Welcome to NC State!
The Office of New Student Programs welcomes you to NC State University, a community of achievers, rich in tradition and academic excellence. To assist you and your family as new members of the Wolfpack community, we invite you to participate in the Family Orientation program. The program is designed specifically for parents and families of first-year students, and it takes place parallel to the Student Orientation Program.
Due to impacts from COVID-19, NC State will host virtual orientation programs for spring 2021. For up-to-date information about the university’s COVID-19 response, please visit ncsu.edu/coronavirus.
All enrolled students are required to complete New Student Orientation. In addition, we strongly recommend that family members complete the concurrent Family Orientation program. The cost of participation for students and families is included in the mandatory first-year student fee or transfer student fee charged to all new first-year or transfer students. No payment is due to New Student Programs, and the appropriate student fee will be included in your student’s fall tuition bill.
Review the information below to help prepare for your orientation, and contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 if you have questions. Please note that NSP and all university offices will be closed for winter break Dec. 24, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021.
Orientation consists of three parts:
Part 1 – Online Orientation Platform
(required for students; strongly encouraged for families)
In preparation for your orientation session on Zoom, families can watch video presentations through our Online Orientation Platform. This self-paced experience includes information related to living on campus, navigating university resources and services for families, among other topics.
- Part 1 is now available for students and families (Updated Dec. 7, 2020).
- We recommend families watch the content before the Part 2 live session on Jan. 8, 2021. During the live program you will be able to ask follow up questions.
- Students will complete their own content in a separate platform which tracks their progress. The deadline for students to complete this requirement is Wednesday, Jan. 6th, 2021. It is important that they complete watching all of the videos before attending the live Zoom session (part 2) on Jan. 8, 2021.
The family platform is essentially a webpage with on-demand video presentations from campus departments. You can choose which videos to watch at your own pace based on your needs and interests.
Note: Students will complete their own content in a separate platform which tracks their progress.
- To view the content, you will need to use a web browser on a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet device or a smartphone.
- If you’re watching on a smartphone, it may be helpful to download the free Vimeo video player app for a smoother viewing experience. (Apple App Store or Google Play)
- The videos are ADA accessible and have closed captioning.
- If you have concerns about accessing the Online Orientation Platform, visit the “Assistance” section of this webpage.
Part 2 – Online Orientation Session
(required for students; strongly encouraged for families)
New students and families are invited to attend an orientation session via Zoom in on Jan. 8, 2021. Student attendance is required, and families are strongly encouraged to attend. During the program, you and your student will learn about the NC State academic experience, ask questions about resources and expectations, and hear from your student’s academic college or program.
- Spring Orientation for first-year and transfer students and families will take place Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 via Zoom.
- The family track will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- The student track will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, and students are required to be present for the duration of the session.
- International students will have additional activities on Jan. 13 and 14 with the Office of International Services.
- Your student should contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu if they have a conflict with attending the orientation session.
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 support services available to students.
- Ask questions of staff and faculty 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.
Registration closed on Jan 1., 2021, but family members wishing to attend that have not registered are still able to do so! All enrolled students will receive Zoom links for the program by email on Jan. 5, 2021 and can share them with family members. Your student can then add you to their registration during check-in when orientation begins on Jan. 8, 2021.
Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advance enrollment deposit ($300) can register for orientation. All accepted students who have paid their deposit will receive an email inviting them to register within three days after submitting their deposit.
If you need assistance, please email new-students@ncsu.edu.
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:
9:00-9:15 a.m. EST Welcome
9:15-10:00 a.m. Protecting the Pack: NC State’s COVID-19 Response
NC State staff members will provide details about the university’s COVID-19 response and expectations for community members in the spring semester.
10:15-11:00 a.m. Supporting Your Student at NC State (students in small group meetings facilitated by orientation leaders)
NC State staff members will discuss strategies for student success in the current environment.
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. College Welcome and Academic Information
College representatives will provide information on advising, course requirements and what your student can expect from their new academic home.
Families wrap up at 12:30p.m., but students are required to attend programming until 4:00p.m.
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.
Part 3 – Transition Talks (optional)
In addition to presentations, we want to give you the opportunity to ask questions and connect with campus resources. Transition Talks will be offered throughout the fall and early spring via Zoom and social media to connect you to the Pack.
Monday, Oct. 26, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. (add to calendar)
Join University Housing to learn more about housing assignments, the move-in process, and what to expect living on campus this spring.
Video Recording
(Password: Wolf1887!)
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. (add to calendar)
Join NC State Dining to learn more about dining options and how to select a meal plan.
Video Recording
(Password: Wolf1887!)
Thursday, January 14, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. (add to calendar)
This talk, hosted by the NC State branch of PNC will be an open Q&A for students and families to ask about banking opportunities available to NC State students
Thursday, January 14, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (add to calendar)
This talk, hosted by the Student Alumni Association, will be an open question- and- answer session about about membership, participation, and benefits of joining the Student Alumni Association.
Need assistance?
If you have any questions about orientation or your student’s transition to NC State, contact New Student Programs:
- Text “belltower” to 833-712-1255
- Email new-students@ncsu.edu
- Call 919.515.1234 (Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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, note it on your registration form or contact Meredith Harms at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Request for accommodations (e.g., real-time captioning, interpretive services, etc.) should be made by Dec. 18, 2020.
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.