Orientation

General Information

It is a campus expectation that all new first-year students attend Orientation. First-Year Orientation is for students entering UC Davis for their first year of college. This program is a three-day, two-night event that is tightly organized and full of sessions and activities. There are concurrent but separate student and family programs. While at First-Year Orientation, participants will learn about the wide variety of student activities and services at UC Davis and have many opportunities to ask questions as well as learn about the campus culture and student life. Participants will meet other entering students and their family members and register for fall-quarter classes with the guidance of an Orientation Leader.  

The 48 Orientation Leaders are carefully selected and highly trained undergraduate student staff members who guide many of the sessions, teach students how to register for classes and serve as mentors to assist in navigating through the process of becoming a UC Davis student. They represent many of the 100-plus majors offered and have participated in a variety of campus programs and activities. They are friendly, willing to help, and excited to meet new Aggies!

The Orientation program is under the direction of professional staff in the Student Housing department, under the Division of Student Affairs. The staff works closely with the college deans offices to tailor academic advice to each participant.  

Registration

First-year students are allowed to attend only those sessions under the college for which they were admitted to UC Davis. There are no exceptions to this policy. Students wishing to change majors must wait until the winter quarter to submit a Change of Major request.

Register for First-Year Orientation at the MyAdmissions page. Find the “Orientation” link on the admissions checklist and then click on “Sign Up.” Register as an incoming student and add any guest(s) who chooses to attend First-Year Family Orientation. Family members can attend for an additional per-person fee.

All participants are responsible for the information located in the Program Policies and Fees section and are expected to read and agree to these terms at the time of registration.  

Any reservation modifications must be made two weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the program (including adding additional family members, cancellations and/or session changes). Changes made before the deadline may be completed via MyAdmissions without any charge. After two weeks, refer to the reservation modification policy on the Program Policies and Fees Section.  

Housing for Orientation

Overnight participants in First-Year Orientation stay in the Tercero Area Residence Halls. The halls have traditional double- and triple- occupancy rooms. Rooms are grouped in clusters of four with a shared bathroom. Each floor of clusters has its own lounge area. Elevators, as well as stairwells, provide access to the four stories of each hall, while laundry rooms and kitchen facilities are located on the ground floor.   

Check-in on the first day of Orientation is at the Tercero Services Center Main Lounge (see Travel and Parking Information). See your confirmation e-mail for specific times.  

Special Accommodations

First-Year Orientation Program participant(s) in need of special assistance due to a permanent or temporary disability, language translation services, or test-taking assistance during placement exams (which may require advance arrangements) must specify the request through the online registration system in the Special Accommodations section or contact the Orientation Program office at orientation@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-4443 at least two weeks prior to the registered session date. When registering, participants should check which accommodation they are requesting and state specific information in the “Other” text box to provide as much information about the requested accommodation as possible.  

First-Year Orientation can provide translation services for the following languages when requested in advance: Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), and Spanish. Language translation services are offered for Family Program participant(s) only. Be sure to state which language is being requested in the “Other” text box. 

Student Information

At Orientation, students will...

• Receive extensive academic advising and register for fall-quarter classes
• Learn about the academic environment and undergraduate research
• Explore ways to get involved in campus activities
• Meet UC Davis faculty, staff and administrators
• Discuss important college issues for new students
• Learn about campus life from current UC Davis students
• Meet other new students and make friends
• Get your questions answered about coming to campus

First-Year Orientation is the best way to get started on the path to academic success at UC Davis. First-year students who attend Orientation are given priority registration for fall quarter before other students who do not attend. Students are expected to attend First-Year Orientation because it improves their preparation for academic success at UC Davis and assists in their transition to the university. First-year students who participate in First-Year Orientation are better prepared, encounter fewer problems, and generally have a very positive feeling about their experiences at UC Davis. Plan to participate!

See this summer’s First-Year Orientation dates in the Program Dates section. Plan to stay the entire time. Family members who wish to attend have a separate program (First-Year Family Orientation). The programs only overlap during meal times.  

First-year students register for classes on the last day of their First-Year Orientation session. Do not plan to leave early! Participants receive advising and assistance in preparing fall quarter schedules. First-Year Orientation includes an in-depth workshop on graduation requirements for all students. Orientation Leaders assist students with class selection and registration on the final day. Participants have an opportunity to meet with their college dean's office for advising during First-Year Orientation as well.  

Admission to UC Davis is based upon the academic major indicated on a student’s application. Students wishing to change majors must wait until winter quarter to submit a Change of Major request. Be aware that some majors have additional requirements. In regards to advising, Orientation Leaders are trained to assist students from all colleges, and can assist any student in choosing classes for the major of their choice.

Start by reviewing the placement exam information under Advising Resources for chemistry or foreign language. Prior to First-Year Orientation take the math placement exam online. Information can be found at the math department website.

Students unable to attend First-Year Orientation need to log on to MyAdmissions, click on the Orientation "Sign-Up" link and complete the “Questionnaire” page. Under the question “Will you be attending Orientation?” select “No,” marking a reason why, and click the “Save and Continue” button at the bottom of the page. Students will be e-mailed detailed information on how to complete the activities covered during First-Year Orientation independently, such as taking placement exams, picking a class schedule, registering for classes, learning about campus resources, etc. This information, as well as any other important campus updates, will be sent to the student's UC Davis e-mail account, so the account should be checked often.

