New Student Orientation
Orientation is a time for new students to learn more about their academic career, have meetings with advisors and counselors, review their fall course schedule, ask questions, and meet their future classmates! This programming promotes discussion among new and current students and parents/guardians, as well as faculty, staff, and administrators on the expectations and perceptions of college life and the campus community.Â
Laker Launch DaysÂ
The most important part of New Student Orientation is a mandatory on-campus Laker Launch Day for students and their families. Laker Launch Days give students the opportunity to receive their class schedule, meet with academic support and representatives from their academic program, and get to know fellow future Lakers, while families attend a variety of engaging workshops.
Upcoming Dates
January 2026 Laker Launch Day (for students starting classes in January 2026)
- Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Summer 2026 Laker Launch Days
- Friday, June 26, 2026
- Monday, July 13, 2026
- Friday, July 31, 2026
- Thursday, August 13, 2026
Special half-day just for commuter students (commuters may choose to attend this half-day event or any of the full-day events).
- Friday, July 17, 2026
Students should log in to their to register or to update their registration. All registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage students to register as soon as they confirm their enrollment to ensure they can attend their ideal date. Students who live a long distance from campus are encouraged to come to the August Laker Launch Day and will be permitted to move in at the conclusion of orientation programming.Â
Virtual OrientationÂ
Virtual Orientation can be accessed via your ºÚÁÏÉç Portal. Virtual Orientation is designed to be engaging and flexible. It is not a one-day event, but rather a collection of information sheets, videos, and activities. Most items can be completed at your leisure, but certain activities are required to be completed before a given deadline.Â
Orientation Outcomes
 By attending New Student Orientation, students will:Â
- Have an effective and comprehensive academic overview session, followed by the completion of a class schedule in their chosen majorÂ
- Gain more knowledge of the academic experience, student support services, and student lifeÂ
- Understand the necessity of taking ownership and academic responsibility in their educational processÂ
- Have the opportunity to make connections with other studentsÂ
- Gain a better understanding of the personal and financial responsibilities of attending collegeÂ
- Begin to experience and embrace ºÚÁÏÉç's traditions, mission, and core valuesÂ
Laker Family participation is essential to the Orientation experience and ensures your student has a smooth transition to ºÚÁÏÉç. We have prepared an Orientation Family Guide to help our students and families stay informed about the resources and policies related to academics, student life, finances, and technology.
January Laker Launch Day Schedule
| Time | Students and Families |
| 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Check-in: Students will get their ID photo taken and receive their folder with their class schedule and schedule for the day. Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall lobby |
| 1 to 2 p.m. | Welcome: University staff will welcome you with a prayer, class statistics, and an inspiring message about your new journey at ºÚÁÏÉç! Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall |
| Student Financial Services: Everything you need to know about your ºÚÁÏÉç bill! Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall | |
| Your Campus Life: Hear from Campus Involvement and Commuter Student Services, Residence Life & Student Conduct, and Police & Safety, all about your life outside of class as a new student at ºÚÁÏÉç. Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall | |
| 2 to 2:15 p.m. | Break: Take a break to stretch, mingle, and enjoy some light refreshments. Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall lobby |
| 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. | Dining and OneCard: Learn all about what and where to eat and how to use your ºÚÁÏÉç Student ID - Your OneCard. L´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall |
| Student Wellness and Safety: Hear from our Wellness team about the resources on campus and how to keep yourself healthy and well. Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall | |
| Academic Supports and Resources: Learn about all of the support systems that exist on campus, as well as information about your schedule and FERPA. Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, Walker Recital Hall | |
| 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. | Student Services Fair: Meet the people behind most of our campus resources, ask questions, get a class schedule tour, change your academic schedule, and more! Location: Audrey Hirt Academic Center, second-floor classrooms |
January Laker Launch Day students and families do not need a special parking pass on the day of their event and are recommended to park in Lot P2. If Lot P2 is full, we recommend parking at P5 or P8.
Move-In Day and New Student Welcome
New Student Welcome officially begins with Move-In Day on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. and ends on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. Dozens of student volunteers, the Residence Life staff, and the campus community help make the move-in process incredibly smooth. New Student Welcome, which begins after the conclusion of Move-In Day, is a perfect opportunity for students to participate in welcome sessions and workshops, take a campus tour, attend social events, and make new friends before the fall term gets hectic. Commuter students also begin their New Student Welcome experience this day.Â
ºÚÁÏÉç New Student Welcome (NSW) marks the official start of a student’s Hurst experience! This extended welcome programming is a transition period designed to help students settle into life at MU, build connections with their fellow incoming students, and develop a sense of belonging on campus before the first day of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
During NSW, students will have a chance to get acquainted with their Introduction to ºÚÁÏÉç—iMU (a starter class for students who are new to ºÚÁÏÉç) classmates. Students will be grouped by their iMU section number, which is located on their class schedule. Each student group will be assigned at least one Laker Leader, who is a trained student leader specifically chosen to serve as a mentor—they have been through this before and can help new students build connections and make Hurst their home!
The 2026 New Student Welcome schedule is coming soon!
ºÚÁÏÉç Orientation Team