• Domestic transfer orientation sessions are college/program specific, so your student needs to attend the appropriate session for the major/college in which they are currently enrolled. Students can attend any of the sessions designated for their college (e.g., students in the College of Engineering can attend any of the three College of Engineering sessions).
• The sessions will take place 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom, and students are required to be present for the duration of the session.
• These dates coincide with the originally scheduled in-person orientation dates. For example, if a session was originally scheduled for June 19, the new session will take place on the same date (June 19) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are attendance caps on each session.
• Your student should contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu if they have a conflict with attending their designated orientation session(s).

Note regarding Summer Start: If your student is a Summer Start program participant, your orientation session will be Friday, June 19.

Family Orientation is designed for those who will serve as a student’s primary support throughout their transition to the university. During the program, attendees will:

• Learn more about academic support services available to students.
• Ask questions of current student orientation leaders to gain insight into student transition experiences,
• Get better acquainted with the expectations and opportunities within their student’s academic college or program.

Registration for Family Orientation is tied to the student’s registration for orientation. Therefore, the student should register the family for Family Orientation at the same time that the student registers for New Student Orientation. 

If you registered for an orientation session before the announcement of a shift to virtual orientation, you do not need to re-register. Your student can confirm your registration by logging into the orientation registration portal; if you are registered, it will display your session and guest names. 

If you are not already registered or wish to potentially change dates, your student should follow these steps:

• Log into the orientation registration system using the email address at which they received the invitation and their student ID number. They can find their student ID number in their wolfPAW portal under “Account Information.” 
• Read the instructions, and select the orientation session they want to attend. Only the session(s) available to them (based on their college and/or major) will be offered as possibilities. 
• Scroll down to enter family member information. Be sure to include a correct email address for family members, because this is how we will correspond with them.
• Click “Submit.” A confirmation email will be sent to the student’s and family member’s email addresses. Please keep a copy of this email for your records.

Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advance enrollment deposit ($300) can register for orientation. Registration for orientation is now open, and all accepted students who have paid their deposit will receive an email inviting them to register. Students should expect to receive their invitation email within three days after submitting their deposit.

Summer Start Students
If your student is a confirmed participant in the Summer Start Program, New Student Programs will register them for the Summer Start Orientation session, which will take place on Friday, June 19, 2020. Once New Student Programs has completed their registration, the student will receive a confirmation email and can then log into the registration system to add guests for Family Orientation.

Testing and Using Zoom

• Your orientation session will be hosted on Zoom. You can create a free Zoom account at Zoom.us.
• New Student Programs will email you Zoom links a few days before your session so you can access the webinars and meetings that will take place. 
• Visit our Zoom assistance webpage for detailed instructions on using Zoom and testing it before your session.
• Attendees will be able to ask questions via the Q&A or chat features on Zoom. There may also be times during your student’s college meeting where they may ask you to participate using an audio/video connection, if you are able. 
• Download orientation Zoom backgrounds to show your Wolfpack family pride!
• If you have concerns about accessing Zoom for your orientation session, visit the “Assistance” section of this webpage. 

Multiple Devices for Family Orientation

• Although students and families will attend some parts of the orientation session together, there will be instances when students and families are asked to join different Zoom webinars or meetings at the same time. This will require you to have two devices with Zoom capabilities (computer, tablet or smartphone). 
• If you only have one Zoom-enabled device in your household, we ask that students use that device to participate in the activities designated for them. We will email recorded Family Orientation content to all participants after the session.

Plan to Engage

• To make the most of your orientation session, write down any questions you may have beforehand, and we will answer them via the Q&A or chat features on Zoom. 
• There will be times during your student’s small group meeting or college presentation when we will ask them to participate on their own without family members.

Registered students and families will receive Zoom links a few days prior to their session to use throughout the orientation. The orientation schedule is as follows: 

1-1:30 p.m. Welcome

1:30-2 p.m. Academic Success 101
Learn about the nuts and bolts of academics at NC State, including information specific to transfer students and families, campus resources and the role of your student’s academic advisor.

2:15-3 p.m. Current Student Panel for Families (students in small group meetings facilitated by orientation leaders)
Families will be able to ask questions of orientation leaders, who will share perspective on their student experience and navigating the transition to NC State.

3:15-5 p.m. College Welcome and Academic Information
College representatives will provide information on advising, course requirements and what you can expect from your student’s new academic home.

