Believe it or not, your student will be starting their University of Portland journey next month! The coming days, including Orientation weekend, will bring a mix of emotions for both you and your student. There will likely be smiles, tears, and everything in between–which is completely normal! Luckily, Orientation is designed to help both your student and you navigate this transition period.

Orientation Schedule

Please review the Orientation Schedule, including specific sessions, ahead of time. Days will be long but packed with valuable information! Events for parents take place from Thursday, August 22–Saturday, August 24, with both separate and joint sessions for students and parents. Your student will have a busy schedule during Orientation, so please understand if you don’t see them as much as you would like to.

The parent orientation program concludes with Saturday’s Orientation Mass. We encourage you to enjoy a “see you soon” dinner after Mass that evening before your student continues with student orientation for the rest of the weekend.

Guidebook App

Get the Guidebook mobile guide to access the most up-to-date information about Orientation, including schedules and maps. Get the guide here.

For Android and iOS users:

• Click here and tap the “Download” button.
• Open the page in the App Store and download the free Guidebook app.
• Open Guidebook and search for our “University of Portland Orientation 2019” guide.
• Click “get” and then “Download Guide.”

Take a Break with Alumni and Parent Relations

The Alumni and Parent Relations team wants to meet you during Orientation weekend! Starting on Thursday, stop by the Pilot House from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Enjoy a snack in the air-conditioned space, pick up resources, and get to know our team. We’re here to be a resource for you over the next four years and beyond! There will also be materials available for anyone interested in writing a letter to their student. Letters will be delivered towards the end of September, when homesickness often settles in for our new students.

ID Cards

If you live near Portland or plan to arrive in town a few days early, your student can beat the line at Orientation by getting their student ID card ahead of time! ID cards are issued by the Department of Public Safety headquarters, located in Haggerty Hall 100. This office is open 24/7, so ID cards can be obtained at any time. In order to have your picture taken for your ID card, you must have your class schedule, invoice or payment receipt, and a form of government-issued identification with you. More information about ID cards can be found here.

Orientation Blogs

Want to get a head start on some UP knowledge to impress your student? Check out the great blog posts our Orientation team has put together!

10 Important Topics to Discuss

What are some important topics to cover with your student before you arrive at Orientation? As we discussed last month, these conversations tend to go smoothly when they’re kept brief and incorporated into your everyday interactions (running errands, washing dishes, etc.). Ultimately you know how to best communicate with and support your student.

Skip the Line

The Athletics box office is expecting busy days on Thursday and Friday of Orientation as many families have expressed interest in attending the Friday evening soccer game. Because of this, they encourage families interested in attending the soccer game to secure their seats in advance of Orientation weekend. This will save you standing in line during Orientation, allowing for more time to focus on Orientation-related matters. For tickets, call 503.943.7431 or visit www.portlandpilots.com/orientation and enter the promo code “Orientation.”

Game Day Details:

• Pre-Game Bite on The Bluff – Join us at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Bite on The Bluff featuring some of Portland’s best food carts.
• Game: Pilots Men’s soccer vs. Utah Valley – 7:00 p.m. game time, gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Get to Know Portland

Welcome to Portland, Oregon–the City of Roses! Need recommendations on where to stay or what to do while you’re in town? Find out everything you need to know about Portland here.

Get to Know Campus

The University of Portland is a thriving community of more than 4,000 students who come from around the nation and the world, as well as over 1,000 faculty and staff. The University is located up on a bluff in a residential neighborhood overlooking the Willamette River and the city of Portland. The school’s location also is the inspiration for its nickname, “The Bluff.” Start to familiarize yourself with campus by checking out this interactive map.

Essential Contacts

For general Orientation questions, please contact Student Activities at 503.943.7470 or stuact@up.edu. For questions about life on campus such as tuition and housing, visit this page for specific contact information.