New Student Orientation

NSO Highlights

Meet Your Major: During this session, students will have the opportunity to meet, connect, and interact with other students and members of the faculty within their selected major. Students will walk away from this session knowing what opportunities and expectations are expected inside and outside the classroom associated with their major.

Floating Fun: Test your skills at corn hole, ping pong, pool, and many other activities.

Monarch Connections Fair: Come to learn how the university will support students. You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of all resource offices on campus. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet upper class students who represent the myriad clubs, student organizations, fraternities, and sororities on campus. You will discover how to quickly get involved on campus.

Welcome to “CIRCUIT: FIRST FIVE 2024”

An Important & Meaningful Extension of New Student Orientation

CIRCUIT is the weekly gathering of the Methodist University community for inspiration and education held at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. As an extension of New Student Orientation, helping with integration and transition into the University, new students are encouraged and expected to attend each of the “First Five” CIRCUITs of the semester. Attendance will be recorded and new students will receive small prizes (with the opportunity for larger prizes at the end of the five weeks). See the full CIRCUIT schedule on the Events Calendar.

August 21: All in with the Alums | Huff Concert Hall
Join MU alumni Dr. Quincy Malloy ’02 (Chief Diversity Officer), Dave Eavenson ’96 (Vice President & Director of Athletics), and students for inside tips on how to be “all in” at Methodist and the benefits of being academically driven and involved in our campus community. Prepare to be inspired!
Connection to University Mission: Provides opportunities for spiritual, academic, and social growth

August 28: Rise Against Hunger | Nimocks Fitness Center (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Join the fight against hunger! Help us pack 10,000 meals to be delivered worldwide to communities in need. MU students have served RAH meals in Haiti and know first-hand the impact these simple meals have in alleviating hunger. Learn more about this event and register to volunteer. And remember, Rice Goes Last!
Connection to University Mission: Liberally educated persons are sensitive to the needs and rights of others

September 4: Get the Scoop on Wellbeing | The Quad (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Join us for a day of discovery and empowerment, in which you can explore a wide range of resources to enhance your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Enjoy a tasty treat, interact with the well-being wheel, and enter for your chance to win a Yeti cooler or Apple headphones!
Connection to University Mission: Develop whole persons who will contribute substantially and creatively to the professions and civic life

September 11: Stand Up, Speak Out! | Huff Concert Hall
This interactive presentation will challenge and educate you to be a responsible citizen of the campus community, as we role-play bystander intervention and ways to empower one another to stand up and speak out to keep our community safe.
Connection to University Mission: Affirms ethical principles…develop responsible spirits

September 28: Convocation | Dr. Derek Greenfield | Huff Concert Hall
Our convocation speaker is Dr. Derek Greenfield, a visionary speaker, consultant, educator, and thought leader dedicated to inclusive excellence and positive change. With his dynamic and interactive approach, creative ideas, track record of success, and sense of humor, Dr. Greenfield’s clients include CBS Sports, the National Black Student Leadership Conference, MIT, The Ohio State University Football Team, and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Connection to University Mission: Recognizes the dignity and worth of all human beings

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to start your college experience on the right foot. We can’t wait to welcome you and help you make the most of your time at MU. Go Monarchs!

Campus Services

Chaplain/Religious Life

Located in the Matthews Ministry Center (MMC), the Department of Religious Life and Office of the Chaplain are open for students interested in connecting with religious and spiritual life on campus, learning about faith communities, and seeking spiritual support during the transition to university life. The Ministry Center’s Student Lounge “Family Room” (open 7:00 a.m. – midnight) is an inviting place for students to relax, watch tv, study, meet new people and enjoy an occasional snack. The University Chaplain, Rev. Kelli W. Taylor, is available to students of all faiths (and those still seeking) at 910.630.7515 or  ktaylor@methodist.edu. Student program information is available from Ruth Carr at 910.630.7157 or rcarr@methodist.edu.

IT Services

The CAC Lab in the Trustees Academic Building, Room 264, will be open for use by students on Friday, August 11. The lab is closed on the weekends. Students should have received an e-mail account and myMU portal username and password in a letter from the Admissions Office. If you have not received your e-mail/myMU portal account information or have misplaced your information to log into your e-mail or myMU portal Contact the Help Desk. For assistance with the setting up your email account, log into myMU Portal, and click on the “Office 365” to access the guides. For assistance with myMU Portal: portalhelp@methodist.edu for Email: help@methodist.edu or contact the Help Desk at 910.630.7300. You may also stop by the Help Desk office in the Campus Services Building Room 114 for assistance. You will need to provide your full name and student ID number so that your identity can be verified.

