Freshman Student Orientation
Fall 2008
Although you may have already attended Preview Day, PSU Friday, or visited campus for another event, Orientation is your next step toward becoming a part of the Portland State University community. Our statistics show that incoming freshmen who attend Orientation at Portland State have a higher grade-point average at the end of their first term of study.
If you have any additional questions about Orientation, please feel free to contact us. If you’re on campus, drop by our office in 131 Neuberger Hall, 724 SW Harrison Street.
To learn more about Orientation; please select the descriptive links below:
Why should you attend Orientation?
During Orientation, you will:
- Plan your fall term schedule and register for fall classes.
- Learn about PSU’s general education curriculum.
- Receive a free copy of the PSU course catalog, and student handbook and planner.
- Meet with departmental faculty and academic advisers.
- Learn about campus resources.
- Meet with current PSU students and other new students.
- Have your photo taken for your PSU ID card.
Course registration information
Students will learn in-depth information about their academic requirements during Orientation and have the opportunity to register for fall term classes on site. It is essential that you connect with an adviser through Orientation to be sure that the courses you plan to take align with your academic, career, and personal goals. Students who do not attend Orientation may not register for fall courses until August 18.
When is Orientation and how do I sign-up?
To learn of all available Orientation sessions, you will need to log into our online sign-up form with your PSU Student ID.
Important note: academic advisers from each department may not available at every Orientation session. If an adviser from your department is available for a particular session, it will be displayed when you sign-up. If a department adviser is not available, you will meet with one of our University academic advisers. Students who have yet to declare a major may sign-up for any available session displayed.
Sign-up via the Web (preferred method):
Select the link on the side entitled 'sign up now' once you have reviewed all of the information on this page.
Alternate Method:
If you are unable to sign-up via the web method described above, you can call our office during regular hours of business at 503-725-5555 or 800-547-8887 extension 5555.
What about parents, guardians, spouses, and other guests attending Orientation?
During each Orientation session we offer a Family Orientation Program geared directly toward families of new PSU students. If you chosse to bring a quest. they will participate in this program. The goal of this program is to acquaint you with the resources and services available to PSU students and to explore the changes and adjustments that students and families will face during the college years. Please note that while we do fully encourage guests to attend Orientation in support of their new student, there is a $15 fee for each guest, in order to cover program related expenses.
Cost
All Orientation related costs for students during Orientation, are paid through the student matriculation fee. This fee is included in your fall bill for tuition and fees which will be mailed in mid-August and be due on October 10, 2008. Guests who attend Orientation will be charged a $15 attendance fee.
Preparation for Orientation
Prior to attending Orientation, it is important that you review our Pre-Arrival information. This will provide you with an overview of academic requirements and campus services, much of which you should be familiar prior to attending Orientation. The more familiar that you are with academic requirements, student services, and the registration process, the more you will gain from your Orientation experience. Think about Orientation like you would any class, if you have done the reading beforehand you will connect to the material and gain more from the experience.
Transportation and parking
Due to the limited parking available to students, staff, faculty, and other visitors we encourage the use of public transportation. For details visit TriMet at www.trimet.org or 503-238-RIDE (7433).
Parking will be available during each session in Parking Structure 3, 1631 SW 12th Avenue, (mapquest directions). Parking details will be in the e-mail confirmation letter you will receive prior to Orientation. Students should print out their confirmation e-mail and bring it with them to show to the parking attendant in Parking Structure 3 in order to receive a free parking permit for your Orientation day.
An alternative to riding the bus or parking on campus, many students chose to ride their bikes around campus. Check out the Bike Cooperative Program on campus for more details at Bike PSU or 503-725-9006.
Overnight accommodations
If you are coming to Portland State from outside the Portland metropolitan region and need a place to stay overnight, we hope you will consider a few places on Campus.
University Place, a full-service educational conference center with 235 guest rooms. The rate for Orientation attendees is $89 per night. For additional details or to reserve a room, contact University Place at 503-221-0140.
Summer Conference Housing, Students can stay in on-campus housing in either Ondine for $40 per night or in Broadway for $50 per night, space allowing. Space is limited in July so it is recommend for additional details or to reserve a room, contact Summer Conference Housing at 503-725-4336.
Persons with disabilities
If you require additional accommodations for Orientation, please contact the Disablity Resource Center at least one week in advance. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs. For additional information about disability services for students, contact the Disability Resource Center at 503-725-4150 or 1-800-547-8887, ext. 4150 (TDD 503-725-6504) or on the DRC website.
International and students from outside Oregon and Washington
As students begin their PSU experience, we strongly recommend attending one of our July Orientation Sessions. We will have an Orientation specifically for domestic and international students who are traveling to Portland from out-of-state and who were not able to arrive in Portland earlier in the summer. That session will take place on Wednesday, September 24.
New Student Week
Mark your calendars now! New Student Week is designed to help students connect with the academic, cultural, and social opportunities at PSU and will take place September 22-27. It is also an opportunity for students to complete any outstanding tasks prior to the start of classes. This fun-filled week is a great opportunity to meet other students, participate in social activities, learn more about student services and resources, and attend New Student Convocation. Students will automatically be mailed the New Student Week Schedule of Events in early September.
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