Dear New Student,
Welcome to the College of Wooster! My staff and I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks.
Move-in Day is August 12 unless you are arriving early for a college sponsored event or organization (International Students, Athletics, Band, etc.). Whether you are arriving early or arriving on August 12, The College of Wooster is prepared to welcome you to the college officially at New Student Orientation (NSO).
What is New Student Orientation?
New Student Orientation is a continuation of ARCH, which you have recently completed in-person or virtually. At NSO, you will be paired in a cohort of your First Year Seminar (FYS) classmates or transfer students if you are a transfer student. So, on the first day of classes, you will know at least 15 or so people. Your cohort will be guided by a returning student who will serve as your New Student Orientation leader, or as we call them at Wooster, “Woo Crew” leaders. I almost forgot one thing… we plan to have fun!
And don’t worry, we will continue to help you to adjust to college life beyond NSO by providing informational and educational sessions throughout your first year. I urge you to be actively involved in NSO and those events held beyond NSO. Studies have shown that college student involvement is positively related to academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership, and multicultural awareness.
New Addition to NSO
To formally mark your arrival on-campus and to officially welcome you to the community there will be a New Student Welcome Dinner. The dinner attire is business casual. You will learn about and sign the Wooster Ethic, hear from various speakers, and officially be pinned and welcomed to the community.
So, what comes next?
Housing assignments and move-in instructions will be sent out soon. Please check your email regularly. In the meantime, here are a few checklist items!
Review college COVID-19 information below:
All current and incoming students are required to report their vaccination status using the confidential Student Wellness Portal. If you haven’t visited this portal to update your vaccination status, please do so no later than Aug. 1. Students also should have their CDC or WHO vaccination card with them on campus.
Students who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance may request an exemption through the College. Exemptions or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed. Students wishing to request a vaccine exemption should complete the vaccine exemption form no later than two weeks prior to the start of the classes.
The College will continue to maintain a mask optional policy for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, with a few notable exceptions:
- Masks absolutely must be worn by anyone who is COVID-19 positive or has symptoms of COVID-19, until the required isolation protocol has been completed. Check wooster.edu/guide for what to do if you feel ill. Masks should be worn until symptoms have passed.
- Faculty and staff may continue to require masks in their classrooms and personal offices.
Checklists
- We need your t-shirt size. Complete the following link by July 7 (T-shirt sizes) and receive your free Wooster T-shirt at check-in.
- Submitted your vaccine records?
- Submitted your picture for your ID?
- Check out the NSO website for the latest schedule and information regarding NSO.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call the Dean of Students office at 330-263-2545 or via email at dos@wooster.edu.
Best Wishes and Safe Travels!
Go Scots!!!
Cliff Bobbitt
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
The College of Wooster