Freshman Information

YOU’VE DONE IT!!
YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY!!
New Student Orientation is here to start you on your journey . . . See How Success Unfolds!!

Freshman Orientation Dates

Who should attend Cost of orientation What to bring Overnight accommodations Check in and parking Academic advising and class registration TSI/THEA compliance Medical Release Form for students 17 or younger

Who should attend Freshman Orientation?
All incoming SHSU students who have or will graduate during the 2007-2008 academic year are REQUIRED to attend Freshman Orientation, regardless of the number of college credit hours they have earned. Parents and/or family members are encouraged to attend with students and participate in our Parent/Family Orientation program. This highly informative program will enable parents and family members to become a resource to their students thus contributing to their student’s success.

Each session is limited to 280 students to insure that you will get the attention you deserve. These spaces fill quickly and are taken on a first come, first served basis. DON’T DELAY! Please note that due to the personalization of materials for orientation, all students MUST reserve their space and pay for orientation by the posted registration deadline. Reservations will not be accepted without payment.

What does Orientation cost?
The cost for Freshman Orientation is $115 per student. This fee covers lodging in Raven Village residence hall, dinner Thursday, breakfast Friday, and all orientation materials. The cost for Parent/Family Orientation is $50 per person. This fee covers all orientation materials, dinner Thursday, and breakfast Friday. This fee does not cover the cost of lodging as families will need to secure their own Thursday night accommodations.

What to bring to Orientation
Students attending Orientation MUST bring the following items with them:

Students SHOULD bring the following items:

Overnight Accommodations
Students attending Orientation will be housed in Raven Village. Staying on campus is MANDATORY. All students attending orientation MUST stay at Raven Village. This is regardless of where the student will be living during the school year.

Check in and Parking
Check-in for Orientation is at Raven Village. Students will check-in with the Orientation staff to receive their nametags, orientation folder, and other pertinent information. At this time students will also receive their room keys and have the opportunity to take their belongings to their rooms. Once you have checked-in, you may have time to visit with an academic advisor at the SAM Center, register for classes, take your picture for your student ID card, and visit other campus offices.

If you are taking the ACCUPLACER exam the morning of your orientation, you should check in at Raven Village before you report to the Testing Center in AB IV.

Parking is available at Raven Village. Accessible parking is available throughout campus and the Orientation staff will be happy to provide you with a map of campus parking lots.

Academic Advising and Class Registration
Students who have been admitted to the university and have completed their TSI requirements or shown their exemption status are eligible to register for classes before or at orientation. Students must first visit an academic advisor in the SAM Center for selection of fall semester classes. Once the student has been advised, they may log on to any computer with Internet access to register for classes. Students who register for classes in the computer lab across from the SAM Center will have Orientation Leaders available to assist them with class registration. When registration is complete, students may print a fee statement for their tuition and fees.

TSI/THEA Compliance
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state mandated placement program. Students must take either the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) or a state approved alternative to determine whether or not they are ready for college credit course work. Some students will be exempt based on either SAT, ACT, or TAKS scores. We strongly encourage all students to check their status through the Registrar’s Office (936-294-4280) before they come to Orientation and, if needed, take one of the TSI approved tests then have their scores sent to the Registrar’s Office to ensure they will be able to register for classes while they are here. Students required to take one of the TSI approved tests may take either the THEA, THEA-QT, ACCUPLACER, ASSET, or COMPASS. The Testing Center at SHSU offers the THEA, THEA-QT, and ACCUPLACER for students who need one of these tests. For information about our test schedules, fees, registration, and appointments please contact the Testing Center (936-294-1025).