You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Orientation Programs

Lander's Orientation program for new students is specifically designed to ease your transition into college life.

By participating in Orientation, you'll be introduced to the abundant academic, intellectual, cultural, leadership and social experiences offered at Lander.

The Office of Orientation Programs offers separate sessions for incoming students. Each session has its own schedule and includes information about the various resources available to each Lander student.

All incoming students are required to attend Orientation.

**For questions, please contact us via email at orientation@lander.eduFollow us on Instagram: @landerorientation

 

Let’s begin! First, when are you expected to begin your classes here at Lander?

 

Fall

First Year Freshman are new and incoming students that have not attended College after High School graduation.


Preview your next steps to Bearcat Country

  1. New students beginning in Fall 2024 are required to attend and complete the first year, freshman orientation program. Our program consists of two components:

    1. Lander University Orientation course (Opens May 2024): The course will give you nuggets of information that will assist you prior to Orientation. This session can be found on Blackboard. You will need to use your Lander credentials to enter the platform to complete your information. The course will last no more than 90 minutes. *Detailed instructions coming May 2024*
    2. First-Year Orientation session: All students are required to attend the in-person, two-day orientation program. You must register for a session and students are to stay through its entirety. During orientation, you will meet with specific members of the campus community from various offices and academic departments. You will have an opportunity to review your schedule and meet with your Student Success Advisor and connect with your classmates.
  2. Register for Orientation - Registration is OPEN. Students must use the personal email and password from their application for admission to log-in to register for orientation. 
    For questions, please contact us via email at orientation@lander.edu.
    1. Choose from the following dates for first-year orientation on the registration form:
      1. June 24-25
      2. June 26-27
      3. July 10-11
      4. July 17-18
      5. July 24-25
  3. Review the what to expect document regarding Orientation. This will give you information about what to bring, and information regarding those who are traveling. (What to bring will be available February 2024).
  4. Complete your immunization form before your registered Orientation session.
  5. Complete the Lander University Orientation course. The course will open May 2024. Additional information will be sent out. This course MUST be completed before attending Orientation.
  6. Review the Accepted Student Checklist and begin completing needed items. Additional items to consider are:
    1. Do you have specific accommodations that Lander should be aware of?
      1. The Office of Disability Services is here to assist with all of your accommodations. Some include, but not limited to Housing and Academic courses. Complete the intake form to begin the process. If you have any specific questions, please contact Director Samelia Abney at sabney@lander.edu.
    2. Are you a math or pre-engineering major?
      1. Review the Mathematics Skill Requirements
      2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
      Questions: Please contact the Student Success Center (ssc@lander.edu).
    3. Are you interested in advancing within a foreign language?
      1. Review the FL Placement Assessment Information
      2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
      Questions: Please contact the Office of English & Foreign Languages by calling 864-388-8265 or visiting LC 322.
  • Prepare for Orientation:
    • Review the schedule. (Schedule will be avaliable February 2024)
    • View our campus map.
    • Review what to bring. (What to bring will be available February 2024).
    • Launch into Lander (Welcome Week) 2024: We are pumped to welcome you on campus for Welcome Week beginning August 14-24. Save the dates; more information to come during Orientation!
  • Are you a family member? Interested in joining us for Family Orientation? Check out our page for more information.

Transfer Students are new and incoming students with more than 12 credit hours and have attended a college or undergraduate institution for an academic semester or more.

International Students are required to attend our Fall orientation session in August. International students will work with the Office of International Programs to register and complete Orientation.

Non-Traditional Students are new and incoming students who are age 21 or older and enrolled in an academic program.

 

New students beginning in Fall 2024 are required to attend and complete the one-day orientation program. This program is NOT for first-year, first-time Freshmen. Our program consists of two components:

  1. Lander University Orientation course (Opens May 2024): The pre-orientation course will give you nuggets of information that will assist you prior to Orientation. This session can be found on Blackboard. You will need to use your Lander credentials to enter the platform to complete your information. The course will last no more than 90 minutes.
  2. Orientation session: All students are required to attend the in-person, one-day orientation program. You must register for a session and stay through its entirety. During orientation, you will meet with specific members of the campus community from various offices and academic departments. You will have an opportunity to review your schedule and connect with your classmates.

