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Welcome Week

Welcome to the Drover Family!

We are so happy to welcome new students to their home at USAO. As we approach move-in and orientation, we will be sending emails to your university email account with important information, so be sure to keep an eye out! If you have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out to Housing or Admissions.

Move-In Information

New Student Move-in Day - Thursday, August 22nd

  • 8-2pm- Move-in window
     
  • 2pm- Matriculation Event - Te Ata
    (all freshman and their families are invited to attend)
     
  • 3pm- Housing Meeting - Te Ata
     
  • 3pm- Parent Meeting - Ballroom
     
  • 6-8pm- Housing House Party event - Lawson Court
    (welcome the new students and hang out with the housing team)

Returning Student Move-in Days

  • Saturday August 24th- 9am-10pm
     
  • Sunday August 25th- 9am-10pm

Additional Move-in Information

Things to note before move-in 
  • Check your student email for housing notifications and roommate assignments.
  • Review the Housing Packing List before purchasing decorations and supplies.
  • Review all housing contracts in eRezLife.
Things to note on the day of move-in
  • Upon arrival, enter campus through the north entrance from Grand Ave.
  • If you have more than one car on move-in day, please only take one car through the check-in line. The student who is moving onto campus must be in the car that goes through the check-in line.
  • All students will need a form of ID ready at check-in.
    *This is a requirement to be checked in and receive keys. It can be a student or government ID.
  • Bring walking shoes.
  • We will make sure you know where to go once you get here.
  • Due to the heat, it will be a drive through check-in process. (There is no need to get out of your car!)
  • Once your check-in is complete, move-in!!

Where can I park when moving in?

Download these instructions as a printable PDF   |   download a printable pdf of the campus map

Sparks Hall Parking

Map of move-in parking areas for Sparks Hall. One area is the North half of the campus oval, which you can access from 17th street. The other is to enter campus from Alabama Avenue and park directly North or South of Sparks Hall.If you live in Sparks, there are two different parking lots where you can unload your stuff. One is located  around the Oval and the other is behind Sparks Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawson Hall Parking

Map of move-in parking areas for Lawson Hall. This area is made up of four buildings. From North to South, the first three are Lewis, the Clubhouse, and Shafer. The fourth building, Shackeford is to the east of both the Clubhouse and Shafer. Most parking is available next to Shackleford. There is some limited parking off of 17th street, on the other (West) side of the Lawson buildings. You can access the Shackeford parking by driving North on 17th Street, turning right onto Alabama, and then right again onto 16th Street.There is one main parking lot for all Lawson residents behind Shackleford. There is also parking along 17th street but it is limited.

Continue to check your USAO email account frequently for housing and move-in information.

Packing and Decorating

Moving to campus requires a lot of time and effort. Get ahead with some of our tips below to get ready for the big day. 

  1. Pack your belongings in easy to carry and labeled containers.
  2. Keep containers small to medium in size.
  3. Bring a dolly or cart to help make larger loads easier to carry from car to room; (We will have some around campus to help as available.)
  4. Stock up on poster putty, size 3d nails or thumbtacks to hang decorations.
  5. Don't stress. If you forgot anything, Walmart is less than a mile away from campus.
  6. Be patient. Lots of students will be moving in, accompanied by family and friends, so make sure to enjoy this time and getting to know other Drover Family members.

Decorating Guidelines

  • The use of an adhesives for decorations is prohibited (includes: command strips, 3m products, tape, etc.).
  • Please use size 3d nails and thumbtacks.
  • Limit door decorations to 20% of the surface area.
  • Limit wall decorations to 50%of surface area.
  • Only battery-operated fairy lights are allowed.
  • Glow in the dark stars, stickers, and decorative adhesives are not allowed.

Housing Packing List

HOUSING PACKING LIST
Download a printable version of this list

ROOM
  • Bedding
    • Sheets*
    • Comforter/Duvet*
    • Blankets
    • Mattress Pad & Cover*
    • Pillows & Pillowcases
  • Decor
    • Size 3d nails or
      thumbtacks
    • Photos/Poster
  • Miscellaneous
    • Surge Protector
    • Extension Cord
    • Seasonal Clothing
    • Hangers
    • Umbrella/Rain Gear
    • Flashlight
    • Mirror
    • Iron/Ironing Board
    • Storage Container
    • Wax Warmer or Oil Diffuser
GENERAL
  • Drover Card
  • Insurance Card
  • Medications
  • Social Security Card (Employment Purposes)
SCHOOL
  • Backpack
  • Notetaking materials (notebooks/pens/pencils/highlighters OR tablet)
  • Laptop and Charger
  • Headphones/Ear Buds
  • Cell Phone and Charger
  • Desk Lamp
  • Stapler/Paper Clips/Etc.
CLEANING
  • All-Purpose Cleaners
  • Broom
  • Mop
  • Vacuum
  • Trash Can
  • Trash Bags
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Laundry Bag
  • Laundry Detergent
    (Pods or Liquid)
  • Dryer Sheets
BATHROOM
  • General
    • Towels & Wash Cloths
    • First Aid
    • Storage Options
    • Bathrobe
    • Shower Caddy
    • Personal Care Items
  • Toiletries
    • Soap
    • Shampoo/Conditioner
    • Deodorant
    • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
DISCUSS W/ROOMMATE

We recommend talking with your roommates to determine who is bringing what for shared spaces so there aren't two of the same things.

