UArts students pose in front of mural art on campus

New Student Orientation

Your transition to UArts will be one of the most exciting and thought-provoking times of your life. We have created New Student Orientation (NSO) for new students around one simple idea—to help welcome you into the UArts community and share the resources you'll need to transition smoothly into life as a student-artist. 

NSO will be a fun-filled and informative time for you and your fellow incoming students. At NSO, you'll learn about the university resources available that'll help you be a successful student-artist, get prepared for classes and get to know your new classmates and faculty.

The UArts NSO experience is particularly exciting for students thanks to the wisdom and enthusiasm of our student staff. Our First Year Guides (FYGs) are a group of our best and brightest upperclass students who work around the clock to make the NSO experience stress-free, fun and full of useful insider information.

Be sure to save the following dates for spring 2024 New Student Orientation.

  • Virtual Orientation: Jan, 10-11 at 1 p.m.

  • Family and Support System Orientation: Jan. 12, 12 p.m.

  • Residential Student Move In: Jan. 19, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

  • In-Person Orientation: Jan. 19-21

  • Classes Begin: Jan. 22

In November, be sure to check your UArts email for the most up-to-date information about New Student Orientation. 

If you have any questions about the New Student Orientation schedule, contact the Office of Campus Life at 215-717-6144 or campuslife@uarts.edu.

All newly enrolled graduate students will attend the New Graduate Student Orientation. Learn more about New Graduate Student Orientation.

New Student Orientation Fall 2020

 

Orientation Schedule

Virtual Orientation: Jan. 10-11

Virtual Orientation is required for all new students to complete and will consist of materials we will ask new students to read and review in their online Orientation classroom, some live Zoom presentations, and opportunities to get to know other new students. If you cannot attend one of the live Zoom sessions, you can view it in your Orientation classroom at your convenience. Virtual Orientation materials must be completed before the first day of classes. Links to join Zoom presentations will be shared to your @uarts.edu email in advance of Virtual Orientation. Events with asterisks are encouraged but not required to attend.

Monday, Jan. 8
Canvas Orientation Classroom Opens!

Wednesday, Jan. 10

  • 1:00 p.m.: Welcome and Overview of New Student Orientation
  • 1:30 p.m.: Life as a UArtist
  • 3:00 p.m.: Preparing to Move On Campus (for students living in campus housing)

Thursday, Jan. 11

  • 1:00 p.m.: UArts 101 + Canvas Basics
  • 2:30 p.m.: Know the Code

Friday, Jan. 12

  • 12 p.m.–1 p.m. EST: Supporting Your UArtist: Support System Orientation (this session will be recorded and a link to the recording will be shared via email)

In-Person Orientation: Jan. 19-22

In-Person Orientation will consist of a campus tour, a chance to meet your faculty and program directors and some fun activities to help you get to know other new students. 

Friday, Jan. 19

  • 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Check-in/Move for Residential Students - Hamilton Hall 
  • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Commuter Check in  - Hamilton Hall 
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Welcome to UArts and Unicorn Social - Levitt Foyer, Student Center 3rd floor
  • 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch - Student Lounge, Student Center 1st floor
  • 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Campus Tour with your FYG - Student Lounge, Student Center 1st floor
  • 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: School Meetings:
    • School of Art - Hamilton Hall,  316
    • School of Dance - Terra Hall, Room 202
    • School of Design - Terra Hall, Room 1351
    • Film - Connelly Auditorium (Terra 8th Floor)
    • Music - Terra Hall, Room 1126
    • Theater - Terra Hall, Room 703 
  • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Residential Student Presentation - Connelly Auditorium, Terra Hall 8th floor 
  • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 pm: Commuter Student Presentation - Terra Hall, Room 831
  • 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Dinner with your FYG - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall
  • 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Bingo & Hot Cocoa! - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall 

Saturday, Jan. 20 

  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch and Learn - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall 
  • 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: DEIA Presentation - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall 
  • 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Ice Skating at Dilworth Park - Leaving from Terra Market
  • 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Dinner and a Movie with your FYG - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall 

Sunday, January 22  

  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Brunch with Your FYG - CBS Auditorium, Hamilton Hall
  • 4:00 p.m. - Terra Market opens for dining (meal plan only)
  • 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Self-Care Fair - Solmssen Court, Hamilton Hall

Checklist

Get ready to begin your time at UArts by completing these items before Orientation.

  • Set up your UArts email account, and check it frequently for Orientation updates.

  • Upload a current photo for your student ID by Jan. 15. 

  • Complete and return your medical history, immunization and health waiver forms by Dec. 1.

  • Review and pay your spring 2024 tuition bill.

  • Review your class schedule with an advisor. Look for an email to your UArts account from your academic advisor which will let you know when your schedule is ready to view in Student Self Service.

  • Submit your final transcripts by January 8 to Admissions.

  • Participate in Virtual Orientation starting Jan 8. Check your UArts email for details.