Food Service

Food service during New Student Orientation will begin with breakfast on Friday, August 16, in the Dining Hall.  Parents and guests are welcome to dine with us during NSO.

Immunizations

North Carolina state law requires all students to submit proof of the following immunizations: three tetanus (DTP), one tetanus booster (TDAP must be within the last 10 years), two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), three doses of Hepatitis B (Hepatitis B vaccine is not required if an individual was born before July 1, 1994), and one dose of Varicella (Varicella vaccine is not required if an individual was born before April 1, 2001). Meningococcal immunization is recommended for students who will reside on campus. Students who have not sent their immunization records to the MU Health Center should do so immediately. All immunization requirements are due by July 1, 2024. Call 910.630.7164 if you have questions.

Housing (On-Campus)

Please check your myMU Portal for all the details regarding your housing for the upcoming year. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 910.630.7370 or visit your myMU Portal for more information.

Methodist University Post Office

Students will be able to sign up for a P.O. Box on Friday, August 16 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Post Office in the Berns Student Center.

Parking

Parking during New Student Orientation and move-in scheduled for August 16-18, open parking on campus will be allowed for all New Students, Returning Students and Commuting Students. New Students, Returning Students and Commuter Students may not park in designated Faculty/Staff parking.

Parking is not permitted at any time in fire lanes, streets, driveways, grass areas or in any location that would impede emergency service vehicles. Vehicles may not be left unattended unless properly parked in a marked parking space.

On August 19, all Methodist University Parking Rules, Regulations, and Restrictions will be in full effect. Please see the official Methodist University parking rules, regulations, restrictions and color-coded map.

All students are required to have their vehicles registered with the Department of Public Safety no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23. You will have the opportunity to pick up your campus parking permit (provided that you completed the steps required before you arrive at Public Safety) on Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16 from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Office located in the Campus Services Building.

Permits cost $180 per year or $100 per semester and must be purchased online through your myMU Portal with your debit or credit card (preferred method). If paying with cash, check, or money order, this must be done at the Student Account Office (Horner Administration Building). If the student has money on their account there may also be an option to charge their parking permit to their student accounts (please inquire with the Student Accounts Office). Regardless of the payment method, you must register the vehicle information through your myMU Portal before you arrive at the Public Safety Office.

You will be required to present a receipt if you paid at the Student Financial Services Office. *Prior to your arrival on campus and before August 12, you will need to submit a photo through your MU portal in order to receive your campus ID card at New Student Orientation. If you purchase your vehicle permit online prior to August 12, it will also be included in your NSO packet at check-in. The portal link will become available July 15 for purchasing your permits.

Student Financial Services Office

Students who have made payment arrangements with Student Financial Services prior to move-in day, should check in at the Union-Zukowski Lobby in the Reeves Fine Arts Building before proceeding to your assigned residence halls. Information about payment arrangements are available on the Student Accounts tab of the student’s myMU Portal. The payment deadline is August 1, 2024. It is to the student’s benefit to complete payment arrangements before coming to campus in August. If not, you should report to Student Financial Services, located in the Horner Administration Building. When you have settled your account, you should check in at the Union-Zukowski Lobby in the Reeves Fine Arts Building before proceeding to your assigned residence hall.

Veteran Students

All new veteran students should check-in Friday and prepare to participate in NSO activities. New Veteran students are encouraged to attend the Student Veterans Orientation Session on Friday, August 16, from 10:00 am – Noon in Hendricks 222. You should also plan to attend the Meet Your Major session when it is scheduled on Saturday. Your success as a non-traditional student depends, in no small part, on the support of your family. We welcome family members to join you for this orientation session.

Your Course Schedule and Academic & Career Advisor

The academic and career advising process begins when you are accepted at Methodist University and have paid your enrollment deposit. Every student is assigned an academic and career advisor. Your advisor will work with you to provide for you individualized degree planning support and proactive career advising. You will have the opportunity to meet and greet your academic and career advisor at New Student Check in.  Advisors will also be present throughout all orientation weekend.  If you have not yet received your course schedule or if you need assistance connecting with your academic and career advisor, contact the One Stop immediately at 910.482.5617.

Office Hours