time of your life

2010 Orientation

Photo Gallery

Crime Statistics:

STUDENT LIFE > Orientation > FAQs

SWU Orientation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Passing the Mantle

When is Orientation?
August 13-16, 2010.  August 13-16, 2009.  Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon for all residential students on August 13, 2010. Commuters will meet first and then proceed to check-in in the following order: meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. for last names A-L and 2:45 for last names M-Z.

How much does orientation cost? FREE
(If you have paid your matriculation fee or tuition deposit). Students must be accepted and must pay their tuition deposit prior to signing up for New Student Orientation.

Is orientation mandatory for ALL new students, including transfers? YES!
Every component of orientation is critical to your success as a student at Southern Wesleyan University. Even if you are transferring, every college is unique. ALL students should plan to attend from start to finish. As a part of the First Year Experience Program, freshman students will be placed in their Freshman Sigma Delta groups. All freshman students will participate in a community service project on Monday, August 16th.

What is the purpose of orientation?
Orientation is designed to assist students in becoming acclimated and familiar with the university’s campus traditions, values, beliefs and academic requirements as well as to expose students to campus life.

What will we do at orientation?
Here are few highlights: You will get to build lasting relationships with your peers; you will establish contact with a university faculty person; and you will interact with upper-class students who bear the name “Fellow Servants or Sigma Deltas.” During the fall and event called PlayFair (just for students) and  in the spring we do a campus life party in the Campus Life Center. We also have the Passing the Mantle Ceremony, for students and their parents.

Back to the top of this page

Are there orientation events specifically for parents/transfers/commuters/etc.?
We will have sessions that specifically focus on parent issues and concerns. There will be an academic workshop for parents and a parents’ reception. There will be a commuter students’ reception that will allow them to meet the administration and fellow commuters as well as a meeting on commuter student issues. Transfers’ will also get to interact in student groups with fellow transfer students.

Parents - commuters 

How do I register for orientation?
Registration information will be sent to you from the Student Life Office for you to return to us indicating your commitment to attend. We will also have updated information on the university website. Our address is 907 Wesleyan Drive, PO Box 1020 Central, SC 29630.

When will classes begin?
New students will be engaged in something exciting called a “First Year Experience” with “Faculty Mentors.” As a result, all of orientation will be a part of your academic experience and will contribute to your development. However, all other classes will begin August 17, 2010.

Will there be opportunities for me to worship or attend church?
The University offers chapel services two times per week; however, we do encourage you to find a church home within the surrounding community.

Will Career Services be available if I am undecided about my major or just need help seeking employment opportunities? YES.
A comprehensive Career Services Center is available for all students. For questions you may e-mail Ms. Yvonne Duckett at yduckett@swu.edu. You can also click on this link for the Career Center. 

Back to the top of this page

What if I have a problem?
The University strongly encourages self-advocacy when problems arise. As an emerging adult we want you to learn how to navigate the system by seeking out the appropriate university personnel to address your situation. If you have confidential questions or issues, contact counselor, Carol Sinnamon in the Counseling Center (644-5133), or the chaplain, Ken Dill in the Faith Newton Hobson Worship Center (644-5135). This takes initiative and maturity on your part to work with the administrators, faculty and staff to help resolve your concerns. You can always start with questions in the Student Life Office 644-5141.

Who should I contact about on-campus housing?
You should contact Dr. Chuck Mealy at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5192 or cmealy@swu.edu regarding housing matters. There is a housing deposit of $200. Room assignments will come from Housing. They will be happy to assist you with campus housing while you are a at student at SWU. There are several options available to you – freshmen begin their housing experience in Stuart-Bennett Hall, while transfers have the option of Mullinax or Childs Hall or one of the apartment units. Then when your parents want to come and visit, the Housing Office can assist them in locating a room at Eagles Rest or in a local hotel if no room is available on campus.

