New Student Orientation

NSO Schedule

June 2009

To:         All New Freshmen and Transfer Students
From:     Jim McLaughlin
              Director, Campus Center, Student Activities, and New Student Orientation
RE:        New Student Orientation

Congratulations on your decision to attend WPI!  On behalf of the WPI faculty, staff and administration, it is our pleasure to welcome you to our community.

This mailing is designed to help you begin your career at WPI by providing some information which is important and helpful to you prior to New Student Orientation.  A comprehensive collection of information and resources will be available to you at New Student Orientation (NSO), which begins on Sunday, August 23.  If you are moving into a campus residence hall, please plan to arrive between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on August 23, 2009.

We recognize that it is impossible for new students to become totally acclimated to WPI during the four-day Orientation program.  Orientation is a continuous process at WPI, and will continue as you receive support and assistance from your faculty advisor and student community advisor (peer academic advisor) throughout the Fall semester and through the WPI Insight Program.

New Student Orientation offers a variety of sessions designed to introduce students to WPI's unique academic program, its broad spectrum of social and recreational activities, and its rich history and traditions.  The Orientation program, which is August 23 – 26 will acclimate you to campus, prepare you for university courses, and ease your transition to college life.  In addition, special Orientation sessions will be offered for international students, commuting students, and students transferring from other colleges.  Classes begin on Thursday, August 27th.  You will receive an official Orientation schedule upon arrival for Orientation; however you may want to view the detailed schedule of Orientation activities which will be posted on the New Student Orientation web site in mid July.

Arriving at WPI

New students should plan to arrive at WPI beginning at 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 23.   Please note that we are unable to accommodate earlier arrivals.  If you are arriving in Worcester by plane, train or bus, Arrow Taxi Cab at (508) 756-5184 or Yellow Cab at (508) 754-3211 can bring you to campus.  The easiest way to get from Logan Airport/Boston to the WPI campus is by Worcester Airport Limousine Service. The cost is approximately $46.00 per person one-way for WPI students, $92.00 round trip; 48 hours notice is preferred.  Call (508) 756-4834 or 1-800-660-0992, reserve online with a two-day notice at:  www.wlimo.com.  Knights Airport Limousine Service also offers a student discount of $40 one way from Boston Logan or T.F. Green to WPI. WPI students can make reservations through a Web Portal by using this link: http://knightsairportlimo.hudsonltd.net/res?USERIDENTRY=WPIS&LOGON=GO.

When you arrive on Sunday August 23 you'll be pleased to know that there will be student volunteers from our fraternity and sororities that will help you unload your car and assist you with carrying your things to your room.  You should first unload your car as close as possible to the entrance doors of your residence hall and then immediately move the car to the nearest available parking lot.  Please label all of your boxes with your name and room number so that your belongings can easily be returned to you if misplaced.  Campus Police will assist in directing and moving traffic.

Check in at the desk of your Residence Hall, move things into your room, and unpack later.  After your belongings are in your room, go to the lobby area of Harrington Auditorium (our gymnasium) to check in for Orientation and pick up your Orientation Schedule.  The Orientation Schedule will tell you what is going on throughout the day and will indicate where you should go and what you need to do on Sunday.  The first two things you will do after checking in at the Orientation Registration area will be to obtain an ID card, and attend an important information session related to use of computers on campus and connecting to the WPI computer network.

Parents can wait for you at the Parent Hospitality Center while you get your ID card and attend the computer information session for students.  There will also be workshops which relate to academic issues and student life on campus available for parents throughout the day.  Parents are encouraged to stay on campus until the conclusion of the President's Welcome Barbeque at 5:45 PM. 

Bringing Computers to Campus                                                                                                                   

Students are not required to bring a personal computer with them to campus as there are extensive computer lab facilities available for use. However, many students find it convenient to use their own personal computer to complete their coursework. Software is accessible both in the computer labs and over the campus network.

There are many benefits to bringing a computer to campus and attaching it to either our high-speed residential network (ResNet) or our convenient wireless network, but connecting via either method can raise some questions. To make this process easier, the Computing & Communications Center (CCC) has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ). Students planning to bring a computer to campus should check out this useful information by visiting http://www.wpi.edu/Admin/IT/Help/welcomefaq.html.

