Orientation for the freshman class of 2016 will be held Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25. Students can begin moving into the residence halls after 9AM on the 22nd.

Orientation is a critical time for first-year students to learn about the university, meet new people, and begin their adjustment process. UP also provides a number of parent programs during Orientation weekend; please refer to the Orientation website for more information.

Students face a number of adjustments over the course of their first year at college. Initially, their biggest issue is often homesickness - it takes time to get used to living away from home, with a person they may never have met before, and without the support system that you as parents often represent for them. Later in the semester, roommate issues may loom large, as the "honeymoon period" of living with that other person wears off. Academic pressures begin to mount as the semester goes on and students realize the greater amount of time and effort that is needed to be successful academically at UP.

The good news is that UP has resources for students at each point of their adjustment to the Bluff. Homesickness is combated with opportunities for students to begin to make connections here, through frequent and intentional chances to get involved. The University Health Center has counselors available to speak with students about their homesickness and any other issues they may want to discuss. For roommate issues, we encourage students first to communicate with each other to resolve the problem; additionally, Resident Assistants are available on each floor to help mediate. Finally, students facing academic difficulties can talk to their professors, and utilize the Learning Resource Center located in Franz 120.

For students who can commute home on the weekends, advise them not to do so during the first 4-6 weeks of their first semester. The first weeks are very important for establishing friendships and connections on campus. Many local universities do not begin classes until mid-September. If students hang out off-campus (with their high school friends) during this critical first-year bonding time, they will be “outsiders” on campus and will find it harder to make friends later in the semester.

Learning to live with another person naturally requires adjustments, patience, and good communication. Should your student experience a problem with his or her roommate, encourage him or her to contact Residence Life. Residence Life staff members work with students to resolve roommate issues. Visit the Residence Life website to learn more about this department and read the FAQs.

Yes, someone from your student's school will work with your student to register for classes, starting in mid-May. Registration differs slightly between schools, as each program has different requirements for their various majors.

Students with an intended major in the College of Arts and Sciences (including undeclared students), the Pamplin School of Business Administration, and the School of Education will be interviewed, either in person or over the phone, and a schedule will be created based on courses required for their intended major, core requirements for the University, and their personal interests.

Students who are in the School of Engineering or the School of Nursing will receive their schedules in the mail after registration begins. Because the curriculum for the freshmen year is a fairly set schedule for both schools, administrators in these schools will create a schedule for your student.

For more detailed information, please see the University of Portland Enrollment Packet.

The University of Portland does not mail grades home. Final grades are available online to students in Self Serve at PilotsUP. Midterm grades for 100 and 200 level classes are also posted in Self Serve.  We encourage you to speak with your son or daughter about grades frequently.

Students must sign the FERPA form in order for parents to have access to any information on grades. If your student does sign the form, contact the Shepard Freshman Resource Center to have a discussion about his or her grades.

Financial Aid can answer all of your questions regarding your son or daughter's tuition bill. For more information, see the Financial Aid website and FAQs.

The University of Portland places a high priority on the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and the Department of Public Safety is committed to keeping our campus secure. For information on safety issues on campus, please see the Department of Public Safety's website.

The University Health Center offers primary health care to all students at the university. This service is generally provided at no cost to the student, regardless of his or her health-care insurance status (possible exceptions include medications, lab tests, or other supplies, if needed).

For more information on this service and the many other services provided by the Health Center (including mental health counseling, nutrition information, learning assistance, and wellness promotion), please visit the Health Center website.

Resident students classified as freshmen cannot have a car on campus. For more information, refer to UP's Transportation Information and Parking Regulations.