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New Student Orientation
Attending UAF's New Student Orientation program will help you successfully navigate through the beginning of your UAF experience.
All new students are strongly encouraged to attend New Student Orientation. It is REQUIRED for:
- First-time, baccalaureate degree-seeking students
- International students (Undergraduate F-1 Status and International Exchange in J-1 Status)
If you fall into one of the above two categories, you do not need to register. If you are not a mandatory student but would like to attend New Student Orientation please register here.
A $115 fall NSO fee will be applied directly to students' accounts, which is settled during regular UAF fee payment at the start of the fall semester.
A $35 spring NSO fee will be applied directly to students' accounts, which is settled during regular UAF fee payment at the start of the spring semester.
First-year Students
Wednesday, August 23 through Saturday, August 26, 2017
If you are a first-time baccalaureate degree-seeking student or an international student (undergraduate F-1 Status and International Exchange in J-1 Status), your participation in New Student Orientation is required and you do not need to register. If you are not a mandatory student but would like to attend New Student Orientation please register now.
Participation in fall New Student Orientation requires a $115 fee, applied directly to students' accounts, which is settled during regular UAF fee payment at the start of the spring semester.
Click on the drop-downs below to view the schedule, which is subject to minor changes. Finalized schedules will be distributed electronically in mid-summer and schedule booklets will be distributed during check-in for New Student Orientation.
Wednesday, August 23
| 8a.m.-3p.m. | Rev-It-Up | Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex |
| Your one-stop shop to check in for New Student Orientation, move into the residence halls, set up email, buy a parking decal and get a PolarExpress card and more, all in one convenient location. | ||
| 9a.m.-4p.m. | Campus Tours | |
| Tours will depart every hour, on the hour, from MBS and the Wood Center. The final tour will depart at 4 p.m. Tours will conclude at their starting point. | ||
| 12:30-3p.m. | Information Sessions | Wood Center C,D,E,F and Ballroom |
| Student and their parents and other family memebers will choose from a selection of information sessions on student employment, UAF history and money management. | ||
| 5-7p.m. | Welcome Barbecue | Wood Center |
| Mix and mingle with faculty, staff and other students. Bring your family if they’re registered for Parent and Family Orientation. The cost of the meal is included in your registration. | ||
| 6-7p.m. | Honors Program | Honors House, 520 Copper Lane |
| Join staff and faculty from the Honors Program. Required for all honors students; parents and family members of honors students encouraged to attend. | ||
| 7-9p.m. | NSO Kickoff and Pep Rally | Alaska Airlines Court, Patty Center |
| Mix and mingle with faculty, staff and other students. Bring your family if they’re registered for Parent and Family Orientation. The cost of the meal is included in your registration. | ||
| 9-11p.m. | Outdoor Movie | Beluga Field, Student Recreation Center |
| Relax with your fellow Nanooks as Star-Lord, Rocket, Gamora, and Baby Groot fight to save the galaxy...again...in Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Rain location: Hess Rec. |
Thursday, August 24
| 8-9a.m. | Breakfast and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Enjoy breakfast with your NSO small group. Be sure to check with your orientation leader to find out where your group will be meeting. | ||
| 9-10:30a.m. | Information Sessions | Gruening Building Classrooms |
| Choose from a menu of information sessions on topics like campus life, study abroad opportunities, scholarships and financial aid, undergraduate research and more. Five concurrent 25 minute sessions will be offered from 9-9:25 a.m., 9:30-9:55 a.m. and 10-10:25 a.m. | ||
| 10:30a.m.-Noon. | Academic Induction | Davis Concert Hall |
| Academic Induction signifies your formal entry into the community of learners at UAF and will welcome you to #NanookNation. | ||
| Noon-1p.m. | Academic Lunch | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Connect with the faculty of UAF in a casual setting as you enjoy a meal together. | ||
| 1-3p.m. | Academic Open Houses & Department Meetings | |
| Meet the faculty, staff and students in your school or college and learn more about your academic program.
