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Orientation
 
Freshmen Orientation
2008

  Important Dates
Why Orientation?
Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend
Reserve Your Date
Parents
   – Maps
   – Motels Closest to Campus
   – Albany Visitors Bureau
Freshmen FAQ's
Freshmen Parent FAQ's
Freshmen Parent Program Schedule

Why Orientation?

Looking forward to beginning college? Excited and anticipating a great experience, yet just a little anxious? How is college life different from high school? How challenging are classes? What is there to do on campus? Will I have help if I need it? When do I register for classes? What is it like to live on campus? Will I meet people I'll like? Will I be successful?

Woman in Fountain

The answers to these questions and many more are answered when you attend Freshman Orientation. In fact, you will attend a summer Orientation and a fall Orientation just before the start of classes. This gives you plenty of time to meet people, get to know the campus better, and to take care of all the most important processes in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with lots of assistance from current students, faculty, academic advisors and staff. It is also during the summer Orientation that you will meet your academic advisor, receive your SUNYCard student ID, meet many of your classmates, learn how to be a successful UAlbany student, and overcome common freshman year pitfalls.

You will also attend meetings to learn about the many services available to you, how to get involved in campus life, study abroad programs and how to maintain personal and property safety.

With assistance, correct information and an idea of what to expect of the University community, you'll be off to a great start!. You'll also be able to make well-informed decisions that will help you to take advantage of all the University offers you.


Freshman Orientation Dates:

All freshmen attend a 2-day program in the summer that includes a one night stay in a residence hall. This program is called Summer Planning Conference.

In addition to the summer program, all freshmen participate in an additional Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend, called Great Dane Beginnings, that occurs just before the start of classes.

  Cheerleaders


Summer Planning Conference Dates are as follow:

During the 2 days, you will:
  • meet with your academic advisor
  • receive your SUNYCard Student ID
  • attend information sessions about the academic and social environment on campus
  • experience a 1-night stay in a residence hall
  • meet new classmates and become familiar with the campus
June 26 – 27 (Th-F)            July 14 – 15 (M-T)
June 30 – July 1 (M-T)            July 17 – 18 (Th-F)
July 7 – 8 (M-T)            July 21 – 22 (M-T)
July 10 – 11 (Th-F)            July 24 – July 25 (Th-F)


Student with Laptop


"Great Dane Beginnings" which is the name of the Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for Freshmen Program occurs on Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24.

A full schedule of programs and activities are planned for both commuter and resident students to give you a jump-start on your college experience.  (Complete schedule will be on our web site and will be mailed in August)


Fountain Day


How To Reserve Date?

  • Send your $150 Admissions Deposit to the Student Accounts Office by the May 1 deadline.
  • UAlbany mails you a "Welcome Packet" by mid-May that contains orientation information and important information from several other offices.
    (Students who pay their Deposit after May 1 will receive this information on a rolling basis.)
  • Select 3 dates you are able to come to Summer Planning Conference. Rank order your preferences.
  • Return your Reservation Card and $200 Orientation fee*. Subsequently, you will receive a confirmation of the date to which you are assigned, along with material you must act on before you arrive.
* Orientation Fee covers costs associated with summer and fall student programs, including special staff, meals, and all printed materials and is payable when you reserve your Orientation date.


Freshmen FAQ's:


When is freshman orientation? What will happen during Orientation?

Freshman Orientation consists of 2 days in the summer (Summer Planning Conference) and an additional 2 days just before the start of classes in the fall (Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for Freshmen Program called "Great Dane Beginnings"). Summer Planning Conference (SPC) marks the beginning of your orientation to the campus community and will provide you with the information necessary to make your transition as smooth as possible. Every freshman will attend one of the eight 2-day conferences between June 26 and July 25.

At SPC, faculty, academic advisors, professional staff and student Orientation Assistants are excited to meet you 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 Albany, both academically and personally
  • meet with your academic advisor
  • receive your student ID card
  • meet and get to know your classmates
Plan to check in on the 1st day of your conference between 10 and 10:30am. Your 1st meeting begins immediately after you check in. You will participate in many programs throughout the 1st day and into the evening. The 2nd day, workshops begin bright and early. Students will meet with their advisor at some point during their conference. The conference ends at about 3pm on the 2nd day.


Do I need to attend one of the 1st 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.

http://www.albany.edu/advisement/

Click on "New Freshmen Advisement Information."


What should I bring to summer Orientation?


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 mail their Reservation Cards and fees in the same envelope and add a note that you would like to carpool. All students planning to carpool should select the same 3 dates in priority order. While we will make every effort to accommodate your wishes, this is not always possible.


Can I bring a friend to Orientation?

If you would like to carpool with another new student, please follow the directions as stated in "How can I carpool with a friend(s)?" above. You will not likely be in the same group, but you will certainly have opportunities to spend time together periodically. 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 and you will be busy attending mandatory sessions and completing numerous important administrative processes.


I have a long drive to get to campus. Can I stay on campus the night before Orientation?

Yes, there are overnight accommodations available the night before your orientation.

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. There is access to a Community Building until 8:00 pm that houses a TV, Fitness Center, pool table, and foosball table. Call (518) 956-6250 for reservations. The cost is $50/bedroom.

Students stay on State Quad the night of their actual orientation which is covered by their orientation fee. No linen is provided for the student on their orientation night. Parents do not reside with students on their orientation night.


Will I stay with my parents?

No, students stay with their group and their group's Orientation Assistant, a current student, on State Quad. Parents may opt to make reservations for:


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


What do I need to complete prior to the fall?

