New Student Orientation

Follow these steps

• STEP ONE — Sign Up For Orientation

  Orientation Sign Up Instructions

  Follow this link to sign up for your in-person orientation session. You’ll need your Plattsburgh username and password for this step.

  Orientation 2022 Sign-up

• STEP TWO — Take the Competency & Placement Exams

  Please visit the competency and placement webpage for full details.

  Competency & Placement Exam Information

• STEP THREE — Learn About Course Advisement & Registration

  First-Year Students

  From late May through June, academic departments and special programs offices will start to build Fall 2022 schedules for students. You might notice some preliminary course registration activity on your MyPlattsburgh account. This is done on your behalf to secure seats in the classes you will need to meet your degree requirements. 

  You also might have a new student interest questionnaire or placement test to complete, which assist your department chair to start making your schedule. If these items are required, you will see them in your Admissions Checklist.

  During July summer orientation, you will have the chance to meet with your academic department to discuss your major and fall semester. After that consultation, you’ll be able to complete your fall schedule by adding some courses in our registration lab with staff onsite to help.

  First-year schedules typically include courses or prerequisites for your major plus Cardinal Core Curriculum requirements such as English, math, and your Cardinal Foundation Seminar (CFS1889). If we registered you in a partial schedule, the courses were carefully chosen for you so you can have a great start to your SUNY Plattsburgh career. It is advisable to remain in your course schedule and discuss any concerns with your department or special program. 

  If you must make changes (e.g., add a course, already received transfer credit, conflicts with work or athletic schedule), you will be able to make these adjustments during summer orientation. 

  If you are not able to attend summer orientation, the college will follow up with you about the completion of your schedule in late July to early August.

  Transfer Students

  Advisement for new, main campus, transfer students starts Monday April 25. Contact your academic department chairperson to receive course advisement and obtain the registration (PIN) code you will need to register for courses.

  Online registration for new transfer students with a PIN code begins on Monday May 2, 2022 at 10 a.m. 

  For a list of department contacts and Banner registration instructions, refer to the Advisement and Registration web page that admissions provided you in your transfer credit evaluation correspondence (Degree Works audit report).

  Advising and registration will also be available at the two summer orientation transfer sessions in July.

• STEP FOUR — Attend the Virtual, Live Information Session

  Wednesday, July 6, 2022 6 – 8 p.m.

  All new students — first year and transfer — were expected to attend this session prior to attending an in-person session.  For those that missed this session watch the recorded session here:

  • Summer 2022 Virtual, Live Information Session Recording
    
• STEP FIVE — Attend an In-Person Orientation Session

  You may sign up for whichever in-person orientation session works for you on a first-come, first-served basis. We may need to cap attendance at certain sessions so it’s recommended to register early (you will need your Plattsburgh username and password to register). If you run into any issues, please reach out: [email protected].

  First-Year with Overnight Stay on Campus 

  • July 10–11
  • July 13–14
  • July 17–18

  First-Year One-day Programs

  • July 12
  • July 15
  • July 19

  Transfer Orientation

  • July 21
  • July 22

First-Year Students

• First-Year Student Orientation with Overnight on Campus Schedule 

  You may choose from one of three overnight orientation sessions: July 10–11, July 13–14, or July 17–18.

  Day 1

  Time	Description
  2 – 4 p.m.	Check-In. Location: Wilson Hall. Unpack, get settled and meet classmates.
  4:30 – 5:30 p.m.	Meet Your Floor. Meet your orientation leader and learn what to expect from your orientation experience.
  5:30 – 6:30 p.m.	Dinner provided
  6:45 – 9 p.m.	Activities and Games. Join the Orientation Team in and around Memorial Hall with fun activities and games designed to allow you to meet your new classmates, and have fun. Campus tours will also be offered at this time.

