The beginning of your college career is a very exciting time, and we're sure you've got tons of questions about Orientation and your first formal introduction to our campus. We're here to help. Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions to assist with any questions or concerns you may have about the Orientation program.
Of course, if you still have questions concerning a topic not covered here we'd love the opportunity to help clarify. Feel free to contact us at the Orientation Program Office by calling (802) 656-4136 or e-mail us at orientation@uvm.edu.
- Registration and Fees
- Arrival and Check In
- Orientation Program and Schedule
- Travel and Housing Accommodations
- Placement Tests and Academic Preparation
- Deaf and Disability Services / Accommodations
- NetID, Passwords, and PIN
- Student Financial Services
Registration and Fees
What is the $52.00 Family registration fee?
Orientation costs for new students are covered by the acceptance fee that has already been paid to the Admissions Office. The Family registration fee of $52.00 is specifically for individuals attending Family Orientation. This non-refundable fee includes all program materials and workshop sessions.
Children under 10 accompanying their parents or guardians are exempt from the registration fee.
Children are able to stay in their parents' room, provided they bring a sleeping bag. A meal package for children under 10 is also available.
What meals are provided during Orientation?
A 2-Day meal package is available for families to purchase. The meal package includes lunch, dinner, and the family reception on Day 1, and brunch on Day 2. All Orientation meal costs for students are covered by the acceptance fee paid to admissions. A 2-Day Family Meal Package ($48) and a Child Meal Package ($25) are available for any attending family members.
May I attend a session other than those listed for my academic unit?
No. Students must attend a session that is being advised by their specific academic unit.
May a parent attend a session that is different from the student’s orientation session?
No. Due to space limitations, family members must attend the same session (dates) as their student.
If I put charges onto my student account, when will I be billed?
Student Financial Services issues bills in Mid-April, May, and June. Accounts must be paid prior to attending June Orientation. The Student Financial Services office is open Monday-Friday. Orientation fees may be paid at Check-In.
Can I change my session date or other details of my reservation?
Yes, but please note that sessions may reach capacity. You can change the date of your Orientation session, add or remove a family member, change a meal plan option, or make an Orientation payment through the Orientation reservation site.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Orientation office at orientation@uvm.edu or (802) 656-4136.
What if I don’t attend the Orientation Program?
A student who cannot attend an Orientation session should contact the Orientation office so that we can inform the academic unit, who will then send registration information to the student in early July. It is also strongly encouraged that the student attend August Orientation, which takes place Friday, August 23 during Opening Weekend.
Can I bring guests to Orientation?
No guests are permitted other than those attending Family Orientation. Your parents or guardians may attend Family Orientation by registering for the Family Orientation Program.
Will I have a roommate during Orientation?
During Orientation, you will share a room with another new student from your same academic unit. You will be housed in the Harris/Millis Residential Complex.
The Orientation Program Office accommodates all gender identity expressions. Feel free to let us know what room assignment makes you feel most comfortable. Please contact the Orientation office for more information.
Does my parent or guardian need to attend Orientation?
Nope! Family members are encouraged to attend the Family Orientation program, but it is not required. Ultimately the decision on whether or not Families would like to attend should be made by determining if they would find the informational sessions helpful.
For families or students concerned that they will be the only ones with or without families in attendence - there is always a mix of attendees and their student will not be the only one with or without a family member with them.
Is Orientation different for students in the Honors College?
If you have been admitted to the Honors College, you should plan to arrive by 4pm on the previous afternoon of your Orientation session. When registering for Orientation, check the box that indicates you are “Arriving Early.” Parents/families are welcome to arrive early with you and should request Early Arrival Family housing, if needed. Further details are available on the Honors College website.
Is there a different orientation for international students?
International Student Orientation occurs in August. For more information, please contact the Office of International Education.
How do I register for Orientation?
June Orientation registration will open on March 5, 2013. We are not able to accept reservations before this date.
Once registration is open you will be able to access the Orientation Reservation system from the myUVM Portal at myuvm.uvm.edu by logging with your netid and password (not your student id - 95#).
Arrival and Check In
What if I arrive late on the morning of my session?
You will still check in at Harris/Millis Residential Complex, and the staff person on duty will direct you to where you need to go.
I need to arrive early to Orientation. What do I do?
