Freshmen Students

New Student Orientation:

All freshmen attend a 2-day Orientation in July that includes an overnight stay in a residence hall.  During these 2 days students will:

Parent & Family Orientation: 

We invite all parents and family of new students to attend a 2-day summer Orientation program which is concurrent but separate from the student program.

Freshman Orientation Dates:

Part 1: 2013 Summer Orientation- Attend one of the following Orientation sessions:

*Honors College students should attend one of these Orientation Dates.

**Orientation is also offered on August 22-23 but is reserved for students unable to attend in July.

Part 2 "Great Dane Beginnings" - Attend the Fall Welcome Weekend for new students (Thursday August 22 through Sunday, August 25. )

How To Reserve Date?

Freshmen FAQ's:

Q1: What will happen during Orientation?
Q2: Do I need to attend one of the 1st summer Orientations to get classes I want?
Q3: What should I bring to summer Orientation?
Q4: How can I carpool with a friend(s) who also plans to attend UAlbany?
Q5: Can I bring a friend to Orientation?
Q6: I have a long drive to get to campus. Can I stay on campus the night before Orientation?
Q7: Is there a Parent Orientation program?
Q8: What overnight options are available to parents?
Q9: Will I stay with my parents?
Q10: What do I need to prepare/complete before coming to Orientation?
Q11: What do I need to complete before fall?
Q12: I am going to commute to UAlbany from my home. Must I stay overnight?
Q13: Will my roommate at Orientation be my roommate during the academic year?
Q14:  If I am living on campus, when can I move in?
Q15: What is the Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for Freshmen Program?
Q16: What if I can't make it in the summer?
Q17: What should I bring to campus?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q1: What will happen during Orientation? 

At Freshman Orientation, faculty, academic advisors, professional staff and student Orientation Assistants are excited to meet and guide you and your group throughout the program. During this time, you will:
• attend a number of information sessions covering academic requirements, the academic and social environment on campus, and what it takes to be successful at UAlbany, both academically and personally
• meet with your academic advisor
• receive your student ID card
• meet and get to know your classmates
Students stay overnight in a residence hall on campus the night of their orientation which is covered by their orientation fee. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q2:  Do I need to attend one of the first summer Orientations to get the classes I want?

Your course registration will occur before you attend Orientation, so it doesn't matter which date you select. You should select dates that best suit you/your family's summer plans.
For more information visit the ‘Choosing Classes’ section of the Welcome Website.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q3:  What should I bring to summer Orientation?

Please see our What to Bring page for a list of things needed for Orientation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q4:  How can I carpool with a friend(s) who is also planning to attend UAlbany?

Students who would like to attend the same Conference should include the request in the comments section on both of their reservation forms.  All students planning to carpool should select the same 3 dates in priority order.  While we will make every effort to accommodate your wishes, though this is not always possible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q5:  Can I bring a friend to Orientation?

If you would like to carpool with another new student, please follow the directions as stated above.  You will not be able to bring a friend who is not coming to the University as a new student. No accommodations can be made for others who are not assigned to your Orientation date.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q6:  Can students stay on campus the night before or after Orientation?

Yes, there are overnight accommodations available on the night before your orientation on a first come basis.
Apartment style accommodations are available on Empire Commons. These feature air conditioning and full size beds, but there is no phone or TV in the apartment. While you will have your own bedroom/bathroom, you may be assigned to share an apartment with someone else as there are two separate bedroom/bathrooms located within each apartment. Towels, linens and blankets are provided. Starting June 1, you may call (518) 956-6250 for more information and reservations. The cost is $50/bedroom.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q7: Is there a Parent Orientation program?

Parents and family may opt to attend a parent orientation that is scheduled concurrently and separately* from the student program.  Parent Orientation is held during every student program. You may wish to review the tentative parent orientation program.  Please note that parents may not attend the student orientation program. Also parents may not reside in the residence hall room with students during the orientation; however, there are options for parents who do wish to stay on campus. 

*Due to the student's schedule, there will not be time for significant interaction between family members and students until you are ready to depart from campus at 3pm on the second day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q8: What overnight options are available to parents?

Information about staying on or off campus in Albany can be found at our Overnight Options for Parents page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q9:  Will I stay with my parents?

No, students stay with their group and their group's Orientation Assistant, a current student, in a residence hall. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Q10: What do I need to prepare/complete before coming to Orientation?

• Review New Freshman Advisement Information found at:  "Choosing Classes" and return your Course Request Form to the Advisement Services Center.
• Activate your MyUAlbany and UAlbany email accounts and memorize your Net ID and password.
• Write down all your questions so that you remember to ask them.
Additionally, be certain you have completed each step included on the Freshman Checklist.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q11:  What do I need to complete prior to coming to campus in the fall?

Please see the UAlbany Welcome Website for the freshman student checklist which details all the steps students need to take before coming to campus. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q12:  I am not going to live on campus during the fall semester, do I still have to stay overnight at Orientation?

Yes, all freshmen, whether they plan to live on campus during the academic year or commute from home, attend the full 2-day summer orientation program that includes one night on campus. There is much to be learned about the University and how you will relate to it, and our program sessions begin early and end late on the 1st day. There are social events at night that provide an excellent opportunity for all students to get to know one another and continue to learn about campus facilities. We begin again early the 2nd morning and meetings continue until 3:00 pm. Information learned is equally applicable to both commuter and resident students.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q13:  Will my roommate at Orientation be my roommate during the academic year?

There is no relationship between the person(s) with whom you stay overnight at Orientation and the person(s) with whom you will live during the academic year. Roommates are assigned randomly for your Orientation night.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q14: If I am living on campus, when can I move in?

Students living in Eastman Tower on State Quad on floors 10-21 and students in Living-Learning communities can move in on Wednesday, August 21.
All other freshmen move in on Thursday, August 22. For more information contact Residential Life.

Honors College: Associate Vice Provost and Honors College Director, Dr. Jeffrey Haugaard, will provide details to Honors College members after August 1.

The fall Orientation welcome weekend activities, "Great Dane Beginnings," occurs from Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q15:  What is Great Dane Beginnings?

Freshmen orientation continues with "Great Dane Beginnings" that occurs immediately before classes begin in the fall (Thursday August 22 - Sunday August 25, 2013).  Many of the programs focus on academics and the intellectual environment at UA.  In addition, you will be able to attend a variety of social programs so you can meet many more of your classmates and get involved in the campus community right away.
Among last year's events were:
• Candlelighting Ceremony – A UAlbany tradition welcoming new students to campus
• Be Healthy...Stay Healthy
• Bus tours of the City of Albany
• Student Association block party
• "Screen on the Green" outdoor movie
• Intramural fair
• Career Services
• Using University Library in the Google Age
• Commuting student programs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q16:  What if I can't make it in the summer?

You are strongly urged to attend Orientation in the summer when University staff can focus their attention on new students.  Students who attend orientation in the summer are better prepared for a successful start to the school year. They meet with their advisor and become acquainted with the campus, its community and services, faculty, staff and classmates in a relaxed summer environment. However, if it is impossible for you to attend a summer program, you should select the "Fall Orientation" option when you fill out your registration. As all other freshmen, you will also attend the fall Orientation welcome weekend for freshmen "Great Dane Beginnings."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q17: What should I bring to campus in the fall?
Please see the What to Bring page for details on what to bring to campus when you move in.