  Day 2

  Time	Description
  8:15 – 8:45 a.m.	Grab-and-Go Breakfast Provided - Yokum Hall 2nd floor Lobby
  9 a.m.	Welcome to Cardinal Country. Join campus administrators from the college who will welcome you to SUNY Plattsburgh and to the New Student Orientation experience.
  9:15 – 10:45 a.m.	Getting Involved on Campus. College students spend approximately 45 hours per week on academic work. What should you do with the rest of your time? This session will teach you about ways to get involved outside the classroom and how your involvement can lead you to long-term success.
  11 – 11:45 a.m.	Exploring Your Hopes and Fears About College Life. College faculty and staff members, along with orientation leaders, will lead you in an activity and conversation to help you address your concerns and develop your goals as an incoming college student.
  Noon – 12:30 p.m.	Understanding Academic Requirements and Course Advisement. Staff from academic advising will review everything you need to prepare for your college learning experience including transitional issues, academic information and understanding what happens during course advisement and registration.
  12:30 – 2:30 p.m.	Course Registration. You will meet with college faculty members to help you choose which classes to take this fall and then you will register for those classes. A grab and go lunch provided as you leave registration.

• First-Year Student Orientation One-Day Schedule

  You may choose from one of the following dates: July 12, July 15, or July 19.

  Schedule

  Time	Description
  8:15 – 8:45 a.m.	Check-in/Grab-and-Go Breakfast Provided - Yokum Hall 2nd floor Lobby
  9 a.m.	Welcome to Cardinal Country. Join campus administrators from the college who will welcome you to SUNY Plattsburgh and to the New Student Orientation experience.
  9:15 – 10:45 a.m.	Getting Involved on Campus. College students spend approximately 45 hours per week on academic work. What should you do with the rest of your time? this session will teach you about ways to get involved outside the classroom and how your involvement can lead you to long-term success.
  11 – 11:45 a.m.	Exploring Your Hopes and Fears About College Life. College faculty and staff members, along with orientation leaders, will lead you in an activity and conversation to help you address your concerns and develop your goals as an incoming college student.
  Noon – 12:30 p.m.	Understanding Academic Requirements and Course Advisement. Staff from academic advising will review everything you need to prepare for your college learning experience including transitional issues, academic information and understanding what happens during course advisement and registration.
  12:30 – 2:30 p.m.	Course Registration. You will meet with college faculty members to help you choose which classes to take this fall and then you will register for those classes. A grab-and-go lunch provided as you leave registration.

• Family Program & Schedule During First-Year Orientation

  Your family is welcome and encouraged to join you for your orientation session. We can guarantee that we will keep them busy, informed, and entertained with a program we have designed just for them! In participating in the Family Program, your family members will:

  • Develop a comfort level with SUNY Plattsburgh.
  • Learn about the topics and concerns that family members have told us are most important to them.
  • Learn how to be a valuable and supportive resource for you as you progress as a student at SUNY Plattsburgh.

  If you are attending a session with overnight programming, and your family members are attending the family program, they will drop you off at Wilson Hall and they will check-in, the morning of the second day (see schedule below). Family members are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. Students will be staying on campus.

  If you are attending a one-day program, your family members will simply accompany you to the first session, as no check-in is required.

  Sessions with Student Overnight Programming

  Time	Description
  2 – 4 p.m.	Student Drop off. Location: Wilson Hall.  There are no formal activities planned for Family members on these nights. Families members will check-in to their Program on day 2 below.

  One-Day Sessions and Day 2 of Sessions with Overnight Programming Options

  Time	Description
  8:15 – 8:45 a.m.	Check-in - Yokum Hall 2nd floor Lobby
  9 a.m.	Welcome to Cardinal Country. Join campus administrators from the college who will welcome you to the SUNY Plattsburgh family and to the New Student Orientation experience.
  9:30 – 10:45 a.m.	Exploring Your Hopes and Fears for Your Student. College staff members, along with orientation leaders, will lead you in an activity and conversation to help you address your hopes and concerns for your student as they head to college.
  11 – 11:30 a.m.	Q & A with Student Financial Services. College staff members will be available to field any questions you have related to bill payment and college costs and Financial Aid at this time.
  11:45 – 12:30 p.m.	Guided Campus Tour -or- Visit Campus Offices on Your Own. We will provide you with a guided tour of campus or provide you with directions on how to get to an office you were hoping to visit at during this time.
  Noon – 1 p.m.	Information Marketplace. Visit various booths to learn more about campus offices and services that may be helpful to your student during his/her time at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Transfer Students

• Transfer Orientation Student Schedule

  Choose from one of the following dates: July 21 or July 22.

