Guiding Stars: New Student Orientation.

All first-time, first-year undergraduates and first-year undergraduate transfer students (bringing in less than 24 credit hours) are required to complete a hybrid Orientation, consisting of three parts:

  • Online Orientation
  • In-Person, One-day Orientation Session (or Virtual-synchronous, two-day, Orientation for International Students), and
  • First-Year New Student Welcome, In-person.

Online Orientation

  • Access to the Online Orientation is generated 24 hours after you register for the In-person/Virtual orientation session .
  • The course is in Canvas, our learning management system (LMS). It will take at least 24 hours after you register for your in-person/virtual Orientation for it to appear on your Canvas dashboard.
  • Your online orientation will lead you through the steps to make your academic advising appointment, set up payment plans, and much more, so make sure to set aside time to complete it.
  • There are 10 modules that include items to be read, videos to be watched, and links to other information and forms. It will take about 2 hours to complete. However, you do not have to complete it in one sitting.
  • Complete your Online Orientation by your In-person/Virtual Orientation date. Students who have completed their Online Orientation will be able to register for classes during their In-person/Virtual Orientation session.

In-person Orientation will be held on-campus, in Springfield, IL from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (orientation schedule updated June 7). There is one last Orientation before the start of classes for all students studying in Springfield: Monday, August 19

Notes: Online (OL) degree majors will attend a Virtual (synchronous - live) Orientation (see below). OL degree majors may choose to attend one the Monday, August 19 instead.

New Student Welcome (Schedule available in July)

  • You will attend programming Tuesday, August 20 (5 - 9 p.m.), Wednesday, August 21 (9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.), and Thursday, August 22 (9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
  • There will also be optional evening programs to have fun and meet classmates.
  • Students who attended In-Person or Virtual Orientation in June and will be living on campus will receive campus move-in assignments for Tuesday, August 20. Commuter students will come to campus for a Commuter Student event at 5 p.m.
  • Note: Online degree students are not required to attend the New Student Welcome.

Virtual Orientation for First-year and First-Year Transfer Online degree majors: Thursday, August 21

  • Virtual Orientation will be synchronous - live between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. CT.
  • We will be using Zoom. The link will be emailed out 24 hours before the live session.
  • You will need a reliable internet source. For the best experience we encourage a laptop or desktop and connection to the internet through an ethernet cord.
  • You will need to complete the online orientation

Steps to Complete for Orientation

Step 1: Register for Your In-Person (or Virtual) Orientation

Registration is available on your UIS Application Status Page within 24-48 hours of submitting your Intent to Enroll. Registering for the in-person/virtual Orientation date triggers access to the Online Orientation within 24 hours of registering for Orientation.      

Step 2: Parents, Family members, and Guests

  • We encourage Parents and Family Members to register and attend Orientation with their students.
  • Parent/Family track runs concurrently with student sessions for both the In-person and Virtual programs.
  • Substitute family friends or mentors (18 or older) are permitted if parents or family members are unavailable. They should expect to attend parent/family programming.
  • Parents, family members, and guests are not allowed at student-only programming.  
  • Access to online orientation through May of 2025 is included in the registration fee.
  • Note: no play facilities are available for children.

Step 3:  Orientation Fee 

  • Pay the $175 Orientation Fee and any guest fees online after registration.
    • Choose payment method when registering for your Orientation date: credit card, check/money order (drawn from US bank), or defer to student account (assessed August 1, due September 28).
    • If deferring payment, the Orientation Fee can be paid through the Bursar's Office after August 23.
    • Guest Fee: $30/person. Includes lunch (In-person), materials, online orientation access, and more. Virtual Orientation $15/person. Non-refundable.

Step 4:  Confirmation & Calendar

  • Confirmations emailed to your personal email address. Review and mark your calendar.
  • Forward to family members and guests attending with you.
  • Coordinate travel and accommodations for in-person Orientation.

Step 5: Placement Testing and Advising 

Placement Testing: Your academic advisor will let you know if you are required to take any placement exams. Make arrangements with the UIS Testing Center. Complete tests before your In-person/Virtual Orientation date.

Advising: Directions to make your virtual advising appointment are part of the Online Orientation. Please Note: Students will register for classes during their in-person/virtual Orientation session. 

Step 6: Prepare for Orientation 

  • Request time off from work and plan family activities around your In-person Orientation and New Student Welcome.
  • Complete online modules in Canvas before your In-person/Virtual Orientation.
  • Completion of Online Orientation is necessary for advising and class registration.

Step 7: Read Your Personal and UIS Email

  • Regularly check both personal and UIS email accounts.
  • Start checking email daily a week before In-person/Virtual Orientation.
  • Read emails, especially from Orientation, Financial Assistance and Residence Life.
  • Used your school email on your application to UIS? Don't miss important information after graduation. Update Admissions@uis.edu with your personal email address.