Orientation Dates

For First-Time, First-Year Undergraduate and First-Year Undergraduate Transfer Students

Every year we are excited to welcome new Prairie Stars and their guests to our in-person orientation (and virtual)! Orientation dates for the next available term can always be found here. For those that are planning ahead around family events and vacations, here are the dates for our one-day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) programs. UIS students love the positive impact our new student orientation has on them when starting college. It helps them feel more comfortable, learn more about their academic programs, find their way around campus, and discover resources they didn’t even know existed. It is also where new students register for classes, learn about becoming a Prairie Star, and more! We can’t wait to meet you at orientation!

Registration for Orientation will open March 3 2025. Designated program dates will be revealed then.

Please review this information before registering for your orientation session.

Capital Honors Scholars register for one of the the Honors designated sessions.
First-Year NCAA Student Athletes register for either the session on Monday June 16 or Wednesday June 18
Transfer NCAA Student Athletes register for the Monday, June 23 session
Online degree majors (OL) register for the Virtual (Synchronous) Orientation or attend In-Person Orientation if preferred.
International students register for the Virtual (Synchronous) Orientation session or an In-Person Orientation dates in June if you want to travel to Springfield. International Students will not be able to register for classes until they have completed the International Student Check-in with International Student Services.
Out-of-State students choose between an In-Person or Virtual (Synchronous) Orientation if traveling to Springfield is not convenient.

Please Note: seats for each Orientation session are limited. Once a session is full, it will be unavailable until someone cancels.

Need to reschedule? Call us (217-206-8181) or email (UISOrientation@uis.edu) so we can update your reservation, cancel the previous one, and confirm your new date. This ensures you won't be charged multiple Orientation and Guest Fees. Watch for confirmation and reminder emails in your personal email inbox.

Summer/Fall 2025

You will choose one of the below dates:

Monday, June 16
Wednesday, June 18
Saturday, June 21
Monday, June 23
Wednesday, June 25 and Tuesday, June 26 (2-day virtual orientation session)

New Student Welcome 2025

New Student Welcome kicks off on Wednesday, August 20 with check-in at 5 p.m. Programs run until 9 p.m., including meeting your Welcome Leader and classmates. Activities continue Thursday, August 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with fun evening events. Classes begin Friday, August 22.

Commuter Students: Start with the Commuter Student Event at 5 p.m. on August 20. Be sure to arrange time off work and let your family know about this commitment.
On-Campus Students: Move into your housing on August 20, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residence Life will provide detailed check-in information in late July. You will check-in for New Student Welcome at 6 p.m.

Participation is required for all sessions on both days to ensure a successful start to your UIS experience!

Please note: Information is subject to change as we finalize details.

Spring 2026

Early October: Orientation website updates with Spring 2026 program details.
Late October: Registration opens for Orientation sessions.
Early November: Online Orientation available for students registered for In-Person or Virtual sessions.
Wednesday, January 7: Virtual Orientation for Online degree majors. On-campus students move in.
Thursday, January 8: In-Person Orientation.
Friday, January 9: New Student Welcome (9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Online degree majors are not required to attend.
Please note: Information is subject to change as we finalize details.

Request Info

Orientation Dates