DAY
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Freshman Family & Guest Schedule ORIENTATION CHECK-IN
8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Patterson Hall Courtyard Check-in with our staff to receive your materials for the day! Undergraduate Admissions will be available if your student would like to change their major. If you are staying on-campus, you will also check-in for your overnight accommodations inside of Women’s Quad at this time.
BREAKFAST
8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. RHUU Second Floor Head over to the Russell House to enjoy a light breakfast! University Health Services will be available if your student still needs to lift their immunization hold. Your student can also use this time to pick-up their CarolinaCard. We will have shuttles running in rotation to take you to the Koger Center. If able, we encourage you to make the short walk from the Russell House. The first shuttle will leave at 8:15 a.m. The last shuttle will leave at 9:45 a.m.
WELCOME HOME
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Koger Center for the Arts We will officially welcome you to the University of South Carolina! Get excited to hear from a variety of offices about navigating your student’s first semester as they begin to make South Carolina feel like home.
LUNCH
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Carolina Coliseum Concourse Enjoy lunch with other families and guests of incoming students.
ACADEMIC COLLEGE VISITS
12:45 p.m. - 2 p.m. Various Locations Meet at your assigned location (see below) where Orientation Leaders will lead you from the Carolina Coliseum to your student’s academic college visit. Arts & Sciences
C&D
Arts - Undeclared
A&B
Business
R&S
Education
M&N
Engineering and Computing
X&Y
Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
J&K
Information and Communications
G&H
Music
F&G
Nursing
1
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Russell House University Union Students and families will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of campus resources about how they can support your student during their time at South Carolina. Attendees will be able to pick which breakout sessions they would like to attend during three different time blocks. The description, room location and availability of each breakout session can be found on the next page. Block A: 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Block B: 3:10 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Block C: 3:50 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
PARTNERS IN TRANSITION
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. RHUU Theater Come learn more about helping your student navigate their transition to college. Hear tips, learn about resources and understand the role that a family member and/or guest can have in supporting their student.
DINNER
5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. RHUU First and Second Floors Enjoy dinner while socializing with other families and guests. Your student’s small group number will determine your dinner location! Make sure you check your name tag for both.
EMPTY NESTER’S PARTY
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Graduate Columbia, 1619 Pendleton Street Our friends at the Graduate Columbia will be hosting a social just for families and guests! Stop by after dinner for drinks and appetizers. Our staff will be outside on Greene Street to walk you to the hotel. Otherwise, it is a short drive from the Bull Street parking garage.
FAMILY AND GUEST HAPPY HOUR
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Barefoot Campus Outfitters, 700 Lincoln St., Suite 100 Our friends at Barefoot Campus Outfitters will be hosting a social just for families and guests! Stop by after dinner for free drinks and a free shirt. Our staff will be outside on Greene Street to walk you to the store. Otherwise, it is a short drive from the Bull Street parking garage. Pro tip: Check page 90 of your Garnet Guide before you go!
V&W
Pharmacy
H&J
Public Health
S&T
Social Work
T&U
Denotes joint session with students & families RHUU - Russell House University Union
BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Freshman Family & Guest Program Thriving > Surviving: Academic Success at UofSC RHUU Presented by the Student Success Center Theater Blocks A, B and C Find out what it takes to be successful at the University of South Carolina! Explore college-level expectations with Student Success Center staff, and start your first year at Carolina off right with important information about academic success at UofSC. Ask questions and get answers from the people who assist 60% of first-year students on their path to success every year! Living the Gamecock Life! RHUU Presented by the Department of Student Life Ballroom A Blocks A, B and C Living your best Gamecock life goes beyond the classroom. Hear from Student Life about how to meet your people, get involved and try new things at the University of South Carolina. Securing Your Bag: Making the RHUU Most of Your Money 203 Presented by the Student Success Center Blocks A, B, and C Financial stress can affect your academics, so keep that stress in check with our effective ways to “secure your bag,” or make the most out of your money during your time at Carolina. Learn about the basics of personal finance, how to plan wisely to minimize costs and how to take advantage of the Student Success Center’s Money Management Program to support your financial success at UofSC. The World: See it for Yourself RHUU Presented by the Education Abroad Office 205 Blocks A, B and C This breakout session will provide an introduction to education abroad programming at the University of South Carolina. Participants will learn about UofSC’s study abroad program types and other global education opportunities. Additionally, participants will receive important information related to scholarships and financial aid, the benefits of education abroad and next steps for connecting with the Education Abroad Office. Beyond Campus Borders: Welcome to Columbia RHUU Presented by Experience Columbia SC 303 Blocks A, B and C Columbia’s a vibrant city and creative hub that’s bursting with big ideas, forward thinkers and modern attitudes. Let the Experience Columbia SC team help you learn how to make the most of your time in the heart of SC by breaking through the campus bubble and enjoying all that this region has to offer. From delicious bites to world-class attractions and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone. With evidence of renewal everywhere, Columbia SC will leave you looking forward to what’s next.
