We are excited you have chosen to become a Grizzly, and want to help you get off to a great start!
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Orientation Options:
Summer Orientations: June 17-18, 2013 and June 27-28, 2013 (For students entering Fall 2013)
Summer Orientations are designed to provide you with an early on-campus experience while interacting with your future classmates and experiencing campus life. Small group meetings with academic departments and workshops led by successful students allow you to complete your course registration for the fall semester.
Online Course Registration & Fall Orientation 2013 (For students entering Fall 2013, click for dates)
Online Registration combined with Fall Orientation is designed for students who are unable to attend Summer Orientation. This program, known as General Education Advising & Registration (GEAR) Online, allows students to communicate electronically with an advisor about their schedule of classes prior to attending a Fall Orientation program. Students who opt for GEAR Online will be able to register for classes prior to attending Fall Orientation and get the same important transitional information as students who attend a summer program.
- GEAR Online Advising: July 8-12
- GEAR Online Course Registration: July 15-19
- Fall Orientation: August 22-23
Orientation for Spring 2013: January 24-25, 2013
Spring Orientation is for students who will begin attending UM in the Spring of 2013. You do not need to register for this program, and we will send you further information in early December! A tentative schedule of events is listed below, but you will need to check in to receive the full schedule with locations and descriptions of events.
You will not be able to register for your Spring courses until you have completed your Orientation program on January 24-25.
| Wednesday, January 23 | |
| 11:10 a.m. | Campus Tour |
| 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | Early Check-in, University Center Atrium |
| Thursday, January 24 | |
| 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Orientation Check-In, University Center Atrium |
| 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Griz Card Center Open |
| 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Opening Meeting for Freshmen & Lower Division or Undeclared Transfer Students |
| 11:00 a.m.-Noon | Writing Assessment Challenge |
| 11:10 a.m. | Campus Tour |
| Noon | Music Theory Assessment |
| 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | Lower Division Transfer Student Info Session |
| 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Choose a Workshop Sessions |
| 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | Foreign Language Assessment |
| 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. | Opening Meeting for Upper Division Transfer Students |
| 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | Walk-in Schedule Building Assistance |
| Friday, January 25 | |
| 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Orientation Central Open |
| 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Pick Up Writing Assessment Results |
| 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. | Academic Department Meetings |
| After department meeting register for classes | |
| 11:10 a.m. | Campus Tour |
| Noon | Non-Traditional Student Workshop |
| 1:00 p.m. | Money Matters Workshop |
| 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. | Bank Exposition/Student Services Fair |
| 3:00 p.m. | American Indian Student Meeting |
| 4:00 p.m. | Schedule of Classes Tour |
| 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Campus Recreation Open House |
Non-Traditional Freshmen
The University of Montana recognizes that because you are not coming straight from high school, your transition may be different than the average 18-year old. We have designed some specific Orientation programming for our non-traditional students, and hope that you take advantage of these sessions such as the “Non-Traditional Student Facilities Tour” as they are designed specifically to ensure that you are successful at UM from the very first day of classes.
Optional Housing, Meals, Outdoor Recreation & Family Program
We have some optional choices for accommodations & recreation during Summer Orientations
Housing
Summer Orientation
- Housing is available for freshmen, family members and transfers students.
- All rooms are double-occupancy with two single beds. Single rooms are not available. A roommate will be assigned. Families who attend with their spouse will be housed together. Parents attending alone will be housed with another parent.
- Bed linens, a pillow and a set of towels are provided. Please note, the residence halls are not air conditioned.
- On-campus housing is limited, so we encourage you to register early.
- The housing rate is $37.00 per person per night and includes breakfast and lunch during the Orientation program. Housing must be paid in advance when registering for Orientation online.
Payment is non-refundable.
Meals
We provide a free continental breakfast in the University Center during the Summer Orientations.
For lunch, choose either or both of the options offered by UM’s international award-winning University Dining Services. If you choose to stay in theresidence halls during Orientation, lunch is included in that price. Do not purchase lunch tickets for yourself if you are staying the residence halls.