When can I move into my residential facility at orientation?
Residential students can begin moving into their assigned campus housing facility after checking in at the Admissions Office. During that time the resident assistants (RA’s) or staff members (Residence Life Coordinators) will have the necessary keys for your room and the required paperwork to be completed. If you need to come from a distance and will be arriving early, the Housing Office will assist you in locating a local hotel for the evening prior to check-in. Your RA’s or Residence Life Coordinator should be contacted first for any concerns regarding your room.

Will I need a parking pass? How much do they cost? YES.
You will need a parking pass and it is FREE. You can obtain one during orientation at your convenience during check-in.

Will I need personal health insurance?  YES.
The University asks that each student have medical insurance. Please provide a copy of your medical insurance card. If you do not have medical insurance you will need to submit an Insurance Requirement Waiver Request Form. You will need to request these forms from the office of Health Services. 

If I am an athlete, will I need personal health insurance? YES.

Back to the top of this page

Am I still required to have a physical and submit immunization records?  If so, what are the requirements? 
The Pre-Admission Physical is required for ALL students prior to enrollment here at Southern Wesleyan University.  The requirements include past medical history, emergency contact information, and a physical completed by a physician.  Documentation of immunizations that are required include:  2 MMR (measles, mumps and rubella ) and ), Tetanus within the last 10 years and a TB test within the last year.

Who should I talk to about financial aid or work study?
You should contact Melanie Gillespie at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5501 or mlgillespie@swu.edu. Go to the Financial Aid website for more information.

Where can visitors stay? Where are hotels located?
During New Student Orientation, there is limited space on campus for visitors. The Housing Office will be happy to work with your family to determine the best “fit” for a room in a local facility, make the reservations for you, and help you get directions to where it would be. If you would like to do this yourself, just call the Housing Office, 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5191, and request a list of local hotels where SWU has current accounts for special discounts.

Who should I contact regarding accommodations for disabilities?
Special needs can be addressed to Mrs. Carol Sinnamon in our Counseling Office. She will be happy to talk with you, assess the situation, and make a recommendation to the Housing Office on your behalf, as well as work with the faculty members for accommodations. She can be contacted at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5133 or csinnamon@swu.edu.

What should I wear to orientation?
We encourage you to DRESS MODESTLY and in keeping with the Christian values of the institution. Negative messages or images that are inconsistent with the university’s mission are prohibited.

Back to the top of this page

Where can I buy groceries, toiletries, etc.?
Wal-Mart is approximately 2 miles from campus and there is free public transportation available (see CAT Bus information below). There are other stores within a 5-10 mile radius of Southern Wesleyan University.

What is your policy on alcohol and other drugs?
We are a drug, alcohol and smoke free campus. SWU prohibits the use of any unhealthy substances. Even if you are the legal age of 21 to drink, you are still not permitted to drink on or off campus when you are enrolled as a Southern Wesleyan University student.

How safe is this campus? safe?
In comparison to other schools of comparable size and much larger, there is a low incidence of crimes at SWU. We are not a perfect campus. We encourage students to take safety precautions, such as locking your residence room door at all times, having a travel buddy when walking or exercising on campus before day light or in the evenings, walking in lighted areas, keeping valuables secured, and monitoring your surroundings when interacting in parking lots. The campus is open to the community at-large, which gives potential to unwelcomed guests. Click here for crime report data.

Is there public transportation available for students?
The Clemson Area Transit (CAT) red route comes to our campus. The CAT bus travels to Clemson, Anderson and Seneca. Please see the following website for details: www.catbus.com/home/central-route.html. It is FREE and leaves campus about once an hour.

CAT bus 

How can I contact Student Life about orientation?
Please call the Student Life office at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5140/5141 or contact Ms. Samantha Murfree, associate vice president for Student life and orientation coordinator at smurfree@swu.edu or at ext. 5144 or Mrs. Winnie Molloseau, administrative assistant at wmolloseau@swu.edu or ext. 5141 5145.

Back to the top of this page