New Student Orientation
Congratulations and Welcome to Roger Williams University!
We are looking forward to your arrival to Roger Williams University! Whether you are a first-year student or a transfer student, our Orientation Sessions are designed to help you learn about RWU, meet other students and navigate your success for the start of the Fall 2026 Semester.
- First-Year Students
- Transfer Students
- First Year or Transfer Students living out-of-region (outside of New England, New York and New Jersey) or traveling from outside the United States
- International Students
Please note: Transfer students who have less than 24 credits transferring into RWU will need to attend the First-Year Students Orientation and should visit that page. Questions regarding Transfer Students and their Orientation session, can speak with Carol Sacchetti, Assistant Dean of Students at 401-254-3385 or email orientation@rwu.edu.
Please use left-hand navigation to find all orientation options.
Orientation Resources
The Orientation Program would like to share campus resources to assist as you prepare to join our community.
- 2025 New Student Orientation Guide
- New Student Health Services Guidelines
- Media Tech Computer Hardware Recommendations
- Commuters Parking Pass Information
The following information will assist our Resident Student Community
The Orientation Staff is excited to welcome you to the Roger Williams University community. If you have questions and need assistance please contact our office at orientation@rwu.edu or (401) 254-3088
The New Student and Family Orientation Program has created this resource page to family members support their student’s transition to Roger Williams University. We hope that these resources prepares you for conversations that you will have with your student during this summer. The Orientation Program would like to share campus resources to assist as you prepare to join our community.
- 2025 RWU Family Guide
- Health Insurance Information
- Submitting RWU Health Forms Portal
- Media Tech Computer Hardware Recommendation
- Commuters Parking Pass Information
- Academic Supplies and How to Order Books
The following information will assist our Resident Student Community
The Orientation Staff is excited to welcome you to the Roger Williams University community. If you have questions and need assistance please contact our office at orientation@rwu.edu or (401) 254-3088
Academic Supplies
The following is a list of recommended academic supplies for students of all majors.
- Backpack/bag to carry books & supplies
- Computer & accessories
- Remember, you can download Microsoft Office for FREE! Also, remember that printing is free in the Main University Library, 1st floor.
- Phone charger
- Calendar/day planner (print or electronic or both- your preference)
- White board for your room or desk calendar for outlining assignment due dates
- Notebooks
- Folders
- 2-inch Binder with filler paper
- Writing Utensils (pens, pencils, pencil sharpener)
- White out
- Highlighters
- Scissors
- Stapler & Staples
- Scotch Tape
- Paper clips
- Index Cards
- Sticky Notes (various sizes)
- Calculator (if taking quantitative courses). Students may need scientific or specialized depending on major. Students in SECCM should have a scientific calculator, TI-82 or better.
Books & other materials required by class
The faculty teaching your classes will let you know what is required/recommended on your syllabus. Architecture students have been notified of the materials they will need through a list provided at orientation.
It is a personal preference on whether you would like to order your books and other materials before classes start or wait to see what the faculty member suggest when classes start. See below for a few ways you will be able to find your required course materials.
RWU Bookstore
- Go to the RWU Bookstore website
- Click on the Course Materials & Textbooks drop down tab
- Click on Find Course Materials
- You can select either Sign In or Search Now.
- If you select Sign In, login with the RWU credentials (example: Jsmith1234@g.rwu.edu, password is the same as your Roger Central). After signing in, you will be able to view a list specialized for your registered fall classes.
- If you select Search Now, you will complete the information requested and select Retrieve Material . Example Term: Fall 2022 > Department: CORE (or whatever subject you are searching for) > Course #: 105 > Section: 03
You can also find information about your books in RWU Bridges:
- At the very bottom of RWU website, click on “Bridges.”
- Log in to your Bridges account.
- You will see your courses in the top blue band. If an instructor has not published their course yet, you will not see the course. Some instructors might not publish their courses until shortly before classes start.
- If you can see the course, click on the name of the course.
- On the left side of the course page, you will see a list of tabs. Click on the “Books and Supplies” tab and/or the “Syllabus” tab. Because instructors are able to customize the list of tabs, some instructors might remove some tabs.
- If the instructor has posted a book and materials list and/or a syllabus, you will find that list in
either place (on the “Books and Supplies” page or within the Syllabus document).
Questions about New Student & Family Orientation?
Please email our staff at orientation@rwu.edu or call our office at 401-254-3385