Freshman Academic Orientation

Your College Life at CMU
With your high school senior year winding down, you likely are looking forward to starting your life as a student at Central Michigan University.

Freshman academic orientation is the place to begin. During this required program, you'll register for your first semester classes, meet other students and your advisors, and learn your way around campus.

Orientation will provide your foundation for success at Central Michigan University.

Academic Orientation Schedule
Academic orientation is your sneak preview to your new life and home at CMU. This one-day session, which is followed later by Campus and Community Life Orientation in August before classes begin, concentrates on academic advisement and first semester class registration.

Your freshman academic orientation program (May and June dates only) begins with check-in from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and will conclude between 4 and 5 p.m. Designated parking for May and June sessions will be in Lot 22 off Preston Street. Click here to view a campus map.

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Highlights of your orientation include:

Meetings with advisors and upper-class students.
Exploration of academic majors and minors.
Registration for fall semester classes.
Photograph for campus ID card.
Explanation of university procedures including parking permits, billing , tuition, and banking.

May and June Freshman Orientation Dates:
The May and June orientation sessions begin with check-in from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and conclude between 4 and 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 22
Wednesday, May 23
Thursday, May 24
Tuesday, May 29
Wednesday, May 30
Thursday, May 31
Tuesday, June 5
Wednesday, June 6
Thursday, June 7
Tuesday, June 12
Wednesday, June 13
Thursday, June 14

Orientation session dates in late June, July and August are available upon request. Please call the Orientation office 989-774-6629 for specific freshman dates and for details on the reservation process. The later orientation sessions begin with check-in at 9 a.m. and conclude by 2 p.m.

Reserve Your Orientation Date
Once CMU has received and processed your $175 new student orientation fee payment, you will be able to reserve your date to attend orientation using our online reservation system. You will be required to enter your CMU Global ID and password to access. This reservation process will take you approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Space for each orientation session is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting a timely reservation will improve your chance of receiving your first choice of dates.

Confirmation will be sent to your CMU e-mail account listing your orientation date, time and location along with links to other important information relevant to your day's events. A few days prior to your orientation date, a detailed brochure will be mailed to your home address.

Ready to reserve your orientation date? Click here to begin.

Orientation Fee and CMU Tuition
The new student orientation fee you paid earlier covers your orientation costs. Please do not bring money to orientation to pay for your tuition. You will receive an electronic billing statement for these expenses after class registration. Tuition cannot be paid before you receive this billing.

If you will be receiving financial assistance, you should follow the instructions provided by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Staff in this office also can answer your financial aid questions.

Optional Overnight Stay for New Freshman Students (freshman orientation sessions in May and June only):
This option is typically selected by freshman students who must travel to Mount Pleasant the day before orientation and do not have alternative lodging such as a hotel with family members. There are no orientation activities scheduled this evening and meal service is not provided. Reservations for early arrival are neither required nor requested.

Students choosing this option will spend the night on campus in a residence hall. There will be a $16.75 fee assessed to the student's electronic billing statement in August. This lodging fee cannot be paid at the residence hall.

Students will check into the residence hall after 6 p.m. the evening prior to their orientation session. The residence hall complex features a 24-hour reception desk, telephones, and in-room bath facilities. Linens, towels, and pillows are provided. Each room accommodates four people, and students will be assigned roommates of the same gender for their overnight stay.

The Week Before Classes Begin
In addition to academic orientation, Campus and Community Life Orientation for freshmen entering in the fall semester will be held August 18 through 21 before classes begin on August 22. Attendance at three meetings is required. You will receive a schedule of events when you check into your residence hall on August 18 or 19.

Your ACT
If you have not taken the American College Test (ACT), contact your high school counselor to register for the next available testing date. ACT results are used during orientation for advisement and class placement.

Orientation Sessions for Family Members
Family members are encouraged to accompany you to campus for a series of separate informational meetings designed to answer their questions about Central Michigan University. You and your family will attend on the same orientation date.

The orientation for family members offers an inside look at campus life, educational opportunities and challenges that new CMU students experience. Participants will tour campus and talk with advisors, professors, administrators and upper-class students.

Click here for details regarding cost for family members and program content.

Music Ensemble Auditions
Auditions to participate in CMU choral or marching band/ instrumental ensembles and the color guard are held during orientation.

Students who do not plan to major in music but are interested in joining a university musical ensemble must audition. Auditions are scheduled the evening prior to specific orientation dates.

Music Ensemble Auditions - Orientation Dates 2012
Freshman students planning to audition for choral and marching band/ instrumental ensembles or color guard, are asked to select an orientation date from the following list (auditions are held the evening prior to your orientation date):

Choral - choose from the following orientation dates:
Audition scheduled the evening prior.

Tue, May 22 (audition May 21)
Thur, May 24 (audition May 23)
Thur, May 31 (audition May 30)
Tue, June 12 (audition June 11)
Thur, June 14 (audition June 13)

Marching Band/ Instrumental Ensembles or Color Guard - choose from the following orientation dates:
Audition scheduled the evening prior.

Tue, May 22 (audition May 21)
Wed, May 23 (audition May 22)
Wed, May 30 (audition May 29)
Thur, May 31 (audition May 30)
Wed, June 6 (audition June 5)
Thur, June 7 (audition June 6)

These dates will be available to choose from when completing your online reservation process.

If you already have been accepted as a music major, you do not need to sign up for a music ensemble audition unless you wish to sing or play an instrument other than your major.

Students who have scheduled a music audition will receive a packet of information from the School of Music three weeks prior to their orientation date.

Because preseason marching band camp conflicts with the August orientations, potential marching band members should avoid these orientation sessions.

Fall 2012 Academic Calendar
Residence halls open, August 23
Classes begin, August 27
Labor Day recess, September 3
Classes end, December 8
Thanksgiving Recess, November 21-26, 5 p.m. Wed.- 7:30 a.m. Mon.
Exam week, December 10-14
Commencement, December 15

Important Phone Numbers and Online Resources
CMU Home Page
www.cmich.edu

Orientation, 989-774-6629, Ronan Hall 250
www.cmich.edu/orientation

Admissions Office, 989-774-3076 or Toll free 888-292-5366, Warriner Hall 102
www.cmich.edu/admissions

Scholarships & Financial Aid, 989-774-3674 or Toll free 888-392-0007, Bovee University Center 119
financialaid.cmich.edu

Career Services, 989-774-3068, Ronan Hall 240
www.careers.cmich.edu

Office of Residence Life, 989-774-3111, Ronan Hall 270
www.reslife.cmich.edu

Student Life, 989-774-3016, Bovee University Center 100
www.stulife.cmich.edu

CMU Switchboard
989-774-4000

Student Accounts and University Billing
989-774-3618
Toll free 888 610-4991

Campus Map
map.cmich.edu