Day One Lunch - Taste of the Food Zoo. The Food Zoo is located in the Lommasson Center. This all-you-care-to-eat buffet style restaurant is the main dining room for resident students. Here we are proud to offer an ever-changing choice of entrees, homemade soups, extensive salad bar, daily pastas, gourmet pizzas and daily vegetarian selections including vegan options, fresh fruit and delicious desserts ($8.75)
Day One Dinner – Take the University’s free shuttle bus to explore downtown Missoula and dine in one of our amazing restaurants. Businesses who are members of the Missoula Downtown Association will be offering dining discounts for Orientation participants!
Day Two Lunch - UM Farm to College Highlights. Please join us at the Food Zoo and enjoy featured items from the UM Farm to College Program. This program features a wide variety of fresh locally grown produce, dairy and meat products. The UM Farm to College Program: Strengthen your economy, support your community and TASTE the difference ($8.75)
Family Orientation Program
We are happy to offer an Orientation Family Program that runs concurrently with the new freshmen programs during both Summer and Fall Orientations.
Please visit the Family Orientation page for more information.
Steps Before Orientation
Manage Your UMConnect Email Account
Log into your UMConnect Student Email account, and check it regularly. UMConnect serves as the official means of communication between students and The University of Montana, including information about registration, tuition and fees notifications, urgent announcements, notices from President Engstrom and the UM administration. This is a very important step, as we will send you multiple significant emails throughout the pre-Orientation process. If you prefer to forward this email to your personal account, you have that option, as well. View instructions on how to forward your UMConnect email.
To log into your UMConnect account, you will need to use your NetID, which you can find by clicking the “What’s my NetID” link below the login. You initial password will be the last six digits of your Student ID Number (begins with 790, and located on your acceptance letter).
Clear Your Holds
Before you can register for classes you need to verify that there are no holds on your student account. To check your hold status:
- Log into your CyberBear account, using your NetID as your username. You can find your NetID using the online NetID lookup tool. If you have never logged in with your NetID, your initial password is the last six digits of your UM ID number (begins with 790).
- If you experience NetID login problems please contact the IT Central Help Desk at (406) 243-HELP (x4357) Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm MST.
- Next, click on the top link that says “Student Services” followed by “Student Records” and then “View Holds”.
The most common student account hold is a Health Hold. If you have a Health Hold the Curry Health Center needs a completed Medical Requirement Form as well as verifiable documentations of your immunizations. If you have any questions please contact the Curry Health Center directly at medreception@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-4330.
Refuse or Buy Health Insurance
The University of Montana requires all students (registered for seven or more credits) to have and to maintain medical coverage while attending the University. UM offers an optional insurance plan through Blue Cross/Blue Shield if you are not covered under an existing insurance plan. For more information about the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan offered through UM, please visit the Student Insurance Program website.
How to Refuse or Buy Health Insurance:
- You must be registered for Orientation before you can refuse or buy health insurance.
- If you are a transfer or Missoula College student you are not required to complete this step at this time.
- Once your Orientation registration has been processed, you will see a message on your CyberBear home screen that instructs you to complete the Health Insurance option.
- Please log into your CyberBear account to either “Refuse” the UM Health Insurance (if you are already covered under another plan), or to “Buy” the UM Health Insurance (if you are not covered already).
Freshmen Course Registration/My Academics
As a new freshman you will be registered in a set of courses – what we call the “major core courses” – that have been prescribed by your major department for your fall semester. Students still considering their options will be registered for the courses that will help them decide on a major. You tell us your interests- we’ll tailor a program specific to your needs.
The “major core courses” registration takes place in early June, so regardless of which orientation you choose you will have a core courses schedule when you arrive on campus for Orientation or before GEAR Online Registration begins.
The email you receive confirming your orientation registration will also have instructions for accessing the freshman course registration portal called My Academics. Before the University can register you in any of your core courses, you must first complete all of the tasks listed on the portal.
- If you are attending the June 17-18 Orientation, complete MyAcademics Tasks by May 27
- If you are attending the June 27-28 Orientation, complete MyAcademics Tasks by June 3
On the second day of summer or fall orientation you will meet with your department’s orientation advisor and then make changes and additions to your fall schedule if necessary. Some departments assign academic advisors during orientation; others defer the assignment until after classes start. In either case you’ll work with a professional advisor or faculty member who can advise you as a new freshman and answer any questions you may have about the major.
