pre-orientation programs
WELCOME NEW ZAGS Gonzaga offers you five optional, fee-based Pre-Orientation Programs that take place before New Student Orientation. Each Pre-Orientation Program focuses on a different aspect of the Zag student experience: holistic education, social justice, promoting diversity, spiritual growth and opening yourself to new adventures. This is a great opportunity to explore your Gonzaga community, make friends, and develop your mind, body, and spirit. Registration opens Tuesday, May 16 until Thursday, June 8, 2017. Students may only participate in one program. Check out what each program has to offer. See you in August!
SAVE THE DATE New Student Orientation Weekend Friday, August 25 – Monday, August 28, 2017
CONTACT US
Gonzaga University, First Year Experience Programs 502 East Boone, Ave, Spokane, WA 99258 (509) 313-5501, firstyearexperience@gonzaga.edu
gonzaga out-of-bounds (goob) SPOKANE GOOB DATES: July
PHONE:
COST:
21 – 23, 2017 $250
EMAIL: outdoors@gonzaga.edu
509-313-4189
WEB: gonzagaoutdoors.gonzaga.edu
Spokane GOOB is an outdoor program limited to 30 students, and takes place July 21 - 23. The weekend is full of outdoor fun and adventure right in Gonzaga’s backyard. Activities include kayaking on the Spokane River, hiking Mineral Ridge, a high-ropes course and other exciting activities. Evenings are spent camping at Lake Coeur d’Alene, making s’mores and spending time with other first year students and upper division student leaders.
MONTANA GOOB DATES: August COST:
$425
20 – 24, 2017
PHONE:
509-313-4189
EMAIL: outdoors@gonzaga.edu WEB: gonzagaoutdoors.gonzaga.edu
Montana GOOB is a program limited to 75 students, and takes place August 20 - 24. You’ll meet at Gonzaga and travel by bus to spend four nights camping on the Clark Fork River in beautiful Western Montana. Each day students break into three groups to embark on a full day excursion with upper division student leaders. You’ll raft through the class II-III Alberton Gorge, mountain bike the Trail of the Hiawatha and hike to scenic Heart Lake. Each afternoon we will re-group at our base-camp at the Montana River Lodge to enjoy a dinner prepared by the student leaders. Students will return to campus just in time for the New Student Orientation.
GOOB is a fantastic way to meet other students, learn about Gonzaga, and become acquainted with the outdoor recreation opportunities in the Inland Northwest before you even start school!
reality camp DATES: August COST:
20 – 24, 2017
$125
PHONE:
509-313-6937
EMAIL: realitycamp@zagmail.gonzaga.edu WEB: gonzaga.edu/realitycamp
Reality Camp is a five day Pre-Orientation service immersion program in and around Spokane offered by the Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL).
SERVE at local nonprofit organizations. REFLECT on your experiences. LEARN about social justice CONNECT with other incoming students and student leaders. Challenge yourself to think in new ways in a setting which is supportive, inspirational, and fun.
“…my experience at Reality Camp propelled me into a better understanding of myself and my new home at Gonzaga.” –Olivia Schneider
“BRIDGE helped me feel like I belonged at Gonzaga. It helped me with the transition both physically and emotionally.” –2015 BRIDGE Counselor, Manny Lopez
building relationships in diverse gonzaga environments (bridge) DATES: August COST:
$70
20 – 24, 2017
PHONE:
509-313-5835
EMAIL: umec@gonzaga.edu WEB: gonzaga.edu/umec
BRIDGE is designed for underrepresented students (people of color and first generation identified*) to begin to explore and embrace their intersecting identities in solidarity and support with one another. The BRIDGE program strives to create an understanding community where students learn to navigate the academic and social environments of GU while creating lasting bonds together.
IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT – COMMUNITY BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS – NAVIGATING GONZAGA
A PARENT & FAMILY PROGRAM is also offered to parents of BRIDGE participants to expose them to campus resources. Parents and families will have a designated group of BRIDGE counselors who will offer insight about campus life and supporting their student from afar.
first year retreat DATES: August COST:
$85
22 – 24, 2017
PHONE:
509-313-4242 or 509-313-4239
EMAIL: umin@gonzaga.edu WEB: gonzaga.edu/umin
First Year Retreat invites you to connect with other first year students while exploring and growing through your college transition. Upperclass leaders will share their stories to help move participants to become whole, dynamic and faithful followers of God. This three day retreat is complete with plenty of recreation time including games, hiking, ultimate frisbee, and more. Friendships and great memories are sure to be made. Space is limited, so sign-up early! The First Year Retreat doesn’t just end when you leave! In the weeks that follow, reconnect with the friends you made at first year reunions. Plus, as a part of the University Ministry family, you’re invited to explore Christian Life Community, our very own faith sharing small groups. Begin your journey and experience all the great opportunities to build your faith at Gonzaga!
“The First Year Retreat helped me find my footing in the new adventure of college! The experience was also awesome because we got to be vulnerable to complete strangers who then became friends.” -Hannah Weickart
registration & payment info. Online registration for all optional, fee based Pre-Orientation programs will be Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, June 8 on a first-come, first served basis at: www.gonzaga.edu/pre-orientation Payment will be charged at the time of registration. If you are unable to make a credit card payment, please contact the individual Pre-Orientation program immediately to make alternate arrangements. Fee waivers, based on financial need, are available for students on a first-come, first served basis. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact the Pre-Orientation program you are interested in prior to registration opening. REGISTRATION OPENS: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 9 a.m. PST REGISTRATION CLOSES: Thursday, June 8, 2017
Gonzaga Out of Bounds—Spokane: $250 Gonzaga Out of Bounds—Montana: $425 Reality Camp: $125 BRIDGE: $70 First Year Retreat: $85
For general questions and information, you may contact First Year Experience Programs at firstyearexperience@gonzaga.edu or call (509) 313-5501, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST. For program-specific questions, please contact each Pre-Orientation program directly.
parent & family relations In addition to student orientation, Gonzaga offers a unique opportunity for family members to learn about their role in the Zag Family. Parent & Family Orientation runs concurrently to New Student Orientation, August 25 - August 27. If your student attends a Pre-Orientation program, you are invited to an informal social with Q&A. This event for parents, families, and students will take place on Thursday, August 24 once a student returns from his or her Pre-Orientation program. For family members planning to stay in the Spokane area during Pre-Orientation, there are plenty of sites and activities to stay busy! You can find almost everything the Spokane community has to offer at www.visitspokane.com. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a wonderful journey for your entire family. At Gonzaga University we recognize the important role of parents and families in a student’s college experience. We hope to work with parents and families to promote student academic and personal success. For more information about the Parent and Family Programs, contact the Parent & Family Office at (509) 313-4154, parents&family@gonzaga.edu or visit www.gonzaga.edu/parents.
THE MISSION THAT UNITES US
gonzaga university mission statement Gonzaga University is an exemplary learning community that educates students for lives of leadership and service for the common good. In keeping with its Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic heritage and identity, Gonzaga models and expects excellence in academic and professional pursuits and intentionally develops the whole person -- intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Through engagement with knowledge, wisdom, and questions informed by classical and contemporary perspectives, Gonzaga cultivates in its
students the capacities and dispositions for reflective and critical thought, lifelong learning, spiritual growth, ethical discernment, creativity, and innovation. The Gonzaga experience fosters a mature commitment to dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet. Grateful to God, the Gonzaga community carries out this mission with responsible stewardship of our physical, financial, and human resources.