FAQs

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Here you will find helpful information surrounding Required Tasks, Orientation, New Student Checklists, Moving In, Academics and more.

Becoming Orange e-Newsletter

It is essential for students to read each Becoming Orange e-Newsletter, sent to their Syracuse University email address (i.e. @syr.edu), to prevent missing important deadlines and information. Throughout the first academic year, students will receive weekly emails encouraging involvement and offering inspiration on how to be active on campus.

Social Media

Connect with fellow new students and learn more about New Student Programs by following us on Instagram @syracuse_nsp.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to help answer any question. Contact the New Student Programs team today!

Yes, there will be friendly faces to help students with their transition to Syracuse University. Volunteers will welcome students to campus and the Orange Community, as well as host programs throughout Welcome Week. Please note, students will move in their own belongings.

Our two student leader teams are made up of upper-division returning student leaders from all schools and colleges, and are involved throughout campus. They are highly trained to know Syracuse University, New Student Orientation and Welcome Week, so please feel free to ask questions!

Orientation Leaders support New Student Orientation programming in July and will guide students through the program, serving as a resource during the session and beyond.

Welcome Week Leaders support all move-in and Welcome Week programming in August. They are the captains of the Goon Squad who help students move in to their residence hall, and they create and implement the large-scale programs during Welcome Week for all new students.

From academic support, to professional development, to health and wellness, Syracuse University offers a multitude of digital resources to support success.

As part of a student’s required tasks, please visit the Required Tasks webpage to learn more and for additional directions.

It is encouraged to complete required tasks as soon as possible. Failure to complete requirements may result in losing the ability to register for classes, additional charges and/or a Conduct Hold on your student account.

Explore the Required Tasks webpage for a complete list and for additional instructions.

As required tasks, new students begin the Community Wellness Requirements series before arriving to campus in addition to participating in activities a few weeks into their first semester. Then as returning students, students will complete Continuing Community Wellness Requirements annually until graduation.

Failure to complete these requirements by the deadline may result in a Registration Hold, losing the ability to complete class registration until complete.

• Depending on your program, some schools and colleges will require a Mathematics Placement Exam.
• If you are taking a foreign language course, you may need to take a Foreign Language Placement Exam.
• Non-native speakers of English must take the English Language Placement Exam.

New Student Programs supports this student population by planning events and workshops for transfer students to build community on campus,  learn about valuable campus resources and organizations. New Student Programs staff will also send a monthly transfer student e-newsletter. For more information, visit the Transfer Students webpage. 

Learn more on the Arriving webpage.

Jumpstart your Becoming Orange journey with New Student Orientation (NSO), an optional program occurring in July 2026 for first-year students. NSO provides a valuable opportunity to familiarize yourself with campus, connect with peers and staff, and gain insights into college life, ensuring a successful start.

Please note that attending New Student Orientation does not provide a housing or academic advantage over those that do not attend. Visit the Orientation webpage for the latest information.

The following academic schools and colleges will participate in New Student Orientation for July 2026. Students with dual majors are eligible to attend NSO.

• College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• College of Engineering and Computer Science
• College of Visual and Performing Arts
• David B. Falk College of Sport
• Martin J. Whitman School of Management
• School of Architecture
• School of Education
• School of Information Studies
• S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

New Student Orientation will take place over five sessions in July 2026. Visit the Orientation webpage for more information.

• Session 1: Monday, July 6-Tuesday, July 7, 2026
• Session 2: Thursday, July 9-Friday, July 10, 2026
• Session 3: Monday, July 13-Tuesday, July 14, 2026
• Session 4: Thursday, July 16-Friday, July 17, 2026
• Session 5: Monday, July 20, 2026

There is no registration cost to attend New Student Orientation for students, families and supporters.

• Food for all sessions and materials will be provided to students, families and supporters throughout the program.
• For students attending Sessions 1-4, there is no cost associated with your overnight stay in a residence hall.

For questions about New Student Orientation, please contact New Student Programs by calling 315.443.9187 or email welcome@syr.edu.

Yes! For each student that registers, they may register up to two family members or supporters. There is no cost for family members or supporters to attend, though overnight accommodations must be arranged off campus for families and supporters.

For questions about Family and Supporter Orientation during New Student Orientation, please contact Parent and Family Services by calling 315.443.1200 or email family@syr.edu.

If you are unable to attend New Student Orientation, that is okay! All required meetings and action items for new students will still take place during Welcome Week in August. New Student Orientation is optional and is designed to support new students’ transition to Syracuse University by helping them get a jumpstart on navigating campus, meeting peers and connecting with campus resources.

New Student Orientation in July 2026 is for incoming first-year students only. Transfer students will attend Transfer Orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, prior to the start of Welcome Week. Additional program details will be shared in August.

Yes! Whether you are a student and traveling solo for New Student Orientation, or you are traveling as a family with one or two cars, you will be able to park for free on campus during the program. If you are a student, you may park overnight for free as well.

