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Orientation Information for Parents + Supporters
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Welcome to the Blugold family!
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Page Family
We understand that your student's orientation experience is really important to you, and so we have created many opportunities to learn, engage, and ask questions. During our orientation program, you'll get the opportunity to chat with university staff members via live sessions, have your questions answered and concerns addressed, and connect with other parents and guests.
It's important for you to know what is expected of your incoming Blugold as they prepare to engage with our orientation process. See details below on what you and your student can expect, and be sure to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
All incoming first year students will be required to complete their placement exams and the pre-advising survey prior to their scheduled advising meeting during orientation. For transfer students, this is a bit more on a case-by-case basis. More detailed information on both of these requirements can be found in the corresponding student checklists - for first year students or for our transfer students.
Failure to complete necessary requirements can have an effect on the selection and confirmation of your student's class schedule, so encourage them to complete these tasks early!
During Blugold Experience Days, students will be able to tour our beautiful campus and residence halls, attend a resource fair, chat with other staff and students, dine on campus, attend live sessions, check out places in the surrounding community, and much more! We highly recommend that parents/friends/supporters join our students on campus for these sessions, as we have dedicated programming for families and supporters on these days. There are multiple days to choose from each summer, and students need to only attend 1 date.
On these days, first year students in particular will be required to meet with their academic advisor to register for classes as well as our orientation team to learn more about the transition to college and academic/student life. These meetings will just be between the student, their advisor, and our team. While students are in their advising appointment, there will be plenty of helpful resources for families, as well as options for families to ask questions after registration. Students will be emailed about our entire process for orientation, and can view more specific information in the meantime by starting here.
More information on Blugold Experience days can be found here. Registration is required, and it opens for students via MyBlugold on March 17, 2025. We hope to see you there!
Blugold Welcome is our series of events we host on campus once students arrive for move in. This is a great way for students to make new friends and check out various campus buildings and hot spots, while getting free food, swag, and other goodies to decorate their new home.
We know that students can feel a little homesick once they get to campus in those first few weeks, and this is a wonderful way to help them get out and explore campus, and organically meet and connect with other Blugolds in their same situation. Encourage them to get involved and celebrate being a part of the Blugold family!
Bookmark this page to share with your student as we get closer to the fall semester.
We know that with any new experience, there comes a lot of jargon and information that may be unfamiliar to new students and their families. We've consolidated some of our recent questions from families into larger categories, and have included them below as a start!
*IMPORTANT: placement testing registration for fall 2025 admits will open on March 15, 2025.
Once registration is available, make sure your student completes their placement tests as early as possible - these need to be completed at least 2 weeks before their scheduled orientation date.
All students are required to take placement tests in Math and English (and World Languages - French, German, or Spanish - if they have the appropriate experience) and they'll need to complete them early in order to ensure they’re able to register for classes effectively. More information regarding the process for completing placement exams is located on our student pages:
It's helpful for our Blugold families to recognize and get to know all of the different applications we'll reference in our orientation sessions ahead of the first year. Handshake? The Housing Portal? CampS? Let us explain!
CampS: CampS is an online platform that students will use to update/edit personal contact information, view information on financial aid, and manage several items related to their academics (sign up for classes, view grades, remove academic holds, viewing class schedule, etc.). Students are also able to give their parent/guardian or another trusted person delegated access to their account through the CampS portal.
More information on CampS can be found here.
My Housing Portal: the housing portal is your student's one-stop-shop for all things 'residence life.' On this online portal, your student will find their housing applications, receive application updates and notifications, and get their first introductions to roommates once the notices go out.
Navigate (student app): Navigate Student is a personalized application designed to help your student adjust and excel during their first year in college. Navigate includes important reminders, to-dos, schedules and upcoming deadlines specific to your student. Students can download this app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone).
Handshake (student app): Used heavily by our Career Center and employer partners, Handshake allows you to explore work-study opportunities and part-time jobs, discover internships, apply for jobs, and read company reviews — all in one spot. If a student is looking for any job (on or off campus) - you'll want to make sure they know about this application. Students can download the Handshake app from the Google Play store (android) or the App Store (iPhone).
Check out virtual tours of the residence halls, ask pertinent questions, and learn more about what to bring when you're ready to move in to your new home at UW-Eau Claire.
When your Blugold is ready, check out out Career Readiness Plan, and our tips for families on supporting your Blugold's career journey.
Something we're missing? Let us know at orientation@uwec.edu. We're happy to help!
We have a multitude of ways for you to connect with the university and other Blugold Families.
Our University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Parents and Families Facebook page is a virtual community where families can come together to share news and comments in an engaging and informative space. It is also a safe space to ask questions about enrollment, residence life, financial aid, academics, etc. and to connect and interact with one another on experiences that college students are having while they are at their home away from home.
Also - are you signed up for the Blugold Family Communication newsletter? Each month, we send out an email to let parents and families know about upcoming events, important deadlines and resources available. Sign-up by submitting your email via this registration link!
Need help? We're here! Please email orientation@uwec.edu and someone will get back to you shortly.