Orientation Programs

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 Fall 2023 dates are Aug. 16-19, 2023.
• 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 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. Access to these online programs will be sent out after July 15.
• This program is required but we still need students to sign up. Follow this link to do it now! https://admissions.western.edu/register/NSO

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 program is on Friday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m.
• The cost for this program is $50 and it will be applied to your student account.
• 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.
• This program is required but we still need students to sign up. Follow this link to do it now! https://admissions.western.edu/register/Trasfer&NTOrientation

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.
• Starting college is huge transition for students… and families too! If you will be bringing your student to campus, we encourage you to join us for College 101 for Parents & Families. This program will feature a panel with members from Western’s Senior Cabinet and our Dean of Students, Gary Pierson. Paul Giberson, Director of Student Retention and Completion, will moderate the panel. College 101 for Parents & Families will be followed by an optional reception to celebrate your family’s transition. This is also an opportunity for parents to meet Western faculty & staff who will play important roles in your student’s time at Western. Light appetizers and beverages will be served. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Orientation. If you would like to attend, please let us know by signing up here.

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 we have mentioned, orientation is REQUIRED for all new students but we still need you to sign up. Do it here!

• • New First Year Students: https://admissions.western.edu/register/NSO
  • Transfer & Nontraditional Students (21 years or older): https://admissions.western.edu/register/Trasfer&NTOrientation

• Students will select an assigned move-in time with Residence Life. New Students also need to visit the University Center between 8 am-2 pm 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. Orientation programming begins at 3 pm in Quigley Bandshell.
• 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. 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.

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 and come to the Orientation Welcome. The rest of the program is just for students. However, we realize that parents and families have questions too. They are invited to attend College 101 for Parents & Families on August 16. It starts immediately after the Orientation Welcome and is followed by a Welcome Reception hosted by President Brad Baca and Alumni Relations. If you parents/families plan on bringing their student to campus on August, 16 and would like to attend, please let us know by signing up here.

Orientation also offers a free online Parent & Family Orientation. This program several aspects of Western through information and videos and will be accessible no later than August 1. If you would like to ensure that you receive a link to access the Online Parent & Family Orientation, please complete this webform.

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

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.