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First-Year Students

A SOAR Orientation group pic in Bayou Atrium I

Welcome New Freshman Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Houston-Clear Lake! The Orientation and New Student Programs (ONSP) Office is excited to welcome you to campus! You will be joining a vibrant and diverse community of students from across Texas and around the world. ONSP hosts various orientation and welcome programs to ease your transition and welcome you to UHCL.

Our mandatory orientation process is broken down into 3 simple steps to help you find your way around campus and ensure you have a fun, exciting transition to life as a Hawk. Completing the process in these steps will ensure you are prepared for your first semester. 

Step 1 – Complete Mandatory Orientation Launchpad Online Pre-Orientation Modules

Step 2 – Schedule Advising & Registration Appointment

Step 3 – Sign Up To Attend Mandatory New Student Orientation

First-Year Student Orientation (FSO) is the mandatory New Student Orientation program for all new undergraduate students with 0-29 credit hours, or who are entering or continuing college directly after high school graduation.

Students who fail to attend the entire required program will have a hold placed on their accounts and will not be able to enroll in classes the following semester.

Sign-Up For First-Year Student Orientation (FSO)

You must be an admitted incoming first-year student to register for FSO. Depending on which academic semester you are admitted for, we offer a specific FSO Session for you to attend. You will receive an email to your UHCL application email when orientation registration is open for your admitted semester. 

Remember, all new undergraduate first-year students must sign up for and complete the FSO program to fulfill the university orientation requirement.

When orientation registration opens for your admit semester, you simply need to log in to  E-Services (your UHCL student portal) using your Student ID number and password. Select the "Orientation" tile to sign up for your New Student Orientation program. You will receive your Student ID number and login information in your acceptance package shortly after admittance. If you need assistance, please contact the Office of Information Technology at 281.283.2828 or supportcenter@uhcl.edu.

Attend First-Year Student Orientation

Attending a First-Year Student Orientation (FSO) session is the final step for a successful transition to your first semester at the University of Houston-Clear Lake! These sessions are offered with a variety of dates, so you will be able to select a day that works best for your schedule.

 As FSO, you will:

  • Engage with Orientation Leaders and fellow Hawks to build your UHCL community.
  • Learn campus resources, services, and programs by engaging with UHCL staff and faculty.
  • Develop UHCL pride through learning about university traditions.
  • Recognize university and community resources relating to Title IX and mental health.
  • Discuss college student expectations and university policies and procedures.
  • Explore the beautiful UHCL campus.
  • Review degree plans and overview course registration process with college academic advisors.

Sample FSO Schedule Coming Soon

FSO Registration and Session Dates

All Orientation Programs will be held in-person on UHCL's Main Campus. Times are CST.

Admitted Semester: Summer 2024 & Fall 2024

  • Wednesday, June 5, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Monday, July 1, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 23, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 6, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please connect with your Academic Advisor or Academic College individually to register for your courses. Course registration is separate from the FSO program.

Registration now open via E-Services.


Admitted Semester: Spring 2025

Registration opens October 2024

  • Spring 2025 dates to be announced

Note: You will not be able to sign up for orientation until the orientation for your admitted semester is open. Once registration is open, you will receive an email to your UHCL student email with instructions on how to register.

Family and Guest Program and Resources

Congratulations to the parents, friends, and family members of our incoming UHCL Hawks! You can play an active and supportive role for your student as they transition to their academic and social life at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Our office offers various programs and resources to help better inform and prepare you to support your student.

Family and Guests At First-Year Student Orientation

We are excited to offer a brief Family and Guest Orientation program during the FSO program. The majority of the FSO program is developed for your student to engage with fellow UHCL students in small group activities and presentations.

If you are interested in joining your student during FSO, you will follow a separate program track from your student. The cost for this program is $40 for each family member or guest (guests under 12 are not charged).  The charge can be paid before orientation or at check-in on the day of the session. Specific presentations include:

  • Campus Resource Fair 
  • Campus Tour 
  • Coaching Your Student 
  • Wellness Panel 
  • College Finances 101 

Sample FSO Family & Guest Orientation Schedule Coming Soon 

Register your family or guest for the Family & Guest Orientation program at SOAR!

Advising and Class Registration

It is important to note, that students will not enroll in courses during First-Year Student Orientation. If you have not already done so, please schedule your Advising and Registration Appointment as soon as possible. During this one-on-one advising and registration appointment, you will meet with your assigned academic advisor. They will help you plan your first semester courses, review your academic degree plan, and adjust the advising hold to allow you to register for classes.

Schedule your advising and registration appointment through the Navigate App.  Visit Navigate Student Resources for detailed instructions on how to locate your UHCL Username and set up your password.

Veteran and Adult-Learners Accommodations

If you are an incoming freshman student and are also a student veteran or adult learner, the traditional freshman orientation program SOAR might not meet your personal and academic needs. If you have any questions or concerns about your participation in the SOAR program, please contact Orientation and New Student Programs at 281-283-2420 or orientation@uhcl.edu to talk about other options available to you. 

Special Accommodations

Any individual requiring an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact Orientation and New Student Programs at 281-283-2420 or orientation@uhcl.edu at least one week prior to the event. 

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns related to Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) that weren't answered above, please contact the Orientation and New Student Programs Office at (281) 283-2420 or orientation@uhcl.edu. We look forward to seeing you!

Contact

  • Orientation and New Student Programs

    Phone: 281-283-2420
    Fax: 281-283-2425
    Email: orientation@uhcl.edu

    SSCB 1202
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 257
    Houston, TX 77058-1002

    Office hours:
    Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Please call ahead during holidays and semester breaks.