Multiple Devices for Family Orientation

• Although students and families will attend some parts of the orientation session together, there will be instances when students and families are asked to join different Zoom webinars or meetings at the same time. This will require you to have two devices with Zoom capabilities (computer, tablet or smartphone). 
• If you only have one Zoom-enabled device in your household, we ask that students use that device to participate in the activities designated for them. We will email recorded Family Orientation content to all participants after the session.

• The family platform should take about five hours to complete. The platform also provides supplemental videos you can watch based on your interests or needs. 
• The family platform should take about five hours to complete. The platform also provides supplemental videos you can watch based on your interests or needs.
• Students will complete a separate track of the platform. They are required to watch certain videos and answer associated questions on their own by July 31, 2020. Summer Start students must complete the required components of the Online Orientation Platform by June 22, 2020.

• Visit https://ncstate.goorientation.com.
  To view the content on the platform you will need to use a web browser on a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet device or a smartphone.
• You will need to create an account as a GUEST. Students and family members (guests) will have different items to view throughout the orientation.
• To create an account, you will need to:
  • Enter your first and last name.
  • Enter your email address.
  • Select “Parent” under “Guest Type”
  • Create a password.
  • Enter your phone number.
• Please Note: Your username for future logins will be the email address you use when creating the account.
• Closed captioning is available for each video by clicking the “CC” in the bottom right corner of the video screen, while the platform is also ADA accessible by clicking “ADA Version” in the bottom right corner of the platform.
• If you have concerns about accessing the Online Orientation Platform, visit the “Assistance” section of this webpage.

Once you are logged into the platform, you will receive directions on how to utilize the platform.

Some notes for once you are in the platform:

• The online orientation is made up of modules accessible through the main menu items and the menu icon on the home screen. To begin, click the title of the module from either view.
• Each module is made up of a series of slides. To complete each module, click through the slides using the next and previous buttons.
• A module is complete when you view the last slide and you must complete each module in order.
• You are able to “come and go” as you work through the presentations. When you log back into the platform, you will pick up where you left off. So, you do not need to complete the platform in one sitting.

After completing the online orientation platform, you will have access to the content for the remainder of the summer and are able to go back and review materials as needed.

In compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the virtual New Student and Family Orientation program, please contact Meredith Harms at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Requests for real-time captioning should be made at least 15 business days prior to the event.

New Student Programs recognizes that students or family members may have questions or concerns about participating in an online orientation, having to do with issues such as internet connectivity or device availability. Our staff is committed to helping students and family members address these concerns and participate in our programs. 

Please review the frequently asked questions below to see if they can help you troubleshoot any technology concerns.

Frequently Asked Technology Questions

• What if I don’t have a microphone built into my computer? Can I still participate in Zoom meetings?
  • If you have a computer and can access Zoom visually via your computer, you can hear the meeting’s audio feed by phone. Zoom invitations will include instructions for participating by calling into meetings via traditional phone or smartphone. This two-pronged approach will allow you to see the visuals presented during the sessions while hearing the audio of the meeting simultaneously.
• What if I don’t have a webcam? Can I still participate in Zoom meetings?
  • Many of the live components of orientation will give you the opportunity to use video, but those capabilities are not required for participation. You will still be able to participate through the speaker and chat functions.
  • Alternatively, if you have a smartphone and are able to download the Zoom mobile app from your app store, you may participate visually that way. 
• What if I don’t have a computer?
  • Both the Online Orientation Platform and the live sessions presented via Zoom are accessible via mobile device. Your phone will need a web browser to use the platform. If you have additional concerns, fill out the Orientation Technology Concerns Form to notify the New Student Programs staff of your concerns.
• What if I don’t have a reliable internet connection? 
  • Fill out the Orientation Technology Concerns Form, and our team will respond with alternative options for completing orientation.
• What if I don’t have multiple devices for my family members and me to access different parts of orientation simultaneously?
  • Family Orientation is supplemental to New Student Orientation, which is required for all new students. You should prioritize engaging with the student content, and fill out the Orientation Technology Concerns Form prior to participating so your family can access any family content they missed.

If you believe you may have technological challenges that may affect your participation and that were not addressed via the frequently asked questions above, please complete our Orientation Technology Concerns Form to help us learn more about your concerns. 

Please contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu with any questions you may have after completing the form.