  Time	Description
  8 – 8:45 a.m.	Check-In. Location: Yokum Hall, 2nd Floor Lobby Grab-and-Go Breakfast. Location: Yokum Hall 2nd floor lobby
  9 – 9:15 a.m.	Welcome to Cardinal Country. Join campus administrators for a welcome to SUNY Plattsburgh.
  9:15 – 10:15 a.m.	Getting Involved on Campus — Student Panel. College students spend approximately 45 hours per week on academic work. What should you do with the rest of your time? This session will teach you about ways to get involved outside the classroom and how your involvement can lead you to long-term success.
  10:45 – 11:15 a.m.	Understanding Academic Requirements. Staff from academic advising will review everything you need to prepare for your college learning experience including transitional issues, academic information and understanding what happens during course advisement and registration.
  11:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Advisement and Course Registration. You will meet with college faculty members to help you choose which classes to take this fall and you will then register for those courses.

• Family Program & Schedule During Transfer Orientation

  Your family is welcome and encouraged to join you for your orientation session. We can guarantee that we will keep them busy, informed, and entertained with a program we have designed just for them! In participating in the family program, your family members will:

  • Develop a comfort level with SUNY Plattsburgh.
  • Learn about the topics and concerns that family members have told us are most important to them.
  • Learn how to be a valuable and supportive resource for you as you progress as a student at SUNY Plattsburgh.

  Time	Description
  8 – 8:45 a.m.	Check-In. Location: Yokum Hall, 2nd floor Lobby Grab-and-Go Breakfast. Location: Yokum Hall 2nd floor Lobby
  9 – 9:15 a.m.	Welcome to Cardinal Country. Join campus administrators for a welcome to SUNY Plattsburgh.
  9:15 – 10:15 a.m.	Exploring Your Hopes and Fears for Your Student. College staff members, along with orientation leaders, will lead you in an activity and conversation to help you address your hopes and concerns for your student as they head to college.
  10:30 – 11:30 a.m.	Guided Campus Tour -or- Visit Campus Offices on Your Own. We will provide you with a guided tour of campus or provide you with directions on how to get to an office you were hoping to visit at during this time.

• Directions to Orientation

  For Participants in One-Day Sessions:

  Follow the link below to the Kehoe Administration Building. Park in the lots on either side of that building. Follow the signs to check in at Yokum Hall.

  Directions to the Kehoe Administration Lots and Yokum Hall

  For Participants in Overnight Sessions:

  From the Northway (Interstate 87) to Wilson Hall

  1. Take Exit 37 and turn right (East) onto Cornelia Street (Route 3).
  2. Stay in the right lane and continue until you reach the Y-intersection of Cornelia and Broad Street (Burger King is on your right).
  3. Bear right down Broad Street and take the 4th right (Sanborn Avenue).
  4. Continue on Sanborn Ave.
  5. Proceed across Rugar Street onto Tower Way. Wilson Hall is the last Highrise building on the left.
  6. Park in Lot 18, and come see us in Wilson Hall for check-in.

  From the West (Route 3) to Wilson Hall

  1. Continue East on Route 3.
  2. Stay in the right lane and continue East until you reach the Y-intersection of Cornelia and Broad Streets (Burger King is on your right).
  3. Bear right down Broad Street and take the 4th right (Sanborn Avenue).
  4. Continue on Sanborn Ave.
  5. Proceed across Rugar Street onto Tower Way. Wilson Hall is the last Highrise building on the left.
  6. Park in Lot 18, and come see us in Wilson Hall for check-in.

