Your 2021 Orientation Experience

There's no need to wait! Begin working through your pre-orientation checklist below. These tasks must be completed at least a week before your scheduled orientation date.You will need your NETID and password to fill out the form and login to eSpace.

• Complete the required Major Confirmation and Schedule Prep Form - This form will allow you to confirm your major and notify your academic adviser of any incoming college credit you may have. Your responses will help our advisers better prepare class recommendations for your first academic year. 
  
  
• Complete placement tests (if necessary) 
  
  • If you have SAT/ACT scores be sure you have a copy of them accessible and ready at orientation check-in to provide to staff.
    
    
  • If you don't have SAT/ACT scores, you're strongly encouraged to complete the placement process for writing and math.
    
    
  • If you have submitted SAT/ACT scores, review where your scores place you in writing and math. You only need to complete the placement process if you want to try to place at a higher level in either subject. 
    
    
  • Any student wishing to take a language or American Sign Language who has previous experience in that language is strongly recommended to take a placement test into a Modern Language or American Sign Language (ASL).

• Review the Pre-Orientation Module on eSpace - This module will provide some preliminary information that will not be covered in your orientation.

Your scheduled orientation day in May - July will take place via Zoom Video Conferencing. You and your parents/guests will experience a 4-hour block of programming.

During the first two hours, you and your parents/guests will join the same Zoom session to hear presentations about first-year success and student financial services, as well as meet the orientation team that will be assisting you throughout the summer.

In the last two hours, your parents/guests will remain in the main Zoom session to hear more about the first year experience at OU. You will join a new Zoom session to meet with your academic adviser and sign up for courses.

Please plan to have two devices available, as you and your parents/guests will be in two different Zoom sessions in the latter half of your orientation.  

How will I join my orientation?

The link to the main Zoom session will be sent to your OU email a few days prior to your scheduled date.

What will I need to have during my orientation?

You'll find digital versions of everything you need in our virtual student folder in the Pre-Orientation Module. You will need your NETID and password to log in to eSpace.

Can my parents/guests join me in this virtual session?

Parents/guests begin the orientation session with you. Then, in the latter half, you will join a different Zoom session to meet with your academic adviser and sign up for courses while your parents/guests remain in the main Zoom session to hear more about the first year experience at OU.

Can my parents/guests join my advising and course registration session?

We encourage you to take responsibility for the advising and course registration session independently. This will be your first chance to meet other students and your adviser. Advisers are available all summer if you and your parents/guests have follow-up questions.

What if my parent/family member is unable to attend the parent session?

Pre-recorded information for parents/guests will be available on this site if they are unable to log in for the live session. If they have any questions, we encourage them to contact us at gold@oakland.edu.

What are the technology requirements?

Participating in your virtual session will require a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet capabilities. You will also need a consistent internet or Wi-Fi connection. If you don't have access to these technology resources or need help finding access to a second device so that your parents/guests can also take part, let us know by emailing gold@oakland.edu so we can make alternative arrangements for you. 

Your virtual session will use Zoom so you will need to install this software on each device or computer you and your parents/guests will be using for orientation. If you have questions, be sure to check out our quick how-to videos about using Zoom on a mobile device or desktop.

What if I need accessible materials or ASL interpreting?

To request accommodations please contact us at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu to get the process started. 

What if I have an issue logging in to the session?

You can contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 for troubleshooting help.

What if I lose internet connection during my virtual orientation session?

No worries! We've been there too. If your internet comes back on, you can click the link in your OU email to rejoin the session again. To prevent this from happening, we encourage other members of your household to consider limiting their use of Wi-Fi during your orientation time. Please contact us at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu if you need help reconnecting or if you have an internet outage that won't allow you to complete your virtual orientation.

The third step of your orientation experience takes place in August where you will have the opportunity to visit campus and meet other new students. During the Kickoffs, you will pick up your student ID and textbooks, locate your classes, and explore student service spaces. 

We’re in the process of planning out the specifics of what the day will look like, so keep an eye on your official OU email account. You’ll receive additional details about parking, health and safety measures, etc. a few days before your scheduled date.

Don’t miss out! Register today. 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

• Log into the Orientation Reservation System to register for a Kickoff that works for your schedule. The events will be listed as Campus Kickoff in the registration system. 
  
• Review our video How To Register For Your Campus Kickoff for an easy to follow step-by-step guide on how to register.

CAN I BRING A GUEST?

Campus Kickoff is a student-only event. No guests are allowed. 

WHAT IF I AM OUT OF STATE AND UNABLE TO ATTEND? 

We recognize that it may be difficult to attend based on the distance from where you live. If you are unable to attend, please contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN ADVANCE?

• Submit your student ID photo in advance by following the directions sent to your OU email from the ID Card Office. You should receive this email sometime before your August event. Didn’t get an email? Contact the ID Card Office at (248) 370-2291 or idcardoffice@oakland.edu.
  
• Pre-order your textbooks online through the OU Bookstore.

LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

We're here to help. You can always reach us at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu.

New Student Welcome takes place on August 31 or September 1 and features a school or college-based convocation and academic open house. You'll once again be on-campus with other students and get the chance to learn more about your chosen major. 

We’re in the process of planning out the specifics of what the day will look like, so keep an eye on your official OU email account. You’ll receive additional details about parking, health and safety measures, etc. in a reminder email a few days before your scheduled date.

DO I GET TO CHOOSE WHICH DAY I ATTEND?

Your day of attendance is based on your school or college. 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

• Log into the Orientation Reservation System to register for the New Student Welcome based on your school/college. You’ll see two dates to pick from: August 31 and September 1.
• Watch our How To Register For New Student Welcome video for an easy to follow step-by-step guide on how to register.

Review the details of each day to find out what day to register for:

August 31
9-10 AM - Undecided and Bachelor of Integrative Studies
12-1 PM - College of Arts and Sciences
3-4 PM - School of Health Sciences

September 1
9-10 AM - School of Business Administration
12-1 PM - School of Nursing
3-5 PM - School of Engineering and Computer Science & School of Education Human Services

Note: School of Engineering and Computer Science & School of Education and Human Services have been combined into one event.

HOW DO I FIND MY SCHOOL/COLLEGE?

You can only register for a New Student Welcome session that's connected to your major. You will need to know your school/college in order to register for your specific session. If you are unsure of your school/college, refer to the Careertool. Click on your major (listed alphabetically) and look under the Contact Information section for the name of your school or college. (For example, the communication major is within the College of Arts and Sciences).  

WHAT IF THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM DOESN’T ALLOW ME SIGN UP FOR THE NEW STUDENT WELCOME THAT CORRESPONDS TO MY SCHOOL/COLLEGE?

If you receive the error “event is restricted and not open for all,” please contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu.

CAN I BRING A GUEST?

New Student Welcome is a student-only event. No guests are allowed. 

WHAT IF I AM UNABLE TO ATTEND? 

This event is step 4 of the orientation process and students should plan to be in attendance. If you have any questions, please contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu.