FAQs

Summer 2024 Orientation

Freshmen Orientation

What can I expect at Orientation?

Orientation will introduce resources and services and allow you to connect with an Orientation Assistant (an upperclass student) and other members of the Class of 2028, as well as explore our beautiful campus. Parents and guests will have a program that runs along with the student program.

Are students required to attend an orientation program?

The information given at orientation will be important to your success at ECU, and therefore, it is required that all first-year students attend orientation.

Do I have to pay my enrollment deposit before I register for orientation?

Yes, the $100 enrollment deposit needs to be paid prior to registering for orientation.

How do I register for Orientation?

Students can register for New Student Orientation via PiratePort. 

You will need your Pirate ID and your password. Once in PiratePort, students should go to Tools and type in Orientation in the search bar. It will bring up the Orientation tab and you can register from there. You must have paid your $100 enrollment deposit in order to be able to register for orientation.

Please be aware that we have a limited number of spaces for orientation sessions.  Students and family members are assigned to a session on a first-received, first-served basis.  Therefore, if there is a particular session that is the most convenient for you, please register soon as possible.  You should only make travel arrangements after you have a confirmed orientation date.

After you have registered for orientation, you will receive a confirmation email to your ECU email address.

Is there a fee for Orientation?

Yes. The student fee is $155 and covers the ECU 1Card, all activities and program materials, some meals, evening snacks, parking, shuttles, facility usage, and staffing. Freshmen students, your fee will be included in your fall tuition bill, which means you do not have to pay your registration fee upfront when you register for orientation.

The registration fee for the first family member is $85 and $40 for each addition guest. There is no fee for children under the age of 17; however, meals are not included and no child care will be provided. The fee covers all activities and program materials, some meals, reception, parking, shuttles, facility usage and staffing. Family/Guest and Housing fees must be paid at registration.

Credit and debit cards are the only forms of payment we can accept. We accept Diner’s Club, Mastercard, Visa and American Express.

May a student reserve a spot for a New Student Orientation session over the phone or by email?

We are unable to assign students to a session over the phone or by email. We must receive a reservation and payment for the fee before we assign a student to a session.

The date I wanted to pick wasn’t available when I registered online. Can I be placed on waitlist?

Orientation sessions are on a first-come, first served basis and some sessions will close once capacity is reached. We do offer a waitlist for these closed sessions. If you wish to be put on a waitlist, please register for another orientation session. You should then email orientation@ecu.edu or call 252-328-4173 to be placed on the waitlist. You will be contacted as soon as a spot becomes available.

I paid my $100 enrollment deposit, but I cannot register for Orientation.

Please be aware that it may take 24-48 hours for your account to reflect that you paid your enrollment deposit. Please keep checking PiratePort to see your payment reflected. If, after 48 hours, you still do not see it reflected, please contact the Cashier’s Office at 252-328-6886.

What if I have been confirmed for a New Student Orientation session, but need to change the date?

Due to the limited number of students who can be advised adequately during orientation and the need to have accurate information when you arrive, it is important that you attend on the date confirmed for you.

There is a $25 administrative fee if you need to change your date. If you would like to request a date change, please email orientation@ecu.edu for further instructions. All change request must be received no less than 1 week before either the original or the new date.

I need to add _________ (student housing, a parent/family member, family housing) to my orientation registration. How do I do that?

Please contact our office by emailing us at orientation@ecu.edu. We will explain how to make additions to your registration from there.

We live a few hours away and would like to stay the night before our orientation session. Is that possible?

We do offer early night housing for students and/or parents who wish to come out the night before their scheduled orientation session.  It is important that we are aware of your arrival in advance, as this allows us to prepare and have keys and a room available for you.

What if I cannot attend any of the orientation program dates?

For students who cannot attend any of the scheduled orientation dates, there will be an abridged version of orientation offered in August before classes begin. This August session is only available to first-year students with special circumstances. Students will register for classes and meet with advisors after all the other new students have registered, so class availability will be limited. We strongly encourage you to attend an orientation session in June or July to receive the most beneficial experience.

