Life on Campus

First-Time Student Orientation

 

For over 50 years, Louisiana Tech Orientation has helped to make the transition to college easier. You are very important to us; you are why we’re here. We want you to make the most of your college experience and then graduate to become one of more than 100,000 proud and successful Tech alumni. We know you have many questions – ask away! Summer Orientation will help ease your uncertainties and answer your questions about what it’s like to be a college student at Tech. Orientation is your opportunity to register for fall classes, get involved in the University community, and prepare for college life all while meeting your fellow classmates and having a great time! We look forward to seeing you this summer at one of our four Summer Orientation sessions:

Session Date
Orientation Session #1* June 5 – 7, 2024
Orientation Session #2 June 19 – 21, 2024
Orientation Session #3 July 10 – 12, 2024
Orientation Session #4 July 24 – 26, 2024

*Session #1 has been opened to all students regardless of ACT/SAT score or acceptance into the Louisiana Tech Honors Program. However, students participating in the Honors Program will receive priority registration status during the June 5-7 orientation session.

Schedule

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.).

WEDNESDAY

Day and Time

Event

Location

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Orientation Check-In – Math Placement Exam Participants Student Center
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Orientation Check-In (Last Names A – F) Student Center
1:30 p.m. Math Placement Exam – Math ACT 24+ required  GTM 105 – Departs from Student Center
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Orientation Check-In (Last Names G – O) Student Center
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Orientation Check-In (Last Names P – Z) Student Center
3:00 p.m. Chemistry Placement Exam – Math ACT 26+ required CTHL 328 – Departs from Student Center
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Student College Socials Locations in Orientation App
5:00 p.m. Dinner The Tech Table & Tolliver Hall
6:00 p.m. Group Meeting One The Quad
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Dog Days of Summer Downtown Ruston
THURSDAY

Day and Time

Event

Location

7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast The Tech Table – Student Center
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Honors Program Presentation (June 7 – 9 Orientation ONLY) The TONK – Student Center
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Late Check-In Howard Center for the Performing Arts
8:45 a.m. Orientation Welcome Howard Center for the Performing Arts
9:15 a.m. Academic Convocation Howard Center for the Performing Arts
10:15 a.m. Counseling Center, Tech PD, Title IX, and Student Conduct The TONK – Student Center
11:00 a.m. Group Meeting Two Classroom Location on Nametag
12:15 p.m. Lunch The Tech Table & Student Center
1:00 p.m. Advising Group One (Check nametag for group number) Quad
2:00 p.m. Advising Group Two (Check nametag for group number) Quad
3:00 p.m. Advising Group Three (Check nametag for group number) Quad
4:00 p.m. Advising Group Four (Check nametag for group number) Quad
5:45 p.m. Dinner Student Center
7:00 p.m. Presents Howard Center for the Performing Arts
9:00 p.m. Orientation Night Activities Lambright Sports & Wellness Center
FRIDAY

Day and Time

Event

Location

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Parent & Student Breakfast The Tech Table
9:00 a.m. Residential Life Tours The TONK – Student Center
9:00 a.m. Commuter Student Discussion Wyly Tower Auditorium
10:30 a.m. Group Meeting Three Classroom Location on Nametag
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Dorm Checkout Front Desk – Residence Halls
12:30 p.m. Campus Closes  

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

How to Register

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.

Orientation Fees

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 June 1, 2024. 

Parent Orientation

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.

Preparing for Orientation

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 Jordan Richardson, Coordinator of New Student Orientation, by phone at 318.257.2544 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 requiredStudent’s may stay with family during the session or commute from home.

What to Pack

  • Vehicle Registration Form
  • Picture identification
  • Dual Enrollment Transcripts (official copy from the university from which credit was earned)
  • Twin-size bed linens, pillows, towels
  • Comfortable clothes and shoes
  • Toiletries and other personal items
  • Umbrella

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!

On-Campus Parking Permit

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.

Math and Chemistry Placement Exams

PLEASE NOTE: Math and chemistry requirements for your major are shown in the Louisiana Tech University Catalog. Questions about eligibility? Please call our College of Engineering & Science to determine your eligibility for taken placement exams. The phone number for questions concerning Math Placement Exams is 318.257.2538. The phone number concerning Chemistry Placement Exams is 318.257.2842. Math placement exams are offered on the Wednesday of your assigned orientation session beginning at 1:30 p.m. (You must be checked in by 1:00 p.m.) If you choose to opt out of the placement exam, you may start with the class that corresponds to your ACT/SAT scores. Refer to the table below to determine eligibility to take a math placement exam.

Math ACT/SAT Subscore Exam Eligibility
24-25 ACT / 580-600 SAT Eligible to take Math 101 (College Algebra) placement exam*
26 + ACT / 610 + SAT Will receive automatic credit for Math 101. Eligible to take Math 240 (precalculus) or Math 112 (Trigonometry) placement exam*

Chemistry placement exams are offered the Wednesday of your assigned orientation session beginning at 3:00 p.m. (You must check in by 2:30 p.m.) If you choose to opt out of the placement exam, you may start with the class that corresponds to your ACT/SAT scores.

Math ACT/SAT Subscore Exam Eligibility
26 + ACT / 610 + SAT Eligible to take Chem 100 (General Chemistry) placement exam*

* Advance preparation for these exams is strongly encouraged. Precalculus review material is available at http://www2.latech.edu/~charlesp/. 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.

Career Directions Workshop

Unsure about what future career path you should follow? If so, you are probably having a hard time selecting a major. The Louisiana Tech Career Center is here to help! Come check out the Career Direction workshop from 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday during Orientation. This workshop will help you learn more about yourself and determine possible career options and majors that might fit with who you are and what you want in a career. Learn about career decision-making resources that will be provided during the academic year.

*This workshop is separate from the Orientation programs and require separate registration. Contact the Career Center to register, by phone 318.257.4336 or by email careercenter@latech.edu. Call today, space is limited!