  If you need help finding your way around campus, please take a look at our campus maps.

• What to Bring to Orientation

  All Participants Should Bring:

  • Comfortable clothing and footwear
  • Umbrella, fan, rain coat and a light jacket or sweatshirt.
  • Advanced placement verification (if you have earned AP credit)
  • Transcript of college coursework (if applicable)

  Students Participating in Overnight Sessions Should Bring:

  • Sheets, towels and pillow. Most bring a sleeping bag.
  • Personal items/toiletries
• Public Transportation to Plattsburgh

  SUNY Plattsburgh is located only a few miles from the bus station. Students  arriving for sessions with overnight options by bus will be offered a complimentary shuttle from the station to campus as well as a return on the second day of the program.

  If you will be arriving by bus, please contact one of the following to purchase your tickets. Be sure you choose an arrival time between 2 and 4 p.m. on the first day of your session, and a return time after 1 p.m. on the day of your departure:

  By Bus

  • Greyhound
  • Adirondack Trailways

  After you have purchased your tickets, you must email [email protected]  or call (518) 564-3282 if you wish to arrange for a shuttle pick-up. You must request a shuttle pickup three business days prior to your session to ensure a complimentary shuttle.

  Shuttle services will be provided for arrivals between 2 and 4 p.m. on the day of your session’s check-in and in the afternoon on the day of departure.

  By Air

  • Plattsburgh International Airport

  Unfortunately we are not able to provide shuttle service from the airport.  Please take a taxi or Uber/Lyft from the airport to Wilson Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When does online registration for orientation begin?

  Online registration begins June 2, 2022, for all deposit paid students. You will receive an email with a link to the registration page.

• How do I register for orientation?

  Follow the link below to sign-up for an orientation session. Select the orientation session date you wish to attend, fill out registration form and submit.

  Please allow 24-48 hours for your orientation checklist item to clear on your admissions portal page.

  Orientation 2022 Sign-up

• Do I have to attend orientation? Is it mandatory?

  It is expected that you make every effort to attend an orientation session.

• What if I cannot attend orientation?

  It is very important to attend orientation. By not attending you will miss out on crucial information and opportunities to interact with other students. You will not be able to register for your classes until after all of the orientation session have ended; at which time the college will contact you to set up your fall schedule. This could limit the availability of some classes for the fall semester.

• Do I have to attend the entire program?

  Yes, it is required that you attend the entire program.

• What time does orientation begin and end?

  First Year Programs

  One-Day Programs — Check-in is from 8 – 8:45 a.m. in Yokum Hall for students and family members attending one-day only sessions.

  One-Day Programs with Overnight Option — Students attending these sessions will check-in between 2 – 4 p.m. in Wilson Hall.

  Transfer Programs

  Check-in is from 8 – 8:45 a.m. in Yokum Hall for students and family members attending these sessions.

  All programs finish by 2:30 p.m. for all participants on the last day of each session.

• Do family members have to attend with their student?

  No, but about 65% of students have at least one family member attend their orientation session. Family members have a separate orientation program.

• Where will my family stay during orientation?

  Family members are responsible for making their own housing arrangements while here for orientation. Local listings are available below:

  Local Accommodations

• Does the college provide buses to orientation?

  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide buses to attend orientation. Students/family members are responsible for their own transportation. We do however provide a complimentary shuttle from the bus station in Plattsburgh to campus and back as long as you have emailed prior to your session and your arrival/departure time is within the timeframe we are able to accommodate.

• Is there a fee for orientation?

  All incoming students will incur a one-time mandatory Enrollment/Orientation Fee that will appear on your bill. This fee is required even if you do not attend orientation.

• Do I need to have my health forms turned in by orientation?

  Your health form and immunization records are due before the start of the semester. If you haven’t already sent them in, please bring them with you to orientation. Please keep in mind that if you do not submit or bring your immunization record, you will not be in compliance with New York regarding immunization records.