Orientation in Hattiesburg
We are excited to welcome you as you start your journey at Southern Miss! New Student Orientation, Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW) and UNV 100 work together to introduce new students to the people, offices and resources that will make them successful at Southern Miss and beyond.
New Student Orientation
Registration for Orientation 2023 is now open! Be sure to check your email and Orientation and Transition Programs social media for more information!
Note: You will need to set-up your SOAR account in order to register. Please temporarily disable any pop-up blockers on your browser prior to registering. You will also need to submit documentation of two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.
Golden Eagle Welcome Week
Before the fall semester begins, new students will participate in Golden Eagle Welcome
Week (GEWW). They will get to know their campus, meet new friends, and participate
in exciting campus traditions.
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required, online course for all new degree-seeking students. This course
is a web-based supplement to in-person Orientation. The curriculum is designed to
provide academic and campus resources during pertinent times throughout a new student's
first semester. It is an online pass/no pass course administered through Canvas during
the first eight weeks of the semester designed to further enhance the overall Orientation
experience.
2023 Hattiesburg Orientation Dates
Note: Dates are subject to change.
Freshman Orientation
- May 25 - 26 (Scholarship Orientation, Invitation Only: Honors College, Luckyday, National Merit Scholars, and Academic Excellence Scholarships)
- June 5 - 6
- June 12 - 13
- June 22 - 23
- July 13 - 14
- July 24 - 25
Transfer Orientation
- May 22
- June 16
- June 26
- July 7
- July 17
- July 28
Orientation Schedule
DAY 1 | |
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Check-In |
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. | Welcome to Southern Miss! |
11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Small Group Meeting |
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Information Fair |
1:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming |
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Dinner |
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Nighttime Programming |
DAY 2 | |
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast and Residence Hall Checkout |
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming and Academic Advisement |
1:00 p.m. | Checkout |
DAY 1 | |
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Check-In |
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. | Welcome to Southern Miss! |
11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Supporting your Golden Eagle |
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Information Fair |
1:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming |
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Dinner |
DAY 2 | |
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming |
1:00 p.m. | Checkout |
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Check-In and Information Fair |
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. | Welcome to Southern Miss! |
10:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Orientation Programming |
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch and Small Group |
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming and Academic Advisement |
3:00 p.m. | Checkout |
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Check-In and Information Fair |
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. | Welcome to Southern Miss! |
10:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Orientation Programming |
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. | Lunch |
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Orientation Programming |
3:00 p.m. | Checkout |
Orientation Experience Fees
Orientation
Orientation fees are nonrefundable and cover the cost of select meals, materials and programming for your Orientation session. Orientation fees for students and parent/family members must be paid upon registering for an Orientation session.
Freshman Fees
$100 per student (includes housing)
$75 per person for parent/family members (does not include housing)
Transfer Fees
$50 per student
$50 per person for parent/family members
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required course and a separate $100 fee will be billed to the student’s account at the start of the fall semester. A portion of this fee also covers GEWW.
Overnight Accommodations
Overnight Accommodations for Freshman and Scholarship Orientation
Campus accommodations are available the first day of Orientation for students attending Freshman Orientation sessions in May, June and July.
For Students
The $100 orientation fee includes campus housing. Students are required to stay on campus during their orientation experience. They may indicate a preferred roommate during the registration process.
For Parents/Families
Our friends from Visit Hattiesburg offer an extensive list of accommodation options throughout the Hattiesburg community. Parents/families can find off-campus accommodation options by clicking here.
Overnight Campus Housing Amenities
Staying on campus during Freshman Orientation is a comfortable, convenient experience that allows students to become better acquainted with campus. Each room is equipped with a microfridge, private bath, two twin beds and desk. Students should plan to bring their own linens - blanket, pillow, sheets, pillowcase, towels and washcloth. All buildings are equipped with elevators and are ADA compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation is required for all new degree-seeking students at Southern Miss. Our hope is that Orientation allows you to get all of your questions answered before the start of the fall semester.
Yes. Orientation is mandatory for all new degree-seeking students at the Hattiesburg campus. You must register for Orientation in order to complete registration for classes.
On your Campus Dashboard in SOAR, you will need to click "Admissions" on the left-hand side of the page, then select "Orientation Registration."
Absolutely! We encourage students to bring a parent/family member with them. Some students, however, do come on their own.
#1 Begin checking your USM email account.
#2 Log into your SOAR account and complete your Activity Guide to remove the hold on your student account.
#3 Be ready to hear from an Academic Advisor to discuss your class schedule. They will reach out to you via your USM email account.
When registering for orientation, you will have access to dates that will allow you to attend prior to the start of the summer term. After you register for Orientation, your advisor will be in touch with you prior to the summer term to make sure your summer class schedule is complete.
You must be admitted to Southern Miss in order to register for Orientation. The Office of Admissions can assist you with getting admitted to Southern Miss prior to registering for Orientation. To contact the Office of Admissions, please email admissions@usm.edu or call 601.266.5000.
No. If this applies to you and you have an orientation hold on you SOAR account, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientation@usm.edu.
Your online degree plan must be listed at the Office of Online Learning in order to be exempt from Orientation. You will need to contact the Office of Online Learning at online@usm.edu or 601.266.5518 if you have questions about your next steps.
Although you may be classified as a freshman at your current institution, you are transferring from another college and therefore, are considered a transfer student. You should register to attend a Transfer Orientation session.
Yes! You will have a conversation with an academic advisor who is going to assist you in finalizing your class schedule.
All freshmen and most transfers will meet with their University Advisement Center Academic Advisor, who will help finalize their class schedule. Any incoming transfer student who is pursuing a major in the College of Education and Human Sciences will meet with administrators, faculty and staff from their academic college, who will help finalize their class schedule.
UNV 100 is a required 1-hour course for all new students at Southern Miss. It is an online pass/no-pass course administered through Canvas. The Office of Orientation and Transition Programs will contact all Hattiesburg campus students about this course at the beginning of next semester.