  • Television
  • Coffee Maker
  • Rug
  • Microwave
    (Sparks/Rob)
  • Mini Fridge
    (Sparks/Rob)
  • Shower Curtain
    (Rob/Lawson)
WHAT IS PROVIDED?
  • Spark/Robertson
    • Single Twin XL Bed &Mattress
    • Dresser
    • Desk & Chair
    • Closet
  • Lawson
    • Full or Twin XL Bed & Mattress*
    • Dresser
    • Desk & Chair
    • Closet
    • Kitchen
      • Microwave
      • Oven
      • Stovetop
      • Dishwasher
    • Living Room
      • Table & Chairs
      • Couch
      • Chair
      • Coffee Table
      • Side Table
    • All beds have a mattress cover

*Check your USAO email to find out what size mattress you will have

After You've Unpacked

Now that you are on campus, get excited! Get ready for classes by purchasing your textbooks from the USAO Bookstore, along with the latest USAO swag to show your school spirit. Don’t forget to get your student ID and parking permit (Lawson Clubhouse 205) while you explore our beautiful campus! Be sure to plan your schedule from the Welcome Week calendar below!!

Daily Schedule

Thursday, August 22nd 

  • 8:00am – 2:00pm – Move In

  • 2:00pm – Matriculation (Te Ata Auditorium)

  • 3:00pm – Housing Meeting (Te Ata Auditorium)

  • 3:00pm – Parent Session (Ballroom in the Student Center)

  • 6-8pm – Housing Hangout (Lawson Court)

Friday, August 23rd

  • 7-9am- Breakfast (optional) (Cafeteria)

  • 9-10am- Learn-a-Latte (Oval)

  • 10:00-10:30am- Opening Ceremony (Te Ata Auditorium)

  • 10:30am- First Drove Meeting

  • 11:00-1:15pm- Lunch

  • 1:00-3:00pm- Drove Meeting #2
    Campus Tours

  • 3:00-3:45pm- Drover Resources (Te Ata Auditorium)

  • 4:00 – 5:00pm - Family Competition (Oval)

  • 5:00-5:30pm- Dinner (Oval)

  • 6:00-8:30pm- County Fai

Saturday, August 24th 

  • 7-9am- Breakfast (optional)- Caf
  • 10am- Morning Meeting- Te Ata
  • 10:30-11- Drove Meeting #3- classrooms
  • 11-1:15pm Lunch in rotations- caf
  • 1-2:30pm- Drove Meeting #4- classrooms/rules for scavenger hunt
  • 2:30-3:30pm – Scavenger Hunt
  • 3:30-5:30pm- Drover Cooldown- Oval
  • 5:30-6:30pm- Break
  • 6:30-7:45pm- Drover Dinner- Oval
  • 7:45-8:30pm- Minerva's Minute Madness- David
  • 8:30-10pm- Drover Disco

Sunday, August 25th

  • 10:30am- Morning Meeting- Te Ata
  • 11-1pm- Lunch in rotations- Caf
  • 1-2pm- Drove Meeting #5- Classrooms
  • 2-3pm- Learning Time (Financial Aid, SSC, Business Office)- Te Ata
  • 3-3:30- Last Drove Meeting- Classrooms
  • 3:30-4:30- Alma Mater Skits- Te Ata
  • 4:30-4:45- Alma Mater/pics- Troutt steps
  • 5-5:20pm- Battle of the Boats- Lawson Court
  • 5:20-6pm- Dinner/Closing Ceremony

Orientation Information

We are excited to welcome all incoming freshman students to campus to participate in USAO Welcome Week!! This is a three-day event free to all freshman students that begins on Friday, August 23 (day after move-in), and runs through Sunday, August 25. The purpose of orientation is to help you successfully transition to the USAO community, get acquainted with campus resources, and find your place in our Drover Family!

REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION

Follow the Admissions Instagram (@usaobound & @usaoreslife) to meet the Orientation Leaders and find out what advice they have for you along with what to expect from Welcome Week! You can also DM either Instagram account to get answers to questions you may have. As the school semester is fast approaching, start getting excited for USAO Welcome Week 2024!

Welcome Week schedule coming soon! 

*Note: Transfer students are welcome to join in on USAO Welcome Week, but are not required.