For information about recommended systems, computer labs and computing information, visit the Computing & Communications Center (CCC) web pages at www.wpi.edu/+CCC. For answers to specific questions regarding computing at WPI, please contact the CCC Helpdesk by emailing helpdesk@wpi.edu or calling (508) 831-5888.

WPI Campus ID Card

It is essential that you obtain your WPI ID Card as soon as possible upon arrival for Orientation on Sunday, August 23.  After leaving Harrington Auditorium, you should proceed across the Quad to the Access Grid Room, in Morgan Hall, first floor, to obtain your card anytime from 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM.  Your WPI ID Card is necessary for Residence Hall Access, Dining, Mailroom and Library.  If you live near WPI and would like to obtain your WPI ID prior to Orientation, you may do so beginning Monday, August 3through Wednesday, August 19, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM in the Administrative Services Offices in Founders Hall, Lower Level.  Obtaining your ID Card before Orientation will mean there will be one less thing to do, on what will be a very busy day on Sunday, August 23rd.

Health Care and Immunization Information

You should have received health and immunization forms in a previous mailing.  If you have not received these forms, or have questions regarding these forms, please contact the Health Center at (508) 831-5526. Please remember if you are not in compliance with Massachusetts Immunization Laws, you may not be able to register for class.  The forms are available on the Web at www.wpi.edu/Admin/Health.

Health Insurance

Massachusetts requires that all college students have health insurance with a minimum of $25,000 medical coverage.  WPI strongly recommends that you go beyond this minimum, with a medical policy that will cover any major illness and injuries.  Additional information will be provided with your WPI billing statement.

New Student Record

The 2009 New Student Record is sponsored by WPI's Interfraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic Councils and contains information about the WPI Greek Community, in addition to photographs of your classmates in the Class of 2013. Herff-Jones, publisher of the New Student Record, has sent information under separate cover about including your picture in the book and purchasing your copy of the Record.  IFC and Panhellenic will distribute these purchased copies at the beginning of Term A.  Most students find this a great way to meet their fellow classmates; we therefore encourage all new students to participate by sending a photo, even if you do not wish to purchase a book.

Academic Information and Resources

First-year students who are not able to attend one of the "Great Beginnings" Advising Open Houses will find all the information they need to select their courses in "Designs: First Steps in Creating Your Academic Experience at WPI" and is available at www.wpi.edu/+Designs.  If you need help, please contact the Office of Academic Advising at (508) 831-5381.  Please be sure to register for your courses by the deadline of June 30th.  Options for course selections will be limited for those students who do not register for their classes by the June 30th deadline.  Transfer students should be in direct contact with the Office of Academic Advising for individual scheduling of courses (the "Designs" information is for first-year students only).

When beginning your academic career at WPI, you may want to take advantage of the Baldridge Reading Program.  All new students will receive registration information from the Office of Academic Advising for this program.

Baldridge Reading Program

For more than 20 years, WPI has contracted with Baldridge Reading and Study Skills, Inc. to provide a program that helps students improve their reading comprehension, retention, speed and concentration.  The program is optional and should be considered by those students who feel their reading skills need improvement.  Students use the reading material from their current WPI courses.  A follow-up program in November is included.  Students register directly with Baldridge.  Contact the Office of Academic Advising for more details.

Students with Disabilities

Incoming students who have a disability and who wish to receive disability related accommodations should fill out the bottom portion of the Voluntary Disclosure form that can be found in the NSO package. This form should be sent, along with supporting documentation, to: Student Disabilities Service Coordinator. For more information, visit www.wpi.edu/Admin/Disabilities, or you may also contact Dale Snyder, Director of Academic Advising at (508) 831-5381.

WPI Mail Services (Located in the Campus Center, Lower Level)

Mailboxes are assigned to all new WPI students upon registration and are used all four years.  New students will need to log onto the Web Information System to get their mailbox numbers and combinations at registrar.wpi.edu, click on Web Information System, type in their ID number and their pin number, click on student services and financial aid, and then click campus mailbox information. Packages or mail delivered prior to New Student Orientation may be picked up Sunday, August 23 between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM, with student ID, or during regular mailroom hours, which are Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM.

