August Orientation & International Students

Is Orientation Required for New Students? Yes. Attendance at the New Student Orientation program is Mandatory for all first-year freshman and transfer students. The program is designed to ease the transition to the Roger Williams community. During Orientation, students will learn about vital campus resources as well as the opportunities available to them that supplement and enhance your educational and co-curricular experience. Students will also be registering for their classes. Orientation is the first step you take as a Roger Williams student, and if you do not attend you may set yourself back in the process of becoming a Hawk! 

When do I find the Orientation schedule?  Students and families will be sent the program schedule for the Orientation program 1 week prior to their session. There is time built into our Orientation schedule for our Residential students to move into their residence hall assignments.

Is Orientation Required for Family Members? We do not require Family Members to attend Orientation, but the staff highly encourages family members to attend. Due to the large amounts of information shared at all the available sessions, younger family members may not be as interested but are still welcome to join. 

Do Resident Students move in during August Orientation; do we move into our Residence Halls?  Resident students will move into their permanent housing assignments prior to August Orientation.  Students will receive their room assignments via the Housing Office and the Orientation program will work with the Housing staff to have you move into your Fall Assignments.

Do I stay overnight if I am a commuter student? During our August Program, our commuter students do not stay overnight, but they will be required to report to campus on both days of Orientation.   There are no overnight accommodations for Commuter students during this Orientation.

Do we provide housing for families during Orientation? Overnight accommodations are not provided for family members; family https://www.rwu.edu/accommodations-0members interested in booking overnight accommodations can visit our webpage for area hotels 

Will I be registering for classes at orientation? Students attending the August Orientation session will be receiving information from the RWU about the process.

If I am deferring until the spring, should I still attend orientation over the summer? Students who decide to defer their admission should attend our January orientation session that is best suited for the spring semester. 

Who do I contact if I need special accommodations? We are more than happy to accommodate students if need be. To make these arrangements, contact our orientation department via email at orientation@rwu.edu.