New Student Orientation

Welcome to Saint Leo University. Your journey begins here.

New Student Orientation includes a variety of programs and events that will set you on the path toward academic and personal success at Saint Leo University. The orientation is an exciting experience that acquaints you with our campus, academic programs, support services, policies, staff and faculty, and is the beginning to your friendships with other new and current students.

We are looking forward to getting to know you, and having the opportunity to work with you over the next four years.

Take a moment to review our helpful 'What's Next?' guide for new students in order to familiarize yourself with the various documents and tasks you will need to complete prior to your arrival here on campus for the fall.

Fall 2013 New Student Orientation: Week of Welcome

All first-year and transfer students are required to attend orientation programs. However, there’s no need to register in advance. The "Week of Welcome" orientation event begins with Move-In Day and concludes on the first day of classes.

All first-year and transfer students in the University College are required to attend orientation programs. A charge of $310 will be assessed to each new student’s account as a one-time only required New Student Orientation fee.

Key Dates

Tuesday, August 20
Move In Day - International Students

Thursday, August 22
Move In Day - Domestic Students
Matriculation Ceremony
New Student Orientation Begins (runs through Friday, August 23)

Monday, August 26
Academic Affairs Student Advising/Registration - ALL Students
Transfer Student Information Session
New Student Orientation Concludes

Saturday, August 24
New Student Trip

Tuesday, August 27
First Day of Classes - ALL Students (*mandatory) THIS IS A NEW DATE

Airport Shuttle

Dates: Tuesday, August 20; Thursday, August 22; and Sunday, August 25
Shuttle Pick-Up Times: 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.
Location: Outside baggage claim; look for Saint Leo University vans

Transfer Students

Transfer Student Information Session - Monday, August 26

We understand that transfer students have a distinctly different transition to Saint Leo than first-year students. That's why Saint Leo tries to meet your needs by planning an orientation event just for you. This program sets you on the path toward academic and personal success by acquainting you with Saint Leo's campus, academic programs, support services, policies, staff and faculty, and introducing you to new friendships with other transfer students.

International Students

Move In Day -  Tuesday, August 20

The International Student orientation provides activities and events to help you acclimate to Saint Leo's campus and college life in the U.S. You will settle into the residence halls, meet other international students, and become familiar with support services specially tailored to your needs. Academic, cultural and immigration issues are discussed in detail.

For more information on International Student Orientation, contact the International Student Services Office at (352) 588-8489, or email Paige Ramsey-Hamacher, Saint Leo's Director for Multicultural and International Services.

Contact Us

For questions regarding New Student Orientation, please contact orientation@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-8499.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Orientation

All first-year and transfer students in the University College are required to attend orientation programs. These programs are designed to acquaint students with University Campus, academic programs, Student Affairs offices and services, University policies, the faculty, staff and administration and other members of the student body. Participation in the orientation program sets students on a path towards academic and personal success at Saint Leo University. A charge of $310 will be assessed to each new student’s account as a one-time only required New Student Orientation fee.

New Student Orientation will occur from Thursday, August 22 (Tuesday, August 20 for international students) through Monday, August 26, and is designed to assist students in making a smooth transition to Saint Leo University. Orientation Leaders will meet students upon arrival and will guide them through the orientation process so that all students will be settled and ready for success when classes begin on Tuesday, August 27.

Placement Testing

  • First-time, first-year students may need to complete placement testing prior to enrollment at Saint Leo University. Students meeting any of the following requirements do not need to complete placement testing: Bridge Program participant; Honors Program participant (or eligible, with 3.5 GPA and SAT of 1150+ or ACT of 25+); LEAP Program participant
  • Online placement exams must be completed for both Math and English
  • Online exams must be completed between May15, 2013 and July 1, 2013
  • Students must schedule an appointment to take the online exams three (3) days prior to taking them
  • Students who fail to complete the exams by July 1, 2013 will be placed in basic level composition and math classes by default and may be required to take additional course work to complete the requirements for their degrees
  • Specific instructions on how to complete the exams will be emailed to students at their Saint Leo email and personal email addresses by May 15, 2013
  • Students may use a calculator for the mathematics placement exam
  • Complete information on how to access and complete placement testing is available online here.

