New Student Orientation
Welcome to Lee University!
Your journey at Lee starts with your #LeeUArrival and New Student Orientation (NSO)! We look forward to helping you get a strong start here at Lee. Your #LeeUArrival will begin Sunday, January 12 when you move into your residence hall. We will have some key offices available to serve you throughout the weekend, as well as some suggestions for family activities and events within your residence hall. NSO will officially start on Sunday, January 12th 2025 when you meet your Gateway or transfer group.
We hope that you are as excited about your #LeeUArrival as we are! We know that it can be a nerve-wracking process, but we are always here to help. Feel free to email [email protected] or call us at (423) 614-8626 if you have any additional questions about your first week at Lee.
Follow the Office of First Year Programs on Instagram at @leeufirstyear and use the hashtag #LeeUArrival to share your experiences!
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Schedule for New Student Orientation
It all begins Sunday, January 12 with New Student Orientation (NSO) Check-In and Move-In! If you are living on campus, watch for emails from the Residential Life & Housing staff ([email protected]) with information about your move-in day. When you arrive at your residence hall, you will check in with your residence hall staff and move into your room. After moving in, you’ll meet the orientation team at the Science & Math Complex (SMC) to check in and receive key information detailing the rest of the weekend’s activities and instructions to complete any final steps in the registration process.
If you and your family want to further explore Cleveland, we can help connect you with several family activities in the Cleveland community including hiking on trails or walking on the Greenway, dining at some of our local restaurants, and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] for more information. After family farewells are made, students can connect with each other with activities in the residence halls.
After checking in with the Orientation team, you and your family will attend a New Student Opening Session. There, you’ll hear from the Vice President of Student Life & the Vice President for Student Success as well as other key faculty and staff, who each want to welcome you to the Lee family. Promptly after the session ends, all freshman and transfer students will then spend the afternoon getting to know their Gateway and transfer groups. Freshman students will connect with their Gateway groups and meet their LEEU-101 Instructors for the first time. Transfer students will meet with their Transfer Leaders and participate in a session about their transition to Lee.
On Saturday evening, everyone is invited to join us for a free dinner buffet at 5:00pm at The Chapel in the John D. Nicholas room. Immediately following the dinner, you are invited to attend the Service of Dedication. The Service of Dedication is a tradition in which Lee’s faculty and administrators come together to welcome new students and their families to Lee. Students and their guests can attend the Service of Dedication in the beautiful Lee University Chapel.
"Deke" is short for diakoneo, a Greek word which means, “to serve.” You will soon see that service is a core value of Lee University. Appropriately, all new students begin their time as a student by participating in "Deke Day: A Day of Service."
The event begins on Monday at 1:00pm with a rally with your Gateway and transfer groups. There, you will learn about Deke Day and Lee's commitment to redemptive service throughout our community. You will learn about a local assisted-living facility that is specially assigned to your class and visit with residents of that facility with your group, LEEU-101 Instructor, Peer Leader, and/or Transfer Leader. Our goal is for you to begin gaining a deeper understanding of the community’s needs, the meaning of service, and the impact that you can have as a student. Not only will this be a highlight of your first semester, but you will receive your first service-learning credits toward your graduation requirement!
We are so excited that your student has chosen to attend Lee University! We know that this is a time of transition for you as well, so we hope that you will be able to join us for New Student Orientation. When you move your student in, we encourage you to take in all that our campus has to offer.
The Office of First Year Programs is here to help answer any questions you may have about New Student Orientation, so feel free to contact us at [email protected] or at (423) 614-8626.
What is New Student Orientation? Do I have to attend?
New Student Orientation (NSO) is required for all incoming students. NSO is an introduction to life as a Lee University student. During NSO, you will have the opportunity to move into your residence hall, check in with the Orientation team, finalize your registration, confirm enrollment, and learn about all of the resources and opportunities Lee has to offer new students. NSO is a great opportunity to meet new and returning students, faculty, staff, and student leaders. Make plans to join us starting Saturday, January 11.
Do I need to register for New Student Orientation?
No, there is no separate registration needed for NSO. After moving into your residence hall on Saturday, we will also have a booth to check you in for the weekend at the Science & Math Complex.
What if I have scheduling conflicts?
If it is not possible for you to attend New Student Orientation, please make sure to contact the Office of First Year Programs prior to NSO Weekend. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (423) 614-8626.
Can I bring a guest to New Student Orientation?
Absolutely! We encourage students to bring family members with them to assist with such a significant transition.
Will I meet with an advisor and finalize my class schedule during New Student Orientation?
If you have not completed early class selection prior to NSO, you will be given an appointment card at NSO Check-In for a time to meet with an advisor and finalize your class schedule on Monday during the registration period. If you have a class schedule, but still need to confirm enrollment, you will be able to do so when you arrive.
There will be many opportunities for you to meet fellow students and get plugged in here at Lee. During your first week at Lee, you will have the opportunity to connect with dozens of Lee’s different clubs and organizations at Club Lee. Club Lee is a club and organization fair to meet and greet over 75 clubs that Lee has to offer. For more information about how to get involved, connect with your Peer or Transfer Leader or contact [email protected] if you have any additional questions about beginning your Lee journey.
We hope that you are as excited about your #LeeUArrival as we are!