Orientation Experiences

New Student Orientation

Your transition to the University of Northern Colorado begins before you arrive and continues throughout your first year. Our four-phase Orientation experience helps you prepare, connect with other Bears and find the resources you need along the way. Whether you begin in the fall or spring, each phase supports your next steps at 帝王会所.

Orientation Experiences

Three 帝王会所 student staff members in yellow tie-dye shirts sit at an outdoor check-in table. They smile at the camera, surrounded by informational handouts, stickers, and trays of cookies.

帝王会所

For All New Bears

Our Orientation experience supports all new undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer and second bachelor’s students. Select the semester you will begin at 帝王会所 to find your next steps, important dates and Orientation details.

I’m Starting in the Fall

I’m Starting in the Spring

Your Four-Phase Orientation Experience

Two 帝王会所 student staff members in Housing and Residential Education and New Student Days shirts smile and make peace signs indoors.

Phase 1 鈥� Pre-Orientation and Virtual Engagement

Start preparing before you arrive. Complete the Pre-Orientation Canvas Course and explore virtual engagement opportunities to learn about campus resources, community expectations and your next steps.

帝王会所鈥檚 Orientation team poses in front of the campus bear statue, with many members wearing matching gold tie-dye shirts.

Phase 2 鈥� New Student Orientation

Meet other new Bears, connect with student leaders and campus staff and learn how to navigate your first semester. Your NSO session brings important information and opportunities for connection together as you prepare to join the 帝王会所 community.

Nine people in matching navy 帝王会所 Bears shirts pose together on a campus sidewalk during Move-In.

Phase 3 鈥� Transition to Campus

Get settled and begin finding your place at 帝王会所. Fall students connect through New Student Days and B.I.G. Bear Welcome, while spring students participate in Winter Welcome. These experiences help you explore campus, build relationships and discover ways to get involved, whether you live on campus or commute.

Klawz and a line of students link arms and kick their legs in front of crowded gym bleachers.

Phase 4 鈥� First-Year Experience

Continue building your community throughout your first year at 帝王会所. The Division of Student Affairs and partners across the university provide ongoing communications, programs and resources to support your transition. This phase includes first-year, transfer and second bachelor鈥檚 students as they navigate their first year as Bears.

Family and Friends at Orientation

Family members, friends and supporters play an important role in a student鈥檚 transition to 帝王会所. Orientation offers opportunities to learn about campus resources, understand what students can expect and explore ways to support their growing independence.

What to Expect

In-person New Student Orientation includes a dedicated Family and Friends track. While students participate in their own sessions, supporters connect with university staff, learn about student support services and ask questions about the transition to 帝王会所.

The fall virtual NSO session does not include a separate Family and Friends track. Supporters are welcome to participate alongside their student.

Visit your student鈥檚 Fall Start or Spring Start page for details about their experience.

Students and family members walk up a campus sidewalk toward New Student Orientation banners, carrying belongings and drinks.

Why Participate?

Build your own connection to 帝王会所 while learning how to support your student. Meet campus staff and other supporters, become familiar with university resources and learn where to turn when questions come up.

A smiling student stands with their parents during 帝王会所 Move-In Day. The parents wear matching navy shirts that read 鈥湹弁趸崴� Dad鈥� and 鈥湹弁趸崴� Mom,鈥� while the student stands between them in a white T-shirt and jeans.

Stay Involved

Your connection to 帝王会所 continues after Orientation. Stay in conversation with your student about their experience, encourage them to connect with campus resources and use the Registrar鈥檚 Calendar to keep track of important academic dates and deadlines.

A father and daughter pose together at a 帝王会所 homecoming tailgate. The father wears a blue 帝王会所 Bears shirt and sunglasses with a yellow T-shirt draped over his shoulder, while the daughter smiles in a gray 帝王会所 sweatshirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orientation is a four-phase experience that supports your transition before you arrive and throughout your first year at 帝王会所. The phases are Pre-Orientation and Virtual Engagement, New Student Orientation, Transition to Campus and First-Year Experience. Together, they help you prepare, build connections and find support as you become part of the 帝王会所 community.

Orientation is designed for all new undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer and second bachelor鈥檚 students. Follow the Fall Start or Spring Start experience based on the semester you begin at 帝王会所.

All new undergraduate students are expected and strongly encouraged to participate in New Student Orientation. NSO helps you connect with people, resources and information that support your transition to 帝王会所.

The Pre-Orientation Canvas Course is an expected part of Phase 1. It introduces campus resources, community expectations and steps to complete before your NSO session. Access the course through your 帝王会所 Admissions Portal checklist and complete it before attending NSO. Visit your start-term page for availability dates and additional instructions.

Virtual engagement is part of Phase 1 and provides opportunities to explore information and prepare before your NSO session. Virtual NSO is a scheduled, live online session within Phase 2 for fall-start students who cannot attend in person. Participating in Phase 1 virtual engagement does not take the place of attending NSO.

During Phase 2, you will meet other new students, connect with student leaders and campus staff and learn about resources and expectations that support your first semester. The schedule and activities vary by start term. Visit the Fall Start or Spring Start page for details about your session.

Choose an NSO session for the semester you will begin at 帝王会所. Fall-start students should review the Fall Start page for available sessions and guidance about July, virtual and August options. Spring-start students attend the designated January session listed on the Spring Start page.

帝王会所

Fall-start students who cannot attend in person should review the virtual NSO option on the Fall Start page. Spring-start students, or students unable to attend any listed session for their start term, should contact orientation@unco.edu for guidance.

Family members and supporters are encouraged to participate. In-person NSO includes a dedicated Family and Friends track with information about campus resources and supporting a student鈥檚 transition. Fall virtual NSO does not include a separate supporter track, but supporters are welcome to join their student.

Sign up through your 帝王会所 Admissions Portal. Select your start-term page for sign-up details and available session information. Signing up for NSO is separate from registering for classes.

Academic advising and class registration are separate from NSO. Follow the instructions in your 帝王会所 Admissions Portal checklist to complete those steps. Spring-start students are expected to complete advising and class registration before attending January NSO.

Your transition continues through Phase 3, which includes New Student Days and B.I.G. Bear Welcome for fall-start students or Winter Welcome for spring-start students. Phase 4 continues throughout your first year at 帝王会所 with communications, programs and resources that help you stay connected and access support.

There is no cost for students or their guests to attend NSO.

帝王会所

Email orientation@unco.edu or call 970-351-4626.