Orientation

Helpful Hints for Incoming Students

This page is designed to help all students – but especially Freshmen who are new to the university system and transfer students who are new to WCSU and/or the Danbury area – to get acclimated to life at WCSU.  Just look around the site and make use of the information made available to you here.  If you can’t find what you are looking for, please ask.


First Things First

Danbury, ConnecticutDownload the FREE MyWCSU App from the app store – it will make accessing information from your phone so much easier.

Become familiar with the Student Handbook and check out the various sections on how to get connected on campus, Downtown Danbury, and things to do in the area.

Best of Danbury


How To Get Involved

There are many things for you to do at WCSU besides go to classes and study.  As a matter of fact, we recommend that you get involved. If you are not a member of the athletics teams, become a member of a recreation or clubs sport team to keep you physically fit. Or join the Adventure Club. If you don’t like to run around yourself, become an active supporter, a SuperFan, and attend WCSU Games.  Join a student organization to make friends and to get involved on campus and in the community.  These kinds of activities always look good on your resume – and they are fun in the process. You could even win an award at the Student Leadership Recognition Banquet. WCSU offers many other events that are worth attending: concerts and recitals, theater productions, musicals, and opera to name just a few. Check out the weekly Events Calendar on the main website, look for announcements in WestConnduit, or pay attention to the many flyers posted around campus, on the shuttle, or the tv screens to keep you up to date.

Wolves Athletics  – are you an athlete or an avid fan? The Athletics has all your information regarding teams, schedules, rosters, and requirements.

Gab & GROW Podcast flyerCommuter Student Webpage – Find out how you can get involved if you’re not living on campus. Join the commuter student organization or any other club, participate in events and community service!

Gab & GROW: New to campus? Hear from several of our own student leaders as they talk about what you can do to make your experience great from the very start to the very end! Gab & GROW is a series of podcasts led by Maribeth Griffin of Housing & Residence Life. Listen to the Advice for New Students and check out the rest of the WCSU podcasts from last year as well.

Recreation, Intramurals, and Club Sports

Student Clubs and Organizations

And remember: you can always attend events open to the public even if you have not been accepted yet or gone to orientation.  Theatre plays, opera performances, sporting events, lectures, and even many student organization events are open to the public and can be attended by anyone.  Just look for the announcements in the events calendar on the homepage and start getting involved and connected to WCSU now!


Other Services Available

There are a number of services available for students on campus.  We recommend that you familiarize yourself with WCSU’s main webpage.  Use the SEARCH bar to look for anything you want to know.  It’s all there, you just have to find it.  Here are some of the main links you should be aware of:

Ancell Commons
The Ancell Commons, located within the Robert S. Young Library, offers FREE tutoring, tutor-led study groups, Ancell Mentor events, online resources, and the only place you can reserve a small meeting room for your group on the Westside campus. Started in Fall 2018: TransferMation, our new transfer student program designed to provide Ancell transfer students a great start at WCSU, with the information and connections they need.

Campus Life
See many links related to Campus Life in one view.

Cashier’s Office
Find information regarding your bill, insurance waivers, and payment plans.

Financial Aid and Student Employment
All the information regarding Financial Aid as well as jobs on campus can be found at this website.

Housing and Residence LifeWestern Connecticut State University Campus
There may still be time to sign up for Housing.  Check out the website and find out what it means to be living on campus.  Look at the FAQs for any questions you may have.

Parking
Students are not required to have a parking decal. They can park in areas that are not designated for visitors or faculty and staff.

Quick Reference Guide
Student Resources and Opportunities at WCSU: Use this Quick Reference Guide to locate academic support, take care of university basics, improve your campus life, focus on your health and well-being, or find advancement and leadership opportunities on campus. Click the image or use the QR code to download and use the live links!

Registrar’s Office
Find information regarding registration and other information regarding your classes.

Sodexo Dining Services
Find out about meal plans and opening hours for our many dining facilities.

Student AffairsWestern Connecticut State University Orientation
Contains links to various Student Affairs departments as well as, WCSU Day of Service, the Student Leadership Recognition Banquet, information for commuter students, etc.

Tutoring Resource Center
Stop by this center for FREE tutoring help in any subject, the Math clinic, and the Writing Center.  This is the place for students who want to be successful and aren’t too proud to ask for help.

WestConnect Office
This is the office where you receive your ID Card and security PIN once you are registered.  You can also get information on meal plans, Connect Cash and Grub Hub.