Orientation in Hattiesburg
Orientation in Hattiesburg
We are excited to welcome you as you start your journey at 51¶ºÄÌ 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 Ready for Life at 51¶ºÄÌ Miss and beyond.
New Student Orientation
Orientation Registration for Summer and Fall 2025 will open on Saturday, February 15.
Please note: You must set up your SOAR account to register and temporarily disable any pop-up blockers on your browser before registering. You must also submit documentation of two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions below if you need to complete a medical or religious exemption.
2025 Hattiesburg Orientation Dates
Note: Dates are subject to change.
Scholarship Orientation
Invitation Only: Honors College, Joe Paul Leadership Scholars, Luckyday, and Academic
Excellence Scholarships
- May 22 - 23
- June 2 - 3
Freshman Orientation
- June 5 - 6
- June 12 - 13
- June 16 - 17
- June 23 - 24
- July 10 - 11
Transfer Orientation
- May 19
- June 27
- July 21
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.
Note: All students may register up to two guests to join them at their selected session.
Scholarship & Freshman Orientation Fees
$100 per student (includes overnight accommodations)
$75 per person for parent/family members (does not include overnight accommodations)
Transfer Orientation Fees
$50 per student
$50 per person for parent/family members
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required course; a separate $100 fee will be billed to the student’s account at the start of the fall semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation is for all new degree-seeking students at 51¶ºÄÌ Miss. Our goal is to ensure that Orientation provides you with all the information you need before the start of your first semester at 51¶ºÄÌ Miss.
Yes. Orientation is mandatory for all new degree-seeking students at the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses. You must register for Orientation to complete registration for classes.
On your Campus Dashboard in SOAR, click "51¶ºÄÌ" on the left side of the page, then select "Orientation Registration."
If you need special assistance to accommodate you, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientation@usm.edu as soon as possible.
Students needing a medical exemption should complete this form and upload it through the same portal listed above.
Please note that medical exemptions must be signed by a physician.
Students needing a religious exemption should complete this form and upload it through the same portal listed above.
Absolutely! We encourage students to bring a parent/family member with them. Some students, however, do come on their own. Please note that students can register up two guests to attend.
#1 Begin checking your USM email account.
#2 Log into your SOAR account and complete your Academic and Financial Agreement to remove the hold on your student account.
#3 Be ready to hear from a 51¶ºÄÌ Miss representative to discuss your class schedule. Beginning in November, they will contact you via your USM email account.
You must be admitted to 51¶ºÄÌ Miss to register for Orientation. The Office of 51¶ºÄÌ can assist you with getting admitted to 51¶ºÄÌ Miss before registering for Orientation. To contact the Office of 51¶ºÄÌ, please email admissions@usm.edu or call 601.266.5000.
No. If this applies to you and you have an orientation hold on your SOAR account, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientation@usm.edu.
Fully online students have the option to attend orientation in person or virtually. Please note that your online degree plan must be listed at the for attendance at Orientation to be optional. You must contact the Office of Online Learning at online@usm.edu or 601.266.5518 if you have questions about your next steps.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services will assist with your onboarding. You can contact them at 601.266.4841 or email them at intl@usm.edu.
All incoming freshmen and transfers will connect with an Academic Advisor to finalize
their class schedule for their first semester.
Please note that advisors are working to contact students prior to their scheduled
session to discuss their class options and complete pre-enrollment. Students should
check their USM email for direct outreach from their advisor.
UNV 100 is a required 1-hour course for all new students at 51¶ºÄÌ Miss. The Office of Leadership and Student Involvement will contact all Hattiesburg campus students about this course at the beginning of your starting semester.