New Student Orientation - Fall | Newly Admitted Students

New Student Orientation — Fall

Your adventure begins at New Student Orientation! Orientation brings together students, staff and campus resources to get you ready for your first semester at UAF. Through a variety of activities and sessions — move-in day, Orientation Kickoff, movie night, mud volleyball — you’ll learn about campus life and connect with your new community.

Orientation is required for all new students taking in-person classes in Fairbanks.

Online Orientation

You're required to complete Online Orientation before starting your classes at UAF. This self-paced online program takes about an hour to finish, and can be completed whenever it’s convenient for you. Attending New Student Orientation does not replace Online Orientation — both orientations work together to prepare you for college!

New Student Orientation Schedule

8—10 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Breakfast Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab breakfast on the go during move-in. Light breakfast, snacks, coffee, tea provided.
8 a.m.—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Residence Hall Move-In Location: Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex Your one-stop shop to grab your room key, pick up your Polar Express card, and move into the residence halls.
8 a.m.—3 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Information Station Location: Hess Recreation Center If you’re lost or have a question, stop by the information station for help.
11 a.m.—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Student Success Center Drop-in Time Location: Student Success Center, 6th Floor of the Library Have anything you might need to get done before orientation really gets going? Stop by the Student Success Center on the sixth floor of the library to take care of any checklist items you might need to accomplish. Meet with Advising, Financial Aid, Transfer Student Services, and more!
11 a.m.—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Orientation Check-In Location: Wood Center, Wood Center Mall Head down to the Wood Center Mall to get checked in for orientation! You'll receive your UAF merch, to-do checklist, and name tag.
11 a.m.—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Campus Tours Location: Wood Center, Wood Center Mall Campus tours will be leaving from the Wood Center every 30 minutes. This is a great way to see campus if you're unfamiliar, and meet some of your fellow new students!
12—2 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Ice Cream Thursday Location: Outside Arctic Java Stop by the Ice Cream Thursday tent outside of Arctic Java to get some ice cream with lunch and enjoy one of UAF’s summer standout events!
12—1:40 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Lunch Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab a bite to eat with your Orientation group. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
2—4 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Military/Veteran Student Drop-In Advising Location: Rasmussen Library 404 Are you a military or veteran student planning to use your GI Bill benefits at UAF? Drop by the DMVS Office to learn about benefits and other important information!
3—3:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Earning While Learning Location: Wood Center Ballroom Student jobs offer income, career skills, networking, real-world experience, and flexible hours that fit around class schedules. Attend this session to discover on-campus job opportunities, learn how to apply, and see how Career Services can support your success. (Offered twice-choose either the 3:00 PM or 4:30 PM session.)
4:30—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Earning While Learning Location: Wood Center Ballroom Student jobs offer income, career skills, networking, real-world experience, and flexible hours that fit around class schedules. Attend this session to discover on-campus job opportunities, learn how to apply, and see how Career Services can support your success. (Offered twice-choose either the 3:00 PM or 4:30 PM session.)
5:30—7:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Dinner: Celebration of �ֻ�ֱ�� Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Dinner features food grown and harvested from �ֻ�ֱ��.
8:30—11 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Battle of the Brains Trivia Location: Wood Center Ballroom Test your knowledge and compete in multiple rounds of trivia covering a variety of topics! Prizes will be awarded to the top-scoring teams and the most creative team names. Bring your friends, meet new people and get ready for a fun night of friendly competition. Plus, you can learn about what other fun events we’ll have throughout the weekend!

8:30—10:15 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Student Success Fair Location: Wood Center, Wood Center Mall Meet the offices and programs at UAF that will help you achieve your academic and personal goals.
8:30—10:15 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Orientation Check-In Location: Wood Center, Wood Center Mall Stop by the Orientation Check-In table to receive your nametag, bag and free t-shirt. Students and guests will both check in at this location.
8:30—10 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Breakfast Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Fuel up for the day at Dine 49. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Orientation Kickoff Location: Davis Concert Hall Start your UAF journey at Orientation Kickoff, where you'll hear from university leadership, be welcomed by your academic college, and connect with your orientation group. This is your first step into campus life—don’t miss it!
12:30—1:45 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Lunch Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab a bite to eat with your Orientation group. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
1:45—2:45 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Group Time Location: Various Locations Get to know your fellow Nanooks in your Orientation Group. Groups will meet across campus, so stick with your Orientation to know where to go.
2:45—4:15 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Safety and Support Location: Davis Concert Hall Join us for an in-person Title IX training session during Orientation to learn about your rights, responsibilities, and resources related to gender-based discrimination and harassment. This session fulfills the university’s Title IX training requirement, exempting attendees from the mandatory online training.
4:15—6 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Academics 101 Location: Davis Concert Hall Learn what it takes to succeed in the classroom, and explore the programs, offices, and services that will support your studies.
6—8 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Welcome Barbecue Location: Constitution Park Join us for our welcome barbecue, hosted by the Honors College!
8—9:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Residence Hall Opening Meetings Location: Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex Start connecting with your hallmates and learn how you'll help build a positive and supportive living environment. Your resident assistant will let you know where your floor will meet.
9:30—11 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Movie Night Location: Hess Recreation Center Join us for a relaxing movie night in Hess Rec! Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and enjoy a film with friends. Popcorn, candy, and drinks will be provided.

