Orientation FAQs

New Student Orientation is designed to help new students transition smoothly here at Concordia University Irvine. Connecting with the student body, learning about the campus culture, and acclimating to a new living situation are all experiences which new freshman and transfer students will have during orientation. With the help of the Peer Advising Leaders (PALs), Resident Assistants (RAs) and other support staff from various departments on campus, the events and activities make a great first impression that will stay with new students throughout their time at Concordia. Concordia offers three orientation events- fall, spring, and summer.

Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) are returning students who are eager to help you transition smoothly to Concordia. They are highly involved in orientation, both fall and spring. They are one of the first peer resources you meet upon your arrival on campus. Feel free to contact them as they will be able to give you the student perspective of CUI and how to navigate it successfully.

Research indicates students who attend orientation transition more positively in college, both academically and socially. To ensure a smooth transition, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities and events provided. WOW is mandatory as each has been planned with a specific purpose important for your success here at CUI. New Student Orientation features a myriad of events and activities both fun and informative.

You are encouraged to rearrange your vacation dates or work obligations to make attendance at New Student Orientation a priority. Start your year off right at Concordia with the foundation that orientation provides. It is critical for all new students to go through Orientation Check-in as this affects your student status. Please contact the Office of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives at (949) 214-3065 if you are unable to attend due to legitimate reasons.

All new students (freshman, transfers, international) are assessed a one-time mandatory $110 New Student Orientation fee in their first semester of enrollment, in addition to tuition charges and other fees. The mandatory orientation fee covers special services, staffing, meals/refreshments, materials and programs for new students during orientation that are not covered by regular operating funds.

Your $100 New Student Orientation fee will be assessed on your student account. You will not be required to pay the fee at orientation.

Definitely! Parents and guests are welcome to attend orientation. Parents and family play a very important role in helping you transition as well as be successful in your college career. Refer your parents and family to our Parent Welcome page to learn how they can be involved at Concordia. At orientation, we offer Parent sessions that are designed specifically for parents so they are equipped with the necessary knowledge in supporting their students at CUI. Reservations and payments for their meal tickets (if they wish to attend the Family meal(s) & Welcome) need to be indicated when you submit your Registration Form.

View the Hotel & Travel page to access the nearby hotels available for your parents/guests to stay at as well as directions and transportation options to the Concordia campus. In case you haven't visited our campus before, view the Campus Map to familiarize yourself with where to go upon your arrival.

These three areas (Bursar Office, Financial Aid, and the Wellness Center) will be available at Orientation Check-in. They are the clearance portion of your orientation. When you arrive at orientation, you will receive an information packet with an Eagles Passport card attached. This card will need to be stamped by all three departments. Once you complete Orientation Check-in, bring your Eagles Passport card to the Housing table to receive your room assignment (if applicable).

Visit the Wellness Center's Health Insurance page for further information on how to waive or enroll in the CUI Student Health Insurance Plan online. Students who have not waived the insurance plan by the deadline will automatically be enrolled in the CUI Student Health Insurance Plan and be billed for it.

Upon your acceptance, you are responsible for completing the necessary paperwork to ensure your status as a student. If you have outstanding paperwork (which results in a Hold) when you arrive for Orientation Check-in, you will be required to meet with those offices that day. Holds that are not taken care of can result in your classes being dropped, prohibiting you from registering for classes, or having to move out of your residence hall. Visit the New Student Checklist to ensure you have completed the necessary items and have a smooth check-in process.

If you are told by one of the offices at check-in that they are not able to clear you that day, please go to the first floor of the Grimm Hall Lobby and ask to speak with Cheryl Siebert. She will assist you in continuing on with the process. You will not be fully cleared until your Eagles Passport has been completed. Housing will require to see your completed Eagles Passport before they issue you your housing assignment.

ID card pictures can be taken in the Campus Safety Office (Admin 103). You will need your ID card to activate your meal plan. It is very important to keep this card for the entire time you attend Concordia as it serves as your library card and meal card. Replacement cards cost $50.

Yes, all of the residence halls are wireless so students have access to the internet. If you encounter any network problems, you can either stop by the IT Office in Administration Building 220, email ITS@cui.edu, or call (949) 214-3175.

Your computer access codes will be mailed to you upon your acceptance. These passwords give you access to Blackboard, CUI network, and Web CT. You will also receive your CUI Eagles email address. All communication from the University will be sent to your Eagles email address so it is vital to check it at least once a week. To seek assistance with computer recommendations, you can contact the IT department at (949) 214-3175 or ITS@cui.edu.

Complete the Parking Permit Form and submit it to the Campus Safety Office (Admin 103) to obtain your parking permit decal. Bring your driver's license and vehicle registration information. This applies only to transfers and commuter students.

Freshman residents are not allowed to have vehicles on campus. There is an appeal process for these students if they feel that it is necessary that they have their cars on campus.

Hertz On-Demand short-term rental vehicles are located on campus. These cars will require you to apply for membership online through the Hertz website.

Irvine is a very bike-friendly city. For bike paths in Irvine, visit the City of Irvine official website. There are also bus stops very close to campus. For bus information in Irvine, visit the Orange County Transit Authority website.

Your student ID card acts as your library card. You will use your Blackboard computer access code to access your library account and online research databases from off-campus. The library homepage to access the catalog and electronic databases is library.cui.edu.

Mailboxes are available for students living on-campus. You can go to the mailroom and you will be given your mailbox number and combination. Any questions regarding the mail services at Concordia can be answered at that time. View the New Student Booklet to learn more about your new mailing address and mailing options offered at the Mail & Copy Center.

You can check your class schedule online through MyRecords. If you are unable to access MyRecords, please contact the Registrar's Office. You will need to be completely cleared before you can receive a printed schedule.

Changes to your schedule can be made by contacting one of the advisors via email at academic.advising@cui.edu. With an academic advisor's approval, you will be able to change your schedule online using Banner Web before classes begin. Once classes have begun, there are certain procedures you will need to complete to make changes to your schedule. Stop by the Academic Advising Office in the Student Success Center to consult with one of the academic advisors.

In order to enroll in a class that is closed, students must attend the first class; request permission to add; obtain the required signatures (academic advisor, instructor or Dean/Department Chair); and submit the form to the Registrar's Office (first floor of Grimm Hall) by the deadline. It is important to complete this process early as instructors reserve the right to refuse late requests.

Yes! You have two options. You can log in to MyRecords and view your class schedule. There will be a "Buy Textbooks" link and a list of the required books for your classes will be shown. You can then proceed to purchase those books online. The other option is to visit the CUI Founders Bookstore and view what books you need for each class and add those to your "cart." After submitting your payment online, you will be able to pick up your books when you arrive for orientation.