If you are traveling a long distance or are an Honors College student and require housing the night before your session, please indicate your need for early arrival by choosing 'early arrival' in the Orientation Reservation System. Check-in for early arrivals will be from 3 to 11p.m. You will be housed in your assigned room for Orientation when you arrive.
The cost is $50 per double for students and $74 per double/$94 per single for family members. Pizza will be available from 4 to 7 p.m., and breakfast the following morning will be provided.
What time do I need to arrive and where do I go to check in?
Please plan to arrive on the first day between 8-10am for check-in at the Harris/Millis Residential Complex. Students may check out by 3pm on the second day.
Orientation Program and Schedule
When do I arrive and check out?
Check-in will be 8am-10am on the first day. The first session will begin at 10:30am. Students may check out by 3pm on the second day.
May I attend only one day of the session?
No. Because academic unit meetings occur on Day One, and advising and registration occur on Day Two, it is not beneficial for a student to attend only one day of the session. We recommend students plan to attend a different session if they are not able to be present for both days.
However, if students attend their academic unit meeting and academic advising, but need to leave earlier than their course registration appointment time, students can complete their course registration online at another time.
Is Orientation mandatory? Why?
Yes. Orientation is your formal introduction to UVM, and to make the transition to college as easy as possible, you are required to attend. Exceptions will be made only in cases of extreme hardship or emergency. You must call the Orientation Programs Office at (802) 656-4136 if you cannot attend a June Orientation session.
What can I expect at Orientation?
You will stay in one of our residence halls and participate in an array of group discussions, individual meetings with advisors, workshops, presentations by professors, and informal conversations with your new classmates and upperclass students from UVM. You will also learn more about campus life—what UVM students do beyond the classroom, the organizations to which they belong, how they engage in the Burlington community, where they study, and what they do for fun. Our hope is that when you return to campus in the fall, you’ll do so with a sense of confidence and belonging.
Who are the student Orientation Leaders?
Orientation Leaders (OLs) provide the Class of 2017 and their families with a high-quality and enthusiastic introduction to The University of Vermont! OLs help new students make a successful and smooth transition into UVM by serving as resources and role models for new students.
OLs work collaboratively with a staff of 38 OLs, 2 Student Orientation Coordinators, 5 graduate staff members, the Assistant Director and the Director to produce and facilitate UVM’s student and family orientation programs.
Will food be provided?
Meals will be provided throughout Orientation. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase from vending machines in the residence halls. Participants are also welcome to bring their own snacks.
Travel and Housing Accommodations
Does UVM have shuttle service from the airport or hotels?
No. Taxis from the Burlington airport are approximately $15 to campus. You may also use public bus transportation from the airport to the University of Vermont.
Travel and Lodging information is available on the Orientation Program website.
Please visit UVM’s local lodging and transportation resources pages for more information. You may also access additional information on the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce website.
I am an early arrival, but I arrive late at night. What do I do?
If you are a registered “early arrival” and you arrive after 11pm at the Harris/Millis Residential Complex, there will be a telephone number posted on the entrance door. Call this number and a staff member will respond to check you into your room.
I am an early arrival, but I plan to arrive in Burlington before 3pm. Can I check-in early or store my luggage?
No. Orientation Leaders do not staff the Harris/Millis Residential Complex until 3pm for approved early arrivals. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate these requests.
May I room with a specific student (request a roommate)?
No. You will be assigned a roommate who is enrolled in your same academic unit. It is a great opportunity to meet other students!
Will my parent be assigned a roommate?
No. If only one family member is attending the Family Orientation Program, they must choose the single occupancy accommodations if they stay on campus. We do not assign roommates to individuals not from the same family.
My parent has family housing. May a sibling sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag?
Yes. But please note that the floors are bare and there is no carpeting in the U-Heights North Residential Complex where families are housed. There is no charge for children under 10 accompanying their parents or guardians.
Is it possible to request kosher meals during Orientation?
Unfortunately, Orientation is not able to provide kosher meals.
Where will I stay?
You will be housed in the Harris/Millis Residential Complex. You will share a room with another new student from your same academic unit.
Will I know my residence hall assignment when I come to Orientation?
No. You will be notified of your fall semester housing assignment via your UVM email account in mid-August. First-year students enrolling in the fall semester may start completing the Housing and Meal Plan Contract online in mid-May. For more information about on-campus housing, please visit the Department of Residential Life website.
