Incoming First Year Students
Students
Parents
Please visit the Orientation and Family Programs webpage for families.
What do I need to do before Orientation Part I?
Students must complete the Advising Planning Form (found on SOLAR) and complete any required assessments by June 23rd (summer). Students who do not complete these items prior to orientation may be unable to register for necessary classes due to missing information.
In addition, your Planning Guide also contains information about submitting high school transcripts, college credit transcripts and AP scores to the University. Please bring copies of these records to your orientation. Click here to download a copy of the Planning Guide.
What will happen at Orientation Part I?
For an overview of the day please visit the Orientation page for First-Year students.
In the morning program, we want each student to understand what it means to be in their Undergraduate College and how to access the resources within it. We start the morning program off with general information about what an Undergraduate College is and an introduction of the First Year reading book (a common experience for all first year students). As the morning program continues students will meet their Undergraduate College Advisor(s), Faculty Director, and Quad Director who begin to explore the theme of the college and engage students with one another. Additionally, this time is used to introduce students to some of the content that will be discussed in the First Year Seminar 101.
In the afternoon, the main objective is course registration. Incoming students will have the opportunity to work with an Undergraduate College Advisor and Orientation Leaders to help them pick the best courses for their first semester. This process is done in small groups and is off limits to guests and families. Before concluding the student program, each student will meet with a staff member to process the day and resolve any questions they may have regarding coming to Stony Brook.
During the student program of Orientation, parents and family members are learning about the nuts and bolts of attending Stony Brook. We encourage parents to visit the Orientation and Family Programs webpage for more information.
Why is it important to meet my Undergraduate College Advisor?
Your Undergraduate College Advisor(s) will serve as your academic advisor for your first year at Stony Brook. Additionally, your Advisor will work with the Faculty Director and Quad Director to plan activities and opportunities for you throughout the year. Some of the goals of these activities and opportunities include connecting you to the University, connecting you to your Undergraduate College, and informing you of the wealth of student services and resources available to you on campus. All Undergraduate College Advisors teach 4 sections of First Year Seminar 101, so there is a good chance your Advisor may end up being one of your instructors.
Why is it important to meet my Faculty Director?
Your Faculty Director serves as the academic head of your Undergraduate College. Interacting with faculty members can be one of the most challenging tasks for undergraduate students. The role of the Faculty Director is to assist with this challenge. Students are encouraged to talk with their Faculty Director to better inform themselves of the academic endeavor. Additionally, your Faculty Director coordinates the faculty teaching the First Year Seminar 102 that take place in the Spring. Getting to know your Faculty Director will help you be able to select one of these classes.
Why is it important to meet my Quad Director?
Your Quad Director serves as the student affairs professional for your Undergraduate College. The Quad Director supervises 3 to 5 full-time professional staff Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) that each are responsible for a residence hall in which first year students will live. The Quad Director along with their team of RHDs work with student staff to organize events that engage students socially and academically with each other, the Undergraduate College, and the University. Additionally, all of the Residence Hall Directors and most of the Quad Directors also teach First Year Seminar 101.
What if I am commuting to Stony Brook?
Commuter students are welcome in the residential quad and are a part of all Undergraduate College events that take place in the quad. The Quad Director, Undergraduate College Advisor, and Faculty Director work closely with the office of Commuter Student Services to make sure commuters are part of the community. For more information on how to get involved as a commuter, please feel free to speak with any of the individual roles for your college listed above. You may also contact the office of Commuter Student Services at 631-632-7353 or in their office in the Student Activities Center suite 222.
What will happen during the course registration portion of Orientation Part I?
Before students arrive at Orientation, their Undergraduate College Advisor has taken information from the Advising Planning form students should fill out by June 23rd and created a pre-advised form for each student that we refer to as the Schedule Planning form. The Schedule Planning form will be given to each student in the afternoon of Orientation to begin the process of course registration. During that time incoming students will sit in small groups with an Orientation Leader who is trained to assist students. The Orientation Leaders discuss with each student the recommendations their Advisor has made for them on the Scheduling Planning form. Throughout this process an Undergraduate College Advisor will be available for questions and discussion regarding appropriate course for each individual student. Before an incoming student leaves the class registration portion of Orientation, an Undergraduate College Advisor will review and sign off on each student’s schedule. Many academic program offices will also be available for consultation about specific degree requirements.
What if I have questions about my schedule after Orientation Part I?
Once you have attended your Orientation date, you are encouraged to contact your assigned Undergraduate College Advisor before making any changes to your schedule. To view a typical freshman schedule look on page 10 of your Planning Guide or click here. Please remember that course selection and major exploration are very personal decisions made by individual students in consultation with their Advisor. It can be difficult for students to make the best decisions for themselves when friends and parents may have different opinions.
What do I need to do before Orientation Part II: Experience Stony Brook?
The time between Orientation Part I and Orientation Part II provides a good opportunity for students to resolve any outstanding administrative work. Please make sure any outstanding health form documentation has been submitted. Any AP scores and college credit transcripts that have not been submitted to the University should be done during this time. Students should also check their SOLAR account to resolve any holds placed due to fees or requirements not met. If you need assistance with understanding a hold, please contact your assigned Undergraduate College Advisor for guidance.
Additionally, Students should read the First Year Reading before they come to Orientation Part II. Classes begin the day after Part II ends and students will not have time to read the First Year Reading book once classes have started.
What will happen at Orientation Part II: Experience Stony Brook?
At move-in for on-campus students (on the first day of Experience Stony Brook for commuter students) you will be able to pick up your picture ID. Students are required to bring their student ID to all events, as student attendance will be taken via their ID cards. Your student ID will also help you access a variety of services throughout the year. Don’t lose it.
At Experience Stony Brook (Orientation Part II), you will be formally welcomed to the University at Convocation by President Kenny. You will meet with other students from your Undergraduate College and participate in team-oriented activities. Finally, you will receive important information about your rights and responsibilities as a Stony Brook student, including policy information on issues such as drugs and alcohol, sexual assault, hazing, and the University code of conduct.
What will happen at the Undergraduate College Program during Orientation Part II: Experience Stony Brook?
During the Undergraduate College program of Experience Stony Brook the entire freshman class for your Undergraduate College will be present. It will be your first collective welcome to the smaller community of faculty, staff, and students you will be working with for the coming year. Each college has its own unique way of involving students in activities that both acclimate students to the College and allow them to interact with each other.
What is a First Year Seminar 101?
In the fall, each freshman is enrolled in a College-specific seminar. It's a semester-long opportunity to get acquainted with Stony Brook, taught by staff who know and understand the campus community. The course is designed to give new students the skills they need for success — both academic and social — while exploring aspects of the Colleges' respective themes. Some of the topics covered in the course include: study skills, test taking and test anxiety, health/well-being and success in college, academic citizenship, time management, academic and career planning, introduction to campus resources, and how to get involved on campus. For more information on our curriculum please visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/colleges/curriculum.shtml.