Orientation
Accepted Undergraduate Students
- Orientation FAQ—coming soon
Orientation for all new students begins even before you arrive on campus—in the weeks before the semester begins, you will receive information on a variety of topics related to your arrival at ESF.
Fall Semester Orientation 2008
In the fall, there are separate orientation programs for first-year students, families of first-year students, transfer students and graduate students.
First-Year Students & Families
- First Year & Families Fall 2008 Orientation Schedule—coming soon
Your orientation begins on Wednesday, August 20. You can move into your residence hall at any time on Wednesday. The ESF orientation program will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the Welcome Reception on the ESF Quad. The remainder of the orientation schedule is below. Many of the family sessions are identical to those the first-year students will attend. We think it is important for family members to hear some consistent messages as well as experience some tailored sessions. Please understand this is an abbreviated schedule and is subject to change.
Important Note for Parents: We ask parents to depart campus around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. This request is intentional. By this time during orientation weekend, new students need to begin the process of building self-reliance and autonomy. We'd like the process to begin Thursday night. And if there is a problem, we'll always be here to help.
A note to transfer students
Upon receipt of your class schedule, you will no doubt notice ESF 332: Transfer Orientation. The course is designed to assist new transfers in their transition by providing resources and information relevant to ESF.
We understand that transfer students may have experienced orientation at another institution. We believe, however, that it is important to familiarize you with ESF's unique traditions, programs, people and opportunities. Therefore, transfers are required to attend each orientation session as part of ESF 332. The course is graded on a 'satisfactory/unsatisfactory' (S/U) basis. All sessions for ESF 332 have been included in orientation weekend.
In addition to the orientation sessions, ESF 332 requires you to complete The Academic and Career Plan. You will receive more information about this and the specifics of ESF 332 upon your arrival to campus.
Transfer Students
- Transfer Orientation Schedule—coming soon
Your orientation begins on Saturday, August 23. The first session, the Welcome Convocation, will begin at 8:30 a.m. It is imperative that prior to the beginning of this session, you pick up your orientation packet in the Bray Hall Rotunda. You can do this Friday afternoon or as early as 7 a.m. on Saturday. The transfer orientation program is unique in that it meets the objectives of ESF 332, a required course for all transfer students.
Opening Weekend marks the beginning of your academic experience here. We will introduce you to the flow of campus life and have carefully planned the weekend to help you feel more comfortable in your new home.
Activities include meeting faculty, interacting with returning ESF students, finalizing your registration, and meeting the people you will soon call your friends. We will also introduce you to the many services available here and help you move into your residence hall.
See the following pages for the orientation schedule that is applicable to you.
International Student Orientation
At ESF we embrace students and cultures from around the world and are proud to boast undergraduate and graduate students from as many as 17 different countries. To assist our international students in their transition to ESF, Syracuse University offers a separate orientation exclusively for all international students. You will receive information directly from the Slutzker Center for International Student Services at Syracuse University.
For complete international student orientation information, please contact Slutzker Center for International Services at Syracuse University at 315-443-2457.
