New Student Services
New Student Services (NSS) assists in the successful transition of the University’s incoming and first-year students by coordinating programs that promote a sense of belonging, engagement and academic success.
Orientation
NSS oversees and coordinates orientation for incoming freshman and transfer undergraduate students at the beginning of each fall, spring, and summer school semesters. Student orientation programs are designed to aid in the transition experiences of newly admitted first-year and transfer undergraduate students into the academic, cultural, and social climate of the University. New Student Services serves new freshman and transfer students by: acclimating them to the campus and surrounding community; providing information and assistance concerning academic policies, procedures, requirements, and registration; serving as a campus information and referral agent; and hosting opportunities for campus offices and organizations to interact with new students through programs and events. NSS strives to provide a holistic, encompassing student development approach to new student programming to achieve goals that ultimately support the missions of NSS, its division and the University. Student fees provide the entire budget for all student programs and services coordinated by the unit.
Additional Services
In addition to orientation, NSS coordinates various programs and resources that help students in their transition to the University throughout the academic year. These programs include but are not limited to an off-campus website with student student resources; first-generation student initiatives; Longhorn Welcome, a series of events to welcome students in the fall; Spring Welcome Week, an extended orientation experience for transfer students who start in the spring semester; Horns Helping Horns, which serves financially independent students who have little or no family support and limited resources; The Longhorn Way, which highlights on-campus events and opportunities to help new students get involved and find their place on campus; and RISE, a one-day summit for first-year students designed to reinforce the information and resources presented at orientation.