It’s all about becoming part of the EMU family. In the morning residential students move into their halls while commuters enjoy a program designed especially for them. We host a family picnic and then families can choose from a rich array of sessions designed to answer questions about first-year success while students take part in Eastern Expectations. We conclude the family portion of Orientation with families and students saying their fond farewells. Students remain on campus and form their Orientation small groups and learn what’s in store for the remainder of their program.

*We will be eating outside, so remember your blankets and sunscreen Information subject to change See detailed schedule upon arrival at Fusion for up-to-the minute updates.

*Commuter students and families should drive separately to EMU on Saturday as commuter students end their day later than commuter family members.

EMU Offices/Services Open

• Bruce T. Halle Library open (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Halle Library
• EagleOne Card Office open (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) EMU Student Center
• EMU Bookstore open(9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) EMU Student Center
• Service EMU open(9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) EMU Student Center
• Meningitis Vaccine Clinic open (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Snow Health Center Representatives will be available at Snow Health Center to administer the meningitis vaccine; the cost is $115.
• Parking Hangtags available - Parking will be available to answer questions and distribute parking hangtags for student vehicles. Public Safety Public Safety will be available to answer questions regarding campus safety and issue stop tags for computers and other student electronics.
• ICT and RESNET open - These are the folks that keep our technology ticking here at EMU. The Division of Information Technology Help Desk will be available in person at the Hospitality Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and via phone at 734.487.2120 from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. to answer all ResNet computer connectivity questions.
• Residence Hall Student Move in and Orientation Check-in (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
  There will be hundreds of friendly volunteers waiting to help you unload your cars. Check-in for Orientation will be in the residence hall lobby where you will pick-up packets and a detailed Orientation schedule.
• Hospitality Center(9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Eastern Eateries.
  Light refreshments await you as do many helpful EMU staff and community members. This is the time for your student to take care of some last minute business like EagleOne Cards, financial aid,computer resources, student health insurance, E-bill, and registration and advising questions.
• Commuter Student and Family Check-in (9:30–10:15 a.m.) EMU Student Center.
  Commuter student and family check-in for Orientation is where you and your student will pick-up packets and detailed Orientation schedules.
  *Commuter students and families should drive separately to EMU on Saturday as commuter students end their day later than commuter family members.
• Commuter Student and Family Session (10:30–11:45 a.m.) EMU Student Center, Ballroom.
  This interactive session will introduce you to services and opportunities specifically designed for commuters. Get all the facts and learn more about topics specific to the commuter experience.
• Fusion Family Picnic (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) Bowen Field House/University Park. All new students and families are invited to join us for a lunch at University Park. We will be eating outside, so remember your blankets and sunscreen.
• *From here, students and families will part ways from your student for a couple of hours. Families can plan to reunite after 3 p.m. to head to the Convocation Center.
• Commuter Student Small Groups (for Students Only) (1:10-2 p.m.) Mark Jefferson. This is your student’s chance to ask everything they ever wanted to know about being a commuter student and meet some great new people. Orientation group leaders will meet with your student in small groups to discuss life as a commuter as well as provide tips for navigating orientation.
• Eastern Expectations (for Students Only) EMU Student Center, Ballroom
  (1:10–2 p.m. Residents of Walton,Putnam, Phelps, Sellers Halls)
  (2:10-3 p.m. Commuter Students and Residents of Best, Buell, Downing, Towers and Wise)
  Your student will get a taste for the expectations EMU has of them, from academic integrity to respecting differences to making healthy lifestyle choices.

PARENT AND FAMILY SESSIONS (1:10-3 P.M.)

Marshall/Porter/Quirk/Sponberg.
This is your opportunity to learn from EMU faculty and staff about how to best support your student. Sessions are offered two times for your maximum benefit. See the pages to the right for session descriptions.

• Parent and Family Sessions (1:10-2 p.m. & 2:10-3 p.m.)
  Here’s a sampling of family and parent sessions offered on Saturday. You can choose two sessions to attend.
• Dollars & Bills
  Is the EagleOne Card a line of credit? What is an E-Bill? EMU representatives will provide tips on how to use the EagleOne Card, navigate the student billing process (E-bill) and simplify financial aid and registration. This session is designed to help educate you on these processes so you can help your student understand them and maximize their usage.
• Support Services for Your Student
  EMU is committed to helping your student succeed. This session provides a brief overview of tutoring services, test taking, skill building, counseling services, disability services and more. These top-notch, free support services are available to aide in your student’s success as they transition from high school to college.
• Your Changing Relationship College offers a chance to meet new people and forge a new identity that often doesn’t include parents and families.You will learn tips and resources to be a parent-partner as your student transitions from high school to college, dealing with newfound independence, academics, managing stress, time, health and safety, making friends and more.
• Jobs, Majors and More
  This session will overview the Career Services Center and offer information on what students can do to choose a major and career as well as what their families can do to help them with the decision making process. Also find out about how Career Services can assist your student in connecting with on-campus and off-campus jobs!
• What Every Parent Wants to Know and What We’re Allowed to Tell Them
  Parents often have questions about student behavior, bills, financial aid and grades. This session will give you an understanding of the policies and procedures governing student behavior and infractions as well as the release of student information based on FERPA. Additionally, you will get advice on your role and rights as a parent-partner to your student and the University.
• Lecture of a Lifetime
  Experience first-hand the excitement and intellectual challenge of a general education course taught by one of EMU’s master professors – be a student for an hour!
• Autobiography of a Face: Discussion Group
  Did you read the Common Reading Experience book, Autobiography of a Face, this summer along with your student? This will be your opportunity to engage in an informal discussion with others about the book, your reaction to it and what it meant to you. Plus hear how the book will be utilized throughout your student’s first year at EMU.
• Student and Staff of Color Panel Discussion
  Research tells us that students of color face unique challenges at college. To support students it is important to introduce their families to the college experience. Current students, faculty and staff will share insights on how to help your student build broad support networks while at EMU.
• EMU Professors: Up Close and Personal
  EMU faculty will share ideas and suggestions on what helps a student to be academically successful. They will discuss their experiences in the classroom and offer you an opportunity to ask questions.
• But what about...?
  This is your opportunity to ask the nitty-gritty questions that you have not yet been able to ask. Faculty and staff will be available to speak with you one on-one to answer questions you may have about leaving your student. No question is too big or small. We want to make sure all of your questions are answered before you leave campus.

Travel to Convocation Center (3 p.m.)

Everyone departs for the Convocation Center, located on Hewitt Road, just west of campus, next to Rynearson Stadium.

*Following the Opening Convocation , family members will depart for home while students stay for the remainder of the program. Students will return to main campus later via free shuttle bus service.

• Commuter students and family members should meet at the EMU Student Center and drive together to the Convocation Center.
• Residence hall students and family members should meet at their residence hall room and drive together to the Convocation Center.
• Any students who came alone can catch a free shuttle bus from Bowen Field House to the Convocation Center, departing every ten minutes from 3–3:50 p.m.

Opening Convocation (4–5 p.m.) EMU Convocation Center

Students and families attend the first time-honored EMU tradition, the opening convocation. You’ll be steeped in history, pride and EMU school spirit as you meet the folks who lead the team — including the student body president. Your student will start to feel part of the great ivy-covered halls of academe. Well, OK, it’s in our awesome air-conditioned Convocation Center. Bring your tissue and be prepared to say your fond farewells to your student at the end of the convocation — this is where those exciting first moments alone at college happen for your student!

Parent/Family Departure 5 p.m.

• Student Small Group Formation (5–5:45 p.m.) EMU Convocation Center.
  After the Convocation Ceremony, your student will connect with a small group of new students, each led by a New Student Orientation Assistant (NSOA), an upper class student who has gone through extensive training to help your student in their transition to EMU. They’ll stay with this group throughout the duration of Orientation.
• Student Dinner (5:45–6:45 p.m.) EMU Convocation Center.
  A tasty dinner awaits your student as the entire freshman class relaxes and dines together with their group at the Convocation Center.
• Evening Activity (7–8 p.m.)EMU Convocation Center. The perfect event to kick-off the school year and give your student a heaping dose of Eagle pride!
• Return to Main Campus (8-8:45 p.m.)
  Continuous bus shuttles will return all students to main campus.
• Residence Hall Students Floor Meetings (9-10:30 p.m.)
  Residence hall students meet their residence hall adviser (R.A.), the other new students on their floor, and get the tried and true tips on successful residence hall living.
• Commuter Students Late Night at the REC (8:45 p.m. - 1 a.m.) Olds-Robb Rec/IM Center. Your student can join us for a fun-filled night with games and prizes. They can see everything the REC/IM has to offer —fun, fitness and even an Olympic size swimming pool. They can bike, jog, play basketball, raquetball, billards, Texas Hold ‘Em, swim and more! We suggest bringing appropriate clothes and shoes. Picture identification is needed to rent a locker.
• Residence Hall Students—Late Night at the REC (10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
• *We realize this is a late night especially for commuter students. We invite them to participate in all late night activities to meet new people and make connections on-campus. These late night programs are optional.

Campus Life, New Student and Transition Programs - 242 EMU Student Center - Ypsilanti, MI 48197 - 734.487.1208, emu_fusion@emich.edu