass online (optional)
Griffin GearUp
Griffin GearUp is a program prior to New Student Orientation designed for deposited first-year students. Griffin GearUp 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. All first-year students must attend a Griffin GearUp event to register for fall semester classes.
Special thanks to our sponsor, U First Credit Union.
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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.