Preview your next steps to Bearcat Country

  1. Register now for Orientation - Registration is OPEN.
    1. July 22, 2024
    2. August 16, 2024
  2. Review the what to expect document regarding Orientation. This will give you information about what to bring, and information regarding those who are traveling. (What to bring will be available May 2024).
  3. Complete your immunization form before your registered Orientation session.
  4. Complete the Lander University Orientation course. The course will open May 2024. Additional information will be sent out prior to this date. This course MUST be completed before attending Orientation.
  5. Review the Accepted Student Checklist and begin completing needed items. Additional items to consider are:
    1. Do you have specific accommodations that Lander should be aware of?
      1. The Office of Disability Services is here to assist with all of your accommodations. Some include, but not limited to Housing and Academic courses. Complete the intake form to begin the process. If you have any specific questions, please contact Director Samelia Abney at sabney@lander.edu.
    2. Are you a math or pre-engineering major?
      1. Review the Mathematics Skill Requirements
      2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
      Questions: Please contact the Student Success Center (ssc@lander.edu).
    3. Are you interested in advancing within a foreign language?
      1. Review the FL Placement Assessment Information
      2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
      Questions: Please contact the Office of English & Foreign Languages by calling 864-388-8265 or visiting LC 322.
  • Prepare for Orientation:
    • Review the schedule. (Schedule will become avaliable May 2024).
    • View our campus map.
    • Launch into Lander (Welcome Week) 2024: We are pumped to welcome you on campus for Welcome Week beginning August 14-24. Save the dates; more information to come during Orientation!

 

Spring

First-Year Freshman are new and incoming students that have less than 24 credit hours

Transfer Students are new and incoming students with more than 24 credit hours and have attended a college or undergraduate institution for an academic semester or more.

International Students are required to attend our Fall orientation session in August. International students will work with the Office of International Programs to register and complete Orientation.

Non-Traditional Freshman are new and incoming students who are the age 21 or older and enrolled into an academic program.

Returning Students are students who are readmitted to the University and has been in College previously for more than one academic semester.

 

New students beginning in Spring 2024 are required to attend and complete the one-day orientation program. Our program consists of two components:

  1. Lander University Orientation course (Opens November 2023): The pre-orientation course will give you nuggets of information that will assist you prior to Orientation. This session can be found on Blackboard. You will need to use your Lander credentials to enter the platform to complete your information. The course will last no more than 90 minutes. *Detailed instructions coming November 2023*
  2. Orientation session: All students are required to attend the in-person, one-day orientation program. You must register for a session and students are to stay through its entirety. Orientation begins at 9:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm. During orientation, you will meet with specific members of the campus community from various offices and academic departments. You will have an opportunity to review your schedule and connect with your classmates.

 

What do I do next?

  1. Register now for Orientation - Registration opens NOVEMBER 1, 2023.
    Choose from the following dates for first-year orientation on the registration form:
  2. Complete your immunization form before your registered Orientation session.
  3. Complete the Lander University Orientation course. The course will open November 2023. Additional information will be sent out prior to this date. This course MUST be completed before attending Orientation.
  4. Review the Accepted Student Checklist and begin completing needed items.
    • Additional items to consider are:
      1. Do you have specific accommodations that Lander should be aware of?
        1. The Office of Disability Services is here to assist with all of your accommodations. Some include, but not limited to Housing and Academic courses. Complete the intake form to begin the process. If you have any specific questions, please contact Director Samelia Abney at sabney@lander.edu.
      2. Are you a math or pre-engineering major?
        1. Review the Mathematics Skill Requirements
        2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
        Questions: Please contact the Student Success Center (ssc@lander.edu).
      3. Are you interested in advancing within a foreign language?
        1. Review the FL Placement Assessment Information
        2. Click here for Placement Test Instructions
        Questions: Please contact the Office of English & Foreign Languages by calling 864-388-8265 or visiting LC 322.
  5. Prepare for Orientation:

Graduate & Online Students

Graduate Students are required to attend our orientation session. If you are a graduate student in a program within the College of Education, you will receive an email from the department regarding your Orientation session.

