Westminster College released its orientation schedules for the Fall semester Monday, implementing a hybrid program consisting of both in-person and virtual activities.
Scheduled orientation programs will begin as soon as Aug. 3 as the school rolls out virtual components leading up to the first day of general orientation. It’s unclear whether these are mandatory sessions and what topics they will cover.
In-person events are set to begin Aug. 15 — one day after move-in times are scheduled for first-year students.
Honors College and international students will begin their First-Year Student Experience the day before general orientation Aug. 14.
New Student Orientation is typically packed with several in-person activities, scheduled back-to-back during the four days leading up to the start of Fall semester. However, this year the college will experiment with a combination of virtual and in-person events to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
Orientation is required for all incoming students — first-year, international and transfer students — to help adjust to campus life.
“The First-Year Student Experience is a hybrid orientation program […] designed to help first-year students with their academic, personal, social, and cultural transition into the Westminster and Salt Lake City community,” the college wrote on its website. “This program is geared towards first-year students and occurs prior to the start of your fall classes. The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities throughout campus and online.”
In addition to these activities, ASW will also host several optional activities each night. These social events are geared toward providing opportunities for new students to expand social circles before the start of the semester.
First-Year Student Orientation Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 15
8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. — Check-in and Program Welcome
9 a.m. — Breakfast
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Meet Your Peers
12 p.m. — Lunch and Mini Fair
Typically, New Student Orientation hosts an in-person Clubs & Organizations Fair for new students to peruse different groups on campus. This year, the fair will be held as a virtual open house through Microsoft Teams, according to ASW Clubs President Dwain Worrell.
More information and instructions on the fair schedule will be released by ASW Clubs in the coming weeks.
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Student Responsibility and Safety Sessions
- Campus Safety
- Campus Security
- Student Code of Conduct
- Title IX
- Small Group Debriefs
5 p.m.– Dinner
Sunday, Aug. 16
9 a.m. — Breakfast
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Campus Life Conversations with small groups
12 p.m. — Lunch
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. — Get involved with ASW
2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. — (OPTIONAL) “First in Family to Attend College” Virtual Session
3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. — (OPTIONAL) “Disability Services at Westminster College” Virtual Session
5 p.m. — Dinner
Monday, Aug. 17
8 a.m. — Breakfast
9 a.m. — Convocation Ceremony
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. — Learning Community Meetings
12 p.m. — Lunch
2 p.m. — Student Wellness and Engagement Sessions
- Integrated Wellness
- Dumke Center for Civic Engagement
- Environmental Center
- Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion
- Writing Center
5 p.m. — Dinner
Tuesday, Aug. 18
9 a.m. — Breakfast
10:30 a.m. — Managing your Employment and Money Resources sessions
- On-Campus Student Employment: Virtual Hours
- Master your Money as a College Student
12 p.m. — Lunch
1 p.m. — Managing your Employment and Money Resources sessions
- On-Campus Student Employment: Virtual Hours
- Master your Money as a College Student
5 p.m. — Dinner
Wednesday, Aug. 19
First day of classes.
Transfer Student Orientation Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 15
1 p.m. — Check-In and Program Welcome
1:30 p.m. — Tour of Campus: Student Safety, Resources and Campus Engagement
- Connect with Peers
- Bookstore
- Integrated Wellness
- Campus Safety and Security
- Student Involvement and ASW
- Alumni Mentoring
- Writing Center
4:30 p.m. — Dinner
Tuesday, Aug. 18
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — (OPTIONAL) On-Campus Student Employment: Virtual Support
