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Transfer & Non-Traditional Student Orientation: August 23

If you are a transfer student with 24 or more credits, we encourage you to attend our Transfer & Non-Traditional Student Orientation, which is designed to meet your specific needs. This session is also suitable for non-traditional students who are new to Western State Colorado University. Learn more & sign up here....

Parent & Family Orientation Registration: August 21 & 22

Heading off to college isn't a big deal for students only...  it's a transition for parents and families as well. The following links will provide you with additional information as you prepare for this next step. We invite you to join us for your son or daughter's Orientation to Western. Learn more & sign up here....

  • Parent & Family Orientation Schedule (PDF) (available August 2013)

Orientation FAQs

Important Western Phone Numbers

Gunnison Valley Visitor Information

Family Resources

Parent Connection

Orientation Information

Please follow any of the links below to see 2013 Orientation information. Please note that this information is subject to change

First Year Experience

Orientation Paperwork

Contact Information

Sara Phillips
Director of Student Engagement & Orientation
sphillips@western.edu
Phone: (970) 943-2469

Address:
LEAD & Orientation
University Center 118
600 N. Adams St.
Gunnison, CO 81231

 

 

Countdown to New Student Orientation 2013

WSCU chairliftAugust 21: Orientation begins.... 

Your first day of New Student Orientation will be action packed! Besides meeting lots of new people, be ready to:

  • Arrive to campus and move into your assigned residence hall (halls open at 8 a.m.)
  • Check-in for New Student Orientation in the University Center and receive your specialized packet of information with your detailed schedule (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  • Have your picture taken for your Mountaineer I.D. Card (University Center)
  • Join Western faculty and staff for a Welcome BBQ dinner at 5 p.m. at the University Center Patio.



August 22-25: Orientation continues....

Over these days, you will rotate through four workshops, which include:

  • Starting your first academic class at Western.  You will meet your Headwaters 100 faculty and work beside them and other new students during a service project in the Gunnison community.
  • An introduction to Academic Resources. During this workshop, you will learn the ins and outs of being a successful student at Western. You will plan for success with the Academic Resource Center, learn about DegreeWorks (a tool to help you monitor your academic progress toward degree completion), explore the Leslie J. Savage Library and discover how it will be an important resource for you. 
  • Learning about Life At Western, from your Orientation Leaders . During this workshop, you will enjoy the popular Orientation Leader skit, which lightheartedly touches on many of the real issues that affect college students today, such as roommate issues, social gatherings, homesickness and a healthy balanced lifestyle. Afterwards, Student Affairs staff will explore these issues with you in more depth and also give you resources, should any of these situations happen to you.
  • Joining Wilderness Pursuits and other new students on an adventure in the Gunnison Valley of your choice. We want to introduce you to the many exciting activities that our current Western students love to do when they are at "home" in Gunnison. When you check in for New Student Orientation on August 21, you will choose an activity that you want to do... maybe it will be exploring new heights while rock climbing, rafting the Gunnison, checking out the local vibe in Crested Butte or soaking up the sun at Blue Mesa Reservoir. 

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    New Student Orientation Schedule

    (Detailed schedule will be available to download in August)

    Other Orientation highlights:

    • Check out Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR)! On Sunday, August 25, join us and be the guest of CBMR up valley in Crested Butte. Enjoy live music, incredible scenery and new friends at the ski resort that has put this valley on the extreme skiing map!
    • Freshman Advising: Meet your academic advisor. You will also have an opportunity to meet returning and transfer students in your area of interest, as well as learning about other interesting opportunities in your field of study.
    • Find a job. Orientation will host a Work-study Job Fair that will be required for all new students who are awarded federal or state work-study funding. Visit Western's Work-study webpage for more information about working on campus.
    • You will also have an opportunity to attend optional workshops. Join faculty Suzy Coykendall for her famous Sex 101 workshop or learn the nuts and bolts about budgeting your money at a Financial Literacy workshop--it is never too early to learn this information now that you are embarking on life on your own!
    • Evening programming.... part of the fun of being in college is just the opportunity to meet other college students. Each evening, many of the campus clubs and organizations will be hosting various activities, such as a pool party, climbing events, town excursions, movies and more.  Check your New Student Welcome packet for a list of activities. Better yet, ask your Orientation Leader and go with them!
    • Much, much more...

      Note: New Student Orientation is required for all first time freshman* and transfer students with 23 credits or less. Students are signed up automatically when you register for classes. We have a Transfer & Non Traditional Student Orientation designed to meet a transfer students specific needs. This program is encouraged, though not required, for new students entering Western with 24 credits or more. Learn more about our Transfer Orientation here....

    (*This applies to any student entering WSCU who has not lived on a residential campus before.)

     

    Summer Wilderness Based Orientation: August 17-21, 2013

    This optional program, taken in addition to New Student Orientation, gives you the ultimate unique experience! Join other new students on courses varying in time and difficulty that venture into the Colorado backcountry. Each course is led by some of our finest student leaders who give you instruction on adventure activities and beginning college. Learn More »

    Week of Welcome: August 26-August 31, 2013 

    Western State Colorado University's Week of Welcome (WOW) is a time to welcome all new Western students, while also allowing you time to get acclimated prior to the start of classes on Monday, August 26; there will also be events going on throughout the first week of classes. Through Western's WOW, you will be provided experiences to gain a better understanding of the University and its many involvement opportunities. You also will have the opportunity to explore the Gunnison area through our Wilderness Pursuits Program.  Learn More »