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Orientation Information for Parents + Supporters

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Welcome to the Blugold family!

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We understand that your student's experience is important to you, and 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

Below is what is expected of your incoming Blugold as they prepare to engage with our orientation process. Be sure to reach out with questions about the process to 715-836-5053 or orientation@uwec.edu.

Pre-work for their Orientation day: Placement Tests and the Pre-Advising Survey (May/June)

All incoming first year students are required to complete placement tests and the pre-advising survey prior to their orientation day. For transfer students, this is a bit more on a case-by-case basis. Detailed information on both 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.

Blugold Experience Days: Your Student's In-Person Orientation Day (June/July/August)

During their Blugold Experience Day, students can tour our beautiful campus and residence halls, attend a resource fair, chat with staff and students, dine on campus, attend live sessions, check out places in the community, and more! We highly recommend that parents/friends/supporters join our students on campus for these sessions, as we have dedicated guest programming. There are multiple days to choose from each summer, and students need to only attend 1 date. For spring admits, there is only one designated Blugold Experience Day, and that happens after move in, in later January.
Fall 2026 new students will meet with their academic advisor to register for classes on their orientation day. These meetings will just be between the student, their advisor, and our team. While students are in their advising meeting, there will be plenty of helpful resources for guests, as well as opportunities to connect after registration. Students will be emailed about our entire process, and can view more specific information in the meantime by starting here with their orientation checklist. If your student includes a guest/parent email when they register for orientation, we will send general information to that email as well, prior to each orientation date. Note: spring new admits will register online before their in-person Blugold Experience Day.
View more detailed information about Blugold Experience Days. Registration is required via the student's CampS account. We hope to see you there!

Blugold Welcome: Your Student's Official Welcome to Campus (August/September)

Blugold Welcome is a 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 may feel uneasy or even a little homesick once they get to campus, and our events are a wonderful way to help them get out and explore campus, and meet and connect with other Blugolds. Encourage your student to get involved and celebrate being a part of the Blugold family!
Bookmark this page to share with your student as we get closer to the fall semester.

What is the process for placement testing?

Placement testing registration for fall 2026 admits is currently OPEN.

Make sure your student completes their placement tests as early as possible - these need to be completed at least 2 weeks before their scheduled orientation date to ensure scores reach our advising staff in time for orientation.

All first year students are required to take placement tests in Math and English (and World Languages - French, German, or Spanish - if they have 2+ years experience in those languages). Transfer students will need to check with their academic advisor first before deciding to take placement tests. More information regarding the process for completing placement exams is located on our corresponding student pages:

How will my student's credits transfer/apply to UW-Eau Claire?

Students will connect with their Academic Advisor during their orientation advising meeting to discuss transfer of credits (from another college or otherwise). Advisors are trained to look at several factors (high school grades, test scores, college credits, etc.) to prepare options and determine the best path forward for your student.

While students may find it helpful to review our degree plans and other academic information in our catalog, their Academic Advisor will share recommendations based on a multitude of factors and together, your student and their advisor will work to determine a best course of action for classes in their first semester.

What are some of the important applications my 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 semester. Handshake? The Housing Portal? CampS? Let us explain!

CampS: CampS is an online platform students will use to update/edit personal information, view information on financial aid, and manage items related to their academics (class registration, grades, academic holds, class schedules, etc.). Students are able to give a parent or another trusted person delegated access to certain parts of their student account through the CampS portal. More information on CampS can be found here.
MyHousing Portal: If your student is living on campus, the housing portal is your student's one-stop-shop for all things 'residence life.' On this portal, students will find their housing application, receive updates and notifications, and get their first introductions to roommates once the notices go out.
Navigate Student: This is a personalized application designed to help your student adjust and excel in college. Navigate includes important reminders, to-dos, schedules and upcoming deadlines specific to your student. Navigate is the way that students will need to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor. Students can download this app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone) for free.
Handshake: Handshake allows your student to explore work-study opportunities and part-time jobs, discover internships, schedule appointments with our Career Services team, apply for full time jobs, and read company reviews — all in one spot. Students can download the Handshake app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone) for free.

Where Can I Find Additional Resources To Help My Student?

Here are some of the more popular resources we see students utilize in their first term at UW-Eau Claire. Encourage your student to bookmark these pages for easy access - and feel free to do that yourself, as well!

Academic Skills Center (provides resources like tutoring, peer support, and online academic tools): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/student-success-center/academic-skills-center
Advising, Retention, + Career Center (provides academic and career advising services): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/advising-retention-career-center
Blugold Central (assists with financial aid, parking, and registration questions): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/blugold-central
Counseling Services (offers in person and virtual appointments): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/counseling-services
Recreation + Sport Operations (offers ways for students to stay mentally and physically healthy): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/recreation-and-sport-operations
Scholarship Resource Center (offers support on finding and applying for scholarships): https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/blugold-central/financial-aid-office/scholarship-resource-center

Page Family

Orientation

Vicki Lord Larson Hall 2100
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
United States

715-836-5053

orientation@uwec.edu

Orientation Information for Parents + Supporters

Welcome to the Blugold family!

The New Student Orientation Experience

Pre-work for their Orientation day: Placement Tests and the Pre-Advising Survey (May/June)

Blugold Experience Days: Your Student's In-Person Orientation Day (June/July/August)

Blugold Welcome: Your Student's Official Welcome to Campus (August/September)

How can we help you?

Blugold Family Communication - Get connected!

Questions

Orientation

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