International Student Orientation Schedules
International student orientation is your time to meet other international students, learn about college life at SUNY Plattsburgh, and get set up for a successful semester during the week before classes begin.
Students in Transit
If you are a new international student in the middle of your travels to Plattsburgh and need to inform the staff of your urgent and unexpected travel concerns or delays, you can reach a staff member in the Global Education Office by phone at +1-518-564-3287 during normal business hours. After 4 p.m. or when you do not have cellular service, you can use WhatsApp at +1-518-564-3270.
Please note that the WhatsApp line is for emergency use only between the hours of 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. EST.
University Police can be reached by phone at +1-518-564-2022.
Orientation Schedule
International student orientation takes place the week before classes begin each January and August. The final schedule for each orientation will be posted on this page approximately one week before the events begin. The entire GEO team works very hard to make orientation useful and fun. Don’t miss a thing!
Arrival Dates & Orientation
Please review the dates below before you make your travel plans to come to New York. Your international student orientation fee includes transportation to campus from certain airport/bus/train stations only on the arrival days listed on the schedule below. You will receive individual notice about your official start dates after you have paid your enrollment deposit.
Attendance at orientation events is mandatory for new undergraduate international students. We know from experience that students who attend orientation — and take it seriously — are more likely to succeed in the semesters ahead. We also know that the majority of our graduates look back at orientation week as one of the highlights of their time on campus.
Semester | Arrival Days | Student Orientation Dates | First Day of Classes |
---|---|---|---|
Fall 2023 | Aug. 20–21, 2023 | Aug. 22–26, 2023 | Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 |
Spring 2024 | Jan. 22–23, 2024 | Jan. 24–27, 2024 | Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 |
Fall 2024 | Aug. 19–20, 2024 | Aug. 21–24, 2024 | Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 |
International Orientation Events
International student orientation is mandatory for new undergraduate international students — but it is also a lot of fun! A finalized schedule of orientation will be included in your packet that we give you when you arrive on campus. Below is a list of some of the most important things you will do and learn during a typical orientation week.
Spring 2024 Orientation Schedule
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. | Grab & Go Breakfast | GEO Lobby |
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Welcome Center Open | GEO Lobby |
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Student ID Cards | Clinton Dining Hall |
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Clinton Dining Hall |
6 – 7 p.m. |
Dinner | Clinton Dining Hall |
7 – 9 p.m. | Shopping Shuttle to Wal-Mart | Meet at GEO Lobby |
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. |
Grab & Go Breakfast |
GEO Lobby |
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Welcome Center Open | GEO Lobby |
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Student ID Cards | Clinton Dining Hall |
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Clinton Dining Hall |
1:30 – 3 p.m. |
Campus Tour |
Meet in front of Clinton Dining Hall (weather permitting) |
6 – 7 p.m. |
Dinner |
Clinton Dining Hall |
7 – 9 p.m. | Shopping Shuttle to the Mall | Meet at GEO Lobby |
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. |
Grab & Go Breakfast |
GEO Lobby |
9 – 10 a.m. | Opening Session | Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
10 a.m. – noon | On-Campus Health and Counseling Services, Medical Reviews | Health Center Lounge in Health Center |
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Clinton Dining Hall |
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. |
Title IX |
Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
2:30 – 5 p.m. |
Downtown Shopping Shuttle |
Meet at GEO Lobby |
6 – 7 p.m. |
Dinner | Clinton Dining Hall |
7:30 – 9 p.m. | Game Night | GEO Lobby |
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. | Grab & Go Breakfast | GEO Lobby |
9 – 10 a.m. | Medical Reviews Continued (if necessary) | Health Center Lounge in Health Center |
10 – noon | Academic Expectations: Transfers, advanced credit | Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Clinton Dining Hall |
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. |
On-Campus Meal Plans Explained (1:30 – 2 p.m.) On-Campus Safety (2 – 2:30 p.m.) |
Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. |
Health Insurance Session — Zoom | Feinberg 108 in Feinberg Library |
3:15 – 4 p.m. |
Workshop: MyPlattsburgh | Feinberg 108 in Feinberg Library |
6 – 7:30 p.m. |
Dinner | Clinton Dining Hall |
7:30 – 9 p.m. |
Evening Activity: |
GEO Lobby |
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. | Grab & Go Breakfast | GEO Lobby |
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. |
Welcome from Vice President, Enrollment and Student Success, Karen McGrath |
Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
10:30 – noon | DegreeWorks Audit and Pre-course Advisement | Alumni Conference Room in ACC |
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Clinton Dining Hall |
2 – 3:30 p.m. |
Course Advisement and Adjustment | Learning Center in Feinberg Library |
6 – 7:30 p.m. |
Dinner | Clinton Dining Hall |
Travel Itinerary
If you have not done so already, please fill out the International Student Arrival Information Form so that we can be prepared for your arrival. Advance notice of at least 2 weeks is required in order for us to arrange your ground transportation after arrival. Please note that this service is only available to new international students who pay the international student orientation fee. Please review our detailed information on traveling to the U.S. before making any travel plans.
If you have further questions about international student orientation, please contact us at [email protected].