Attend a Freshman Planning Conference.
Go to:  http://www.albany.edu/orientation, then hit "Freshman"

Planning to live on campus?
Housing information will be mailed after May 1 to newly accepted and deposited students in the UA "Welcome Packet." Included in this mailing will be information on how to complete your housing application online via the MYUALBANY website.

For information on campus living:  http://www.albany.edu/housing/

Health Forms — All new students must complete and return several Health Forms to the University Health Center.

http://www.albany.edu/health_center

Hit "Health Forms," then click on the two links in the text on the right for Forms and more information. These forms are also included in the "Welcome Packet." Questions may be directed via email to: askUHC@uamail.albany.edu.

Complete Admissions Process — Be certain that final official transcripts of all college coursework, CLEP and AP credit have been sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Financial Aid — To be eligible for any form of financial aid, you must first apply. Information for new students can be found at http://www.albany.edu/financialaid


I am going to commute to Albany from my home. Must I stay overnight?

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 that night that provide an excellent opportunity for all students to get to know one another. 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.


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.


What is the Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for Freshmen Program?

Freshman participate in an additional 2 days of orientation called "Great Dane Beginnings" that occurs immediately before classes begin in the fall. This fall portion of the program continues with more detail than you learned in the summer program. In addition, you will be able to attend a variety of social programs so you can meet many more of your classmates which will help you feel part of the campus community right away.

Among last year's events were:


When do I move in for the fall semester, if I plan to live on campus?

Students living in Eastman Tower on State Quad or Mohawk Tower on Indian Quad on floors 11-21 can move in on Thursday, August 21, while all other freshmen move in on Friday, August 22. The Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for "Freshmen Great Dane Beginnings" program occurs from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24.


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

You are strongly urged to attend Orientation in the summer when all staff can focus attention on new students.

In most cases, students who attend orientation in the summer feel 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 2-day Fall Planning Conference that occurs on August 21 - 22. As all other freshmen, you will also attend the extended Fall Orientation Welcome Weekend for Freshmen "Great Dane Beginnings" program that continues through Sunday, August 24. An abbreviated Fall Parent Information Program occurs on Wednesday, August 20 from 2:00–5:00 pm.



Freshmen Parent FAQ's:


Is there a parent summer orientation program?

Yes, there is a 2-day summer Parent Orientation Program. Although it is an optional program, we do encourage parents to attend if at all possible. Parents/Guardians of freshmen overwhelmingly indicate that they learn a great deal and feel more comfortable with the University community, even if they have visited campus prior to Orientation. It is a great way to get the most up to date information, meet faculty and staff, and to learn of the campus resources that will help your son or daughter to make a successful transition. This program is concurrent but separate from the student program. Due to the student's schedule, it is not likely that there will be interaction between family members and students until you are ready to depart from campus.

Typical topics covered in the Parents Orientation Program are:

The Parent Program Fee is $55 (for 1 or 2 parents). The fee includes continental breakfast items at Check-in. This fee does not include meals or lodging. You can reserve your place for the program by indicating your choices on your son/daughter/s Reservation Card.

Information about lodging options both on and off campus for parents is sent with the student's confirmation-of-date information.


What is the fee for the optional Parent Orientation Program?
What does it cover?

The fee for the Parent Orientation is $55 for 1 or 2 parents. The fee covers costs associated with the program including special staff, printed materials and continental breakfast items during Check-In on the 1st day.

The parent fee does not cover lodging or meals.

Parents may purchase a two-day Luncheon Pass at Check-In. This allows you to participate in two luncheon programs which feature a presentation by a faculty member and a discussion of food services. (cash only please).


Are there on-campus accommodations for parents who wish to stay overnight?

Yes, there are overnight accommodations available the night before orientation for parents and/or students who may need to arrive early and for parents on the night of orientation.

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. Towels, linens and blankets are provided. There is access to a Community Building until 8:00 pm that houses a TV, Fitness Center, pool table, and foosball table. Call (518) 956-6250 for reservations. The cost is $50/bedroom.

Listed below is a list of several nearby motels with air conditioning, TV and phones for parents who prefer this option or you may visit the Albany Visitors Bureau site for a more complete list of local lodging and eateries.  http://www.albany.org/

Please note:  Students stay with other freshmen on State Quad the night of their orientation, which is covered by their orientation fee. No linen is provided for the student on their orientation night on State Quad. Parents may not reside with students on their orientation night.


What should parents bring?

Depending upon your situation, you may wish to consider:


How can parents make reservations for motels in close proximity to campus?

Motels

For parents only:  Motels located closest to campus are listed below:

Best Western Sovereign Hotel
1228 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203 (518) 489-2981
1-800-WESTERN
Includes full breakfast, pool and free local calls

Days Inn - Albany/SUNY
1230 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
Book on line (www.daysinn.com) or call (518) 489-4423
Includes continental breakfast, internet access and small fitness center

Holiday Inn Express
1442 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203 (518) 438-0001
(888) 651-0040
Includes continental breakfast, heated indoor swimming pool and fitness center

CrestHill Suites Hotel
1415 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 454-0007
Mention you are the parent of a UAlbany student

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
1383 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206 (518) 435-1800
1-800-228-2800
Includes continental breakfast, pool, spa, wireless Internet access and free local calls

Hilton Garden Inn
1389 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 453-1300

Thruway Courtyard by Marriott
1455 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206 (518) 435-1600
1-800-321-2211

TownPlace Suites by Marriott
1379 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 435-1900

Extended Stay America
1395 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206 (518) 446-0680
1-800-EXT-STAY
Wireless internet, laundry facilities available

There are many additional motels/hotels available throughout the area. For more information about the Albany area, lodging, area attractions and events by the month, visit http://www.albany.org.

last updated 3/24/2008
 
 

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