If circumstances change later, students can go back and change their reservations through MyAdmissions prior to the two week deadline (fourteen days prior to the registered session date). After logging in, change the answer to "Will you be attending Orientation?" to "Yes" and the system will allow a participant to register for any session with available space.

The Tercero Area residence hall facility will provide an opportunity to see what on-campus living is like. All first-year students who have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by the May 1 campus deadline will receive an offer to live in student housing. Incoming first-year students will be offered a residence hall contract for housing for the 2012-2013 academic year. For additional housing information, visit the Student Housing website or contact their office directly at (530) 752-2033.  

UC Davis AggieCard

• Is the official UC Davis photo identification card.
• Is active only when students are enrolled and paid for the quarter.
• Is part of the student record.
• Identifies the cardholder as a UC Davis student to all faculty and staff at UC Davis and at other UC campuses. Present the AggieCard when visiting campus offices and when requested by university staff.
• All students who register for an Orientation session are expected to process their AggieCard photo at least 10 business days prior to the program start date. 
• All students must upload a photo for their AggieCard to be processed using these photo requirements.
• To upload a photo, log onto the AggieCard website using your Kerberos ID and passphrase.
• A government-issued photo ID (ex. Driver's License, Passport, Military ID, etc.) is required in order to receive your AggieCard at Orientation.

Arrival at Orientation

Check-in begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Tercero Services Center, Main Lounge. Overnight rooms will not be available before the advertised check-in time. If a student or family participant(s) does not arrive by 5:00 p.m. on the first day or cancels the reservation less than two days prior to the registered session, the student will be responsible for the full reservation fee for all registered participant(s), regardless of UC Davis student status in fall 2012.

International Students: Important Visa Information

If attending any of the summer orientation dates during July or August, First-Year International Students cannot stay in the United States to wait for the beginning of fall quarter. The F-1 visa will only allow entrance to the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the beginning of instruction. Students should contact their SISS international student advisor with any questions.

Family Information

The UC Davis campus understands the important role that family members play in their students' lives and educational success. Continued communication and support from family members can contribute immeasurably to the success of new UC Davis students. The First-Year Family Orientation program runs concurrently during First-Year Orientation. Sessions are held separately, but family members come together at mealtimes to share information and experiences. Family members are not with their student during advising sessions or while registering for classes. This separation is the first step for students to learn autonomy and develop the skills they'll need to be successful at UC Davis. By sharing the experience at Orientation, families can build a partnership with UC Davis, focusing on ways in which everyone can support students in reaching their educational and career objectives. Please note that separate activities or sessions for siblings or young children are not provided.  

At First-Year Family Orientation, participants learn about academic and social aspects of campus, receive information about support services, as well as campus resources available to students. Participants meet current students and hear presentations from university faculty and staff. This is a prime opportunity to meet with other family members to network, while having plenty of opportunities to have questions answered. While at First-Year Family Orientation, family members attend a special family transition session by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). First-Year Family Orientation is the best way for family members and the university to create a partnership for student success.

First-Year Family Orientation participants are served by two Family Hosts, current undergraduate Orientation Leaders. The Family Hosts are highly trained and skilled individuals who are excited to introduce family members to the vast resources available at UC Davis, share about their own undergraduate experiences and answer any questions participants might have. Be sure to look to the Family Hosts for anything needed during the program! 

This is a very important time in a student's life. Family members can help by being active participants at First-Year Family Orientation. Come prepared to take notes during the sessions and write down questions in advance. First-Year Family Orientation strives to make this transition as smooth as possible.  

Participants in First-Year Family Orientation must attend a group session that matches the college to which their student has been admitted; there are no exceptions to this policy. New students wishing to change majors must wait until winter quarter to submit a Change of Major request.  

Family Orientation participants registered for the Full Program (overnight) will be housed in the Tercero area in traditional double- or triple- occupancy rooms. Rooms are grouped in clusters with a shared bathroom (community style) for each cluster. Family members attending orientation alone may be placed with another guest of the same gender. Family members traveling together will be placed in a room together, regardless of gender, unless otherwise specified. Orientation will make accommodations based on availability. Be sure to indicate in the online registration form any special need accommodations involving the overnight rooms. Students and their families are housed in separate residence halls and attend separate program sessions but are welcome to dine with each other during meals.  

If Family Members cannot attend Orientation, they should still encourage their student to do so. If the student cannot attend, then the student needs to log on to MyAdmissions, click on the Orientation “Sign-Up” link and complete the “Questionnaire” page. Under the question “Will you be attending Orientation?” select “No” and click the “Save and Continue” button at the bottom of the page. Students will be e-mailed detailed information on how to complete the activities covered during Orientation independently, such as taking placement exams, picking a class schedule, registering for classes, learning about campus resources, etc. This information, as well as any other important campus updates, will be sent to the student’s UC Davis e-mail account, so ecourage students to check this account often.

If circumstances change later, students can go back and change their reservations through MyAdmissions prior to the two-week deadline (14 days prior to the registered session date). After logging in, change the answer to "Will you be attending Orientation?" to "Yes" and the system will allow a participant to register for any session with available space.