Transfer & Nontraditional Orientation

The in-person portion of Transfer & Nontraditional Student Orientation is your chance to get settled into campus, meet fellow students, and prepare for a successful start at Western. The day includes a welcome session, a campus tour with your EPIC Mentor, and a required academic advising meeting to ensure you’re on track for graduation. You’ll also attend a resource fair where you can learn about campus programs, services, and student organizations—plus grab some free Western gear. The day wraps up with a casual social event, where you can meet other new transfer and nontraditional students over snacks and refreshments.

Move-In Information

If you’re living on campus, you may move into your assigned residence hall on the morning of orientation during your designated check-in window. Be sure to review all Residence Life move-in instructions beforehand so you’re ready for a smooth arrival.

Orientation Fee

Upon class registration, a $50 Orientation fee will be applied to your student account. This fee covers all programming, meals, evening events, materials, and campus activities during Orientation.

Register for Transfer & Nontraditional 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.

Although there isn’t a separate Orientation program specifically for parents and families of transfer and nontraditional students, they are welcome to attend orientation alongside their student and assist with the transition to campus life.

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

Yes! Orientation is required for all students entering Western because we believe our programs offer important information!

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.

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.