New Student Orientation

We’re so excited to officially welcome you to campus and kick off your journey as a Mountaineer! Our four-day, in-person New Student Orientation is designed to set you up for success in your new home, both academically and socially.

During Orientation, you’ll rotate through four core blocks of programming:

• Headwaters 100 service learning project

• Introduction to academic resources and expectations

• “Life at Western” sessions to explore the social and personal aspects of college life

• Community trips to discover the Gunnison Valley

You’ll also enjoy a Welcome Barbecue and a variety of evening events hosted by student clubs and organizations — a great chance to meet your peers and start building your Mountaineer community.

This program is required for all first-time students under the age of 21 when fall classes begin. If you’re 21 or older, you can choose between this program or the Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation. An EPIC Mentor or Orientation staff member will reach out to help you decide.

Orientation Fee

Upon class registration, a $300 Orientation fee will be applied to your student account. This fee covers all programming, meals, evening events, materials, and campus activities during Orientation.

New Student Orientation

Mountaineer U is an online orientation course designed to complement the in-person program. It includes seven different modules, ranging from The Mountaineer Way to Student Success and 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, and 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. Be sure to complete it before arriving for orientation; you will not be able to receive your Mountaineer ID Card without having completed it.

Parent & Families 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.

Parent & Families Orientation

All new, transfer, and nontraditional students are required to attend one of Western’s Orientation programs.

Yes. On-campus New Student Orientation is mandatory for all first-time freshmen and transfer students with 23 credits or less. WBO courses are offered as supplemental programs to New Student Orientation, not as a substitute.

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 fee charged for Orientation covers the cost of programming.

The orientation schedule will be emailed to you and posted with Mountaineer U, the online orientation.

Orientation is required for all students entering Western because we believe our programs offer essential information! However, we also realize that other life circumstances may prevent you from attending our program.

If this is the case, please contact the LEAD Office or the Orientation Director to make special arrangements.

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 clothing you will need to wear for those activities.

Any incoming new student, including transfers. WBO is designed to serve as an adventure-based orientation for all new Western students. If you have been admitted to Western for the fall semester, you are welcome to participate in WBO.

It is not just for folks who know their way around the outdoors. On the contrary, WBO is for any student who is interested in having an awesome experience, is ready to learn a new skill and wants to get to know their new home in the Gunnison Valley. No prior experience is required to participate, you just need to be physically and mentally prepared for the challenge.

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 or family 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.

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 us at 970.943.2469, and we will be happy to coordinate a pick-up for you.