New Student Orientation

The First-Year Student Experience is a required 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. Meals are provided and strongly encouraged as opportunities to connect with fellow students, Orientation Leaders, faculty, and staff. Evening social activities are optional but highly encouraged and are a great way to build friendships and community before classes begin. Students will receive detailed schedules, locations, and updates during Orientation.

Orientation at a Glance

Friday, August 21

• Move-in and Check-in for Residential Students: Refer to communications from Residence Life for your check-in time
• Commuter Student Check-in: 3:00 p.m.
• Orientation Kickoff
• Purple and Copper Dinner
• Griffin Games: 8:00 p.m

Saturday, August 22

Required Programming: 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

• Breakfast
• Welcome Session
• Meet Your Peers and Professors
• Lunch
• WestX101 First Class
• Griffin Info Sessions
• Griffin Family Dinner
• Movie on the Lawn!: 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 23

Required Programming: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

• Breakfast
• GO Group Meeting
• Keynote Speaker
• Griffin Info Sessions
• Lunch
• Griffin Info Sessions
• Dinner
• Bingo Night!: 8:00 p.m.

Monday, August 24

Required Programming: 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• Breakfast
• Class of 2030 Picture
• Convocation
• Lunch
• Griffin Info Sessions
• Dinner
• Capture the Flag!: 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 25

Required Programming: 9–11:00 a.m.

• Breakfast
• Campus and Community Tour
• Griffin Resource and Job Fair
• Lunch
• Wellness Fusion
• Pre-Professional Information Sessions
• Welcome Back Block Party!: 5:00 p.m.

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.

The Family and Guest 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 students. Guests of transfer students will join their student at the Transfer Student Experience program on August 25.

Sessions will give guests and family members the chance to find answers to any lingering questions about housing, financial aid, and academics. Guests and family members will also have an opportunity to meet other families and guests who have a student attending Westminster, as well as some of the staff and faculty who are here for their student’s success.

Family and Guest Orientation at a Glance

Programming expected to run 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

• Family and Guest Check-in: 8:30–9:30 a.m.
• Orientation Welcome
• Student Affairs Panel
• Empowering Your College Student
• Lunch
• Family and Guest Information Sessions
• Reception
• Griffin Family Dinner

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 through their Admissions Portal. If a parent or guest would like emailed communication leading up to the program, students can include parent or guest emails when registering. There is no cost for this program.

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.

Transfer Student Orientation at a Glance

Programming expected to run 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

• Transfer Student Check-in: 8:30–9:00 a.m.
• Welcome
• Meet Your GO Group
• Griffin Info Sessions
• Program Wrap-up

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 through 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.

Required for all new international students at Westminster. Students must bring their passports with visa stamps. 

Fall 2026

Date: Friday, August 28
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center 111

Please complete the International Student Orientation course on Canva before attending the in-person meeting.

Fall 2026

• 9–9:45 a.m. | Check in for Orientation | Richer Commons
• 10–11:00 a.m. | Welcome to the Honors College! | Emma Eccles Jones Recital Hall
• 11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  • Students | Meet the Profs! | Various Campus Locations
  • Parents and Families | Empower Your College Student | L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center
• 12:15–1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Tanner Atrium
• 1:15–2:00 p.m.
  • Students | Self-portrait | Nunemaker Patio
  • Parents and Families | A Taste of Honors | L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center
• 2:00–2:45 p.m. | Students | Wagon Wheel | Outdoor Spaces
• 2:45–3:30 p.m. | Students | Common Read Discussion | Outdoor Spaces
• 3:30–4:00 p.m. | Students | Honors College Cohort Photo | Giovale Library Steps
• 4:00 p.m. | Orientation Concludes - Reconnect with your GO Group

Full schedule details will be available soon.