Life on Campus

NOTE: Orientation Check-in will take place by need and last name. Students taking the Math Placement Exam will be able to check-in starting at 12:00 p.m. and must be checked in by 1:00 p.m. (testing begins at 1:30 p.m.).

*Schedule is subject to change. Updates will be communicated with participants through email.

Registration Freshman Orientation is by invite-only and will begin November 1st. Students should receive an email inviting them to orientation soon after their acceptance into the University. There are two ways to register:

• All admitted students will receive an email from “Louisiana Tech Orientation” with a link to register for orientation. Students need to check their personal email for this invite and follow the instructions to register.
• Students may also register directly though their Kennel account. Log-in to your account using the email and password you used for your application. You can register for Orientation on the calendar under “Register for an upcoming visit or event!” Scroll to the month with the Orientation date you’d like to attend.

Sessions may fill up before the registration deadline. Register early to secure a spot in your preferred session. If you are having trouble logging into the Kennel or have issues registering, please email the Orientation Office at orientation@latech.edu.

A $150 non-refundable fee covers Wednesday and Thursday night lodging, meals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, event parking, registration, advising material and administrative costs. You will receive an email confirmation after your registration is received. You will only receive confirmation via email, so make sure the email you provide is correct. The orientation fee is due by the Monday of your Orientation Week. 

Parent Orientation is a separate, yet concurrent, program designed specifically for parents and guardians of new students. This program has special presentations designed to help family members assist with their student’s transition to college by becoming familiar with the University and our many resources. You must pre-register for this program. The program includes opportunities to meet with faculty, staff and students to discuss topics such as academic performance, academic policies, campus safety, financial assistance, residential life, meal plans, fees and transition issues. Additional information will be emailed directly to parents.

About Check-In

Orientation begins on Wednesday with check-in between 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. All check-in activities take place in the Student Center, located off Wisteria Lane in the heart of campus. For specific travel directions go to Campus Maps and Directions. If special travel, housing, or meal accommodations are needed, contact Elton Taylor, Director of First-Year Programs, by phone at 318.257.2547 or by email at orientation@latech.edu prior to your orientation session.

Where will I be staying?

During Orientation, all students are encouraged to stay on campus in a residence hall. Your orientation fee covers the cost of staying on campus and includes all meals starting with dinner on Wednesday until breakfast on Friday. Additional food is available for purchase on campus.

*While students are encouraged to stay on-campus, they are not required. Student’s may stay with family during the session or commute from home.

Change Your Major

Did you apply to Louisiana Tech thinking you would major in one thing, but now you want to change. No problem! You can change by emailing orientation@latech.edu or by letting us know at orientation check-in!

Visitor Passes for parking during orientation are issued by email for use during orientation. You will have an opportunity to purchase a fall parking permit during Orientation. The following items are required to purchase a parking permit:

• Copy of Student’s valid Driver’s license
• Copy of Vehicle Registration for the vehicle being brought to campus in the Fall.
• Completed Vehicle Registration Form
• $100 parking fee (cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card are accepted)

Vehicle Registration forms only (no payments) may be turned in Wednesday during Orientation check-in until 3:30 p.m. Parking Decals may be paid for upon pick up from the Tech Traffic Office located in South Hall on Thursday or Friday of Orientation or in the Fall when students return to campus.

Orientation placement exams are optional for students but can help you earn credit for a math or chemistry/physical science requirement within your major. Check with your academic department or your academic curriculum for math and chemistry requirements within your major and to determine if taking a placement exam is right for you.

The Math Placement Exam takes place at 1:30 p.m. (students must check-in by 1:00 p.m.) on the Wednesday afternoon of your orientation session and is offered through the ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning platform. The Math Placement exam costs $25.00 and students planning to take the exam must bring a laptop with them to orientation to complete the assessment. The exam is available to students who have a minimum score of 24 on the Math ACT or a 580 on the Math SAT. PLEASE NOTE: Students with a 26+ on the Math ACT or 610+ on the Math SAT will automatically earn credit for MATH 101: College Algebra.

For specific questions regarding the math and chemistry placement exams, please call the Math Department at 318.257.2538 or the Chemistry Department at 318.257.4393. If you choose to not take a placement exam, you will start with the class that corresponds to your ACT/SAT scores. Refer to the table above to determine placement and eligibility to take a placement exam. Advance preparation for these exams is strongly encouraged. Please check out the preparation materials through the ALEKS website.

Chemistry placement exams are offered the Wednesday of your assigned orientation session beginning at 3:00 p.m. (students must check in by 2:30 p.m.).

NOTE: Permission to take a credit exam in a given course will be denied to those students who have previously attempted the course. Students who do not pass the MATH 240 or CHEM 100 placement exam during Orientation will be given the opportunity to take a credit exam immediately prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter classes.

Quick Tip: Keep a copy of your ACT/SAT scores and your high school transcript and/or transcripts from any college from which you may have received credit (i.e., dual enrollment) with you at orientation to show your academic advisor.