Welcome to Elon!

We are excited you are joining us for Spring 2023! Whether you are coming to Elon as a first-year student or a transfer student, New Student Orientation (NSO) will ensure that your transition to Elon is smooth and enjoyable. We cannot wait to see you January 28-29, 2023 for your NSO experience!

We recognize that this will not be the same orientation as previous years, but know that we will prioritize health and safety in addition to finding ways to deliver on the New Student Orientation goals despite the changes. Our goals for New Student Orientation remain the same, that new students will:

  • Connect with peers in meaningful ways and share experiences to broaden their community.
  • Engage their intercultural awareness and learn Elon’s common language, perspective, and skills to bolster their understanding of self and how their identity contributes to the broader Elon community.
  • Discover Elon University’s traditions and campus culture.
  • Learn about and deepen their understanding of the University services and procedures that they will use throughout their years at Elon.
  • Intellectually engage with faculty, staff, administrators, and other students to strengthen their understanding of the academic expectations of the college experience, including the Core Curriculum, engaged learning, and academic advising.
  • Enhance their understanding of University requirements and resources designed to support them as they strive for academic success.

RSVP for the Spring New Student Convocation Luncheon

It is expected that all new students (first-years and transfers) attend the entirety of New Student Orientation (January 28th-29th). To help us plan, let us know how many of your guests will be joining you for the spring New Student Convocation luncheon on Sunday, January 29th. This university tradition will mark the end of the orientation program.
  • The New Student Convocation luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, January 29th at 12:15 p.m. and will last approximately one hour.

Who Attends Orientation

New Student Orientation is designed for all new students, transfers and first-years. It is expected that all new students will participate fully in the experience. We expect everyone to be present and plan accordingly, you do not need to register prior to the experience.

If you have any questions about the schedule, please reach out to New Student Programs at nsp@elon.edu or (336) 278-7000.

Arriving on Campus

A snapshot of your January 28, 2023:

  • Check into housing at your neighborhood area office (if applicable) and move into your room
  • Early afternoon, check into New Student Orientation in the Moseley Student Center. This is where you will receive your Phoenix Card
  • Engage in New Student Orientation beginning mid-afternoon on Saturday, January 28 and culminating in New Student Convocation on Sunday, January 29

A Campus Map will be useful as you navigate in and around our campus.

 

Parking

There is ample parking in and around campus.

Each Residential Neighborhood has its own parking lot, please park in the designated parking lot. For New Student Orientation you are welcome to either park in the McMichael lot or Oaks Neighborhood lot.

If you are coming to Elon with a car that you’ll keep on campus, be sure to obtain your parking permit. You can find out more information and register your vehicle on the Campus Safety and Police website .

New Student Orientation Activities

We developed a re-imagined New Student Orientation experience for all new students. Activities will occur in the mid afternoon on Saturday, January 28 and run all day on Sunday, January 29. You will participate in a small group of 12-15 students and an Orientation Leader, an upper-class student who has been trained to give you all the information you will need to be successful at Elon. Whether you are new to college, or just new to Elon’s campus, Orientation Leaders will make sure you feel confident and competent as you begin your Elon experience.

You will also have the chance to meet with your academic advisor, the person who will work with you to help plan for coursework and experiential learning until you declare a major. Once you declare a major, you will be assigned a new academic advisor in that disciplinary area.

In addition to making sure you are prepared to begin class and engage in academics at Elon, Orientation will help you learn about campus life and cultural values at Elon. Elon’s values a strong, inclusive community in which students understand the importance of different identities respectfully engage with each other across those differences. A full schedule will be provided at check-in.

New Student Convocation

New Student Convocation is an important Elon tradition in which new students gather together to hear an official welcome to the University from  the Provost, the Vice President of Student Life, and other senior administrators. New students also receive an acorn, a symbol of the ways in which they will grow during their time at Elon. Please arrive early and dress neatly for this special event. Photos from Fall Convocation can be seen on Elon’s Flickr site as well as social media! Due to limited capacity, only students will be allowed into the venue.

The Spring New Student Convocation will take place on Sunday, January 29th at 12:15pm and will include lunch with campus faculty, staff, and administrators. We ask that students RSVP to let the planning team know how many guests will be joining them for this event.

Parents & Family

There will be an in-person Welcome Session for parents and families on Saturday (January 28th), and families are welcome to join the community for the New Student Convocation Luncheon on Sunday (January 29th) as well. Additional details will be shared in mid-January.