Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Come?
• To experience campus life;
• To meet with an academic adviser;
• To schedule and register for fall classes; and
• To leave campus with your fall schedule.
You must attend both days of the two-day session, or all of the one-day session. The two-day session ends at 12 noon on Day 2; the one-day session ends at 4 p.m.
How Do I Prepare?
• To make a reservation, log on to our
website and select a session by May 11. Tell if you plan to spend the night.
• Your parents should indicate if they’ll be attending the Parents Program.
If they want to spend the night on campus, they should make their reservation
and mail us their payment. (Please be sure to review our policy under Payment
below concerning reservations for parents’ overnight housing.)
• Complete the Course Selection Worksheet for your college or school, and
bring it to Orientation. Review the 2007-2008
University catalog. You’ll
receive your 2007-2008 University catalog at June orientation. It’s the
only copy you will receive free of charge while you’re at UNH.
Should My Parents Come?
Yes, bring your parents. We cannot, however, accommodate friends and pets. For more information about our Parents Program.
Where Will I check-in?
Check-in at Stoke Hall, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.—except on June 15. (On June 15, check-in at Stoke Hall, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) You’ll be directed to parking and Parents Orientation check-in.
Friends & Pets
Can I bring a friend with me to First-Year Orientation?
We cannot accommodate friends and pets at First-Year Orientation. However,
your parents are welcome to attend.
Housing for Students
I’m a first-year student attending the overnight program. Where
will I stay and how much does it cost?
As a first-year student, during Orientation you will sleep in Stoke Hall.
There is no charge for this accommodation. Please bring your sleeping bag,
pillow, towel, and money for snacks. Also, bring a guitar, banjo, harmonica,
or other musical instrument if you want to be part of an informal after-hours
gathering!
Housing for Parents
Parents choosing to spend the night on campus will stay in Hubbard Hall.
There is a $60 charge per person, per night. Linens are provided. Parents
must make reservations for housing by May 11.
We require full payment at least 12-days prior to arrival. Parents may
pay online when registering using a MasterCard, Visa, or Echeck, they can
also mail their check (made payable to UNH) to
First Year Programs
89 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824-3577
Refunds will only be made if we are notified of the cancellation at least
12 days prior to the reserved session. Parents may switch their overnight
reservations without an additional charge only if they do so 12 or more
days before the session desired AND the session initially requested.
Meals
Are meals provided?
For first-year students who attend the overnight program, dinner and breakfast
are provided at no charge.
Inexpensive lunches will be available on campus for parents and freshmen
before and after the overnight program.
First-year students who attend the one-day program will be provided with
lunch at no cost. An inexpensive lunch is available for parents who attend
the one-day program.
What should I bring with me?
o Your completed Course Selection Worksheet
o Your Social Security Card or Driver's license for your photo ID
o A notebook and pen
o Sleeping bag, pillow, and towel (if you’re spending the night)
My parents would rather stay in a local hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast. What are some options for them?
There are a number of lodgings in the local area. Here is a partial list:
New England Center, Durham, (603) 862-2801
Holiday Inn Express, Durham, (603) 868-1234
Hickory Pond Inn, Durham, (603) 659-2227
Three Chimneys, Durham, (603) 868-7800
Days Inn, Dover, (603) 742-0400
Comfort Inn, Portsmouth, (603) 433-3338
Fairfield Inn, Portsmouth, (603) 436-6363
Holiday Inn, Portsmouth, (603) 431-8000
I have a disability. Is there anything I should do before I come?
Disability
Services provides services for students with
documented physical, psychological, medical and/or learning disabilities.
These services may include: accessible classrooms; specialized software;
van transportation on campus; classroom accommodations—note takers, extended
exam time, interpreters for the deaf—and other appropriate accommodations
as requested and supported by documentation. Documentation of your disability
is required and should be sent well in advance.
Please contact Access at (603) 862-2607 V/TTY prior to attending Orientation
so that we will be aware of your needs and may make the necessary arrangements
for you. While you are here for Orientation, we strongly urge you to meet
with the Access Office staff to plan and discuss needs for accommodation.I
will be commuting to and from campus.
