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Welcome to Western Carolina University! We are pleased that you will be attending the New Student Orientation program. The program is designed so that you will receive quality academic advising and become familiar with your new home-away-from-home. 

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Immunization/Health Services Form:  If you haven’t already sent in your immunization/health services form, please mail it to the WCU Health Center, Bird Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 or fax it to them at (828) 227-7400.  You will not be allowed to complete the registration process until this form is cleared by Health Services.  Health Services will be located close to Orientation Check-In for any additional immunizations you might need. 

Health Insurance:  WCU requires all full-time enrolling students and all international (graduate and undergraduate) students to have major medical insurance. In the event that you do not have medical insurance coverage, the University will make available to you a student health insurance plan at a cost of $298 per semester (keep in mind that spring semester will provide you coverage through the summer).  While the student health center provides primary care to students on campus at low or no additional cost to you, this health insurance plan assists in meeting these medical expenses as well as any medical expenses incurred outside of our health center, including hospitalization, out-of-area care while traveling (even internationally), and specialty services not available at the student health center.  If you already have health insurance coverage, you do not need to enroll in the University supported plan, all you need to do is visit http://www.studentinsurance.com/ and waive the coverage online (no paper waivers will be accepted), enter your student data along with your current insurance information and submit.   Contact the Health Center at 828-227-7640 if you have any questions.

University Fees Due:  Please be sure that your $150.00 tuition deposit and the $150.00 housing deposit have been made before the May 1 deadline.  Students attending the April Orientation session must submit their $150.00 tuition deposit before attending.  You will not be allowed to officially register for classes until those fees are submitted.

Student ID/access cards (CatCards):  Students must email a digital photo to the CatCard Office (catcard@wcu.edu) or mail a hard copy photo to WCU CatCard Office, 205 Killian Annex, Cullowhee, NC, 28723 one week before your scheduled orientation session so that you can pick up CatCards at check in. 

Parking permits:  Students must register their vehicles online at http://police.wcu.edu/ by August 1.  Parking permits will available for pickup at the One Stop Student Service Center beginning on August 15.

This orientation program will end following your advising session when you receive your class schedule.

What to Bring
*All students and on-campus guests are asked to bring:
Bed Linens (Extra-Long Twin or T-Shirt Material)
Small Fan
Pillow
Towel
Toiletries
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Light Jacket
Rain Gear

Where to Stay
All students attending orientation are required to stay on campus.  Each student will be paired with a roommate to as part of their introduction to student life.  Students will be placed in Scott Hall along with the Orientation Counselors. 

Registered Parents and Guests may opt to stay on campus at no additional charge.  Parents/Guests that opt to stay on campus will be placed in Balsam Hall.  Balsam Hall has central air.  Therefore, parents/guests will not need to bring a fan, but will need to remember their sheets and toiletry items. 

Our local Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.  You can reach them at http://www.mountainlovers.com/ or via phone at 828-586-2155.

Freshman Two-Day Orientation

Day One
Orientation Residence Hall Check-in will begin at 10:00 am (Scott Hall).  *This is where you will pick up rooms keys and drop off your overnight items.

Orientation Check-in will begin at 10:30 am (Ramsey Center).  **At this check-in process you will be given your name badge, orientation schedule and other materials.

Students must arrive at the Ramsey Center between 10:30 am and 11:30 am for the check-in process. 

All students attending a two-day session are required to stay on campus.

Day Two
Check-out of the Residence Halls begins at 7:00 am. 

Students will meet with the Orientation Counselors outside of the Courtyard Dining Hall at 10:00 am.  The OCs will then lead students to their departmental locations.

Day Two ends around 3:00 pm following the Schedule Adjustment period.  Students must attend this session in order to have a full course schedule for the fall when they leave campus.

Rafting Information
If you have signed up for an optional rafting trip, this trip will take place the day BEFORE your orientation session.  You will need to arrive on campus between 11:00 am and noon.  You will check-in at Scott Hall and stow your personal items in your room.  A Base Camp Cullowhee representative will meet you at Scott Hall.  The rafting trip will last until approximately 7:00 pm. 

Orientation does not provide meals for Early Arrival Rafters.  Rafting students will need a small amount of pocket money to buy supper and breakfast. 

Rafting is for students only. 

Parents and Guests may check-in early with the student, but they will need to provide their own entertainment and meals while their student is rafting.