Parents + Guests
Welcome to the Blugold family!
We understand that your student's orientation experience is really important to you, and so we have created many opportunities to learn, engage, and ask questions. During our orientation program, you'll get the opportunity to chat with university staff members via live sessions, have your questions answered and concerns addressed, and connect with other parents and guests.
The New Student Orientation Experience
It's important for you to know what is expected of your incoming Blugold as they prepare to engage with our orientation process. See details below on what you and your student can expect, and be sure to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
Placement Tests, and the Pre-Advising Survey
All incoming students will be required to complete their placement exams and the pre-advising survey prior to their scheduled advising meeting during orientation.
More detailed information on both of these requirements can be found in the corresponding student checklists - for first year students, or for our transfer students.
Failure to complete necessary requirements can have an effect on the selection and confirmation of your student's class schedule, so encourage them to complete these tasks early!
Advising & Registration
Students will be required to meet with their academic advisor to register for classes (beginning for fall 2024 admits, this will happen during Blugold Experience Days - see more below), as well as our orientation team to learn more about the transition to college and academic/student life.
These meetings should be between the student, their advisor, and our team. Students will be emailed about our process for registration, and can view more specific information by starting here.
Blugold Experience Days
During Blugold Experience Days, students and their families will be able to tour our beautiful campus and residence halls, attend a resource fair, chat with other staff and students, dine on campus, attend live sessions, check out places in the surrounding community, and much more!
See more about this program (including details on how students will register) here.
Blugold Welcome Program
Blugold Welcome is our series of events we host on campus once students arrive for move in. This is a great way for students to make new friends and check out various campus buildings and hot spots, while getting free food, swag, and other goodies to decorate their new home.
We know that students can feel a little homesick once they get to campus in those first few weeks, and this is a wonderful way to help them get out and explore campus, and organically meet and connect with other Blugolds in their same situation.
Encourage them to get involved and celebrate being a part of the Blugold family!
How can we help you?
We know that with any new experience, there comes a lot of jargon and information that may be unfamiliar to new students and their families. We've consolidated some of our recent questions from families into larger categories, and have included them below as a start!
What is the process for placement testing?
Make sure your student completes their placement tests as early as possible. All students are required to take placement tests and need to complete them before their orientation date in order to ensure they’re able to register for classes effectively. More information regarding the process for completing placement exams is located on our student pages:
Additionally, click here for more information from our Testing Center.
Explaining important applications your student will need to know.
It's helpful for our Blugold families to recognize and get to know all of the different applications we'll reference in our orientation sessions ahead of the first year. Handshake? The Housing Portal? CampS? Let us explain!
CampS: CampS is an online platform that students will use to update/edit personal contact information, view information on financial aid, and manage several items related to their academics (sign up for classes, view grades, remove academic holds, viewing class schedule, etc.). Students are also able to give their parent/guardian or another trusted person delegated access to their account through the CampS portal.
More information on CampS can be found here.
My Housing Portal: the housing portal is your student's one-stop-shop for all things 'residence life.' On this online portal, your student will find their housing applications, receive application updates and notifications, and get their first introductions to roommates once the notices go out.
Navigate (student app): Navigate Student is a personalized application designed to help your student adjust and excel during their first year in college. Navigate includes important reminders, to-dos, schedules and upcoming deadlines specific to your student. Students can download this app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone).
Handshake (student app): Used heavily by our Career Center and employer partners, Handshake allows you to explore work-study opportunities and part-time jobs, discover internships, apply for jobs, and read company reviews — all in one spot. If a student is looking for any job (on or off campus) - you'll want to make sure they know about this application. Students can download the Handshake app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone).
Understanding Support from Academic Affairs.
As Blugolds, your students will be empowered and encouraged to find their authentic selves through academic exploration and immersion. Our Academic Affairs department has created a series of videos to further illustrate this point and how you can help your student succeed.
Where can I find additional resources to help my student?
Housing + Residence Life
Check out virtual tours of the residence halls at UW-Eau Claire.
Career Services
When your Blugold is ready, check out out Career Readiness Plan, and our tips for families on supporting your Blugold's career journey.
Maps + directions
Whether you're touring colleges, coming to campus for an event, or cheering on the Blugolds, we're sure you'll enjoy the view here in Eau Claire. We can't wait to see you on campus!
Find out how to get hereQuestions
Need help? We're here! Please email orientation@uwec.edu and someone will get back to you shortly.