New Student Orientation

Freshman Orientation Dates
Freshmen beginning in summer or fall attend a two-day program in person. Sign in to your MyUTPB student portal to view available options. Summer 2024 session dates are:

• Session 1: June 17-18
• Session 2: June 24-25
• Session 3: July 15-16
• Session 4: July 22-23

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $130 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. Payment is not due when you register for orientation.

Required Documents

• High School Transcript
• Dual Credit or other University/Community College Transcripts (if applicable)
• Bacterial Meningitis Shot Record or Exemption Form
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

What to Expect
During orientation, you will meet many of your peers, professors, staff and other freshmen starting the same journey as you. There will be several groups of students all assigned to an orientation leader. Your orientation leader will serve as your guide to UTPB. You can ask them anything you need to, and they will help guide you in the direction you want to go. Your group will consist of other freshmen, and you will be together for most of the session. Here you will get to meet new people, find people in your major, build connections and blossom new friendships.

There will be sessions where you get to learn everything about UTPB. You will hear from university departments such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, The Dean of Students, and your orientation leaders. You can also visit these departments if you wish to get more detailed information or to meet with them regarding any questions you may have.

What to Bring
Spring 2024: This is a one-day session. Please bring any required documents not previously submitted to UTPB.

Summer/Fall 2024: These orientations are two-day sessions, meaning all new freshmen will stay overnight in the Residence and Dining Hall (RDH) to experience what it's like to stay at a college campus. You will need:

• Blanket & sheets (twin XL) or sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Pajamas
• Toiletries
• Towel(s)
• Swimwear
• Reusable water bottle
• Light jacket (buildings can be cold)

FAQs
Am I required to attend orientation?
It is mandatory for freshmen to complete orientation.

What is the orientation schedule?
Summer freshman orientations are two-day. Download the 2024 NSO Student Schedule

Where will I stay during orientation?
Summer freshman orientation includes an overnight stay on campus for students. The cost is included in your orientation fee. Students need to bring a blanket & sheets (twin XL) or sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, toiletries, towel(s), swimwear, a reusable water bottle, and a light jacket

Will I register for my classes during orientation?
Advising and class registration for freshmen is linked to your attendance at orientation. Students are encouraged to attend orientation as soon as possible to secure their class schedule for fall.

If you plan to take summer classes, you may contact Academic Advising directly at (432) 552-2651 or advising@utpb.edu to get help with registering for the summer term. Student interested in summer classes should try to attend the first orientation session.

Can family members participate in orientation?
Yes! We encourage family members to join in. We have a family orientation program that runs concurrently with our student program. Please make sure you register guests with you.

Where will my guests stay during orientation?
Summer/fall orientation: Guests who are not local will need to make arrangements at hotels. We have several hotels that are offering discounted rates for UTPB orientation guests. That information will be sent to your guests via email.

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
It is important to have your TSI requirements completed prior to orientation. Students who have not completed their TSI requirements will be limited during class registration. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2360 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

Transfer Orientation Dates
Transfer students have the option of attending a one-day orientation in person or completing self-paced Canvas modules online. The in person session is Thursday, July 25.

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $75 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. Payment is not due when you register for orientation.

Required Documents

• Transcripts
• Bacterial Meningitis Shot Record or Exemption Form
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

What to Expect
During orientation, you will meet many of your peers, professors, staff and other transfer students starting the same journey as you. There will be several groups of students all assigned to an orientation leader. Your orientation leader will serve as your guide to UTPB. You can ask them anything you need to, and they will help guide you in the direction you want to go. Your group will consist of other transfer students, and you will be together for most of the session. Here you will get to meet new people, find people in your major, build connections and blossom new friendships.

There will be sessions where you get to learn everything about UTPB. You will hear from university departments such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, The Dean of Students, and your orientation leaders. You can also visit these departments if you wish to get more detailed information or to meet with them regarding any questions you may have.

FAQs
Am I required to attend orientation?
It is mandatory for transfer students to complete orientation.

What is the orientation schedule?
Transfer orientation is a one-day program. A full schedule will be shared in the MyUTPB student portal no later than May 15.

Will I register for my classes during orientation?
As a transfer student, you have the benefit of being able to register for classes before you complete orientation. We recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible so you can secure your class schedule for fall. Simply email advising@utpb.edu to schedule an appointment with an advisor. Online students can email onlineadvising@utpb.edu.

Can family members participate in orientation?
Yes! We encourage family members to join in-person sessions. Please make sure you register guests with you.

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
It is important to have your TSI requirements completed prior to orientation. Students who have not completed their TSI requirements will be limited during class registration. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2360 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

What to Expect
Online students will complete their program via self-paced modules in Canvas. The online orientation course will open in May 2024. Please note if you are in an online program but plan to take a class in person, you will be directed to complete orientation as an in-person student.

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $20 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. Payment is not due when you register for orientation.

Required Documents

• Transcripts
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

FAQs
Am I required to attend orientation?
It is mandatory for all new students to complete orientation.

What does the online orientation include?
Students will learn about campus policies and procedures, academic programs, and resources.

Will I register for my classes during orientation?
Freshmen must complete orientation first. Once you complete the orientation program you may email onlineadvising@utpb.edu to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Transfer students have the benefit of being able to register for classes before you complete orientation. We recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible so you can secure your class schedule for fall. Email onlineadvising@utpb.edu to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
TSI requirements need to be completed prior to registration for classes. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2630 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

In addition to attending New Student Orientation, international students will also complete an International Student Orientation. All international students new to UTPB are required to attend International Student Orientation before classes begin.

FAQs
When is International Student Orientation?
The date for International Student Orientation will be posted in May 2024.

What does the orientation include?
Our orientation program for international students will help you meet fellow students and gain important information about things like international admissions, immigration rules and regulations, academic requirements, advising, health care, career placement, CPT, OPT, and much more.

How do I register for International Student Orientation?
New international students will receive an email invitation to sign up for international orientation once registration opens.

What is the International Student Orientation schedule?
A schedule will be sent in the summer so you can plan accordingly.

We are very excited that you're joining us in this next chapter of your student's academic career. While this is a monumental moment for your student, we realize this is also a monumental moment in your life. We look forward to welcoming you to the UTPB community!

FAQs
Can family members participate in orientation?
Yes! We encourage family members to join in-person orientation sessions. Be sure your student registers you for orientation when they register themselves.

• Freshman orientation: We have a family orientation program that runs separately and concurrently with our student program. Download the 2024 NSO Family Orientation Schedule
• Transfer orientation: Family members will be able to go through the program with their student(s).

Are there guest fees?
There is a cost for guests to attend orientation, and guest payments are due when you register.

• Adult (12 & up): $30.00
• Child (4-11): $15.00
• Child (0-3): Free

Please note that cancellations for guests made seven (7) days or more in advance of the event date will receive a full refund. Guest cancellations made after the deadline will not receive a refund for the orientation session. If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact orientation@utpb.edu.

Where will guests stay during orientation?

• Summer/fall freshman orientation: Guests who are not local will need to make arrangements in Odessa. The following hotel(s) offer a discounted rate for orientation guests.
  • Holiday Inn Odessa  |  5275 East 42^nd St., Odessa, TX  | Make a Reservation
• Transfer & spring orientation: These are one-day sessions and do not require an overnight stay.