College of Engineering and Mines: Duckering 252 College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences: O'Neill 214 College of Liberal Arts: Gruening 208 College of Natural Science and Mathematics: Reichardt 201 Community and Technical College: Wood Center Ballroom Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development: Brooks Building Gathering Room General Studies: Schaible Auditorium School of Natural Resource and Extention: O'Neill 305 School of Education: Gruening 304| School of Management: Gruening 307 |
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| 3-5p.m. | Nanook Community and Green Dot | Davis Concert Hall |
| Join us for an honest conversation about healthy relationships and what it means to be a member of a safe and supportive community. | ||
| 5-7p.m.. | Dinner and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Have dinner with your orientation group and discuss the day’s events. | ||
| 6:30-7:30p.m.. | Commuter Student Connections | Wood Center, Arctic Java |
| Living off campus? Connect with other commuters and learn how to stay connected to campus life. Free milkshakes! | ||
| 6:30-9p.m. | Living on the EDGE | Hess Rec., Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex |
| Skarland Hall residents required to attend from 6:30-7:30p.m.; Moore Hall residents required to attend from 8-9 p.m. | ||
| 10-11p.m. | Mission IMPROVable | Hess Rec., Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex |
| This fast-paced, exciting improve comedy team has left stomachs at colleges and universities across the country aching from laughter. Free show brought to you by the Student Activities Office. | ||
| 11:59-2a.m. | Fred Meyer College Night | Fred Meyer West, 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks |
| Take advantage of special deals and giveaways just for UAF students! Shuttle buses will run from 11:45 p.m. until 2 a.m between MBS and Fred Meyer West. Be sure to bring your PolarExpress card. |
Friday, August 25
| 9a.m.-10a.m. | Breakfast and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Enjoy breakfast with your NSO small group. Be sure to check with your orientation leader to find out where your group will be meeting. | ||
| 8:30a.m.-Noon. | International Student Orientation | Murie Building Auditorium |
| Mandatory orientation for new international students coordinated by the Office of International Programs and Initiatives. | ||
| 10-11a.m. | Academics 101 | Davis Concert Hall |
| Learn what it takes to succeed in the classroom and get introduced to the programs, offices and services that will support your studies. | ||
| 11a.m.-Noon | Academics 102 | Gruening Building Classrooms |
| Dive deeper into what it means to be a collegiate scholar and learn about your academic responsibilities. Ask your orientation leader which classroom you’ll be meeting in. | ||
| Noon-1p.m. | Lunch and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Eat lunch with your orientation group. Check with your orientation leader to find out where to meet. | ||
| 1-3p.m. | Student Success Resource Fair | Wood Center |
| Meet the offices and programs at UAF that will help you achieve your academic and personal goals. | ||
| 3-5p.m. | The C Word | |
| Have a frank conversation about sex in this program commissioned by former Vice President Joe Biden as part of the "It's On Us" initiative. | ||
| 5-6:30p.m. | Dinner and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Have dinner with your orientation group and discuss the day’s events. | ||
| 6:30-7:30p.m. | The Price is Too High | Wood Center Ballroom |
| Compete for fabulous prizes and learn about your rights and responsibilities as a student during this interactive game show. | ||
| 7:30-11p.m. | Wood Center Late-Nighter | Wood Center |
| Have a ton of fun in the hub of campus activity. Laser tag, Arctic Sun VR, giant jenga, open mic, free bowling, free pizza, root beer floats, and giveaways. Presented in partnership with the Student Activities Office and the Student Leadership and Involvement Office. | ||
| 9-10p.m. | Nerdology | Wood Center, Arctic Java |
| Think you know a lot about a lot? Are you the one who always seems to have the answers to your friends' questions about pop-culture, video games, and comic books? Do you rarely need to Google stuff? Then put a team together and come for the infectiously fun show, Nerdology! This program is an interactive pop-culture trivia show. A mix of awesome games and trivia interspersed with fun audience interactions. Sponsored by the Student Activities Office. |
Saturday, August 26
| 10a.m.-11a.m. | Breakfast and Group Time | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| Enjoy breakfast with your NSO small group. Be sure to check with your orientation leader to find out where your group will be meeting. | ||
| 11a.m.-1p.m. | Nanook Quest | |
| After breakfast, compete against other orientation groups on a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Bring your class schedule to locate your classrooms along the way! | ||
| 1-2p.m. | Stay Safe! | Schaible Auditorium |
| UAF is committed to ensuring that our community is safe. Join the UAF Police Department to learn about safety and security measures on campus. | ||
| 2-4p.m. | Nanooks Care | Schaible Auditorium |
| Being in college is stressful. You'll be balancing classes, new relationships, homesickness, your finances and the other pressures of adulthood. Learn ways to take care of yourself and your fellow Nanooks. | ||
| 6-9p.m. | NSO Closing Celebration | Student Recreation Center (SRC) |
| Celebrate the end of New Student Orientation and the start of your first year as a member of #NanookNation with games, prizes, rock climbing and more! | ||
| 10-midnight | Karaoke | Hess Rec., MBS |
| Sing your heart out or sit back and watch. No talent required. |
Parent and Family Orientation
Wednesday, August 23 and Thursday, August 24, 2017
Parent and Family Orientation will provide you with the skills and resources you need to support your student in their transition to college life at UAF. During our two-day program, you'll have an opportunity to meet with the faculty and staff who will support and educate your student inside and outside of the classroom, ask questions, and take care of any outstanding business with the university.