Where is the parking lot for Orientation and is there a fee?
Parking for the Orientation program is provided in the Gutterson Garage, located next to the Harris/Millis residence hall. For directions and parking information, click here.
Placement Tests and Academic Preparation
Should I wait to attend Orientation until my pending AP and/or IB scores are in?
No. It is not required to have this information in order to attend Orientation. If you have pending AP and/or IB scores, you will have the chance to discuss this with your advisor during academic advising.
Do I have to take the language placement test?
Yes. If you plan on enrolling in French, German, or Spanish at ANY level, you must take the placement test, even if you do not plan to continue with the language in your first year. You must take the test for the language you hope to study, even if you've never formally studied the language. You must take the test BEFORE coming to Orientation.
I need to take the language placement test online. What do I do?
All students who plan to take a foreign language at UVM should take the Language Placement Test before attending Orientation. You will be prompted for a password to access the registration page for the language tests. The password is: catamounts1.
Do I have to take the math placement test?
Yes. All students should take the Math Readiness Test before attending Orientation, even if you do not think you will need to take a math class. It is important to take the placement test before you arrive for Orientation so that your academic unit has the placement score and can advise you to register for the appropriate course.
Course Registration and Academic Advising
May I request a specific course registration time?
No. The Registrar’s office schedules the course registration times for each student. These times are automated and access to a student’s registration only occurs at the scheduled time.
Will I register for my fall classes at Orientation?
Yes. During Orientation you will register for courses on Day Two of the program. You will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from your academic unit, and you will meet with an advisor to arrange your fall course schedule. Enrollment for fall courses is complete when you leave campus at the end of the Orientation Program.
Will I have a better chance of getting my preferred classes if I attend an early session?
No. An equal amount of class spaces are held and released at each Orientation session to ensure that all students have the same course selection experience. There is no advantage to attending an earlier Orientation session.
How can I declare or change my major?
Academic advisors will be available to discuss your choice of major and assist you if you decide to declare or change your major at Orientation.
Deaf and Disability Services/Accommodations
Are there disability accommodations available during Orientation?
If students or family members would like to request accommodations for disabilities, please note this on the Orientation registration form and call the Orientation Program Office at (802) 656-4136. Please contact the Orientation office at least two weeks prior to your arrival. Deaf or hard of hearing guests may contact UVM by sending an email message to Nate Gondelman or calling via phone or videophone at 802-656-7848, or by e-mail at access@uvm.edu.
For more information about students with disabilities, please visit the ACCESS website (Accommodation, Consultation, Collaboration and Educational Support Services), UVM’s office of Disability Services.
Are wheelchairs available? I have a family member who needs assistance.
Orientation is not able to provide wheelchairs or wheelchair assistance. If a wheelchair is needed, please make sure to arrange to bring your own.
However, we do make necessary housing arrangements for any student or family member staying on campus who use a wheelchair or require accessible accommodations. Most UVM buildings and shuttle buses used by Orientation are accessible. Please contact our office at least 2 weeks prior to your Orientation session to discuss accommodation needs.
NetIDs, Passwords, and PINs
How can I access my student ID number?
To access your student ID number or PIN, you must contact Undergraduate Admissions at (802) 656-3370. Please note that due to security and privacy laws, the Admissions Office will release information only to the student directly. This information will not be released to a parent or guardian.
In order to make a reservation for June Orientation, students need their student ID number (95#) and date of birth, written exactly as prompted (i.e., 05-15-1991).
For information about your netID or password, or if you are unsure of your password, contact Account Services in Enterprise Technology Services at (802) 656-2604, or go online to change your password at http://www.uvm.edu/account/
Student Financial Services
When and how do I pay my student bill?
UVM sends all student bills electronically. Billing notification emails will be sent to your UVM assigned email address. Your fall semester bill is generated after you’ve registered for courses, usually in early July. Your bill will include tuition, comprehensive fee, room charge, meal plan, and Inter Residence Association fees as applicable. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services website.
Who should I contact for questions about my student account and financial aid?
You should contact Student Financial Services at (802) 656-5700 or visit the Student Financial Services website.
I was awarded work-study. How do I get a job?
For information regarding work-study, please contact Career Services at (802) 656-5700 or visit the Federal Work-Study page on the Career Services website.