DAY
1
Supporting an Overall Healthy RHUU Carolina Community 304 Presented by University Health Services Block A Only An introduction to health services and programs provided to students at the University of South Carolina. Veterans and Military Benefits RHUU Presented by Veteran and Military Affairs 304 Block B Only Hear from the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs and learn about VA education benefits that assist veterans, service members and other qualified family members with costs such as tuition, books and housing. Explore Diversity with OMSA RHUU Presented by the Office of Multicultural 305 Student Affairs Blocks A and B Only Join the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs to learn more about the student experiences, resources, initiatives and opportunities to engage with a diverse community of student leaders during your journey. You’ll hear more about the different areas, student organizations and resources that support our commitment to diversity and work to enhance inclusion through the university. RHUU The Pathway to Employability 315 Presented by the Career Center Blocks A, B and C Make the most of your university experience, leading to success after college! Career Center leaders share resources for getting started on the path to employability by finding your career path, gaining experiences and developing career readiness skills to prepare for life beyond UofSC’s gates. Go Greek! Fraternity & Sorority Life Info Session RHUU Presented by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life 322 Blocks A, B and C Join the Fraternity and Sorority Life staff and student leaders to learn more about the community and experience of Greek organizations at the University of South Carolina.
At the end of each breakout session, please take a moment to scan the QR code below and complete a short evaluation.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Freshman Family & Guest Schedule BREAKFAST PICKUP
7:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. RHUU Second Floor Dining Start your second day off right with a grab-and-go breakfast. Make sure to check out of Women’s Quad, turn in your access card and place your belongings in your car before heading to Colonial Life Arena. Please leave the provided linens and towels in your room.
CREATING YOUR CAMPUS ROAD MAP
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Koger Center of the Arts Campus offices will share information on financial aid and scholarships, paying your student’s bill, campus safety, campus dining options, the bookstore, parking and transportation and academic advising.
RESOURCE FAIR & LUNCH ROTATIONS
11 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. Russell House University Union Depending on your student’s small group, enjoy lunch and engage with campus resources at the Resource Fair in the Russell House. If your student is participating in the South Carolina Honors College or the Opportunity Scholars Program, you should grab your lunch at 11 a.m. and immediately head to the locations listed below for their program meeting. If your student is participating in Capstone Scholars, you will go to their program meeting first. Rotation A: 11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Even Small Groups: Lunch, RHUU First Floor Odd Small Groups: Resource Fair, RHUU Ballroom 11:50 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. Rotation B: Even Small Groups: Resource Fair, RHUU Ballroom Odd Small Groups: Lunch, RHUU First Floor *South Carolina Honors College: Lunch and Program Meeting, RHUU 315 11 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. 12:05 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. Resource Fair, RHUU Ballroom Opportunity Scholars Lunch and Program Meeting, RHUU 305 11 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. 12:05 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. Resource Fair, RHUU Ballroom Capstone Scholars: Program Meeting, RHUU Theater Lunch, RHUU First Floor Resource Fair, RHUU Ballroom
11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 12 p.m.- 12:40 p.m.
*The Honors College program meeting is for families only.
THE STUDENT POINT OF VIEW PANEL
1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. RHUU Theater Hear from our Lead Team staff about student life at South Carolina. This is a great opportunity to ask them questions of your own!
DAY
2
MOVING YOUR STUDENT TO COLLEGE
1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. RHUU Theater The clock is ticking toward move-in and we cannot wait to see you and your student in August! Are you prepared? During this session, staff members from University Housing will share details about moving your student to campus. They will cover everything from the timeline and important dates, what to pack, move-in traffic, unloading and setting up your student’s room.
NEXT STEPS
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. RHUU Theater As you wrap-up your Family and Guest Orientation, you may be wondering: What’s next? This session will highlight the next steps students and families should take before arriving back to campus in August. You will also have the opportunity to write a letter to your student that they will receive during the fall semester.
CLOSING AND EVALUATIONS
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Greene Street Once your student has completed advising, registration and the campus business checklist below, meet us outside on Greene Street to complete your closing evaluation and receive a free mug! You can also use this time to ask our staff any remaining questions you have before you head home.
CAMPUS BUSINESS CHECKLIST
When you are finished with your programming, we recommend getting a head start on some tasks before your student’s first day of classes. Make sure to check them off as you work through the list below! 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. CAMPUS AND CLASSROOM TOUR Greene Street Our Orientation Leaders will show you around key areas on campus and give you the option to locate your student’s classes before the first day. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. VISIT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE 1244 Blossom Street, Suite 200 Speak to a staff member in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. If you need help finding their location, visit the Information Desk or reference the campus map in the back of your Garnet Guide. 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE RHUU First Floor The on-campus bookstore is the easiest place to get all the necessary books your student needs for their first semester. Stop by to learn about buying or renting new or used textbooks.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS!
What year was the first Carolina Clemson football game? 1896
NOTES
SOUTH CAROLINA TRIVIA