As many of you know, New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) will be virtual again this year. That means all in person NSOR dates are canceled. All new students will be registered for and participate in the virtual NSOR program.
Program overview
Virtual NSOR will happen during the month of June, from May 31 to July 2. Each week, incoming students will participate in Canvas modules and meet virtually with their orientation group. All new students are required to attend virtual NSOR, including transfer students, international students, athletes, seminarians, 3+2 students, and readmit students. See program details below.
Module 1: Welcome to the Cardinal Community (starts May 3)
- Module focuses on welcoming new students to Saint Mary’s
- Orientation group meeting — meeting times will be determined by student’s availability
Module 2: Cardinal Life (starts June 7)
- Module focuses on what life is like for Saint Mary’s students and covers many Student Affairs offices
- Orientation group meeting — same group and time as the previous week
Module 3: Prepare for Take Off (starts June 14)
- Module prepares students for registration, covering the course catalog, the portal, and Integratus
- Orientation group meeting — same group and time as the previous week
Module 4: Let’s Get Registered (starts June 21)
- Module will show the students directly how to register
- No orientation group meeting this week — instead, student’s will be meeting with a Student Success adviser virtually to get registered for classes
Module 5: Officially a Cardinal (starts June 28)
- Module focuses on aspects that new students have access to now that they are officially registered, including financial aid, buying books, and services available to them as a Saint Mary’s student
- Orientation group meeting — same group and time as the previous weeks
Each department will be represented through videos and discussions in small groups. Modules will be housed on the “Cardinal Kickoff” Canvas course. If your department is updating their video from last year, please have those submitted by April 30.
Welcome Weekend 2021
New students move in on Thursday, Aug. 26. We are planning for an in-person Welcome Weekend this year from Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Aug. 29. Welcome Weekend will include old traditions and will be launching a few new traditions. If you are interested in helping with any aspect of Welcome Weekend, please reach out to Tricia Dobrient at tdobrien@smumn.edu.
First five weeks – fall 2021
A small committee is working on first-year programming for the first five weeks of the fall semester. Events include shopping shuttles into Winona, the clubs and organizations fair, and drop-in advising for first-year students. Many other events are in the works. If you are interested in assisting with any of these programs, or you have ideas for first five weeks programming, please contact Tricia Dobrient at tdobrien@smumn.edu.
Common read 2021 – “Between the World and Me”
The common read books are here and ready to be picked up. If you would like a copy of “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, please visit the Student Success Center or email Tricia Dobrient at tdobrien@smumn.edu.
Orientation leaders 2021
The orientation leaders are hard at work planning for virtual NSOR and Welcome Weekend. Weekly, the orientation staff is training to build leadership skills, develop as representatives of the university, and prepare to be the best welcoming staff for the incoming class of students. It is a great idea to get to know the orientation leader representing your department so they can help establish connections for your department with the incoming students. Take a look at your orientation leaders for 2021 below.
Executive orientation leaders:
Katie Pierpont, biology, pre med.
Jordan Keeley, leadership and pre physical therapy
Noah Xing, finance and international business
Orientation leaders:
Ashley Streveler, elementary education
Caroline Cummings, business intelligence and analytics
Catie Schiltz, biology and pre physical therapy
Cheyenne Carlsen, psychology and criminal justice
Emilie Serna, literature
Emily Henderson, elementary education
Emma Doering, theatre: musical theatre track
Enitan Onayiga, psychology and criminal justice
Josie Borchert, English
Juoleanne Ladao, 3+2 physicians assistant program
Maddie Mora, biology, pre physicians assistant
Maria Flynn, public relations and digital media
Becca Fabozzi, Spanish and marketing
Sydney Klausler, elementary education
Tiwonge Kafera, biology, pre med
If you have any questions or concerns about any new student programs, please contact Tricia Dobrient at tdobrien@smumn.edu.