Lifelong Friends

The friends you make in college are often who you'll have for the rest of your life. It begins here at Orientation, where we know these relationship start!
The PlattsLife?

What’s the Plattslife? It’s us. Our culture. Our experience. At Orientation, you’ll learn more about SUNY Plattsburgh and all the ways we’ll support your success as a student.
Psychology, Chemistry, Accounting Oh My!

Choosing classes is just part of our Orientation. We’ll make sure you understand how to complete your degree on time and where to go on campus with any academic questions you have.

New Student Orientation

Your Journey Begins Here

Congratulations on your decision to attend SUNY Plattsburgh! We are excited to welcome you and we know that you and your family probably have many questions about your transition to college life. Follow the steps below to get prepared for your SUNY Plattsburgh experience.

Step One: Sign Up for Orientation

Orientation Sign Up Instructions
- Log into your MyPlattsburgh portal page
- Click on the Admissions Tab
- Click on the “Sign up for Orientation” link
- Select an Orientation Session Date
- Fill out the Orientation Form
- SUBMIT

Step Two: Take the Placement Exams

Placement Tests

All students must take the English Placement Questionnaire in order to enroll in first-year composition courses that satisfy your general education (GE) requirements, unless you have transfer credit equivalent to ENG 101. Certain other subject areas require a demonstrated level of proficiency before you can enroll in them — such as Math, Calculus, and advanced level Foreign Language.

Our Placement Exams and Proficiency web page provides detailed information about each one. It is essential that you take relevant placement tests that apply to you as soon as possible. Otherwise your department will be unable to register you for courses you might need.

Visit the Placement Exams Page

Step Three: Learn About Course Advisement & Registration

Freshmen

From late May through June, academic departments and special programs offices will be hard at work building fall 2020 schedules for students. You might have already noticed some preliminary course registration activity on your 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 been sent a new student questionnaire to complete, or have placement tests to complete, which assists your department chair in future conversations about your schedule.

You will have the chance to connect with your academic department this summer to discuss your major and fall semester. In June, you will receive an email with your department contact and information about one-on-one advisement or any special live events that might pertain to you.

First-year schedules typically include courses or prerequisites for your major plus general education requirements. They are 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 to discuss any concerns with your department. 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 at one of our July course registration sessions. You will receive an email in June with your July registration date, time, and a Zoom link to the group session. This session is only required if you must schedule adjustments.
Transfers

Advisement for new, main campus, transfer students began on Friday, May 22, 2020. Contact your academic department chairperson to receive course advisement, discuss your pre-registered schedule, and to obtain the registration (PIN) code you will need to adjust or register for additional courses.

Online registration for new transfer students with a PIN code begins on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10 a.m. For a list of department contacts and Banner registration instructions, refer to the advisement and registration web page information that Admissions provided you in your transfer credit evaluation correspondence (Degree Works audit report).

Transfer Advisement & Registration

Step Four: Meet Your Orientation Leader

Communicate With Your Orientation Leader

You will be assigned to a SUNY Plattsburgh student who will serve as your orientation leader throughout the summer. This student will contact you to share the dates for live group meetings via Zoom where you can learn more about SUNY Plattsburgh and what to expect, as well as ask any questions you may have. You will also be assigned to a smaller group of incoming students and be given access to a special social media app where you can get to know some of your classmates a little better before coming to campus. Look for an email from your orientation leader at the beginning of June.

Step Five: Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

See the Campus

Step Six: Attend a Live Information Session

Attend an Information Session

Saturday, July 11: 9 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Time	Event	Description
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Student Services Panel	SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Alexander Enyedi will welcome you to SUNY Plattsburgh and your college experience. Then you will learn information about supportive services and opportunities available to you at SUNY Plattsburgh. Topics will include: campus safety; student support; diversity, equity and inclusion; and getting involved.
10:00 a.m.	Your Guide to Meal Plans, Textbooks, Cardinal Cash & More	College Auxiliary Services staff will describe their services including meal plan options, the College Bookstore and Cardinal Cash.
10:45 a.m.	COVID-19 Preparation and Response	The Office of Emergency Management will discuss SUNY Plattsburgh’s plans regarding COVID-19 for the upcoming academic year.
11:30 a.m.	Financial Aid & Payment Information	Financial Aid staff will guide you through what you need to know about billing, loans, scholarships, and more.
12:15 pm	Campus Housing & Community Living	Learn more about what you should know about living on campus at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Thursday, July 16: 6 – 9:45 p.m.

Time	Event	Description
6:00 p.m.	Welcome and Student Services Panel	SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Alexander Enyedi will welcome you to SUNY Plattsburgh and your college experience. Then you will learn information about supportive services and opportunities available to you at SUNY Plattsburgh. Topics will include: campus safety; student support; diversity, equity and inclusion; and getting involved.
7:00 p.m.	Your Guide to Meal Plans, Textbooks, Cardinal Cash & More	College Auxiliary Services staff will describe their services including meal plan options, the College Bookstore and Cardinal Cash.
7:45 p.m.	COVID-19 Preparation and Response	The Office of Emergency Management will discuss SUNY Plattsburgh’s plans regarding COVID-19 for the upcoming academic year.
8:30 p.m.	Financial Aid & Payment Information	Financial Aid staff will guide you through what you need to know about billing, loans, scholarships, and more.
9:15 p.m.	Campus Housing & Community Living	Learn more about what you should know about living on campus at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Tuesday, July 21: 1 – 4:45 p.m.

Time	Event	Description
1:00 p.m.	Welcome and Student Services Panel	SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Alexander Enyedi will welcome you to SUNY Plattsburgh and your college experience. Then you will learn information about supportive services and opportunities available to you at SUNY Plattsburgh. Topics will include: campus safety; student support; diversity, equity and inclusion; and getting involved.
2:00 p.m.	Your Guide to Meal Plans, Textbooks, Cardinal Cash & More	College Auxiliary Services staff will describe their services including meal plan options, the College Bookstore and Cardinal Cash.
2:45 p.m.	COVID-19 Preparation and Response	The Office of Emergency Management will discuss SUNY Plattsburgh’s plans regarding COVID-19 for the upcoming academic year.
3:30 p.m.	Financial Aid & Payment Information	Financial Aid staff will guide you through what you need to know about billing, loans, scholarships, and more.
4:15 p.m.	Campus Housing & Community Living	Learn more about what you should know about living on campus at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Questions?

Please email [email protected] with any questions you may have.

If you are an international student (studying in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa like the F-1), and have additional questions then please email [email protected] for assistance.

If you are an EOP student and have additional questions then please email: [email protected] or call the EOP Office at 518-564-2263 for further clarification.