Orientation Programs
Learn about our Orientation Programs
New Student Orientation is a hybrid of in-person and an online course.
In-person: Over four days, students will rotate through four blocks of programming, which include Headwaters 100 service learning project, an introduction to academic resources, “Life at Western” to learn about college life and the social issues that come with it, and community trips to check out the Gunnison Valley.
Activities also include a Welcome Barbecue and evening events hosted by student clubs and organizations.
- The four-day New Student Orientation program is required for all first-time students that are under 21 years old (at the time when fall classes begin.) First-year students who are over 21 have the choice to attend either New Student Orientation or Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation. The Orientation Office or an EPIC Mentor will reach out to ask what program you prefer.
- The fee for this program is $300 and is required; it will be applied to the student’s account.
This program is required, but we still need students to sign up. Sign-up now!
Online Orientation: Mountaineer U courses are also required as part of New Student Orientation, and you will receive separate communications via Canvas and email for online orientation.
Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation will be a hybrid of in-person and an online course.
In-person: A day to have your personal questions answered, learn about clubs and activities, meet your academic advisor, and take a tour to learn where your classes will be held with an optional social afterward.
If you’ve decided to live on campus, you will be able to begin move-in on the morning of orientation.
P.S. If you feel like you’d rather attend the four-day New Student Orientation? Please contact Sara Phillips, director of Orientation, at 970.943.2469 or sphillips@western.edu.
- The fee for this program is $50 and is required; it will be applied to the student’s account.
This program is required, but we still need students to sign up. Sign up now!
Transfer & Nontraditional Registration
Online Orientation: Mountaineer U courses are also required as part of Transfer & Nontraditional Orientation, and you will receive separate communications via Canvas and email for online orientation.
Parent & Family Orientation is an in-person and online course that helps prepare parents and families of incoming students, first-year students.
Online Orientation: This seven-module course contains everything you need to know before your student arrives for New Student Orientation. You will receive separate communications for this course.
Orientation Panel & Reception: If you plan to accompany your student during move-in and New Student Orientation, we invite you to join us for the Orientation Welcome event on Aug. 20, 2025. This program will be followed by College 101 for Parents and Families, featuring a panel with members of Western’s Senior Cabinet and an opportunity to meet faculty and staff who will play key roles in your student’s experience at Western.
Spring Orientation will be a hybrid of in-person and online courses for new, transfer, and nontraditional students starting in the Spring semester.
In-person Orientation: A day to have your personal questions answered, learn about clubs and activities, meet your academic advisor, and take a tour to learn where your classes will be held, with an optional dinner afterward.
If you’ve decided to live on campus, you will be able to begin move-in on the morning of orientation.
Online Orientation: Mountaineer U courses are also required as part of Spring Orientation, and you will receive separate communications via Canvas and email for online orientation.
Mountaineer U is an online orientation course designed to complement the in-person program. Mountaineer U includes seven different modules, ranging from The Mountaineer Way, Student Success, & The Secret Sauce (student activities); it should answer most of your questions about life at Western and in Gunnison! It also covers important information such as alcohol education, sexual assault prevention, mental well-being & belonging. This is all important information to help you start off strong at Western.
This course is in Canvas, Western’s learning management system, and you will receive an email to your Western email account with access instructions for the course once it becomes available.
Wilderness Based Orientation (WBO) is an OPTIONAL program, taken IN ADDITION to one of the New Student Orientation programs, and giving you the ultimate unique experience before the Fall semester! 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. There is an additional fee for this program. Learn more about Wilderness Based Orientation.
Orientation FAQs
All new, transfer, and nontraditional students are required to attend one of Western’s Orientation programs.
Orientation is a wonderful opportunity for new students to get acquainted with one another, Western, and the community. Most programming is mandatory; however, there are some parts of the program that are optional. This will be shared once you are registered.
The orientation schedule will be emailed to you and posted with Mountaineer U, the online orientation.
You can sign up by logging into your Western Navigator.
- New students also need to visit the University Center between 8 am-2 pm to check in for Orientation & Residence Life. Orientation programming begins at 3 pm in Mountaineer Bowl.
- Students attending the Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation may begin moving into their assigned residence hall beginning at 8 am the same day as Orientation. A Western Resource Fair is hosted from 12-1:30 pm, and Orientation programming begins at 1:30 pm in the University Center.
Please arrive early to check in for the program and pick up your Mountaineer ID if you are living off-campus.
The fee charged for Orientation covers the cost of programming.
For students living in the residence halls, meal & housing plans are activated on day one of orientation.
If you are first year student living off-campus, we invite you to eat all meals during orientation in Rare Air Café. This is a great opportunity to start making new friends at Western! (Join us for University Day at CBMR & any of the fun evening/Saturday afternoon activities too!)
You will already be moved into your room in your assigned residence hall during Orientation, so you should have everything you need. Some of the Orientation programming will be on campus, and just everyday attire is all you need. However, some Orientation activities are quite active, and you will be spending time outside while you give back to the Gunnison community by doing a service project with your Headwaters 100 class and exploring the area on a Wilderness Pursuits trip. When you check in for Orientation, we’ll make sure you know what specific clothing you will need to wear for those activities.
Orientation is required for all students entering Western because we believe our programs offer important information! However, we also realize that there may be other life circumstances that prevent you from attending our program. If this is the case, please call Sara Phillips, director of LEAD & Orientation, at 970.943.2176 to make special arrangements.
Yes and no. Parents and family members are welcome to help you move into your residence hall and attend Orientation Welcome. The rest of the program is just for students.
For Fall New Student Orientation, parents and families are invited to attend College 101 for Parents & Families. This is immediately after the Orientation Welcome and is followed by a Welcome Reception with the President, faculty, and staff. If your parents/families plan on bringing their students to campus and would like to attend, please let us know.
There is also a free online Parent & Family Orientation. This program will discuss several aspects of Western through information and videos. You will receive an email link to access the program in late July.
- If you are a first-year student, you will head to the University Center to check in for Orientation and Residence Life.
- Transfer & Non-Traditional Students will check in for residence life at their assigned residence hall and check in for Orientation between 12-1:30 pm at the University Center.
- Spring Orientation students check-in for Orientation in the University Center.
Gunnison doesn’t have a taxi service or Uber, but don’t worry; the Orientation Office is here to help. Please email (orientation@western.edu) or call Orientation (970.943.2469), and we will be happy to coordinate a pick-up for you.
Yes! Orientation is required for all students entering Western because we believe our programs offer important information!
Department Information
Orientation Department
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
University Center 118
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
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