Why are new students (freshmen and transfer) required to attend an orientation program before they can register for classes?
Nationally and at Washington State University, students who attend an orientation program are retained at higher rates than students who don’t attend. Requiring all new students to attend an orientation program provides Washington State University the opportunity to share with students and their parents/guests the University’s mission, goals, values, and academic expectations; discuss academic policies, procedures and programs; review costs, in terms of both dollars and personal commitment, and expose them to valuable resources and campus-support services aimed at student success, retention and graduation.

Ultimately, orientation/registration programs such as Alive! create an atmosphere that minimizes anxiety, promotes student action and responsibility, and prepares students to hit the ground running during their first days, weeks, and months.

Do students need to confirm their admission and pay their advanced tuition deposit before attending the program?
Yes. In order to register for and attend Fall Orientation, students need to confirm their enrollment for fall semester by paying their advanced tuition deposit of $200. If that poses a financial hardship, students should contact the Office of Admissions directly, toll free at 1-888-468-6978 and ask about deferring this payment until the beginning of the semester.

When do classes begin fall semester?
Classes begin Monday, August 24, 2009.

When is tuition due?
Tuition is due on the first day of class, Monday, August 24, 2009, and will automatically be billed to your student account.

When should students plan to move to Pullman for fall semester 2009?
Students attending Fall Orientation should plan to move to Pullman on Sunday August 16th. The Residence halls will open on Sunday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m.  All other students should plan to return in time to participate in the Week of Welcome activities which begin on Wednesday, August 19th.  Students participating in fraternity or sorority recruitment should refer to their recruitment schedules for move-in dates.

When will I find out which residence hall I've been assigned?
Residence hall and room assignments are available to students beginning in mid-June through the WSU portal. Students can view this information by accessing their myWSU account at my.wsu.edu.

What if I cannot afford to attend?
The Office of New Student Programs has limited funding available for those who demonstrate financial need. If you have a financial aid award that covers more than tuition and fees, the matriculation fee for Fall Orientation can be paid using your financial aid. Please use the downloadable (pdf) form and indicate that you would like to use financial aid to pay for your orientation matriculation fee. You will need to sign a consent form upon check in at Fall Orientation. Please contact our office at 509-335-4242 for more information.

Do I have to take the placement exams?
As an undergraduate student at Washington State University, you must pass an approved mathematics course and an approved English composition course in order to graduate. The exams are designed to help you fulfill these requirements by placing you in the courses that best match your skills. With some exceptions, all entering students are required to take the mathematics placement exam.

All entering students who have not received equivalent credit for English 101 must take the writing placement exam. The exams are administered during all freshmen sessions of summer Alive! Visit the placement exams page to find out whether you should take the placement exams and to learn more about the exams and how to prepare for them.

H1N1 Influenza Prevention and Response

We are asking that participants in Washington State University’s Fall Orientation program to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu and to be prepared to respond, if H1N1 flu occurs at or near WSU.

New Students, parents and guests attending the Fall Orientation program should adhere to the US Centers for Disease Control methods to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu.

1. Avoid close contact.
   • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
   • If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
   • Persons who are at high risk for complications of H1N1 influenza, (including those with chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years of age, person 65 and older, and pregnant women) should strongly consider not attending the program
     
2. Stay home when you are sick.
   •  If you are sick, you should stay home and away from large gatherings. This will help prevent others from catching the flu. 
   •  Persons with an influenza-like illness should limit their contact with others as much as possible for 7 days after symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours (whichever is longer). This will mean staying at home or in the residence hall room or motel room, if the person is away from home.
     
3. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
   • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
   • If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
   • Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
     
4. Clean your hands.
   • Wash your hands with soap and water.
   • Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
   • To learn more, view a brief video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wju7F5ytk6M.
     
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
   • Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
     
6. Practice other good health habits.
   • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

What if a participant gets ill with the H1N1 Flu while at WSU?

• Program organizers will be monitoring the health of participants while they are here. Should any participants develop an influenza-like illness, steps will be taken to minimize the spread of illness by limiting their contact with others.
  
• If the ill participants can travel, we will ask them to return home where they can recover and/or receive medical treatment. Program organizers will direct students demonstrating influenza-like symptoms to local health care resources in Pullman:

Health and Wellness Services
Washington State University
Washington Building
Pullman, WA 99164-2302
509-335-3575

 

Pullman Ready Care
825 SE Bishop Blvd. Suite 200
Pullman, WA 99163
509-332-8847

 

Pullman Regional Hospital
835 SE Bishop Blvd.
Pullman, WA 99163
509-332-2541
Emergency Department: 509-336-7369

If H1N1 flu should occur at or near Washington State University-Pullman during the Fall Orientation program, University officials will work with Federal, State, and Local Health Authorities and Departments to determine if activities at WSU will be curtailed or restricted.

Washington State University is posting the status of H1N1 at WSU campuses on its WSU Alert website: http://alert.wsu.edu/Page.aspx?NewsItem=524

Fall Orientation program staff will also attempt to contact you at the phone numbers and email addresses that you have provided on your reservation. Please monitor the website and please be prepared to answer your phone or email if a H1N1 outbreak should occur during the orientation program at WSU.

Thank you for working together with us to help prevent an H1N1 outbreak at WSU and if necessary to respond in a safe and efficient manner.