The cost of attending Parent and Family Orientation is $25 for the first guest and $10 for each additional guest. This fee covers the cost of meals and materials distributed during Parent and Family Orientation.
Register for Parent and Family Orientation here.
Click on the drop-downs below to view the schedule, which is subject to minor changes. Finalized schedules will be distributed electronically in mid-summer and schedule booklets will be distributed during check-in for New Student Orientation.
Wednesday, August 23
| 8a.m.-3p.m. | Rev-It-Up | Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex |
| Our one-stop shop to check in for New Student Orientation, move into the residence halls, set up email, buy a parking decal and get a PolarExpress card and more, all in one convenient location. | ||
| 9a.m.-4p.m. | Campus Tours | |
| Tours will depart every hour, on the hour, from MBS and the Wood Center. The final tour will depart at 4 p.m. Tours will conclude at their starting point. | ||
| 2:30-5p.m. | Parent and Family Orientation | Wood Center Ballroom |
| Check-in will begin at 2:30p.m. followed by words of welcome from various administrators and staff, an overview of the schedule, and a "Taking Care of Business" panel with staff from Financial Aid, the Office of the Bursar, Admissions, Residence Life, and more. | ||
| 2:30-3p.m. | Check-In | Wood Center Ballroom |
| 3-3:30p.m. | Welcome and Schedule Overview | Wood Center Ballroom |
| Meet university administrators and learn more about what to expect during New Student Orientation. | ||
| 3:30-4:15p.m. | Taking Care of Business Panel | Wood Center Ballroom |
| Representatives from Residence Life, the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, the Bursar, Financial Aid and more will be available to answer your questions. | ||
| 4:15-5p.m. | Student Panel | Wood Center Ballroom |
| Speak with a panel of current students to learn what student life is like and how their families encourage and support them. | ||
| 5-7p.m. | Welcome Barbecue | Wood Center |
| Mix and mingle with faculty, staff, students and other parents and family members of new Nanooks. The cost of the meal is included in Parent and Family Orientation registration. | ||
| 7-9p.m. | Parent and Family Social | Wood Center Pub |
| Unwind in a casual environment with the administrators, staff and faculty who will be educating and supporting your student. Light refreshments will be provided; beer and wine available to purchase. Must be 21+ to enter. Sponsored by the UAF Alumni Association. |
Thursday, August 24
| 8a.m.-9a.m. | Breakfast | Wood Center, Dine Forty-Nine |
| The cost of breakfast is included in your registration. | ||
| 9-10:30a.m. | Information Sessions | Gruening Building Classrooms |
| Choose from a menu of information sessions on topics like campus life, study abroad opportunities, scholarships and financial aid, undergraduate research and more. Five concurrent 25-minute sessions will be offered from 9-9:25 a.m., 9:30-9:55 a.m. and 10-10:25 a.m. | ||
| 10:30a.m.-Noon. | Academic Induction | Davis Concert Hall |
| Academic Induction signifies your students' formal entry into the community of learners at UAF and will welcome you to #NanookNation. | ||
| Noon-1p.m. | Academic Lunch | Wood Center, Dine Forty Nine |
| Connect with the faculty of UAF in a casual setting as you enjoy a meal together. | ||
| 1-3p.m. | Academic Open Houses & Department Meetings | Various |
| Meet the faculty and staff educating and supporting your student and learn more about their academic program. | ||
| 3-4p.m. | Partnering for Student Success | Wood Center C,D,E,F and Ballroom |
| Learn ways to partner with the university to ensure your student's academic success. | ||
| 4-5p.m. | Student Safety Support | Wood Center C,D,E,F and Ballroom |
| UAF takes your student's safety seriously. Find out about the ways we support your student's physical and mental health, hear about our approach to educating students about Title IX and healthy relationships and learn how we will educate them to make healthy choices in regards to alcohol and drugs. |
Orientation for Student Veterans and Transfer Students
Friday, August 25, 2017
Student Veterans Orientation
Student Veterans Orientation is intended for any veteran student, active-duty member of the military or their dependents. This half-day program will introduce you to life at UAF, cover requirements and responsibilities related to using educational benefits and will give you an opportunity to network with other faculty, staff and students who have served in the military. Register online here. Student Veterans Orientation is free. Please Note: Veterans Orientation is starting at 10 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. as previously published.
