Northern Illinois University Orientation and Enrollment Guidebook

Your Future.

Our Focus.

This is it.

Your most important step in getting started at NIU. Your orientation and enrollment guide.

Congratulations and welcome!

On behalf of Orientation and First Year Programs, we’re excited that you’ve chosen to join our NIU family, and we look forward to meeting you.

Orientation plays a big role in your transition to NIU, and it’s also when you get to register for your first semester classes. It’s where you’ll learn more about campus and all of our resources. You’ll also meet us (your orientation team), other new students, faculty and staff; all of whom share a common goal — helping you get started on the right track!

Congratulations on your admission to NIU! We’re thrilled to be part of your exciting journey on the path to success.

At NIU, you’ll be encouraged to explore, ask questions, collaborate and take full advantage of educational experiences that go well beyond textbooks and classrooms.

Diversity and inclusion also are at the core of our successful learning environment. Different perspectives and cultures enrich us all, open our minds and expand our potential. We want you to feel a sense of belonging to our Huskie community — and a sense of Huskie pride!

I’m inspired every day by the dreams, talents and personal stories of students like you. I believe in your potential to learn, grow and succeed — and we’re eager to get your journey started.

Go Huskies!

Dr. Lisa C. Freeman President, Northern Illinois University

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We know that entering college can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Attending orientation will help with any nervousness you might have — trust us. By the end of the program, you’ll feel more comfortable about coming to NIU, and you’ll be ready to start classes.

We can’t wait to see you. If you have any questions before orientation, just call us at 815-753-1535 or email us at orientation@niu.edu.

See you soon!

— Your Orientation Team

What happens at

orientation?

As a new first year student at NIU, you’re required to attend our one-day orientation program.

We require everyone to attend orientation because we know it will help you be successful from the first moment you’re on campus in the fall. It’s also when you get to meet with your advisor and register for your classes.

During your orientation, you’ll spend time with your orientation leader, a small group of other new Huskies and future friends.

You’ll also learn a lot about the resources and tools available to help you be successful. You’ll meet with your academic college (if you’ve chosen your major) or the Academic Advising Center (if you’re still deciding).

Once your advising and registration are complete, you’ll get your OneCard (student ID). There will be time to visit our Student Financial Aid Office, or take advantage of a number of optional activities including visiting one of our Cultural Centers.

Orientation wraps up at different times for different students.

Check out a sample orientation schedule and what you need to bring at niu.edu/ofc.

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New student

timeline

Making your

orientation reservation 1.

To attend orientation, you’ll have to make your reservation. Spots are first come, first served. Also, some majors don’t advise every day — so make your reservation early for the date you want.

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REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION You must register and receive a confirmation email from us in order to attend orientation.

Register at myniu.niu.edu.

Orientation primarily occurs in June and July.

SUBMIT REQUIRED IMMUNIZATION RECORDS The state of Illinois requires you to submit your immunization records to NIU

by Aug. 1.

Login to your MyNIU account at myniu.niu.edu and click on Student Center.

Click on the Undergraduate Orientation tile.

Choose your date.

Pay the nonrefundable confirmation fee. This fee secures your spot at NIU and covers the cost of your orientation program and a portion of Welcome Days.

The confirmation fee is nonrefundable, so please be certain of your plans to attend NIU before paying the fee.

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REGISTER FOR PARENT AND FAMILY ORIENTATION If you’re bringing your family, great!

You can register your family when you register for your orientation in MyNIU.

TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT TESTS Make sure you take your placement tests before you attend your orientation. Review the Testing Office website at niu.edu/testing or call at 815-753-1203 for more information.

TAKE YOUR PRE-ORIENTATION PROGRAM (POP) Prior to attending on-campus orientation, you’ll need to complete your POP online, through your MyNIU.

PREPARE FOR AND ATTEND STUDENT ORIENTATION Visit our website at niu.edu/ofc for directions and sample schedules.

Bringing parents or family?

Family members play such an important role in your transition and success.

By attending orientation, your family will learn valuable information that will help them support you during your first year and beyond.

Family orientation occurs at the same time as new student orientation. You and your family will have opportunities to attend sessions together and separately. Family orientation runs concurrently with the student program. Students can sign-up their families in MyNIU when they register for their orientation. The cost to attend family orientation is $33 per family member, which includes family orientation materials, lunch and parking. Please remember this cost is per family member, regardless of age.

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Holmes Student Center

We’ve reserved you a parking spot in our Visitor’s Parking Lot. After you park, it’s a short walk to the start of the orientation program. Arrive early enough to avoid the last-minute rush and to make sure you have time to check in.

It is very important for you to arrive at orientation on time (between 8 and 8:30 a.m.).

Please plan accordingly. If you’re going to be late, please call us at 815-753-1535 to reschedule. All information shared at orientation is critical for your success at NIU, so you cannot miss any portion of the program.

For a map and detailed directions, visit niu.edu/visit/maps.

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Visitor’s Parking Lot

To make your orientation as successful as possible, please make sure to

bring the following: n Photo identification (required).

n Laptop, tablet or mobile device. You’ll be able to use our NIU Wi-Fi so you can follow along with the overview of your MyNIU session, look up classes in our Undergraduate Catalog and visit department websites. n Variable clothing for hot weather and air-conditioned rooms. Some buildings and lecture halls will have room temperatures that can’t be adjusted or controlled. n Comfortable walking shoes. n A water bottle to stay hydrated.

Change of major?

It’s important we have your correct major at orientation.

If you need to change your major, you’ll want to do so BEFORE you come to orientation.

Visit go.niu.edu/major to make the change.

n Snacks (if desired, as meal times are staggered). n Umbrella — you never know, it might rain!

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questions?

Call us or check out our website.

important details

Other

Please arrive on time, between 8 and 8:30 a.m.

Each piece of your orientation program is extremely important to your success at NIU; so much that if you’re going to be late or have to miss a piece, we’re going to ask you to reschedule. If you need to reschedule, please call us at 815-753-1535.

Attendance of a complete orientation program is mandatory; partial attendance does not fulfill your requirement.

Finally, we would love to meet your younger siblings (we like to think of them as Huskies in training)! We even have a Family Weekend in the fall with games and activities meant to be enjoyed with them. Orientation, however, isn’t the best event to bring them to. It’s a time to focus on your future as a Huskie. We strongly encourage you not to bring younger children to orientation.

815-753-1535 orientation@niu.edu niu.edu/ofc

Regular Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Campus Contacts As you begin your transition to NIU, you may need to reach out to various campus departments.

If you need a department number that isn’t listed below, please call us at 815-753-1535 or directory assistance at 815-753-1000 to get connected.

Frequently Called Numbers Admissions Office............................................. 815-753-0446 Bursar’s Office (student billing)...................... 815-753-1885 Campus Dining (meal plans).......................... 815-753-9567 Disability Resource Center...... 815-753-1303 (voice/TTY) Financial Aid....................................................... 815-753-1395 Housing and Residential Services...................815-753-1525 Military and Post-Traditional Student Services (veterans’ benefits, commuting students).................................... 815-753-9999 Student Involvement and Leadership Development (student organizations, greek life)............... 815-753-1421

Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. niu.edu 52691 2/20

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