To ease the process of sending and receiving mail once you are here, use the following format as your address (encourage those writing to you to use this same format):

Varsity Sports

Varsity Sports are an important component of campus life; however, all new students are expected to attend and participate in New Student Orientation.  If you have been invited to fall preseason practices, or are interested in trying out for a fall varsity sport, you need to contact the head coach in advance of your arrival to review your commitments for practice and for NSO activities.  WPI's varsity coaches support and understand the importance of your attendance at Orientation for your academic success.

The WPI Pep Band

Welcome, incoming freshmen, to the WPI Pep Band (Plus Color Guard)!  Visit our website www.wpi.edu/~pepband. The WPI Pep Band is a completely student-run organization that, in addition to supporting our home teams at nearly all home football and basketball games, also performs a marching halftime show during football season alongside our Color Guard. To help prepare the show, we will be holding a band camp on August - starting three days before New Student Orientation. If you would like to perform in the Color Guard or march with us, we will need you to let us know by Saturday, August 1st, at the latest, as we will need to secure permission for you to move in early. To join, simply send an e-mail to pepoff@wpi.edu with your name, instrument, and student ID number and we'll be sure to keep you up to date on the fun!

Parking on Campus

All students with motor vehicles at the University must register with Campus Police within the first 2-weeks of A-Term.  Decals will be available for purchase in the Campus Center Mid-Century Roomon the following dates and times:
August 26th – 28th   -    9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
After the above dates, decals will be available between 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the WPI Police Department 26 Boynton St. Lower Level.

Decal costs:             All Undergraduate & Graduate Students at WPI only: $75.00
                                Campus and Gateway: $100.00
                                Gateway Only: $50.00
                                East Hall Garage: $350.00

Freshmen living in residence halls will not be permitted to park their vehicle on campus unless extenuating circumstances exist. If so, you should contact Campus Police in writing before arriving on campus (Chief Cheryl Martunas, Campus Police, WPI, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2247).

Commuting students living outside a one-mile radius of the University may bring a motor vehicle to college and will be permitted to park on campus upon the completion of the registration process. 

Please note: Registration of a vehicle is not complete until the University parking registration insignia is permanently affixed to the vehicle.

Out-Of-State Vehicles

Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L c.90 § 3, as amended by chapter 46 of the acts of 2003.  This form must be completed by every nonresident enrolled as a full time student at a school or college in the Commonwealth who operates a motor vehicle in Massachusetts that is registered in another state or country during any period beginning on September 1st of any year, and ending on August 31 of the following year. This applies to students commuting from out­-of-state to a school in Massachusetts and students temporarily residing in Massachusetts. The school will issue the required decal, which must be affixed to the uppermost center portion of the windshield. The penalty for a nonresident's failure to comply as required is up to $200.00.

Selecting a Bank

WPI has a TD Banknorth full service automated teller machine located in the WPI Campus Center.  Here is a list of other banks in the area, some within walking distance of WPI.  For your convenience, several of the banks listed will have representatives on campus during Orientation on Sunday, August 23.  At that time you will be able to open checking accounts, saving accounts, etc.  For further information, call the numbers listed below.

TD Banknorth                                                                                       Bank of America
295 Park Ave                                                                                       255 Park Ave
Worcester, MA                                                                                     Worcester, MA
1-800-747-7000                                                                                   1-800-841-4000

Sovereign Bank                                                                                     Commerce Bank
51 Gold Star Blvd                                                                                 560 Park Ave      
Worcester, MA                                                                                     Worcester, MA
508-754-2271                                                                                      508-797-6925

Citizens Bank                                                                                         Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)
940 W. Boylston St                                                                               131 Gold Star Boulevard
Worcester, MA                                                                                     Worcester, MA 
508-853-3602                                                                                      508-595-1202

Orientation Web-based Information

For more information on the New Student Orientation program and schedule of activities, visit this site:  www.wpi.edu/+NSO.  The detailed four-day Orientation program schedule will be on the website in late July.  There are also workshops though out the day for parents at Orientation.  Parents should plan to stay at WPI until the end of the evening barbeque at approximately 5:30 PM on Sunday.

Reminder Checklist

 

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Last modified: August 13, 2009 15:18:11