First-Year Student Orientation

First-Year Orientation

Orientation is a one-day experience in which you will:

• Meet faculty advisors from your academic department.
• Learn about courses, your major and other requirements necessary to graduate from Framingham State.
• Register for classes.
• Have your student ID picture taken.
• Create connections with student leaders and other new students.
• Learn about campus life and available support resources for students.
• Become familiar with the Framingham State University campus.

• Orientation is MANDATORY for all Day Division students entering Framingham State University.

  There is no separate fee for Orientation.

Orientation Dates by Major:

Wednesday, June 12 | College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Food & Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Mathematics, Physics and Earth Science, Pre-Engineering

Thursday, June 13 | College of Education & College of Arts and Humanities

Majors: Child & Family Studies, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education

Studio Art, Art History, Music, Communication Arts, English, Fashion Design & Retailing, History, World Languages, Spanish, American Sign Language, Liberal Studies

Friday, June 14 | College of Business

Majors: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, International Business, Business & Information Technology, Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism Management

Monday, June 17 | College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Majors: Geography, Environmental Science and Policy, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Political Science, Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Global Studies

Tuesday, June 18 | Undeclared Majors

Thursday, June 20 | Make-Up Day One, All Majors

Wednesday, August 14 | Make-Up Day Two, All Majors

Prior to your Arrival On Campus:

• There is no fee for student orientation.

• We offer a Family/Guest Orientation program for anyone who will be supporting you through your college experience. While your orientation is free, there is a $45 charge per participant for Family/Guest Orientation. More information about Family/Guest Orientation will be sent via mail or can be found under the Family/Guest Orientation tab below, right above the RSVP buttons.

• Individuals who require accommodations including accompaniment by a Personal Care Assistant, sign language interpreter, assistance with communications, or assistance for reduced or restricted mobility must notify our office of those needs in advance on the RSVP form or via email at orientation@framingham.edu.
  
  
• For directions to campus and more information about parking, please click here.
  
  
• If you would like to, feel free to bring a fully charged laptop/tablet. Don’t worry if you don’t have one yet! We have will have computers available.

• Our orientation program is organized by Academic College so that you can meet your faculty and other students in your major. It is important that when you RSVP, you select the date that corresponds to your major. If you would like to change your major, please email Admissions at admissions@framingham.edu and RSVP for the orientation date for your new major. We offer two make-up orientation dates for students who are unable to attend the orientation for their major.  Until we get notice from the Office of Admissions that your major has changed, we will plan for you according to the major you indicated on your application. 

• Entering students should have completed placement testing prior to Orientation. You will receive detailed information regarding placement testing in a letter that will be sent in the mail. If you have not completed placement testing, and do not have a scheduled time to do so, please contact the Placement Testing Coordinator at (508) 626-4905 or sign up online.  You will still be able to attend orientation and register for courses, but you may need to update your schedule once you take the tests.  Therefore, we encourage all students to test prior to their June orientation session.
  
  
• Download our mobile app, FSUgo, to access a virtual campus map and other useful information about FSU. On the day of orientation, you will be able to access the day’s schedule using this app!
• FSU is located just a quick two-mile Uber ride from the Framingham Commuter Rail Station on the MBTA’s Framingham/Worcester Line. You can find a complete schedule for the train at www.mbta.com. The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority also offers service from the train with their Route #7 and throughout the region with routes extending to Marlborough and Northborough, Milford, MassBay Community College, and the Woodland MBTA Station (Green Line - D) in Newton, as well as all along Rt. 9. Further details can be found at www.mwrta.com.

Black & Gold Orientation Food Drive!

FSU supports students who are facing temporary or chronic homelessness and/or difficulty affording food. Support your fellow RAMS by bringing canned food and other non-perishables to orientation! All items will be donated to FSU's Rams Resource Center (RRC) which provides non-perishable food items, toiletries, and resource referral for FSU students, faculty, and staff. All students who bring donations will be entered into a raffle to win awesome prizes!

Once you Arrive On Campus: 

• You will be able to park in the Maynard Lot or Salem End Lot. (Please click here for an interactive map of campus). Accessible parking is located behind the McCarthy Center. Keep an eye out for the Black and Gold Orientation Leaders outside directing traffic.
  
  
• Check-in starts at 8:00 in the lobby of the McCarthy Center on State Street. Members of the Black & Gold Orientation team will be available to offer directions and assistance as you arrive on campus.
  
  
• The orientation day will end around 5:45 p.m. followed by dinner. You must participate in the entire program. You must notify the Office of New Student and Family Programs if you have a reason to arrive late or depart early at orientation@framingham.edu.
  
  
• Light refreshments will be available until 9 a.m., and lunch and dinner will be served in our dining facilities, which offer many options to accommodate for dietary restrictions and preferences. Please inform us if you have any food allergies when you submit your RSVP.
  
  

Why should you attend Family and Guest Orientation?

• Learn how to assist with your student’s transition to college.
• Learn how to support your student while they build their personal independence.
• Ask questions about the university.
• Familiarize yourself with Framingham State.
• Learn about the policies and procedures that are in place.
• Meet many of the people who will be working with the students.
• Learn how you can help your student feel that they belong at FSU.
• Get helpful first day move-in tips.
• Be welcomed into the Framily!

What happens at Family/Guest Orientation?

In addition to being introduced to the all-important aspects of life at FSU, there will also be introductions to various people and offices, including:

Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA)
Members of the Faculty
Health Center
Residence Life
University Police
New Student and Family Programs
Dining Services
Financial Aid/Student Accounts
Student Involvement and Leadership Development (SILD)

Family/Guest Orientation Information 

• Please note that Family/Guest Orientation is only offered in June.
• Check-in starts at 8:00 a.m. and the orientation day will end at 5:50 p.m. with a dinner to follow.
• You will be able to park in the Maynard Lot or Salem End Lot. (Please click here for an interactive map of campus). Accessible parking is located behind the McCarthy Center. Keep an eye out for the Black and Gold Orientation Leaders outside directing traffic.
• Signs will direct you to the designated check-in location.
• Light breakfast will be available. Lunch will be served in our dining facilities which offer many options to accommodate for dietary restrictions and preferences. Please inform us of any food allergies or restrictions on your RSVP form.
• Your students have their own separate orientation experience and will be reunited with their student at dinner. During this orientation, families and guests will learn how to support their students’ transition to FSU!
• There is a $45.00 (non-refundable) per participant fee to cover the cost of food and supplies for the program. Please make all checks payable to Framingham State University . There is no separate cost for your student to attend Orientation.
• Individuals who require accommodations including accompaniment by a Personal Care Assistant, sign language interpreter, assistance with communications, or assistance for reduced or restricted mobility must notify our office of those needs in advance when they RSVP or via email at orientation@framingham.edu.
• If you are unable to RSVP in advance, we still encourage you to come to orientation. An accurate RSVP helps us to plan for your arrival, but we will be prepared for the families of  all first-year students who have deposited with the institution. 
• Please RSVP below! When you click the button below, you'll see that next to the selection for Family/Guest Orientation the description of the dates only indicates June 12. However, you will be able to select the date for family members and guests to attend once you access the registration site.  To register, click "Register Now".  Select "Create New Account". You'll create a new account with your own information. The "number of additional attendees" is the total number of family members/guests attending, and your total cost will reflect this number. Please call 508-626-4596 for questions or assistance with your RSVP.
• Click here for more information just for Parents & Families!