When is the next orientation session?

* If you are an education major, please note the following: Elementary education majors are encouraged to attend orientation on the day reserved for the School of Professional Studies. Secondary education majors are encouraged to attend orientation on the day reserved for their chosen major other than education. Most often, that would be the School of Arts & Sciences.
** Exploratory Studies - Nursing majors (Nursing only) should attend on June 8th instead of June 10th.

Time:
Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m.
O'Neill Center (Westside) on 6/7, on the Quad or the Midtown Student Center in case
of rain on 6/8 - 6-10

View full schedule

Location:
Students of the Ancell School of Business will meet at the Westside campus on Monday June 7^th. 
All other academic schools meet at the Midtown campus, Tuesday through Thursday, June 8^th-10^th.

If you are not sure which academic school you belong to, please see our list of majors.

PARKING
Westside campus:
Monday, June 7^th               surface lots on the Westside campus

Midtown campus:
Tuesday, June 8th             5th Avenue Commuter Parking Garage
Wednesday, June 9th        5th Avenue Commuter Parking Garage
Thursday, June 10th          5th Avenue Commuter Parking Garage    
     (Tu-Th parking is also available in the White Street Parking
      Garage but we recommend that you park in the 5th Avenue garage).

What is required prior to attending orientation?

Prior to attending orientation, you must have the following:

1. Pay your $200.00 admission deposit (This is the most important step to receive your pre-orientation information)
2. Take all your required placement exams (placement exam schedule)
3. Submit your immunization records
4. RSVP online or over the phone (203-837-9700)

Click to view gallery

What can I expect to do during orientation?

We have a comprehensive schedule of events to keep you busy

1. To meet fellow freshmen and upper classmen as well as faculty and staff and be introduced to WestConn
2. To be welcomed to WestConn by the President, Academic Dean and Faculty
3. To complete most of the processes needed to get you ready for the start of the semester (i.e., parking decal, ID card, computer passwords, etc.)
4. To meet fellow parents and have the opportunity to learn about how you can help your son or daughter to be successful at WestConn

What about my parents?

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend Orientation with their son/daughter.

Lunch with the dean and faculty is free for all incoming WestConn students and two guests (parents, guardians, spouses, etc.)  Each additional guest will be asked to contribute $10. 
Tickets should be purchased at the Parent Table during check-in.

At June Orientation WestConn offers a number of programs specifically designed for students only and parents only while others are designed to be attended together.  [more ...]

Welcome Week is geared mostly towards students to make them feel welcome and comfortable with their new surroundings.  However, parents are welcome to attend the "Entering of the Gates" ceremony as well as the Opening ceremony and may
attend the dinner that evening (there will be a cost for family members).  Special parent workshops will also be offered.  Please check back for the Welcome Week schedule as the date approaches.  [less ...]

If you want to find out how to avoid becoming a "Helicopter Parent" and find some other useful information for parents, please go to http://www.ecampustours.com/forparents/campuslife/helicopterparents.htm.

For more information please go to our WestConn Parents Club webpage.

When will I find out more about Welcome Week?

We keep our orientation web pages up year round so depending on the time you visit the Welcome Week web page you'll see either last year's information or this year's information.  As we transition from June orientation to Welcome Week, the information will be updated.  You should also check your email regularly and look for information.

For now, find out about our Great Hollow Wilderness Adventure Orientation planned for Saturday, September 11, 2010, providing incoming Freshmen with a new way to bond and form lasting friendships spanning across all majors and academic schools.  Click here for the flyer.

Great Hollow Wilderness Orientation Sign-up Sheet

Photo taken and made available by WestConn student Allison Stumpf. This photo pictures actual WestConn Freshmen at Great Hollow Wilderness Orientation in 2009.

Many students have questions regarding orientation and how to prepare for their first week at WestConn. Please select an appropriate FAQ below to find out more.

• General FAQs
• Technology FAQs  

There are many services available at WestConn that help you be the best student and best person you can be. Check out the links below for more information.

• Helpful Hints for New Students
• Commuter Student Information
• Peer to Peer Online Mentoring
• The Tutoring Resource Center
• COMPASS - Student Handbook 2010-11
• International Program Opportunities
• Advice on Room Mates

What is there to do?

WestConn is located in Danbury, CT, a vibrant and culturally diverse city in south western Connecticut. Danbury offers a wide variety of cuisine, entertainment and business offerings. For more information on what there is to do in Danbury, please visit the following websites:

• Best of Danbury: Things to do
• Local Business/Food Map
• Danbury Community Network
• City Center Danbury
• Fairfield County Online
• Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance

Where is there to stay?

There are a number of hotels that are only about 10-15 minutes away from our Midtown and Westside campuses.

Midtown campus:

• Holiday Inn
• La Quinta
• Quality Inn
• Courtyard by Marriot
• Best Western Berkshire Inn

Westside campus:

• Maron Hotel and Suites
• Residence Inn by Marriot
• Danbury Plaza
• Ethan Allen
• Spring Hill Suites