Orientation for Fall 2012 for all new and transfer students is scheduled for the week of June 11th. 
Each student attends only one day
depending on his or her major.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend.

More information regarding orientation will be sent via mail/email
as we get closer to June. 
Also, this website will be updated on a continuous basis so please keep checking back frequently.

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.

** If you are an exploratory studies major interested in nursing:
      - Exploratory Studies (Nursing) should attend on Tuesday, June 12th
        instead of Thursday, June 14th.

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

Time:
Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. on the Quad (near the Midtown library) or the Midtown Student Center in case of rain

View full schedule

Location:
Midtown campus

PARKING
Midtown campus:
5th Avenue Commuter Parking Garage    
     (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 do 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?

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, Faculty, and Staff
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. Receive your class schedule and have an opportunity
   to make changes, if needed
5. Learn about things to do on campus, such us joining clubs and organizations, programs run by housing, international travel opportunities, etc.
6. As a parent, to learn about how you can help your son or daughter 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 as well as two guests (parents, guardians, spouses, etc.)  Each additional guest will be asked to contribute $8. 
Lunch tickets for additional guests should be purchased at the Student Center Information Desk.

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 in August 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).  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 on Saturday, August 25, providing incoming Freshmen with a new way to bond and form lasting friendships spanning across all majors and academic schools.  The cost is $50 including transportation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and resident students attending this orientation may move into the residence halls early.  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 2011-12
• International Program Opportunities
• Advice on Room Mates
   

Parents have sometimes just as many questions as their students. Please click on the links below for more information.

• WestConn Parents Club Webpage
• Parent Club Membership Form
• Parent Workshops (June)
• Orientation Workshops - Handouts and Links

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
• CityCenter Danbury
• CityCenter Danbury on Youtube
• 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
   

How do I get to WestConn from local airports?

Click here for more information on how to get to WestConn from New York City, Bradley International Airport, or Logan Airport in Boston.