FAQs about Orientation

For advising and registration dates, we always say the sooner, the better. You'll be selecting classes for your first semester and you'll want as many options as possible. However, we do monitor classes closely, to offer more sections if needed, so keep that in mind.

Make sure to pick a date and time that you know you'll be able to make, and place it on your calendar to avoid having to cancel last minute. Unexpected reschedules and no-shows to appointments make it difficult for our advising staff to accommodate shifting schedules. 

You'll also be required to attend a pre-advising meeting with our Orientation Staff the evening before your appointment from 7-8:30pm, so be sure to include that on your calendar as well.

Lastly, don't forget that your placement exams and your APQ need to be completed before your scheduled orientation date.

This means that particular day and time is full, so make sure to have a backup day you're interested in. You can keep checking back to see if there’s an opening, but there won’t be a waiting list. 

For summer orientation sessions, you have the ability to change your day and time (on your own through CampS) up until 10 days prior to your scheduled appointment. After that you will need to call 715-836-5053 to reschedule. Please contact the Office of Orientation at orientation@uwec.edu with any questions or concerns.

That can easily be changed. Just make sure to make the change online through CampS (same process as when you'd initially registered) before the day and time you’ve selected, because you get assigned an advising group based upon your major, so it is important that this information is as accurate as possible.

Please contact orientation@uwec.edu to discuss other options for accessing important New Student Orientation information and resources.

• Know your UWEC username, student ID number, and the password you created — you’ll need this to register for your classes.
• Complete the Pre-Orientation Program in Canvas. Watch your UWEC email for more information, as the course is typically released to students in the end of May / beginning of June.
• Complete your APQ and placement tests well in advance of your appointment.
• Make sure you have adequate access to internet/wifi.
• Make sure you have access to a computer (a tablet or mobile phone will work if you don’t have access to a computer, but these are less user-friendly when signing up for classes). 
• A positive attitude — there is a lot to learn when transitioning to college!

Your Orientation meeting will be a success if you: complete your Pre-Orientation Program in Canvas, complete your APQ and placements tests, are ready to learn new information, interact when meeting new people, and openly ask any questions you might have. Remember, many of your peers will experiencing similar questions and emotions, and our staff will be there to support you.

We currently have online options for placement testing. Please view all up-to-date information regarding Placement Testing examinations at UW-Eau Claire here. All students are encouraged to complete these exams as soon as possible to ensure scores are ready for your scheduled advising appointment during your Day of Orientation.

If a disability (temporary or permanent) requires a special accommodation during orientation, please email the Services for Students with Disabilities Office at ssd@uwec.edu, at least two weeks before your assigned Orientation meeting if possible. We want your day to go smoothly, so please reach out ahead of time.

For summer orientation, students who submit by early May will receive updates about their housing assignment in July. Those who apply later should know their assignment within 5 business days of submission.

Continue to watch your 'My Housing Portal - Roommate Information' as assignments and room changes occur daily. It's important to get to know your roommate ahead of time and decide who brings what, as well as expectations of one another as roommates.

Microwaves, mini fridges and coffee makers are the most popular appliances we find in the residence halls. However, we don’t allow candles, toasters, or hot plates — really any open heat source, so be sure to avoid.

Want more information on what to bring to your 'home away from home'? Check out our ultimate packing checklist!

Move-in typically happens the week before classes begin, and is a very exciting (yet stressful) time! Make sure to communicate with your parents and roommates on expectations to lessen the stressors ahead of your scheduled move-in date. Review all move in details here.

A note that while carts are provided during move-in, we do also encourage you to bring your own dollies and a toolkit if you're able.

We want to hear from you! Contact the Housing Office at 715-836-3674 or housing@uwec.edu.

If you have specific questions about your aid, give the Office of Financial Aid a call at 715-836-3000 or check out their page for more information.

