FAQs

Admitted students who have registered for orientation will be added to an online course that should be completed before their scheduled orientation session. Students will be given access to the online course via Canvas/USAOnline 7-10 days before their session. Be sure to check your JagMail regularly, as you will need to accept the invitation to the online orientation course in order to participate. 

Starting April 26, students who have signed up for orientation will be contacted by their academic advisor via JagMail to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with their academic advisor. Students will receive an invitation to join the Canvas AATS Advising course. This course must be completed before the advising appointment and all students must attend their appointment in order to register for the upcoming semester. For most students, this advising appointment will take place prior to the student's scheduled orientation, but depending on availability, it could also take place after.

If you do not have ACT/SAT scores and are pursuing a STEM or business major, you will need to take the math placement exam before you meet with your advisor. Instructions on signing up for the math placement exam can be found here: https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementschedule.html.

 

YES! Students can register for an in-person or virtual orientation. Both types of orientation still require the student to complete the online course and meet with their academic advisor.

Students who register for and attend an in-person orientation will meet their Orientation Leader on campus on their scheduled orientation date, where they will have the opportunity to:

• Meet with student organizations
• Secure their Jag ID
• Visit the USA Bookstore to purchase textbooks and supplies
• Attend information sessions about campus safety, Title IX, academic success, financial services, and student life 
• Meet with Orientation Leaders and connect with other new students
• Chat with faculty from the colleges and staff from departments to learn more about South and ask questions
• Enjoy lunch at the Student Center
• Participate in campus and community fairs
• Pick up their Jaguar Welcome Pack...and more.

Students who attend a virtual orientation will meet with their Orientation Leader via Zoom on their scheduled orientation day to learn more about South and ask questions. Additionally, the students will have the option to attend our Southbound Open House during the Week of Welcome when they arrive on campus for in-person guidance.

All students must report to their orientation session at their scheduled start time (see confirmation email) to check-in, as orientation attendance for the duration of the program is required.

 

Most of the Fall 2022 Freshman Orientation sessions will include programming for parents and guardians. The Parent Orientation program is only for in-person sessions and will run concurrently with the student sessions. They will have the opportunity to attend orientation with other parents, while students attend orientation with other students.  Parent Orientation is not required, but encouraged. There will be food, panel discussions, giveaways, and much more. The orientation fee for parents is $40 per guest and parents must be registered for orientation on their student's orientation registration form.

Please check the For Parents tab for more information.

1. Make sure you are registered and confirmed for you orientation session.
2. Check your personal email and JagMail for communications.
3. Complete the Admitted Student Checklist.

Orientation is still a requirement for all new, undergraduate students and the orientation fee is a university fee that should be paid prior to orientation registration. Formal requests for refunds should be emailed to southbound@southalabama.edu by May 1, 2022, if the student no longer plans to enroll in Fall 2022.