Orientation Department

Over the four days, students will rotate through four blocks of programming, which include: A Headwaters 100 service learning project, 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 year old (at the time when fall classes begin.) First time freshman that are over 21 have their 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 Fall 2023 dates are Aug. 16-19, 2023.
• Students are signed up automatically when registering for classes.
• The fee for this program is $250, and it will be applied to the student’s account.
• Mountaineer U (online orientation) & the student success & healthy campus courses are also required for first-year students.

Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation will be a hybrid of in-person and an online course (Mountaineer U) in Canvas (see below for more information.) The in-person program is designed to help you make connections and establish some relationships before classes begin on Monday. Mountaineer U is designed to for you to learn important information about Western, at your own pace, on your own time. Both programs are required for transfer students, or first-year students over 21 years old (when fall  classes begin.)

The in-person program will be a casual time to have your personal questions answered, learn about clubs & activities, meet your Academic Advisor, pick up some free Western schwag, and take a tour to learn where your classes will be held once the semester begins. This program will be followed by an optional social. (Note: If you are attending this program and living on campus, you may begin moving into your assigned residence hall on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m.)

• The cost for this program is $50 and it will be applied to your student account.
• The program is on Friday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m.
• If you are a first-year student and will be 21 years old when fall classes begin, you may opt for this program. The Orientation Office will contact you to discuss your options after you register for classes.

New Student Orientation is designed to support you in your transition to Western. We have developed the program with your needs and success in mind. Spring Orientation will be a hybrid of in-person and an online course in Canvas (see below for more information.) The in-person program is designed to help you make connections and establish some relationships before classes begin on Monday. The online program in Canvas, Western’s online learning management system, is designed to for you to learn important information about Western, at your own pace, on your own time.

The in-person program begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. This will be a casual time to have your personal questions answered, learn about clubs & activities, pick up some free Western schwag, and take a tour to learn where your classes will be held once the semester begins. This program will be followed by an optional dinner at a local restaurant, with other new students and EPIC mentors.

Orientation is required for all new students and you were automatically signed up when you registered for classes; the cost of attending this program is $50, which will be applied directly to your student account. The Orientation Office will email you by early January with specific information and location.

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) and more. 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.

Western also requires that all incoming students take student success & healthy campus courses before they arrive on campus.  These required courses address critical life skills, such as making healthy choices outside of the classroom, reflecting on your knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to these issues and supporting your peers when faced tough decisions. The courses cover the following topics: alcohol education, sexual assault prevention, mental wellbeing & diversity, inclusion and belonging. You will receive access to complete them through your Western email and we expect you to complete these courses before you arrive to campus for Orientation. You will not be able to receive your Mountaineer ID Card without having completed them.

In July, new students will receive invitations to begin the student success & healthy campus courses. In early August, new students will receive an invitation to begin Mountaineer U (online orientation).

We look forward to welcoming your student to campus!

• To help parents understand their students’ new home, we have an online Orientation prepared just for parents and families. This explains several aspects of Western through information and videos. This program will be accessible by August 1. If you would like to ensure that you receive a link to access the Online Parent & Family Orientation, please complete this webform.
• In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Orientation at 970.943.2469 or orientation@western.edu.

This OPTIONAL program, taken IN ADDITION to one of the New Student Orientation programs, 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. There is an additional fee for this program. Learn more about Wilderness Based Orientation.

• All new students are required to attend of Western’s Orientation programs.
  • First time freshman will attend the four-day program (NSO).
    • Students that will be 21 years or older when fall classes begin, may attend the Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation.
• Transfer/nontraditional students will attend Transfer & Nontraditional Orientation (TNSO).

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 programs that are optional. Please check the key in the schedule for further details on mandatory and optional programming. We encourage all new students to take every opportunity possible in order to immerse themselves here and make their time and transition at Western more enjoyable.

The orientation schedule will be posted with Mountaineer U, the online orientation.

As a student, when you register for classes you are automatically signed up for Orientation. When you are signed up, you should receive an email to your Western account regarding more information.

• Students will select an assigned move-in time with Residence Life. New Students also need to visit the University Center to check-in for Orientation at some point that day, as well as get their photo taken for the Mountaineer ID if they did not submit one online or are living off-campus.
• Students attending the Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation (TNSO) may begin moving into their assigned residence hall beginning at 8 am the same day as Orientation. Orientation programming begins at 1 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.

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 every day 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 doing a service project with your HWTR 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 new students entering Western because we believe our programs offer important information that you might not even know that you don’t know! 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 & no. Parents & family members are welcome to help you move into your residence hall. However, as Western moves towards opening, one of our main concerns is to ensure a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff, both in and out of the classroom. It is from this perspective that the Office of Student Affairs and Orientation have decided to offer a free online Parent & Family Orientation rather than host an in-person program in August. Rest assured, Western is still planning to welcome students to campus for fall!.. Sign up here….

As you arrive onto campus there will be signs pointing in the direction for resident halls and Orientation Check-in.

If you are living on-campus, you will get your Mountaineer ID Card when you check into your assigned residence hall, as you as you uploaded your photo online via the Mountaineer ID Card portal. If you are living off-campus, you may pick it up in the University Center in the Mountaineer ID Card Office (UC 106). Note: New students must complete the student health & wellness courses before they can pick up their ID Card.

Mountaineer U, is an online orientation that complements the program on campus. Mountaineer U is a chance for you to learn important information about Western, on your own pace, so you can get started on the right foot.

New students will can expect to receive a link to this program in early August and should aim to complete it before arriving to campus in August.

Parking is free for students at Western! Students should make sure to get a parking pass and register their car with their Resident Assistant upon arrival on campus.

Gunnison doesn’t have taxi service or Uber, but no 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.