Orientation

Summer Orientation

New Student Orientation
Last Updated: July 5, 2019


Orientation for First-Year Students

Please read all the way to the bottom of this page (new information about check-in was added) and check out the informative links on the right-hand side. Additional information for parents has been added below.

Meet your 2019 Orientation Leaders here 


What can you expect from the overnight experience?

Resident and non-resident students alike will gather to meet and get prepared for the coming year. Orientation for First-Year Students (Freshmen) is designed to assist incoming students as they acclimate to college life at WCSU, learn about the number of resources that support student success, receive class schedules and receive academic advisement. Students and family members will have an opportunity to meet and interact with faculty, staff and most importantly, current WCSU students, as well as other new students and parents. Each fun-filled session is informative, helpful and full of WCSU spirit!

Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Orientation


What to bring for the overnight stay?
Click here for more information.

Session Dates
Session I  June 20/21 (Thu/Fri)
Session II  June 24/25 (Mon/Tue)
Session III  June 26/27 (Wed/Thu)
Session IV  July 11/12 (Thu/Fri)
Transfers  August 22, 2019 (Thu)

All programs, activities, and educational workshops are mandatory for first-year students. Students should plan to attend an orientation session that does not conflict with high school final exams, athletic competitions, proms, work schedules, banquets or graduation. Please note: we can’t avoid conflicts with all graduations.  If you have a conflict or extenuating circumstances we recommend you speak with your principal to see if you can make arrangements. If not, please call us at 203-837-9700 for other options.

All sessions are open to all students.

A special July session has been added for those students who aren’t able to make it to any of the June dates. The program in July will be exactly the same as in June.  

Register Here


Arrival Information
Students check in at Litchfield Hall (Midtown campus) between 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Parents check in at the Student Center (Midtown campus) between 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
WCSU Welcome begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Ives Concert Hall located in White Hall
Recommended parking is in the White Street Parking Garage on the roof and using the Crosswalk Bridge to cross White Street
students and parents will be given a schedule for the day at check-in


Rescheduling Policy
Space in each session is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a session has reached capacity, you will be directed to the next available session with space remaining. Should you need to reschedule your session because of extenuating circumstances or emergencies after the rescheduling period, please email diazv@wcsu.edu and we will do our best to accommodate your request. The cost for the day only is $25 and is non-refundable. The cost for overnight orientation is $50.00 and is non-refundable.


Gab & GROW: New to campus? Hear from several of our own student leaders as they talk about what you can do to make your experience great from the very start to the very end! Gab & GROW is a series of podcasts led by Maribeth Griffin of Housing & Residence Life. Listen to the Advice for New Students and check out the rest of the WCSU podcasts from last year as well.


Parent Orientation and Resources for Parents
In conjunction with new Student Orientation, there will be a parent program that will run on Day 1 of each session. This parent program is designed to provide parents with important information about WCSU, its academic programs, its student athlete expectations, student supportive services, financial aid and payment policies, unique challenges for new students, and many other topics.


Parent Services
Welcome to the Western Connecticut State University family! The Office of Parent Services is happy to welcome you to our parent community. At WCSU, we take pride in a campus that supports students and fosters their growth as they develop academically, professionally and socially. We invite you to be part of university life here, too. And now, as a parent of a WCSU student, you will have the opportunity to do just that.