WHAT IS ORIENTATION? 

Orientation is your introduction to Whittier College.  The program is designed to give you an opportunity to meet many faculty, administrators, and of course, other students.  You will become acquainted with the academic and student life programs, as well as the resources, facilities, and services available to you.   You will meet with your first faculty academic advisor (called a Mentor) and select your courses for the spring semester.   

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF ORIENTATION? 

There are five areas of competence developed through the New Student Orientation Program.  They are absolutely essential to being a successful student at Whittier College.  The areas of competence are: 

• Academic Competence-which includes the attitudes and behaviors necessary to be a successful student in a collegiate setting.  This includes such things as how a college classroom experience will be different than high school, what professors expect, how to read the syllabus, and registering for classes!
   
• Practical Competence-which includes being able to access and use the many resources on campus to help you be a successful student.  This could include everything from knowing where to go when ill to how to use mywhittier.edu!
   
• Financial Competence-which includes developing the knowledge and skill to understand your bill, access additional sources of financial aid to pay for your education and complete financial expectations on time.
   
•  Social Competence-which includes being able to make friends early, fitting in, and finding other students who have the same interests as you do!
   
• Cultural Competence-which includes what does it mean to attend a college where respect, honesty, diversity and service to the community are expectations of all students?

WHEN IS ORIENTATION? 

Orientation begins on Sunday, September 2, 2007 and goes until Wednesday, September 5, 2007.  Mark your calendar now! 

*PARTICIPATION IN THE ORIENTATION PROGRAM IS MANDATORY FOR ALL NEW FIRST YEAR AND TRANSFER STUDENTS! 

You can expect to be busy each day beginning with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 10:00 p.m. or so in the evening.  Please make arrangements now with your family, friends and employers so you can participate fully in all orientation activities. 

WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO ARRIVE? 

• Residential students… may arrive any time between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2007.  As a residential student, you must check in first at the New Student Welcome Center on the lawn behind Mendenhall where you will receive your Orientation Packet.  A variety of optional activities are scheduled until 3:00 p.m. when the required activities begin.

      If you plan to arrive in Los Angeles prior to September 2, 2007, you will need to arrange   for your own accommodations, since your residence hall room will not be available early.    You may wish to make reservations with the Whittier Radisson Hotel 7320 Greenleaf        Avenue, Whittier, CA  90608-090) which is only a few minutes away from the College.      The hotel recommends that advance reservations be made.  Their telephone number is      (562) 945-8511. 

• Commuter students…may arrive any time before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2007.  Check in is at the New Student Welcome Center on the lawn behind Mendenhall where you will receive your Orientation Packet.  A variety of optional activities including a special session for commuting students are scheduled until 3:00 p.m. when the required activities begin.
   
• International students…please contact the Office of Admissions for more information about arrivals and International Student Orientation.

IF I AM ARRIVING BY AIR, HOW DO I GET TO WHITTIER COLLEGE FROM THE AIRPORT?

We recommend that you take the Super Shuttle, an airport shuttle service, which will pick you up from the airport terminal and drop you off at the College (or at the Whittier Radisson Hotel).  Super Shuttle runs 24 hours a day and serves all major Los Angeles area airports.  The Super Shuttle telephone number is (800) 554-3146.  The fare to Whittier College from Los Angeles International Airport is approximately $40 and credit cards are accepted. 

IS MY FAMILY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES WITH ME? 

Parents, family, and friends are welcome to participate in Orientation activities between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2007. This includes a series of Faculty Master Open Houses, lunch and dinner at the Campus Inn, as well as the President’s Convocation and Parents’ Orientation Sessions.  Activities after 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and throughout the rest of the week are for Whittier College students only.