English Placement:

  • Students are required to take the English placement exam in order to determine the best English class for them to take the first semester at Saint Leo.
  • The online exam is an hour long and consists of two sections. The first section is multiple choice and covers knowledge of grammar and punctuation and the second section is an essay to reflect critical thinking and effective communication skills.
  • Saint Leo requires two sequenced composition courses, English 121 and English 122, as part of the University Explorations (general education) program. Some incoming students may need additional preparation in order to be successful in English 121.
  • Results of the English placement test will determine if a student will be placed in English 002, a course that covers the basic skills related to grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph structure but does not count toward University Explorations; or if they will be placed in English 121, a course which reviews these skills and goes on to study various types of essays.
  • Students who are placed in English 002 for Fall 2013 will then take English 121 in Spring 2014.

Math Placement:

  • Students are required to take the mathematics placement exam in order to determine the best mathematics class for them to take the first semester at Saint Leo.
  • The Level 1 exam tests student knowledge of basic algebra and the Level 2 exam tests knowledge in intermediate algebra. The time limits for the Level 1 and Level 2 exams are 25 minutes and 35 minutes respectively.
  • Students are allowed to take the exam using a calculator.
  • Saint Leo requires all students to take a mathematics course as part of the University Explorations (general education) requirement. The required course may vary depending on a student's major.
  • Students who need only one mathematics course to fulfill their University Explorations requirement may take MAT 131 or College Mathematics. MAT 131 is a terminal course and will not prepare students for higher mathematics courses.
  • Business majors will take the following mathematics course sequence: MAT 003 (Basic Algebra) > MAT 141 (Finite Mathematics) > MAT 201 (Introduction to Statistics)
  • Majors that require MAT 151 (College Algebra and/or above) will take the following sequence: MAT 003 (Basic Algebra) > MAT 128 (Intermediate Algebra) > MAT 151 (College Algebra) > MAT 152 (Trigonometry) > MAT 231 (Calculus)
  • Results of the mathematics placement test will determine if a student will be placed in MAT 003, MAT 128/141, or MAT 151/201.


ETS Proficiency Profile

First-time, first-year students must complete the ETS Proficiency Profile assessment. The online tool is intended to document your skills as you enter the university. It isnot used to compare you to other students or to place you in classes. The deadline for completing the assessment is August 1, 2013.

Click here for detailed information about the ETS Profile, including instructions on how to access and complete the test.

Parking on Campus

Students who will be bringing a car to campus must register with the university for a parking decal. This includes both resident and commuter students. Students may do this online or in person at Trane Stop in Saint Edwards Hall on University Campus. Students are strongly encouraged to register their vehicle online to help avoid long lines at the beginning of the semester. To register a vehicle online simply visit www.saintleo.edu/parkingdecals and complete the online form. A decal will be assigned and billed to the student's account. It will then be available for pick up upon arrival on campus for the semester.

Student IDs

Each student attending Saint Leo University is provided a student ID. Student IDs may be requested via email or in person at Trane Stop at University Campus in Saint Edwards Hall. Completing the request online will help avoid long lines at the beginning of the semester. Simply visit www.saintleo.edu/studentID and follow the instructions for requesting a student ID. Once we receive this request we will make the ID and it will be available for pick up upon arrival on campus for the semester.

Student Health Insurance

Each student attending our traditional program at University Campus full time is required to carry health insurance. This policy applies to commuter students registered full time as well. To assist students in following this policy, the University automatically enrolls students in the University endorsed health insurance plan and bills their student accounts. Students with their own insurance through a group or individual plan may waive the coverage and avoid the fee. Additional information regarding the 2013-2014 policy, premium, and instructions on how to waive this insurance coverage will be posted here when available.

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