Parking details will be communicated closer to your registered session date.

Year-to-year data supports the move-in schedule using the following criteria. Pre-assigning move-in dates allows for students, families and supporters from far distances a date to confirm flights and hotels at the cheapest rates possible.

• Traffic capacity in downtown Syracuse, NY.
• Holding lines on campus.
• Elevator capacities in the residence halls.
• Travel distance for students in NY, NJ, PA and MA.
• Understanding the cost of overnight accommodations for families across the country.

Learn more on the Moving In webpage.

The majority of students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts will be assigned Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 (Morning, Mid-day or Afternoon). Some students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts will be assigned a move-in date of Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 (Afternoon). We cannot guarantee one date over the other until the assigned move-in dates/times are shared with all new students. New Student Programs will be able to facilitate next steps if the date you are given does not work for you.

We would recommend making overnight travel arrangements for Aug. 18, 2025 if you can only stay one night. This would allow your travel into Syracuse the morning of Aug. 18 and move-in that afternoon should the student’s move-in assignment reflect that date/time. It would also allow for staying overnight on Aug. 18 and being in Syracuse on Aug. 19 should the student’s move-in assignment reflect that date/time.

We encourage parents, family members or supporters to stay or travel back to campus for New Student Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 10 a.m. in the Dome.

Domestic students that are not from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts (e.g. any other state or U.S. territory) should plan to move-in on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. We cannot guarantee a specific time, so we encourage students to make travel plans that will support a Morning, Mid-day or Afternoon move-in time block. Each time block will give specific window of time during which a student may enter their holding line for their residence hall and begin the move-in process.

We encourage parents, family members or supporters to stay for New Student Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 10 a.m. in the Dome.

If there are extenuating circumstances that require a different move-in date, there will be a process to request a different move-in date following that release. Please note that we cannot guarantee a change of date due to residence hall capacities (e.g. holding lines, traffic patterns, elevators, etc.).

Feel free to move-in any day after 6 p.m. if there is another day that is preferable.

Explore hotel accommodations, local restaurants and more by visiting the Travel and Parking webpage.

Explore the Packing Checklist today!

• All new students are randomly assigned to any number of residence halls.
• Students who elect to live in a Living Learning Community or who mutually select a roommate will likely have those requests honored.
• Please note, students cannot select a residence hall or a specific room type.
• Following roommate assignments, students may not change until after classes begin. Students are encouraged to speak with their Resident Director (RD) after classes begin to explore those options should they be available.
• Learn more on the Moving In webpage.

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide a distinct, personalized housing experience based on academic interests, passions and studies. LLC residents have exclusive access to peers with common interests, faculty, staff, student leaders, social activities and outings.

Incoming students may express interest in living in an LLC during the Apply for Housing Required Task.

Explore all helpful lists on the New Student Checklists webpage.

• First-year students are not allowed to have a car. However, in certain circumstances, a student may complete a Parking and Transportation Services petition.
• Transfer students may have a car and are required to purchase a permit.

• Required for first-year students, we encourage students to explore the available meal plan options. Please visit the Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services website for more information about packages and to get an idea of what could be offered.
• Please note, meal plans are subject to change annually.
• Pending deadlines, students may also decide to change meal plans during the semester.

Residential students who fail to meet these requirement deadlines will not be able to receive an Arrival Pass and will not be permitted to move into their residence hall assignment. Complete details and instructions are available on the Required Tasks webpage.

Learn more by visiting the On-Campus Living webpage.

Yes! Upon arrival during designated times, new students, families and supporters will be greeted by student, faculty and staff volunteers. Orientation Leaders and members of the returning student volunteer team, affectionately called the Goon Squad, will be ready to help with wayfinding, unloading vehicles and more.  Please note that this is only available for move-in taking place Aug. 18-20, 2025 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

Welcome Week 2026 is the official, holistic transition experience for new students. Welcome Week includes Pre-Welcome Programs, New Student Move-In, milestone events like New Student Convocation, and various required meetings and programs facilitated by students’ home schools and colleges.

Welcome Week officially begins with New Student Convocation on Aug. 20, 2026. There are some programs and events scheduled prior to Aug. 20, 2026 to accommodate students that arrive earlier in the week. Welcome Week ends on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 with a Day One Celebration on the first day of classes.

Occurring one to three days prior to Welcome Week, new students are encouraged to participate in a Pre-Welcome Program. Pre-Welcome Programs offer students the opportunity to meet and connect in small groups based on identity and interest. Pre-Welcome Programs are a great way to start your Syracuse University journey and prepare for your first year on campus.

Please note, space is limited and costs may apply.

Yes! Parents, families and supporters are welcome to help students move in to their residence hall, attend open houses, New Student Convocation, and events held by students’ home schools and colleges. Parents, families and supporters are encouraged to leave by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 as the rest of the programming and events held Aug. 21-24, 2026 are for students only.

Please visit the Welcome Week webpage for more information.