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.
Virtual New Student Orientation
For the health and safety of faculty, staff and students, Orientation will be held in a virtual format. All in-person, degree-seeking students are required to attend a new student Virtual Orientation session. During this virtual event, we will introduce you to the people, offices and resources that will make your experience at Southern Miss unique. Students will be provided a library of video resources prior to their Orientation date. On their Orientation date, they will participate in several virtual sessions and will schedule their fall classes with the help of an academic advisor.
Note: You will need to set-up your SOAR account in order to register for Orientation. Please also temporarily disable any pop-up blockers on your browser prior to registering.
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 the summer Orientation experience. 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.
2021 Hattiesburg Orientation Dates
Spring Orientation:
- Friday, January 15, 2021 (virtual)
Orientation/Private Enrollment Appointment Fees
All Orientation fees are nonrefundable. Orientation fees cover the cost of materials and programming for your session. You'll
have the opportunity to receive a t-shirt when you get to campus!
Spring Orientation:
- Student: $35 per student
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required online course and a separate $100 fee will be billed to the student’s account at the start of the first semester. A portion of this fee also covers Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW). This is a separate fee from the fees paid for the summer new student Orientation fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation is required for all new degree-seeking students at Southern Miss. You will meet with a staff member to create your fall 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 Orientation in order to register for classes.
Yes! You will have a conversation with an academic advisor who is going to assist you in finalizing your fall class schedule.
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.
Ac academic advisor will assist you in confirming a schedule that works for you and your plan to progress towards your degree on time.
Students generally receive their housing assignment in July prior to the start of the fall semester. 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.