New Student Orientation
Westminster University is thrilled you decided to join the Griffin community. New Student Orientation is a mandatory program for all new students entering the fall and spring semesters that helps students adjust to life at Westminster.
2025 New Student Orientation Program
New Student Orientation is your official welcome to Westminster. This immersive experience is designed to help you connect with fellow Griffins, explore campus, and prepare for an exciting journey ahead. Through interactive sessions, fun activities, and meaningful conversations, you'll gain the tools and confidence to thrive in your first year. Get ready to make friends, ask questions, and start your Westminster adventure—because you belong here!
Registration and Cost
All new students must participate in New Student Orientation (including Honors College, international, and Nursing program students). BBA program students will attend a separate orientation program. The cost of orientation is billed to each student account as a mandatory orientation fee covering all program and administrative costs to run Orientation.
The First-Year Student Experience is an in-person orientation program designed to help first-year students with their academic, personal, social, and cultural transition into the Westminster and Salt Lake City communities before the start of fall classes.
The program includes a mix of engaging and educational activities throughout campus. The Associated Students of Westminster team will have optional activities every night of the orientation experience and throughout the first week of the semester to help you meet other students.
Registration and Cost
New students can register for New Student Orientation by visiting their admissions portal. The cost of orientation is billed to your student account as a mandatory $300 fee that covers all program and administrative costs to run New Student Orientation.
Tentative Schedule
Sunday, August 17
- 11:00 a.m. Check-In
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch
- 12:45 p.m. Orientation Welcome and Program Overview
- 1:30 p.m. Griffin Resource Sessions and Community Conversations
- 5:00 p.m. Dinner
- 9:00 p.m. Movie on the Library Lawn
Monday, August 18
- 7:00 a.m. Breakfast
- 8:30 a.m. Class of 2029 Picture
- 9:00 a.m. Convocation
- 10:15 a.m. Academic Community Sessions
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Life Outside the Classroom Rotations
- 5:00 p.m. Dinner
- 9:00 p.m. Campus-Wide Capture the Flag
Tuesday, August 19
- 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
- 10:00 a.m. Academic Interest Sessions
- 11:00 a.m. Griffin Resource and Job Fair
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 5:00 p.m. Welcome Back Block Party
The Parent and Family Experience is an in-person orientation program designed to give parents and family members the tools and information needed to best support their first-year student. Parents and guests of transfer students will join their student at the Transfer Student Experience program on August 19.
Sessions will give parents and family members the chance to find answers to any lingering questions about housing, financial aid, and academics. Parents and family members will also have an opportunity to meet other parents and families who have a student attending Westminster, as well as some of the staff and faculty who are here for their student’s success.
Registration and Cost
Students are allowed to bring up to 2 guests to the Parent and Family Experience. Students can register their parents and guests for the Parent and Family Experience through their New Student Orientation Registration form on their admissions portal. Students can include guest emails when registering a parent or guest, if the parent or guest would like emailed communication leading up to the program. There is no cost for this program.
Tentative Schedule
Sunday, August 18
- 11:00 a.m. Check-In
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch
- 12:45 p.m. Parent and Family Welcome
- 1:45 p.m. Informational Sessions (4 rotating blocks)
- 4:00 p.m. Parent and Family Reception
- 5:00 p.m. Dinner
The Transfer Student Experience is an in-person orientation program designed for students who previously attended another institution to explore campus and connect with other incoming transfer students, staff, and faculty. Westminster may be very different from your previous institution and we want you to feel comfortable as you transition to this new experience.
Registration and Cost
All incoming new transfer students must participate in the Transfer Student Experience (including students transferring into the Nursing program). Students may bring up to 2 guests with them to the Transfer Student Experience. BBA program students will attend a separate orientation program. Transfer students will register for this program on the admissions portal.
The cost of orientation is billed to your student account as a mandatory $100 fee covering all program and administrative costs to run New Student Orientation.
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday, August 19
- 8:30 a.m. Check-In
- 9:00 a.m. Program Welcome
- 9:15 a.m. Griffin Resource Sessions
- 11:00 a.m. Griffin Resource and Job Fair
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch
- 12:15 p.m. Student Engagement Sessions
- 1:30 p.m. Program Concludes
- 5:00 p.m. Welcome Back Block Party
Preparing for New Student Orientation
Students should take some time to complete these forms prior to arriving to campus:
- Sign the Dolores Doré Eccles Heath, Wellness, and Athletic Center Membership Agreement and Release of Liability (required for all new students)
- Purchase a parking pass online (optional)
Special thanks to our sponsor, Canyon View Credit Union.
Additional Orientation Programs
Some programs at Westminster offer an additional orientation for students. If you will be attending a program-specific orientation, you are still required to attend the New Student Orientation program for all Westminster students.
International student orientation is required for all international students starting at Westminster. Students must bring their passports with visa stamps.
Fall 2025
- Date: Friday, August 22
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Location: L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center
Please complete the International Student Orientation course on Canvas before attending the in-person meeting.
Friday, August 15
12–2:00 p.m. | Arrival and Housing Check-in
2:15–2:30 p.m. | Orientation Check-in
Location: Emma Eccles Jones Recital Hall, Jewett Center for Performing Arts & Emma
Eccles Jones Conservatory
2:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Programming
Saturday, August 16
8:30–9:00 a.m. | Optional Open House
Location: Nunemaker Place
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Student programming
9–10:30 a.m. | Faculty-Led Session (parents and families only)
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