Freshman Orientation Schedule Coming in the Spring!
Freshman Orientation is required of all new freshmen at Winthrop University to ensure that they have a successful transition from high school to college. The purpose of Freshman Orientation is to provide new students with the information, support and resources necessary to begin their academic journey. It is also a time to explore opportunities to live, learn and lead on the Winthrop campus and in surrounding communities. During Freshman Orientation, students will begin engaging in the campus community by:
Being registered for your fall semester class schedule;
Meeting and engaging with faculty and staff;
Interacting with fellow new students, upperclassmen, and student leaders;
Gaining a better understanding of Winthrop University programs, policies and procedures, along with the purpose of higher education;
Discussing relevant issues to the first-year collegiate experience such as diversity, higher learning, academic integrity, and the Winthrop University Common Book Project;
Exploring events, educational programs and activities offered during Winthrop Welcome Week in August.
If you're in the area before or after your Orientation session, we encourage you to explore and get your bearings!
Freshman Orientation sessions 1-3, is a required two-day, overnight, optional residential experience at Winthrop. When you register, you'll select which session you plan to attend. Students choosing to stay overnight on campus during orientation will need to view the What to Bring page for their orientation session. Students attending session 4, and plan to live on campus, will move into their fall housing assignment just before orientation begins. Students who will commute to classes in the fall will stay at home overnight during session 4.
Session 1: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10-11
Session 2: Monday and Tuesday, June 16-17
Session 3: Thursday and Friday, June 19-20
Session 4: Wednesday and Thursday, August 20-21
Students register online through their Admissions Portal for Orientation. When you register for orientation, this is when you will need to register up to two family members who would like to attend Family Orientation. Family Orientation is held on day one of the student orientation schedule. It is a separate orientation and family members will not be with their students. The Family Orientation fee charges will be billed to the students account after they have attended their orientation. If our office is not contacted 10 days before your orientation session, the orientation fee will still be charged to the students account. After you have successfully registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation.
OLs are upperclassmen students at Winthrop who work with new freshmen students and their families at Orientation. These students work hard throughout the spring semester and summer to train and prepare for helping new students in their transition. At Orientation, new students are assigned to an OL who will serve as their Winthrop point person and lead sessions to give students exclusive knowledge on what it means to be a Winthrop Eagle. Get to know this group of student leaders!
International students should contact the International Center at 803/323-2133 regarding Orientation requirements and accommodations.
To request accessibility accommodations for Orientation, please provide information about your needs through the Orientation Registration process, and we will work with you through your request. Please note that both Orientation and Family Orientation do involve a good bit of walking around campus. Winthrop University does not have wheelchairs, scooters, or other equipment available for rent, so please plan to bring or rent your own equipment for your visit, sufficient for your needs.
Contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs via e-mail at Orientation@winthrop.edu.
