Orientation in Hattiesburg

• Learn your SOAR password. You will have to log in to SOAR during Orientation. Your username is a lowercase “w” followed by your 6- or 8-digit Southern Miss ID number. Visit iTech and select Set Password Recovery Options to ensure you know your password before you arrive.
• Log in to your Southern Miss email account. Follow these instructions or log in to Microsoft Office 365’s Outlook email. Your Southern Miss email account is the primary way your professors and the University will communicate with you; it is important that you activate this account and check it regularly.
• Familiarize yourself with the degree plan for your major. You will be required to select your major when you register for Orientation. Each academic major has a degree plan that outlines the courses you'll need to take in order to earn that degree. You will create your class schedule each semester around this required coursework. Take some time to view your degree plan and to think about the courses you would like to take during your first semester.
• Complete your campus housing application. Campus housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Department of Housing and Residence Life will not assign housing to students until an application is filed and the processing fee is paid.
• Submit any AP, IB, CLEP or college credit to Admissions. If you have earned college credit from a source outside of Southern Miss, you must submit proof to the Office of Admissions so it can be applied toward your degree.
• Send your immunization records to Admissions. Prior to attending Orientation, students should, per state law, submit proof of immunization. Proof of immunization must include either a certificate showing two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations (MMR) OR a blood test that indicates immunity to those diseases. The Department of Housing and Residence Life additionally requires campus residents to submit proof of vaccination against meningitis B and meningitis ACYW.  Documents may be uploaded here, emailed to admissions@usm.edu or mailed to the Office of Admissions. Be sure you send that documentation to The Office of Admissions before classes start. 

• Get your student ID made. Having that ID made makes it official: you're a Golden Eagle! Make sure to hold on to it — you will need it every day.
• Research meal plan options. Students who live on the Hattiesburg campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Representatives from Eagle Dining will be on hand during orientation to discuss your options.
• Talk with staff in Financial Aid. Financial Aid counselors will be available during Orientation to speak with you individually about your financial aid. A veterans benefits coordinator will also be on site.
• Create your class schedule. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the degree plan for your major before you attend Orientation. Your academic advisor will help you finalize a class schedule during Orientation.
• Get your questions answered. There will be a variety of opportunities at Orientation to get your questions answered. Orientation leaders, staff members and faculty will gladly answer any questions you have and address any concerns. We understand that there is a lot of information to process, and we want to help you in any way that we can!

• Order your textbooks. You can preorder your textbooks through Barnes & Noble at Southern Miss. You will need your class schedule to get started.

• Send final transcripts to Admissions. Recently graduated high school seniors should send a final official transcript that reflects all grades earned during their senior year and date of graduation. New transfer students should send a final official transcript (with no work in progress) from the last college or university attended before the first day of classes begin.

• Get excited about Golden Eagle Welcome Week. Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW) is how we welcome new students to campus in a big way! This is a fun experience that will help you meet people and learn more about how to have a successful first year at Southern Miss!

Orientation is registration for all new degree-seeking students at Southern Miss. You will meet with an academic advisor to create your class schedule in addition to learning other essential information about becoming a student at Southern Miss.

Yes. Orientation is mandatory for all new degree-seeking students at Southern Miss. You must attend an Orientation session in order to register for classes. If you can't attend Orientation due to an extenuating circumstance, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientationFREEMississippi.  A review committee will evaluate your request and you will be notified of the outcome within one week.

Freshman Orientation on the Hattiesburg campus is a two-day (overnight) event. Students and families should plan to check in to Freshman Orientation between 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Day One and stay on campus through mid-afternoon on Day Two. Transfer Orientation is a one-day event, and students should plan to check in between 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and be on campus for approximately 4-5 hours after check-in.

Yes! You may be advised as part of a group or one-on-one; experiences vary by department. However, please be reassured that as long as you continue here at Southern Miss, you will have many opportunities to receive individual attention from faculty in your academic department and obtain advice and guidance on your academics and career plans.

You must be admitted to Southern Miss in order to attend Orientation. The Office of Admissions can assist you with getting admitted to Southern Miss prior to your Orientation session. Students not admitted on the day of their scheduled Orientation will not be allowed to participate in Orientation. To contact the Office of Admissions, please email admissionsFREEMississippi or call 601.266.5000.

No. If this applies to you, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientationFREEMississippi.

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 onlineFREEMississippi 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.

If special assistance or auxiliary aids are needed, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientationFREEMississippi to discuss accommodations at least one week prior to your Orientation session.

Yes. Please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientationFREEMississippi to discuss accommodations.

You should only bring a friend in place of your parent/family member if that friend plans on participating in parent and family activities during Orientation (while you are engaged in student activities). If a friend attends Orientation with you, that friend will have to pay the guest fee and will be expected to attend parent/family activities during Orientation. Please also note that any parents, family members or friends accompanying you will not be allowed to participate in student activities during Orientation.

Each student is assigned to a small group so that you will make new friends. It is in your best interest to stay with the small group that you are placed in at check-in. You will have plenty of opportunities to connect with your friend throughout the event.

Academic advisement will prepare you to choose courses and create a class schedule that fits into your academic plan at Southern Miss.

Orientation is meant to be an independent experience for students. It is important that you understand the requirements of your academic major since your success is ultimately up to you. For that reason, you will go to your academic advisement session on your own. Your parents/family will have opportunities to have any questions about your academics answered during Orientation activities and are not permitted at academic advisement.

Yes. Representatives from Financial Aid will be available to answer individual questions at each Orientation session.

Yes. Optional residence hall tours are offered at the end of Freshmen Orientation sessions. If you are unable to take a tour during your Freshman Orientation session or would like to schedule a separate tour, contact the Office of Admissions.

Students generally receive their housing assignment in July prior to the start of the fall semester. You should not assume that you will find out your housing assignment at Orientation. If you have any questions or concerns about your housing assignment, you will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from the Office of Housing and Residence Life during your Orientation session. For further information and details about your housing assignment, please contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

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 you about this course at the beginning of next semester.