SWU Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- When is Orientation?
- How much does orientation cost?
- Is orientation mandatory for ALL new students, including transfers?
- What is the purpose of orientation?
- What will we do at orientation?
- Are there orientation events specifically for parents/transfers/commuters/etc.?
- How do I register for orientation?
- When will classes begin?
- Will there be opportunities for me to worship or attend church?
- Will Career Services be available if I am undecided about my major or just need help seeking employment opportunities?
- What if I have a problem?
- Who should I contact about on-campus housing?
- When can I move into my residential facility at orientation?
- Will I need a parking pass? How much do they cost?
- Will I need personal health insurance?
- If I am an athlete, will I need personal health insurance?
- Am I still required to have a physical and submit immunization records? If so, what are the requirements?
- Who should I talk to about financial aid or work study?
- Where can visitors stay? Where are hotels located?
- Who should I contact regarding accommodations for disabilities?
- What should I wear to orientation?
- Where can I buy groceries, toiletries, etc.?
- What is your policy on alcohol and other drugs?
- How safe is this campus?
- Is there public transportation available for students?
- How can I contact Student Life about orientation?
When is Orientation?
January 7, 2012. Orientation begins at 8:30 a.m. with a University Welcome. Check-in for the residence halls begins at 3 p.m. that day.
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.
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 freshman and transfer students?
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. As a part of the First Year Experience Program, freshman students will be placed in their Sigma Delta groups.
What will we do at orientation?
Several important tasks will occur during Orientation. Specifically, you will be given the opportunity to enroll and register for classes two days before the rest of the student body. If you are living on campus, you will also have a chance to move into your living space and get established before most students return. Also, we will have our signature ceremony called “Passing the Mantle.” If that’s not enough, you will begin to formulate relationships with students, faculty and staff; all of whom will play a significant role in your life at Southern Wesleyan University.
Are there orientation events specifically for parents?
We will have sessions that specifically focus on parent issues and concerns. There will be an academic workshop for parents and a parents’ reception.
How do I register for orientation?
Registering for Orientation is easy. The Orientation Registration Form is available online at: https://mycampus.swu.edu/ICS/Admissions/Register_for_Orientation.jnz
If you do not have an internet connection, simply complete the registration slip that was mailed to your home address and return it to the Orientation Office at 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 January 10, 2012.
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 Yvonne Duckett at yduckett@swu.edu. You can also click on this link for the Career Center.
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 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 Willa Brockinton at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5192 or by email 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 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 3:00pm. 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?
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?
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?
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.
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 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.
Where can I buy groceries, toiletries, etc.?
Wal-Mart is approximately two miles from campus and there is free public transportation available (see CAT Bus information). 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?
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 and Maverick 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.
How can I contact Student Life about orientation?
Please call the Student Life office at 1-800-282-8798 ext. 5140/5141 or contact Justin Carter, associate vice president for Student life and orientation coordinator by e-mail or at ext. 5144 or Winnie Molloseau, administrative assistant, by e-mail or ext. 5141/5145.