ORIENTATION

Orientation Center

Director: Sara Connolly; Assistant Director: Carley Barnes

Attending an orientation, advisement, and registration session, coordinated by the Office of Orientation, is required of all new undergraduate students. During orientation, students are given essential information: the University's policies and procedures; community values and standards; and academic requirements and opportunities. Students also receive practical advice on consumer survival: where to buy books; open checking accounts; or meet other students with similar interests.

In addition to meeting faculty and administrators, students are assigned to small groups led by trained staff memberscurrently enrolled students who inform and guide the newcomers. Students must meet with their academic advisors before registering for classes.

Students may not register for their first term on campus until they have completed an orientation session. Although they may be admitted up to a year before they enter, students may only attend orientation immediately prior to their enrollment. The Office of Orientation provides sessions preceding each academic term.

Orientation sessions include a concurrent session for family members. During these sessions family members learn about the University, its services and academic programs, and meet with administrators and faculty. Family members and students share tours of residence halls and visit booths set up in a fair-like atmosphere, called Seminole Showcase. Seminole Showcase is an excellent way to view the diversity available at the University, from the University honors program, cultural clubs, and service organizations to sororities and fraternities.

All admitted undergraduate students receive by mail information and instructions about registering for orientation. Attendance is by reservation only, and participants must pay a nonrefundable fee of $25.

Persons with Disabilities. Any student in need of specific services and reasonable accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center, 1st Floor, Kellum Hall; (850) 644-9566.

International Center

Director: Roberta Christie; Assistant Director/Immigration Advisor: Kristen Hagen; 107 South Wildwood

Orientation for new international students is held prior to each term. Orientation is required for both transfer students and for students coming directly from their countries. Students receive the International Student Handbook and other useful materials about University and community resources. Copies of immigration documents are made for University files. Students receive information and advice regarding insurance, immunization, and other health requirements. Returning international students address the concerns of students who have newly arrived from their countries.

International students receive notification of orientation dates and times from International Admissions, the International Center and via the IC website: http://www.fsu.edu/~fsu-isc.

Note: incoming international students are not allowed to register before presenting their immigration documents to the staff of the International Center and being cleared by Thagard Student Health Center, verifying insurance coverage and proper immunization.

Most departments hold orientation sessions for new graduate students during the week before classes.

All undergraduate students, whether U.S. or international, are required to attend Undergraduate Orientation (see 'Orientation Center' above.)