A. Ray Olpin University Union

The Center for New Student & Family Programs believes each University of Utah student deserves to have a college experience that instills a love for their alma mater. We welcome each new University of Utah student and their family and hope to connect them to personalized support and meaningful opportunities by promoting academic excellence and successful transitions. Our office works to support new students and their family members as they transition to the University of Utah.

We offer a variety of programs that support students in their transition to the University of Utah like Swoop Camp Extended Orientation, Welcome Week, Campus Life Mentors, Transfer Student Programs, Picture Your First Year, Parent & Family Programs, Peer Mentor Institute, and New Student Orientation.

All first-year and transfer students attend a mandatory New Student Orientation program before starting classes. NSO is the official welcome to campus and prepares students for a successful transition to the U. This past summer we saw an overall growth at the University of Utah enrollment of approximately 2-3%. We had an incoming class of over 5,200 students attend a NSO and enroll at the University of Utah.

Welcome Week is during the first two weeks of classes at the University of Utah where departments, offices, and student groups organize activities to welcome new and returning students to campus. During Welcome Week, the incoming class of first-year students take a Block U Class of Photo at the Rice-Eccles Football Stadium. This year we had our largest turnout of over 1,300 first-year students attend.

Through these key activities, our staff aspires to create an environment where all students feel empowered by their unique talents and identities, find a sense of belonging and support, and have positive social and emotional experiences that lead to personal growth and academic excellence. We are committed to student success at the University of Utah and we know your situation is unique. Our staff is committed to making the U a place you can be proud of. One participant who attended NSO this summer stated, “I absolutely loved my orientation leader! My orientation leader made each moment of orientation extra fun and the way that she spoke to our group was just very confident and very helpful and everything we needed help in, she was right there! She’s pretty awesome!”.

-Written by: Nomani Satuala