Summer Orientation Sessions
We are excited to continue to get to know you this summer before classes begin!
5 Online Summer Sessions for Students Register
We are pleased to offer online sessions throughout the summer to introduce you to the academic and residential experience, culminating in an updated version of our traditional in-person orientation program on campus in August. All online sessions will be held at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Attendance is strongly encouraged, but if you have conflicts and cannot make it to one or more of these sessions, please note recordings will be available for playback.
Tuesday, June 30 | Orientation Kick-Off
Recording of presentation
Join us for this welcome session where you will hear from university leaders including President Isiaah Crawford, Provost Laura Behling, and ASUPS President Nicole Cariño. This session will:
- Provide an overview of the orientation process
- Update you on remaining admission processes, academic advising about your academic schedule, and the move-in and residential life plans
- Introduce the Bookends portion of orientation and faculty-led programming for the summer
Thursday, July 9, 16, and 23 | Academic Foundations Series
This series of three presentations are designed to introduce you to academics at the University of Puget Sound, and ensure your smooth transition from the high school classroom to the college classroom. Hosted by some of our most respected professors, these talks will challenge you with new ideas and inspire you to learn more about the world and your place in it. Not only will you be introduced to what it is like to be in the classroom but these sessions will reinforce academic expectations, as well as what it means to be a successful student at Puget Sound.
Think of these sessions as building a foundation for your academic program and an opportunity to engage with the scholarly community at Puget Sound. The goal is to make sure you feel at ease, confident, and excited about learning when you join us this August in the classroom and on the campus!
- Thurs., July 9 | Academic Foundations I: Engagement with Our World
Recording of Presentation
Andrew Gomez, associate professor, history
Lynnette Claire, professor and director, business and leadership
Peggy Burge, associate director, Collins Memorial Library
You all know the phrase a Puget Sound education is not something you get—it's something you do. In this session you will learn about unique ways Puget Sound professors and students are connecting with the community from engaging in public history projects to promoting social entrepreneurship to affect positive social change. - Thurs., July 16 | Academic Foundations II: Demystifying Math & Science
Recording of Presentation
Jake Price, assistant professor, math and computer science
Alexa Tullis, professor, biology
Eli Gandour-Rood, science liaison librarian, Collins Memorial Library
Be prepared to love math and science after hearing about the innovative and unique approaches to these subjects that will inspire you to think out of the box. - Thurs., July 23 | Academic Foundations III: Express Yourself
Recording of Presentation
Anna Valiavska, visiting assistant professor, communication studies
LaToya T. Brackett, assistant professor, African American Studies, The Race and Pedagogy Institute
Adriana Flores '13, archivist and special collections librarian, Collins Memorial Library
At Puget Sound you will have the opportunity to express yourself in many ways. Whether as a writer, speaker, or vlogger, we encourage you to explore opportunities to showcase your scholarship. In this session you will learn about innovative and inspiring class projects that showcase diverse forms of self-expression. We will conclude this session with an opportunity to create a one-page zine, so be sure to have a few supplies on hand including: a single sheet of 8x11 paper, a pen or marker, and a pair of scissors!
Wed., July 15 | Financial Aid & Billing (for students and families)
Recording of Presentation
Bryan Gould, director of financial aid
Cree Bradford, director for student accounts
In this session, we will discuss financial and billing processes and answer questions. (Please register separately for this session.)
Thurs., August 6 | Introduction to Residential and Student Life
Incoming students and their families are welcome to join us for this session introducing the variety of opportunities and experiences that students will have as part of their Puget Sound experience. Academic learning is only one aspect of the journey, and we look forward to helping you engage in the full breadth of experiences a residential liberal arts university provides.
This event is for students and their families. Students can register using the link at the top of this section. Families may register separately.
On-Campus Orientation 2020
Move-In 2020
The date of move in for students approved to live on campus will be communicated directly once decisions have been finalized. See the Coronavirus 2020 page for more information
Immersive Experiences
We are incredibly disappointed that we will not be holding immersive experiences as part of Orientation this year. This was a very difficult decision to make, but one that was made in consideration of the risk to our students and the community at large. Exemplary immersive experiences (both urban and outdoor) require sustained close contact that greatly diminishes our ability to require adequate physical distancing and other safety protocols.
We are creating an orientation experience to prepare students for academics, connect them with their peers and with campus support resources. Additionally Puget Sound Outdoors is an integral part of Orientation and first year experience, so there will be outdoor programming, it may just look a little different this fall.
Stay Connected
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for your arrival. To stay connected, I encourage you to follow @pugetsoundorientation on Instagram for the latest updates.