8:30—10 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Breakfast Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Fuel up for the day at Dine 49. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
10—11 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Group Time Location: Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex During group time, you'll have the chance to either explore campus on a guided tour or engage in interactive scenarios that prepare you for real college experiences. It's a great way to learn, explore, and connect with your orientation group.
11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Esports Tournament Location: Wood Center, Esports Center Work with your orientation group to compete against the other groups in Mario Kart and Overcooked.
11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Marshmallow Tower Contest Location: Wood Center, Arctic Java Work with your orientation group to build the tallest marshmallow tower you can. Does your group have what it takes to engineer the best tower? The group with the highest tower wins.
11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Capture the Flag Location: Constitution Park Work with your orientation group to defend your flag, and capture the other orientation group’s flags. Whichever group is the last standing with a flag wins.
12:30—2 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Lunch Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab a bite to eat with your Orientation group. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
2—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Honors College Ballaine Lake Trip Location: Ballaine Lake Enjoy an afternoon at Ballaine Lake. Participate in water activities or sit back and relax in the sun with friends. A shuttle from the Wood Center lower bus loop takes you from campus straight to the lake. Must be in the Honors College to attend.
2—4 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Karaoke Location: Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex, Hess Recreation Center Show off your vocal skills or cheer on your friends at Karaoke! Whether you're a seasoned performer or just in it for fun, it's your time to shine.
2—3:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Free Skate Time Location: Patty Center, Ice Arena Check out the Patty Center Ice Arena, and skate around on the rink that the �ֻ�ֱ�� Nanooks practice on!
2:30—4 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		New Student Orientation Green Bikes Ride Location: Wood Center, outside of Arctic Java Join Green Bikes for a relaxed group bike ride around campus and nearby Fairbanks. Meet other riders new to campus, learn about Green Bikes, and discover some of the routes to get around town safely. No bike? No problem! We will have a limited number of bikes available.
3—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		New Student Orientation Volleyball Tournament hosted by SAAC Location: Patty Center Your �ֻ�ֱ�� Nanooks athletics teams are hosting a mini volleyball tournament in the �ֻ�ֱ�� Airlines Gynasium at the UAF Patty Center from 3-5 PM! There will be prizes for the winning team! Concessions will be serving all your game day favorites, along with new food options by Dine 49! Sign up in advance to get placed on a team through this link: You can sign up with a partner as well. Teams will be made up of 6, and games will be played to the first of 15. At 3 PM, you will meet your team, warm up, and then at 3:30, the games will begin! Go Nooks!
5—7 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Dinner Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab a bite to eat at Dine 49. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
7—11 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Field Night Location: Beluga Field & Patty Ice Arena Get ready for an action-packed evening with music, a giant slip 'n slide, broom ball, capture the flag, and more! Bring your friends, wear clothes you don’t mind getting soaked, and enjoy a night full of outdoor fun and excitement.
7:30—8:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Costco Shopping Night Location: Nenana Parking Lot Stop by the Nenana Parking Lot after dinner to catch the shuttle to Costco, where we’ll have the whole building open just for UAF students! Please note: you do need a Costco membership to go, however you can buy them there and split the cost with a roommate or friend! There will also be the following promotions: Special Offer- Sign up and enroll in Auto Renew and get a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for Gold Star Memberships or $40 for Executive Memberships. Refer a Friend- Current member and new member would both receive a $20 Digital Shop Card for a Gold Star Membership signup or $40 for Executive Membership signup. Triple Play Offer- This requires someone to sign up for the Executive Membership, set up Auto Renew, and apply for and be approved for the Costco Citi Visa Card in which they would receive a $65 Digital Shop Card.

8:30—10 a.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Breakfast Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Fuel up for the day at Dine 49. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
10:30 a.m.—12 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Group Time Location: Various Locations During group time, you'll have the chance to either explore campus on a guided tour or engage in interactive scenarios that prepare you for real college experiences. It's a great way to learn, explore, and connect with your orientation group.
12—1:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Lunchtime Barbacue Location: TBD Enjoy a barbecue lunch at the Nenana Parking Lot, and enjoy watching Mud Volleyball while you eat!
12—4 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Mud Volleyball Location: Nenana Parking Lot Soak up the Summer sun and take part in one of our favorite traditions events on campus. We highly encourage you to register in advance with your Orientation Leader. Sponsored by Nanook Rec.
1—5 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Shopping Shuttle Location: Walmart & Fred Meyer Hop on the shopping shuttle to purchase any last-minute essentials before starting classes on Monday. The shuttle will pick up students from both the Wood Center lower bus loop and the Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex.
2—3:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Free Skate Time (COPY) Location: Patty Center, Ice Arena Check out the Patty Center Ice Arena, and skate around on the rink that the �ֻ�ֱ�� Nanooks practice on!
2:30—4 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Campus Trail Walk Location: Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex Explore the outdoors with a guided walk along campus trails, perfect for getting some fresh air and discovering new spots. The route includes a visit to the disc golf course, so feel free to bring a disc if you’d like to play a few holes. The group will leave from outside the Moore, Bartlett, and Skarland Complex.
5—6:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Dinner Location: Wood Center, Dine 49 Grab a bite to eat with your Orientation group, your Orientation Leader will let you know where your group will sit. Make sure you have your PolarExpress card to swipe for your meal.
6:30—8 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Puzzle Race Location: TBD Put you and your orientation group’s brains to the test against other orientation groups in a race to see which group can solve puzzles first.
6:30—8 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		UAF Amazing Race Location: Various Locations Embark on an epic journey across campus with your orientation group to complete challenges and tasks around the university.
8—10:30 p.m. �ֻ�ֱ�� time		Wood Center Late-nighter Location: Wood Center Come on down to the central hub of campus activity and enjoy an evening of activities and giveaways. Hungry? We’ll have a pancake breakfast bar for you to snack on.

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