Student Veterans Orientation Schedule
| 10-11:30 a.m. | Welcome | 408 Gruening |
| Check in for Veteran Student Orientation and meet some of the staff supporting student veterans' success at UAF. | ||
| 11:40 a.m. -12:45 p.m. | Lunch Social | Wood Center Dine Forty-nine |
| Network with other members of Nanook Nation who have served in the military. Lunch is on us. | ||
| 12:45-1:45 p.m. | Campus Tour | Depart from Wood Center |
| Learn the lay of the land: how to navigate campus, where key UAF offices are located, and where your classes will be held. | ||
| 2-2:45 p.m. | Academic Advising and Campus Resources | 408 Gruening |
| Network with other members of #NanookNation who have served in the military. | ||
| 2:45-3 p.m. | Student Veterans of UAF | 408 Gruening |
| Connect with the student organization that represents, advocates for, and provides social opportunities for student veterans and active-duty members of the military at UAF. | ||
| Feel free to participate in the following activities planned as part of the regular New Student Orientation Schedule: | ||
| 3-5 p.m. | The C Word | Davis Concert Hall |
| Join us for an honest look at consent and what it means to be in a healthy relationship. | ||
| 5-6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Wood Center Dine Forty-nine |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. | The Price is Too High | Wood Center ballroom |
| Compete for fabulous prizes and learn about your rights and responsibilities as a student during this interactive game show. | ||
| 7:30-11 p.m. | Wood Center Late-Nighter | Wood Center ballroom |
| Have a ton of fun in the hub of campus activity. Laser tag, Arctic Sun VR, giant jenga, open mic, free bowling, free pizza, root beer floats, and giveaways. Presented in partnership with the Student Activities Office and the Student Leadership and Involvement Office. | ||
| 9-10 p.m. | Nerdology | Wood Center ballroom |
| Think you know a lot about a lot? Are you the one who always seems to have the answers to your friends' questions about pop-culture, video games, and comic books? Do you rarely need to Google stuff? Then put a team together and come for the infectiously fun show, Nerdology! This program is an interactive pop-culture trivia show. A mix of awesome games and trivia interspersed with fun audience interactions. Sponsored by the Student Activities Office. |
Transfer Student Orientation
New transfer students are invited to participate in a day-long orientation designed to help you translate your previous college experience to UAF. Your participation is not required, but it is highly encouraged. Transfer Student Orientation costs $10 which covers the cost of meals, materials and activities during Transfer Student Orientation. Register online here.
Transfer Student Orientation Schedule
| 9-10 a.m. | Check-In and Breakfast | Wood Center ballroom |
| Check in for Transfer Student Orientation, pick up your materials for the day and grab a bite to eat. | ||
| 10-10:30 a.m. | Welcome | Wood Center ballroom |
| Meet campus administrators, staff and other transfer students. | ||
| 10:30 a.m.-Noon | Campus Tour | |
| Learn about campus, the resources available to you, and find out where your classes will be. | ||
| Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch | Wood Center Dine Forty-Nine |
| Lunch is included with the cost of your registration. | ||
| 1-2 p.m. | Success at UAF: Making the Transition | Wood Center ballroom |
| Connect the resources you were familiar with at your previous college with the offices and programs at UAF here to help you succeed. | ||
| 2-3 p.m. | Student Success Resource Fair | Wood Center mall and multilevel lounge |
| Meet the offices and programs at UAF that will help you achieve your academic and personal goals. | ||
| 3-5 p.m. | The C Word | |
| Join us for an honest look at consent and what it means to be in a healthy relationship. | ||
| Feel free to stick around for the following evening activities. | ||
| 5-7 p.m. | Dinner | Wood Center Dine Forty-Nine |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | The Price is Too High | Wood Center ballroom |
| Compete for fabulous prizes and learn about your rights and responsibilities as a student during this interactive game show. | ||
| 8:30-11 p.m. | Wood Center Late Nighter | Wood Center |
| Have a ton of fun in the hub of campus activity. Open mic, free bowling, free pizza, root beer floats and giveaways. Presented in partnership with the Student Activities Office and the Leadership, Involvement and Volunteer Experience (LIVE) Office. |
International Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is required for all incoming international students in F-1 or J-1 status. A specialized International Student Orientation takes place during New Student Orientation and is designed specifically for international students to cover topics related to cultural adjustment, immigration compliance and more. The cost of International Student Orientation is included with New Student Orientation.
For additional questions about International Student Orientation, please contact the UAF Office of International Programs & Initiatives.
Graduate Student Orientation
Orientation for new graduate students is coordinated by the Graduate School.
Getting Here for New Student Orientation
Whether you're arriving by road, train or plane, finding your way to campus is easy. Click here for more information on getting to campus, finding a hotel room, or arranging a shuttle to campus.
Refund Policy
Refunds are only granted when you are not required to attend NSO and/or with a written statement from the mandated student stating why they are unable to attend NSO. All requests will be considered at the discretion of the NSO Coordinator. Please contact the NSO office with any questions or concerns.
Contact New Student Orientation
Ronnie Houchin
Transition Programs Coordinator
rshouchin@alaska.edu
907-474-1103