Online Undergraduate Students are new and incoming students that are completing their undergraduate degree online. These students can be either first-year or transfers.

 

What do I do next?

  1. Commit to Lander and receive the Orientation email from the Office of Admissions.
    1. The College of Graduate and Online Sessions will be:
      1. Summer I 2023: May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm (Virtual Meeting)
        *The link for the session will be sent by email closer to the date.
      2. Summer II 2023: June 14, 2023 at 6:00 pm (Virtual Meeting)
        *The link for the session will be sent by email closer to the date.
  2. Complete your immunization form before your registered Orientation session.
  3. Complete the Lander University Orientation course. The course will open for Fall 2023 students August 2023. Students before this date will not need to complete the course. Additional information will be sent out prior to this date. This course MUST be completed before attending Orientation.
  4. Review the Accepted Student Checklist and begin completing needed items. Additional items to consider are:
    1. Have you reached out to an Advisor regarding your courses?
    2. Do you have specific accommodations that Lander should be aware of?
      1. The Office of Disability Services is here to assist with all of your accommodations. Some include, but not limited to Housing and Academic courses. Complete the intake form to begin the process. If you have any specific questions, please contact Director Samelia Abney at sabney@lander.edu.

Special Cohorts: Dual Enrollment, UCG Student, Senior Citizens

Dual Enrollment Orientation Dates for Fall 2024:

  • Session 1: July 15
  • Session 2: July 16

The Office of Dual Enrollment will reach out you regarding your Orientation session. For any questions, please contact Chris Thomas at cthomas@lander.edu or the Office of Admissions at admissions@lander.edu.

Students who identify as Senior Citizens must attend an Orientation session that is schedule for the first day of the Fall and Spring term of classes. The Office of the Registrar will reach out to you regarding more information. For questions, please contact registrar@lander.edu.

Second Degree, Transient, Non-Degree Students

Second Degree students are required to complete the online orientation program if they have been out of college for more than 4 years.

Transient Students are students from another institution who are taking a course at Lander. Transient students’ online orientation is optional; but the information is helpful for your courses.

Non-Degree Students are students who are taking a course(s) here at Lander without receiving a degree. Non-degree students’ online orientation is optional; but the information is helpful for your courses.

New students starting in within Fall II or Spring II will need to complete the online orientation program. Our program consists the following component:

  1. STND course: The orientation course will give you nuggets of information that will assist you prior to Orientation. This session can be found on Blackboard. You will need to use your Lander credentials to enter the platform to complete your information. The course will last no more than 90 minutes. You may begin the course as soon as you are able, and the course will close within five days following the first day of classes for the term.

What do I do next?

  1. Complete your immunization form before your registered Orientation session.
  2. Complete the orientation course. This will open in May.
  3. Review and begin completing needed items.
    • Have you submitted your transcripts to the Office of Admissions?
    • Have you reviewed your awarded Financial Aid?
    • Have you reached out to the Academic Advisor or the Registrar’s Office regarding your classes?

Orientation Leaders

Orientation Leaders play an integral role in helping first-year students enjoy a smooth transition to the Lander University community. Those selected to serve as Orientation Leaders share a host of positive traits, including strong academic skills, robust interpersonal and communication abilities, an aptitude for being a role model for incoming students, and an ability to help new students during their first year of college life by maintaining an open line of communication.

 

Orientation Leaders

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact the following folks. You can also reach out to orientation@lander.edu for assistance.