Orientation has two major components: Completing your three-part New Student Checklist and attending a two-day, overnight Orientation in the summer.

New Student Checklist:

The checklist is divided into three steps. You will receive an email with instructions on what to complete at each step.

Step 1 — Once a student is confirmed
You will receive an email asking you to complete the New Student Survey, choose your Orientation date, and upload a picture for your U Card (student ID).

Step 2 — May 2
You will receive an email asking you to complete the Orientation Prep Course*. This is required before attending Orientation. You will also be asked to complete your UMN Starter Kit.

Step 3 — July 25
You will receive an email asking you to complete your required Online Educational Modules and your Campus Transition Resources document.

*The goal of the Orientation Prep Course is to provide you with valuable information about University resources, services, and your college of enrollment. Your advisor will reference this information during your Orientation. You must complete the course and pass the college content quiz with a score of at least 80% to attend Orientation.

Two-Day, On-Campus Orientation:

Attending Orientation and the overnight stay is required.

• You will meet with your academic advisor, attend campus resource sessions, and register for Fall 2025 courses.

• Your program includes spending the night in a residence hall. You can learn more about this requirement in the Overnight Accommodations section.

Schedule:

Day 1

• Morning: Check-in, Resource Fair, and University Welcome

• Afternoon: Lunch, meet with your college representatives, campus resource sessions

• Evening: Dinner, sessions, and fun late-night activities

Day 2

• Breakfast, registering for classes, additional optional sessions

Instructions for accessing your personal schedule will be provided approximately 2–3 days before your Orientation date.

Disability

We value disability as an aspect of diversity and want to ensure that you are able to fully participate in all programming available to you. If you have a disability or health condition, or suspect you have one, and would like to have a confidential discussion about accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 612-626-1333 or [email protected] as soon as possible. Some accommodations may take time to arrange. You may also schedule a consultation. 

Mobility

If you have a short-term disability (i.e. broken leg) and would have difficulty traveling long distances during Orientation, please contact the Orientation & Transition Experiences office for accommodations at [email protected].

Dietary Accommodations

You will indicate your dietary accommodation needs on your Tell Us About Yourself survey. If you have a change to your needs, please visit your New Student Checklist and update your survey.

The Orientation Prep Course is a step on your New Student Checklist which you can access at checklist.umn.edu.

Before You Begin

Review the following items to make sure you are prepared:

• You will need your University of Minnesota Internet ID (x500) and password. For more information, or to claim your account, please visit IT New Students: Start Using Technologies.
• Use a device (computer, laptop, or tablet) that has audio functionality.
• Although other browsers can be used, the Orientation Prep Course is best viewed by using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
• Although it is not required, we recommend using broadband, high-speed Internet access.

Accessing the Orientation Prep Course

You will access the Orientation Prep Course, supported by the University's Canvas course management system, on your New Student Checklist. Canvas is the system faculty use in all coursework, so this as an opportunity to get comfortable using Canvas. It may take up to an hour to complete the Orientation Prep Course, and you will need to make sure you have enough time to complete the course prior to your Orientation.

Enroll and log on to the Canvas site using your U of M Internet ID and password.

June & July Orientation Sessions

First-year students attending Orientation in June and July are required to stay one night in Comstock Hall in order to get a taste of the full University experience.

• If you need to request an exemption from the overnight requirement for a religious or medical reason, please email [email protected] before you arrive for Orientation.
• Those students granted an exemption must still attend state-mandated programming until 9 p.m. on Orientation Day 1 and then return early the next morning for Orientation Day 2.

August Orientation Sessions

On-campus lodging is NOT provided as part of the Orientation programs in August. However, limited on-campus housing is available on campus at the cost of $40 (including tax) per night.  

Accommodations for Additional Nights

On-Campus

If you need to stay an extra night before or after your Orientation date, on-campus space will be available in Yudof Hall. The cost is $40 per night (including tax) and check-in will take place after 3 p.m. on the day of your stay.
Register for On-Campus Accommodations. When you register for accommodations, you will be prompted to create an account.

Please note: If you stay in Yudof the night prior to your Orientation date, you will need to check out of Yudof before you check-in for Orientation. You can bring your luggage to the Orientation Day 1 luggage outside the East entrance of the East River Road Parking Garage on Level C. We will then move and store your luggage; you will retrieve it when checking into Comstock for your overnight stay.

Off-Campus

You can also review off-campus hotels recommended by Orientation & Transition Experiences for the stay before or after your Orientation.

Important: Major road construction near the U, especially on I-94, may impact your commute. Please check the Parking and Transportation alerts page for the latest updates—and plan to give yourself extra time to get to campus.

Whether you are driving to campus or arriving via public transit, you can find your way to Orientation using these directions. If driving, please be mindful that morning traffic may cause delays in arriving to campus.

Parking will be in the East River Road Garage. 

There are two entrances into East River Road Garage, please make sure you are entering the Public Entrance (pictured) and not the Contract Entrance.

After parking in the East River Road Garage:

• Take the elevator to Level C with your luggage and head into the garage to the left.

• Outside the entrance you drove into, there will be a luggage drop-off to the right as you walk out.

• Once you drop off your luggage, you’ll be directed to walk down the sidewalk, where a bus will pick you up to take you to Northrop for check-in, the Resource Fair, and our Welcome Program.

When you check-in to Orientation you will receive some program materials. We recommend you pack your overnight items in a small carry-on or backpack. 

What is provided by the residence hall:

• Pillow, sheet, light blanket, towel, washcloth
• Free wireless intenet
• All rooms are air conditioned and feature a twin XL bed, desk, chair, closet, and dresser
• Gender-specific and gender neutral shared bathrooms are found on each floor
• 24-hour staffed Information Desk

What you should bring:

• Comfortable clothing and shoes for your second day
• Personal hygiene products, soap, and toiletries
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Device you use for Duo Security and chargers
• Credit/debit card to pay for parking/mobile pay
• Umbrella or rain jacket in case of rain
• Light sweater or jacket for air-conditioned rooms
• Device charger
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated

You will not have access to your luggage until later in the evening. Plan to carry the items you will need throughout the day (backpack, notebook, devices, charger, etc.) and have your overnight items in a separate bag.