Can I get a refund if I don’t attend orientation? What if my parent/family member guest doesn’t attend?

Refunds will only be offered if you cancel 7 days before your scheduled orientation session. We cannot honor any refund requests after that time. No refunds are available for orientation housing.

I am an Honors Student. Do I need to attend a certain orientation session?

Honors College students should attend one of the Honors College sessions marked especially for them. All our orientation sessions are open to all students, but these specific sessions will have special programming for Honors College students.

Orientation Pre-Arrival Information

Do I need to take a math placement test?

Placement for math courses is based on SAT, ACT, or AP Calculus exam scores. Please visit the Math Department website for more information.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for Orientation?

You will register for your fall 2024 courses prior to attending an Orientation session. Please review the Pirate Introduction to ECU Registration (PIER) website. This online tutorial provides information about majors, recommended first semester courses, and walks you through the registration process. The course schedule you create will be reviewed by an advisor during orientation.

Where should I park for Orientation? Do I need a parking permit?

You will park in the parking garage behind the Main Student Center on 10th Street. The deck is #294 on the PDF version of the Main Campus Map. If using a GPS device, you can use 501 E. 10th Street, Greenville, NC 27858 to arrive at the Main Student Center. Oversized vehicles should park in the lot across the street from the parking garage.

Before your arrival, you will be mailed further information on arrival and parking. This email will go to the student’s ECU email address during orientation.

I’m arriving the night before my orientation session? What time should I intend to arrive?

Check-in is 3pm-7pm the day before your orientation session. You will check in at the Central West End Neighborhood Service Office and receive your keys and fob for your hall and room. If you run into a problem and won’t arrive by 7pm, we do have staff available to check you in at Greene Residence Hall from 7pm-10pm.

Information about Orientation

What will students do during the New Student Orientation program?

During our two-day summer program, students will participate in informational sessions, meet with representatives from their chosen academic department and or/academic advisors from the area of their intended major, and discuss fall semester classes in a group setting. In addition, students will have the opportunity to meet and connect with new peers, and learn important information about life at ECU from current students.

During our Transfer/Fall Student one-day program, students and parents will attend informational sessions with representatives from various departments around campus. They will meet with an academic advisor in the afternoon to discuss their class schedule for the upcoming semester.

Should family members attend Orientation?

Family members are encouraged to attend orientation with their student. While the program is not required for family members, it is an excellent time for you to get information and helpful hints on how to help your student through their college experience. It will also give you a chance to ask questions and get to know some of the students, staff, and faculty that will be working with your student throughout their college career.

What will family members do during the Family Program?

Our Family and Guest Orientation Program is a fabulous opportunity for family members get an introduction to what their student will experience at ECU, and runs at the same time as the student program, but in a different format. You will attend some sessions with your student, but for some sessions, you will be on your own.

What time does Orientation start and when should I expect to be finished?

Our day and a half program begins with check-in at 8:00am at the Main Campus Student Center. Students and family members should make sure that they arrive in time to check-in and receive their materials before our program welcome that begins at 9:00am. Students should be finished with the program by 1:00pm on the second day.

I’m staying on-campus. When do I check in at the residence hall?

More information about how to check into your Residence hall for orientation will be available closer to program dates.

My friend and I want to room together during orientation. How do we request each other as roommates?

Before you arrive for orientation, you will be sent an email that will include a housing form you will need to fill out. This form will include a space to put the name of a roommate you wish to stay with for the night (both people will have to request each other as roommates).

What if I need a specific housing accommodations during orientation?

In the email sent before your arrival, please make sure you fill out the housing form included and request your housing accommodations. We are able to offer a gender-neutral floor for students to stay on, as well as ADA rooms. Please contact our office at 252-328-4173 if you have specific questions about your request.

What should I bring to New Student Orientation?

Students should bring comfortable clothes, an umbrella, a sweatshirt or sweater, and a book bag for materials. Please make sure you have comfortable walking shoes as there is a lot of walking during orientation.

What if I get to orientation and decide to stay on-campus that night? Can I add housing once I’m at my orientation session?

Yes, you can add housing at morning check in.