  • Download the UArts app to your phone.

  • Review your program's webpage to learn about your major and its academic requirements.

  • Get excited to be a part of UArts!

Have questions about any of these items? Contact campuslife@uarts.edu.

Orientation Team

Get to know the people who are organizing Orientation. If you have questions about Orientation, resources or getting involved on campus, reach out to this team and they will help! In addition to these staff members, you'll be connected to a First-Year Guide who will lead you through your Orientation experience!

Kristen Burkett

Senior Director for Student Engagement

Meet Kristen

Hannah Bush

New Student Programming Coordinator

Meet Hannah

Meet the FYGs

Making the transition from high school to college can be an intimidating experience. Luckily, UArts’ First Year Guides (FYGs) make that transition a lot easier. FYGs welcome new students to the UArts community at New Student Orientation, where they are assigned a group of incoming students. The FYGs will help to introduce you to UArts and help you navigate your first days on campus!

Here are some members of our amazing team for you to meet! To meet the whole FYG team, click here

Bek Palmer

Dance, Class of 2026

Meet Bek

Katherine Feeney

Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology, Class of 2026

Meet Katherine

Logan Brooks

Acting, Class of 2024

Meet Logan

FAQ

Do I have to complete Orientation?
Yes! Virtual and In Person Orientation are mandatory. Students are required to review all Virtual Orientation materials and attend all In-Person Orientation sessions. If you cannot attend one of the live Zoom Virtual Orientation sessions, you can view it in your Orientation Canvas classroom at your convenience. We ask that all Virtual Orientation materials be completed before the first day of classes.
 
Is there an Orientation for parents, families and support systems? 
Yes, we are hosting a Virtual Orientation for parents, families and support systems. This virtual Zoom session is designed for parents, families and student support systems to learn about campus resources that are available to students. We’ll discuss the best ways they can support their students in their transition to UArts. This event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 12, at 12 p.m. EST. Links will be provided via email. 

My loved ones will be traveling with me for check-in. Is there a list of hotels in the area?
Yes! You can access a list of local hotels that offer discounts to UArts community members.

Is there anywhere to park on campus?
While UArts doesn't offer any on campus parking, there are many places around the city that offer parking. Here’s some information about parking near campus.  

Do I need to sign up for Orientation or pay a fee?
No. As Orientation is mandatory for everyone, you are already signed up. There is no additional fee for Orientation.
 
When will I receive my class schedule?

If you’re a first-year student, you’ll be administratively registered for your first semester classes by your department or your academic advisor. After your classes are registered, your academic advisor will email you and set up an advising meeting to review and customize your schedule. 

For new spring students, you will be administratively registered for your classes within one week of accepting your admission and making your deposit

If you’re a transfer student, you’ll receive an advising and registration email from the Office of the Registrar once you accept your offer of admission. You’ll be introduced to your program director, who will help you plan and register your first semester schedule. Then you will meet with your academic advisor to build out a full academic plan through graduation. 

How do I get involved with the UArts community?
Learn more about how to get involved with the UArts community by visiting the Student Activities and Organizations page.

Student Family and Support Systems

We believe that student support systems are our vital partners in helping our students navigate their college experience, and we are excited to welcome you to our UArts community. Here is  information about our Virtual Orientation session designed for student support systems that will help you learn how to stay connected to everything that’s happening at UArts.

New students check in with a First Year Guide at Orientation.

Supporting Your UArtist: Jan. 12, 12 p.m. EST 

This virtual Zoom session is designed for parents, families and student support systems learn about university resources that are available to your students. We’ll discuss the best ways you can support your student in their transition to UArts.

Your student will receive a link for the Zoom session via email, so ask them to share it with you if you’d like to attend. If you miss it, email campuslife@uarts.edu to get a copy of a recording of the presentation.

Check-In Instructions

When you bring your student to UArts to help them get settled, you’ll go to check-in at Hamilton Hall at 320 S. Broad Street first. There, your student will pick up their student ID and room keys (if they are living on campus). At that time, students will also ensure that their bill is paid and that we have all their required health forms on file. This process should go quickly, as long as they’ve previously submitted their ID photo, paid their bill and submitted their health forms. From there, if they are living on campus, students can go to their residence hall and unload their belongings with the assistance of our Campus Life staff.

Stay Connected
Sign up to receive updates from UArts through our email newsletter for student support systems, Generations. We’ll share important dates, university news, campus resource information, and advice and insight from other UArts parents and families. 

Get to Know University Resources
Get to know the university resources available to your student by reviewing the JumpStart resource guide. In addition to listing the various offices and resources that are available to your student, there is also a helpful parent and family section with FAQs and information on supporting your student.

Get involved
Consider becoming a member of the Parent and Family Council, a group of current and past UArts parents dedicated to advancing the university’s educational mission through fundraising and fostering awareness among all parents of the needs and programs of the school. The council is also dedicated to expanding the career network available to UArts students and alumni.