Orientation

Whether you’re coming to Furman for our rigorous academics, undergraduate research opportunities or fine arts programs, our goal is to ensure that your first year is a success. That’s why we have a created a two-pronged orientation program to make the transition to college as smooth as possible.

Furman offers a hybrid approach to acclimating students to academics and college life—Summer Orientation and Fall Orientation. Summer Orientation focuses on the nuts and bolts of class selection, while Fall Orientation introduces students to the Furman experience. Together, these orientation sessions will help you adapt to life on our campus.

Discover how we’re going to prepare you for the next four years. Follow us on instagram as we take you through Summer & Fall Orientation.

Fall Orientation, or Fall O, is an experience that you’ll never forget. This mandatory program gives new first year and transfer students a starting point in how to interact with others, how to traverse academics, and in many cases, how to deal with living with someone for the first time. Put simply, it sets the tone for your time at Furman.

Fall O includes programs about how to tackle your first year at Furman, diversity and inclusion, getting involved, eating well, and, of course, a crash course in managing the shift from high school to college. But it’s more than a “how-to” session. With everything from a carnival to movies, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and begin building community.

View the Schedule

We will have a wide variety of programs and events scheduled throughout Fall Orientation, beginning Thursday, August 17, through the start of the fall semester. View the schedule of events and activities here!

Guidebook

You can also download the Guidebook app for your smart phone to view the Fall Orientation schedule. You can find the “Guidebook” app in the iPhone App Store or through Google Play. Simply download, create an account, and search for the “2023 Furman University Fall Orientation” guide. Within the guide you will find a detailed schedule, a listing of campus resources, our favorite Greenville & Travelers Rest spots, and more! Once you’ve downloaded the app, you are encouraged to enable push notifications so that we can easily notify you of any updates to the schedule.

Reduced Sensory Orientation Group

Students may opt into a reduced sensory orientation experience during Fall Orientation. This group will be led by Orientation Leaders who are trained in best practices for sensory inclusion, and will provide options for activities that have lower sensory thresholds, including, but not limited to: painting, lower social demand icebreakers, and other quiet group activities (like puzzles). This experience is best for students who have sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, or other neurological needs that can best be met with a reduced sensory experience. Please complete this form by August 1 if you are interested in participating.

Move-in Day

First-year & new transfer students will move in on Thursday, August 17.

New student move-in will include a curbside check-in process where students will receive their keys, orientation name tag, and additional important information. Once your check-in is complete and your car is unloaded, you may take as much time as you need to get settled.

Please complete the following steps to select your check-in time:

• Log in to your Housing Self-Service Portal
• Locate the New Student Check-in Banner at the bottom of the screen
• Select a Time Block
• Click Update My Time

You may edit your check-in time block in your Housing Self-Service Portal through August 10. Time blocks are subject to availability.

When you arrive on campus that morning, follow the signs to your designated check-in area:

• South Housing Residence Halls are Poteat, McGlothlin, AD, Geer, BC, Blackwell and Manly. Check-in will occur within the circle outside of the Physical Activities Center.
• Clark Murphy Complex Residence Halls are Chiles, Townes, McBee, Haynsworth, Judson, Ramsay, and Gambrell. Check-in will occur behind McAllister Auditorium.
• North Village check-in will occur at North Village J 100.

You will be able to unload your vehicle near your residence hall. A team of housing student staff members and orientation leaders will be available to assist you. Once your car is unloaded, a staff member will direct you to the nearest available parking lot.

We ask that you review and complete the following, to ensure a smooth move-in experience:

• Please clearly label all your personal items with your full name, building, and room number. This will help us make sure everything gets to the right location.
• Make sure you know your housing assignment. Please go to your Housing Self-Service Portal to see your assignment details.
• Students are advised against bringing additional furniture, as each student will have a closet, desk, dresser, mini fridge, microwave, and bed provided in the room. Click here for a more detailed list of what to bring and what not to bring.
• Click here to view specific information about each residence hall, including general floor plans.

If you have questions about your housing assignment or move-in day, please contact HousingandResidenceLife@furman.edu.

Commuter Students

If you will be commuting to campus this year, you should still plan on participating in Fall Orientation activities!  There is a commuter student meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 3 p.m. in the Thomas Room (located on the second level of the Trone Student Center). Following the commuter student meeting is the first orientation group meeting, and then you are invited to join us for dinner on campus. Orientation leaders will be available to review the Fall O schedule and answer any questions you may have!

Furman University is committed to maintaining and strengthening an environment that is accessible and inclusive for all members of our community. We want to ensure that everyone can access and enjoy these activities. If you need any accommodations in order to fully participate, please contact orientation@furman.edu to request them. Request must be received at least five (5) business days prior to the schedule date of the event or activity.