Academic Support and Advising

Welcome Family and Guests!

All orientation session reservations are closed for Fall, 2008. Please check back in October for more information for Fall, 2009.

We are very excited to meet your students at New Student Orientation this summer!

Where to Check In

Students and their guests are asked to check in at the University Center at 9:00 am. Students are allowed to move into their rooms at 8:00 am that morning. Please note that guests will not be able to stay in the residence halls on August 21st since all residence hall students have begun to occupy the rooms. Guests who need overnight accommodations for August 21st will need to make a reservation at a local hotel..

What to Expect

While this orientation session is a 2-day program, it is really the first step in a year-long orientation process for your student.  Parents often tell us that the program was so full of information, they felt like their head was spinning by the end.  Because the entire campus is involved with New Student Orientation and many programs are needing to share critical information, it is inevitable that a feeling of being overwhelmed will occur at least once. 

Students can expect a high-energy program that introduces them to the academic and social life of the University, informs them about getting involved at UNC, educates them about our history and traditions, and initiates them into the Northern Colorado Experience. 

Parents can expect to receive information that will help them understand the university environment from health and safety issues, the academic expectations and requirements, and what to expect from the university.  While orientation is not a requirement for parents and family members, about 60% of students brought a parent or family member with them last summer. 

STUDENTS MUST STAY FOR THE ENTIRE TWO-DAY PROGRAM IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR COURSES.

One of the biggest things to expect is that students and family members are in separate groups and do spend a significant portion of the 2-day event apart.  Students will interact with others who are also beginning their college career, and parents will be in groups with other parents and family members and will be guided by an upper-class student known as an Orientation Leader.   There are certain sessions where students are together with family members.  These will include topics such as, paying for college, getting started (what paperwork needs to be submitted), portions of the academic advising process, and a few of the meals.

What to Bring

  • Casual dress and comfortable walking shoes
  • Personal belongings (change of clothes, toiletries, shower shoes, bug spray) for two days
  • Students will need to bring their UNC Bear Number (typically 801XXXXXX) – this is the student identification number and will be used by many offices, so your students should have it memorized  ASAP
  • Questions and concerns that you have

What to Send Prior to Attending Orientation

  • Transcripts from any other institution from which your student  will receive college credit (including college courses taken in high school and programs such as CU Succeed)
    • Send transcripts to the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before your session; if that is not possible, bring transcripts with you to Orientation
  • Scores from Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams
    • Send scores to the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before your session; if you have not received your scores at the time of Orientation, notify your Orientation Leader at orientation
  • Immunization documentation
    • Send immunization documents to the Student Health Center at least two weeks before your session; if that is not possible, bring documentation to Orientation

Cost to Attend Orientation

The cost for students to attend is included in their student fees.  The cost to attend orientation is $73 per guest.  This fee does cover the entire 2-day program, which includes 4 meals, parking, and materials.  Guests will receive a Parent Handbook/Calendar for important dates and other informational materials during their stay.  Students can reserve a spot for their guest while they are reserving their space for orientation and can pay for the parents or family member with a credit card online or by calling our office or mailing in a check.

Where to Stay Overnight

There are 2 options for parents and family members:

  • Stay overnight in the Residence Halls (not available for the August 21-22 session)
    • For an additional $22 per guest, your may stay overnight in the Residence Hall for parents and guests.  Please be aware, this is the “traditional” college experience, so roommate matching may become nessasary.  Students and parents do stay in different halls during the New Student Orientation program.
  • Book a hotel room near campus

Sample Schedule for Parents

Sample Schedule for Parents for August 21-22 Session (pdf)

What is Orientation?

Preparing my student

Making a reservation

What else?