Orientation Information
First-Year Experience
Your first year will be challenging, completely unique and A LOT of fun. To help you learn about your new school, we’ve created a New Student Orientation and First-Year Experience program for all incoming students.
We can’t wait to meet you!
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation will happen in three parts: Virtual Orientation Zoom Presentations, an Orientation online classroom in Canvas and an in-person Orientation. Read below for more details on each activity.
Orientation is required because it’s full of useful information for your transition to UArts. But it is also a great way to begin building your UArts community by connecting with other new UArtists. Whether you’re a first-time college student or you are transferring into UArts from another university, we have events geared to you and your specific needs. Orientation details will be sent via email starting in July and are available online. Get more details about Orientation, including the schedule of events, a checklist of what you need to do before then and how to prepare for your new life at UArts.
Save the Dates!
Virtual New Student Orientation Aug. 2, 9 and 16 at 1 p.m.
During these days, you’ll be invited to attend a few Zoom presentations. Can’t attend a session? We’ll post the recording to your Orientation Canvas classroom for you to watch later.
Here’s a detailed version of presentations.
Wednesday, Aug. 2
1 p.m.: Welcome and Overview of New Student Orientation
1:30 p.m.: UArts 101 & Canvas Basics
3 p.m.: Preparing to Move On Campus (for students living in campus housing)
Wednesday, Aug. 9
1 p.m.: Life as a UArtist
Wednesday, Aug. 16
1 p.m.: Know the Code
Virtual Community Gatherings: Aug. 3, 10 and 17 at 7 p.m.
These community gatherings help provide a space for students with shared identities to connect with one another. These events are not a required part of Orientation but are encouraged.
Thursday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m.: BIPOC Community Gathering
Thursday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.: LGBTQIA+ Community Gathering
Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.: Neurodiverse and Accessibility Community Gathering
Orientation Canvas Classroom
Your Orientation Canvas Classroom will open to you on Tuesday, Aug. 1. There, you’ll find lots of helpful resources about services that are available to you, as well as some things that will help you prepare to transition to college life.
In-Person Orientation
Residential Student Move-In, Aug. 22: Living on campus? Move-in times are assigned by last name.
9:30–10:30 a.m.: last names A–D
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: last names E–I
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: last names J–M
12:30–1:30 p.m.: last names N–Q
1:30–2:30 p.m.: last names R–Z
In-Person Orientation, Aug. 23–24: All new students join us for campus and neighborhood tours, as well as opportunities to meet with your program. We’ll end each day with some social evening activities, so you can meet other new students!
Welcome Weekend, Aug 26: Attend Welcome Weekend for the opportunity to get to explore Philadelphia, get connected to student clubs and organizations at our Student Activities Fair, and end the day by dancing the night away at Glow Party or participating in our laid-back paint night and popup garden activities.
First-Year Guides
Every new student will be assigned a first-year guide (FYG) on the first day of virtual Orientation and will join an Orientation group of 15–20 other new students. FYGs are upperclass students who have a passion for UArts, have been specially trained on all university resources and cannot wait to welcome you. In your Orientation group, guided by your FYG, you’ll go through Orientation together and create bonds to last throughout your time at UArts. Your FYG will stick with you throughout your first semester to provide guidance and support, and you’ll have opportunities to reconnect with your Orientation group as you navigate the semester together.
