In-Person Orientation: Fall 2024

An orientation leader taking a group of students on a tour of the UNL campus

First-Year In-Person Orientation

First-Year In-Person Orientation is a full-day program from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that takes place at the Nebraska Union, 1400 R Street. In-Person Orientation provides the opportunity for you to meet other new students, connect with student leaders, learn about university support and prepare to start college as a Husker!

Reservations open in the MyRED Admissions tab on May 2.

First-year students who live within 300 miles of campus are required to attend In-Person Orientation. If you are a first-year student who lives more than 300 miles from campus, or you have extenuating circumstances and cannot attend in person, you may be eligible for Online Orientation.

Your parents/family members are welcome and encouraged to attend orientation with you. Students and parents/family members spend the morning together and then separate for afternoon sessions. You can include parents/family members on your orientation reservation in MyRED. A $15 fee applies for each guest.

First Year In-Person Orientation Dates

  • May: 29, 30, 31
  • June: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21 (Power Up Weekend), 26, 27, 28
  • July: 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11

Students in the following academic colleges are strongly encouraged to select one of the dates below to take advantage of opportunities to connect with peers and staff from their college/major during orientation:
Architecture, Journalism and Mass Communications, Public Affairs and Community Service and Fine and Performing Arts

First-Year Orientation Reservation Process
First-Year In-Person Orientation Schedule

Events and times are subject to change.

Time Activity
Students and parents/guests together
8–8:35 a.m. Check-in and Info Fair
  • North side of Nebraska Union, first floor, second floor rotunda
  • Name tag, schedule and free bag pick-up
  • Textbook information
  • NCard pickup/photo submission
  • Departmental info booths
8:35–8:50 a.m. Welcome Session
8:50–10 a.m. Information Sessions
  • Academic Success (Center for Academic Success and Transition)
  • Husker Hub (financial aid, scholarships, bill payment)
  • Living Arrangements: University Housing, commuter, fraternity chapter
10:10–10:50 a.m. College Sessions

College advising leaders and/or deans provide information about college-specific opportunities, expectations, requirements, etc.

Students and parents/guests split at 10:50 a.m.
10:55–11:50 a.m.
(Students)
Activities & Lunch in Selleck Food Court (meal voucher provided)
12–2:05 p.m.
(Students)
Life of a Husker

Students participate in interactive activities and discussions framed around Husker Student POWER.

10:55 a.m.–12 p.m.
(Parents/Guests)
Life of a Husker: for Parents/Guests

Orientation leaders take parents/guests to key locations on campus and share about the Husker experience from the perspective of a student.

12–1 p.m.
(Parents/Guests)
Activities & Lunch in Selleck Food Court (meal voucher provided)
1–2:35 p.m.
(Parents/Guests)
Information Sessions
Topics include:
  • Student involvement
  • Greek life
  • Health and well-being
  • Mental health support
  • Multicultural opportunities
Students and parents/guests together for remainder of day.
2:15–2:30 p.m. Closing Session
2:30–3:30 p.m. Special Program Sessions (if applicable)
Programs include:
  • Honors
  • William H. Thompson
  • Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA)
  • Learning Communities
2:30–3:45 p.m. Required End-of-Day Tasks

Students who have not scheduled an advising appointment will be required to complete pre-advising tasks and schedule an appointment before departure.

Optional End-of-Day Opportunities
  • Husker Hub walk-in appointments
  • University Health Center Power of Attorney notary station (near Starbucks in the City Campus Union)
  • Residence hall tours hosted by University Housing
A group of students jumping in the air in front of Archie the mammoth

Transfer In-Person Orientation

Transfer In-Person Orientation is an optional partial-day program from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. that takes place at the Nebraska Union, 1400 R Street. This In-Person Orientation introduces transfer students to campus facilities and resources and provides the opportunity to connect with peers.

You can include parents/family members on your orientation reservation in MyRED. A $15 fee will be applied to the student's first bill for each guest.

Transfer In-Person Orientation Dates

July 25 and August 1. Registration opens July 8.

Transfer Orientation Reservation Process
Transfer In-Person Orientation Schedule

Events and times are subject to change.

Time Activity
9 a.m. Check-In
  • Nebraska Union (1400 R Street), 2nd floor
  • Receive your name tag and welcome bag
  • Interact with representatives from campus departments
9:30 a.m. Welcome Session

Get an overview of the day's schedule and meet the orientation leaders.

9:45 a.m. College Session
  • Opportunities
  • Expectations
  • Advising structures
  • Requirements for your admit college
10:25 a.m. Break
10:35 a.m. Academic Success and Support

Hear from the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) about the habits of a successful student and the resources available to foster academic success.

11 a.m. Campus Tour
  • Visit some key campus locations
  • Learn about the student experience from an orientation leader
12 p.m. Lunch (Meal voucher provided)

Have lunch with your tour group and orientation leaders

1 p.m. "Life of a Husker" Activities (students)
  • Learn tips and tricks for a successful start at UNL from current students
Staff Panel (parents/guests)
  • A panel on student success at UNL with representatives from various campus departments
1:15 p.m. Paying for College
  • Hear from Husker Hub about processes and support related to financial aid, bill payment and more
1:40 p.m. Closing/Announcements
2 p.m. End-of-day Tasks
  • NCard pickup
  • Walk-in appointments at Husker Hub
An orientation leader posing for a photo with a student
Icon of light bulb

Helpful Tips for In-Person Orientation

  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothes because you'll be walking around campus for part of the day.
  • Check the weather forecast. Plan for indoor and outdoor activities and bring an umbrella or rain jacket if the forecast calls for rain.
  • Plan out your travel and parking plans ahead of time.
  • No need to bring a bag—we'll provide you with a free drawstring bag at check-in.
  • Submit your NCard application (used for campus-wide student identification, authentication and access) in advance and bring a government-issued ID (typically a driver's license) to pick up your card.
  • Review the University Health Centers Power of Attorney (POA) information and bring the POA form (if applicable). Notaries will be available at the end of orientation.

Travel and Lodging Information

Find deals for our partner hotels if you're traveling to Lincoln. Residence halls are only available as lodging for students attending Power Up Weekend June 21–23.

Lincoln airport (LNK) is closest to campus (5 miles or 10 minutes by car). It's a small airport with service via United Airlines. Taxis, car rentals and ride-share apps (Uber, Lyft) are available at LNK.

Omaha's Eppley Airfield (OMA) (65 miles or an hour by car) is larger than LNK and carries multiple airlines. OMALiNK is a licensed airport shuttle company that transports passengers from Omaha to Lincoln and surrounding areas. Contact OMALiNK for pricing information. Omaha also has car rentals and ride share (Uber, Lyft) options.

Parking Information

First-Year In-Person Orientation

Free parking is available in the lot west of the University Health Center. The orientation lot is across 19th street and is marked by New Student Enrollment flags. Plan to arrive at the lot before 8 a.m. so that you can check in at the Nebraska Union on time. The lot is .25 miles on foot from the Union, and it takes about 5-10 minutes to walk to check in. Metered or garage parking is available near the Union at your expense, if preferred.

Transfer In-Person Orientation

Free parking is provided in the city parking garages near campus. The Larsen building at 14th and Q streets is closest to the Nebraska Union, where orientation is hosted. You will receive a parking validation ticket at orientation check-in, which will cover your parking costs when you exit the garage.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available on the southwest side of the Nebraska Union for vehicles with state-issued handicapped permits.