You’ll have to apply for a parking permit through our lottery system. Contact Blugold Central for more information at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu. Also:

• All UWEC students can ride the city bus for free. Just show the bus driver your Blugold Card and enjoy the ride.
• There are miles of paved trails if you enjoy walking, skating, or biking to school. Many students prefer this because they are primarily located along our beautiful rivers.

We’ve got you covered! You can find your username in your application documents that you'd received when you were accepted to UW-Eau Claire. Your username is a combo of your first and last name and various numbers. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it here. Once there, enter your username, student ID number and your PIN. See question about PIN numbers below if you've forgotten that information.

If you have further questions related to account activation or changing/resetting your password, please contact the LTS Help Desk at 715-836-5711 or helpdesk@uwec.edu.

Contact our office (blugoldcentral@uwec.edu), being sure to include your full name and student ID number if you have it.

We can send you a copy of your PIN in the mail; otherwise, you can get your PIN number during orientation as well.

It is highly recommended that you regularly check your UWEC email as well as the Navigate Student app.

Navigate Student includes reminders, to-do's, schedules and upcoming deadlines specific to you. First-year Blugolds are encouraged to download the app as soon as possible, as important messages are communicated through the app throughout the year.

The app is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the App Store.

Our official Transfer Orientation program is typically hosted virtually the week before classes begin.

Transfer students will arrange their 1-on-1 appointment with an Academic Advisor ahead of their scheduled orientation date, and you'll receive more information about this in an email from your advisor once you've been accepted to UW-Eau Claire. These appointments are flexible and can be done via phone, video chat, or in person; the schedule will vary based on when you are available. 

Your official Day of Orientation then will be another chance to connect with your advisor, build relationships with other transfer students, learn more about helpful campus resources, and have fun getting acquainted with your new home!

In addition to orientation, all transfer students are encouraged to attend Blugold Experience Days, which are in-person, on-campus experiences designed to acquaint you with your new home - learn more and register here!

That can easily be changed. Just make sure to make the change as soon as possible, as you get assigned an advising appointment based upon your major.

To change, email transfers@uwec.edu being sure to include your name, campus ID number and what your new major should be. GPA requirements may apply to certain majors, and we will notify you via email when the major has been changed.

If a disability (temporary or permanent) requires a special accommodation during orientation, please email the Services for Students with Disabilities Office at ssd@uwec.edu.

If you have specific questions about your aid, give the Office of Financial Aid a call at 715-836-3000 or check out their page for more information.

You’ll have to apply for a parking permit through our lottery system. Contact Blugold Central for more information at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu. Also:

• All UWEC students can ride the city bus for free. Just show the bus driver your Blugold Card and enjoy the ride.
• There are miles of paved trails if you enjoy walking, skating, or biking to school. Many students prefer this because they are primarily located along our beautiful rivers.

We’ve got you covered! You can find your username in your application documents that you'd received when you were accepted to UW-Eau Claire. Your username is a combo of your first and last name and various numbers. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it here. Once there, enter your username, student ID number and your PIN. See question about PIN numbers below if you've forgotten that information.

If you have further questions related to account activation or changing/resetting your password, please contact the LTS Help Desk at 715-836-5711 or helpdesk@uwec.edu.

It is highly recommended that you regularly check your UWEC email as well as the Navigate Student app.

Navigate Student includes reminders, to-do's, schedules and upcoming deadlines specific to you. First-year Blugolds are encouraged to download the app as soon as possible, as important messages are communicated through the app throughout the year.

The app is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the App Store.

Move-in typically happens the week before classes begin, and is a very exciting (yet stressful) time! Make sure to communicate with your parents and roommates on expectations to lessen the stressors ahead of your scheduled move-in date. Review all move in details here. A note that while carts are provided during move-in, we do also ask that you bring your own dollies and a toolkit if you're able.

You will receive an email in early July prompting you to sign up for a move in date and time at MyHousingPortal under the Misc tab.

Continue to watch your 'My Housing Portal - Roommate Information' as assignments and room changes occur daily. It's important to get to know your roommate ahead of time and decide who brings what, as well as expectations of one another as roommates.