Who/How may I get more information about the Honors Program?
During their first and second years, University Honors Program participants
take a minimum of four honors-designated general education courses, on
e of which is the honors seminar. We encourage incoming first-year students
to register for one or two honors courses in their first semester.
An Honors Program adviser will be available at all sessions of Orientation
to answer questions for honors students and their parents and provide information
on honors courses offered for the fall semester.
International Affairs
Through the International Affairs Office, this interdisciplinary second major allows undergraduates
at any college to complement their primary major with the study of the international
affairs. IA requires three core courses and four related electives, a mastery
of geographical knowledge, advanced-level competency in a foreign language,
and completion of a foreign experience of at least eight weeks duration.
First year students interested in pursuing IA are encouraged to complete IA-401 and IA-501 during their first and second years, and to start taking the foreign language of their focus as early as possible.
An IA advisor will be available at all sessions of Orientation to answer questions for interested students and their parents and provide information on IA courses offered for fall semester. During the first year, IA students should work with the advisor to set up a plan of study to ensure timely graduation.
Do I contact to find out about parking, apartments, and the Durham community?
Off Campus and Commuter Services assists off-campus
students in problem solving and locating the resources they need. If you
aren’t sure where to go next, come to the Leadership Center. We are located
in Suite 122 of the Memorial Union. Stop in or call us at (603) 862-0303.
A list of off-campus housing
options in the Seacoast area is available
on-line at. Printed resources range from sublease agreements
and renters’ rights brochures, to where to study on campus and how to get
involved. Pickup your UNH and Durham Community Guide for UNH Commuters
during the Orientation Resource Fair.
In addition, the Information Desk in the Memorial Union is open seven days
a week. The desk has jumper cables to loan, and bus and parking information.
Lockers are also available for rent on a semester basis
What opportunities exist for multicultural students?
The Office of Multicultural
Student Affairs (OMSA), located in the Memorial
Union Building, is committed to advocating and affirming diversity at the
University, providing support services to students of color—African-American,
Latino(a), and Native American—and to sexual minorities.
Computers are available in the office to write papers and complete other
class assignments, access career development information, conduct graduate
and professional school searches, and network with other campuses.
The office also acts as a liaison with the student-run Diversity Support
Coalition, which consists of Mosaico; the Alliance (gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgendered students); the Black Student Union; Hillel (Jewish student
cultural organization); the Disabled Students Organization; the Native American
Cultural Association; and the United Asian Coalition. For more information,
call (603) 862-2050.
What is the CONNECT program all about?
CONNECT is an optional five-day program for first-year and transfer students of color, held just before fall orientation and usually the last week in August. Students of color will have the opportunity to meet upper-class students of color, faculty, staff and become familiar with the UNH campus before the majority population arrives.
What is UNH PrOVES?
UNH Proves (PreOrientation Volunteer Experience in Service) is a week long program prior to Wildcat Days. Student participate in volunteer community activities in the seacoast, develop leadership skills, and get to know the University and the Seacoast area. For more information, www.unh.edu/proves
What is Wildcat Days all about?
Fall semester begins for you with UNH Wildcat Days—an academic and social orientation to the University. You are expected to participate in all program activities during your first weekend on campus and leading to the first day of classes.
Wildcat Days Dates
How may I find out more about Marine Immersion?
Marine Immersion is a credit-experience at the Isles of Shoals Marine Lab just before Wildcat Days.
How may I find out about UNH Outing Club trips and Freshman camp?
The UNH Outing club runs a series of outdoor adventure trips prior to Wildcat Days. Freshman Camp is a student run camp experienct that happens just before Wildcat Days.
I have a question that isn’t on this list. What do I do?
Call or email our First-Year Programs office. You’ll reach us on weekdays from 8:30 – 4:30 (Eastern time) at (603) 862-3488. If you call after hours, leave a message with your name, phone number, and time when you may be reached, and we’ll call you back. Our email address is first.year@unh.edu.
