Table of Contents
- What is orientation?
- Why do I have to attend orientation?
- How do I register for my orientation session?
- What do I do if I need to change my orientation session?
- Can I bring a guest to orientation with me?
- Will I receive an email confirmation for my registration?
- What are Orientation Fee Terms?
- What are catergory II fees?
- Why is there a fee to attend orientation?
- How do I pay my orientation fee?
- Can I get a refund for my orientation fee?
- If I want to change my major which orientation session, do I attend?
- Do I have to be there for the entire orientation session?
- Do I have to stay overnight in the residential halls if I'm a commuter student? (For First-Years Only)
What is orientation?
Orientation is mandatory for ALL new undergraduate students (both first-year and transfer students). At orientation you will have the opportunity to meet new students, further explore your major and future career opportunities, while familiarizing yourself with the campus, staff, and faculty. Orientation provides you with key resources and tools to help ease the transition into the CSUCI community and prepare you for life as a Dolphin.
Why do I have to attend orientation?
- Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students. It is part of the new student onboarding process.
- Orientation provides each student with an opportunity to get all of their questions answered and feel comfortable with the expectations that will be required here at CSUCI. Also, CSUCI's orientation leaders, faculty, staff, and administrators want to welcome you to the Dolphin Pod!
How do I register for my orientation session?
All students must confirm their Orientation details by Friday, May 15, 2026. Register for Your Orientation Session >>
What do I do if I need to change my orientation session?
If you need to make any changes to your registration, you must call or email our office at 805-437-3160 or orientation@csuci.edu and our staff will assist you.
Can I bring a guest to orientation with me?
We offer a separate Family & Supporter Orientation, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026. For more information visit our Family & Supporter page.
Will I receive an email confirmation for my registration?
Yes! Immediately after you finish your orientation registration, you will receive an email confirming your orientation details, like date and check-in time. You will receive multuple email reminders.
Please expect email reminders approximately 2 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, and 1 week before your scheduled orientation session. These reminders will include valuable information such as parking details, where to check in, and the schedule for the day.
On the day of your orientation, you will receive an email containing a QR code.Please have this handy as you will utilize this to officially check in.
Please be sure to check your Inbox as well as your Junk/Spam folders to ensure you do not miss any important updates.
What are Orientation Fee Terms?
The Orientation Fee is a mandatory, one-time Category II campus-based fee assessed upon acceptance of admission. By accepting admission, I acknowledge and agree that I am responsible for paying the Orientation Fee in full by the published tuition and fee payment deadline, regardless of whether I attend Orientation or later change my plans, including withdrawing my admission or deciding not to enroll at CSUCI. The Orientation Fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. I understand that financial aid does not automatically cover this fee, and any unpaid balance may result in accountholds, referral to collections, or other administrative actions in accordance with university policy.
What are catergory II fees?
Category II fees are Campus-based mandatory fees required for enrollment, under the authority of the President once established by the Chancellor. References: Education Code §89721; Title 5 - Chapter 1, Subchapter 5, Article 3.
What does my orientation fee cover?
The orientation fee covers staffing, parking, program materials, and food served during your session.
How much is the fee?
| Orientation Fees | |
|---|---|
| First-Year Orientation Fee | $215 per student |
| Transfer Orientation Fee | $62 per student |
| Family & Supporter Fee | $30 per individual |
How do I pay my orientation fee?
The orientation fee is non-refundable andwill be billed directly to your account.To pay your fee, reference the Tuition and Payments site.
Can I get a refund for my orientation fee?
Once paid, the orientation fee is non-refundable and may not be applied to a future
term. This means you will NOT receive a refund even if
(a) you request to have our offer of admission (provisional or final) withdrawn at
a later date or choose not to enroll;
(b) our offer of provisional admission is withdrawn because you failed to meet an
admission or enrollment requirement or deadline (including the transcript deadline);
or
(c) our offer of provisional admission is rescinded after reviewing your final transcript(s).
You may be held responsible for paying the orientation fee if you were deferred and any of the above conditions apply.
If I want to change my major which orientation session, do I attend?
When you register for orientation, select the major you are interested in pursuing. If this is the same major you selected on your admissions application, great. If you are interested in a different major, register for an orientation session that offers the new major of interest. You can officially change your major by following instructions on the Request for Change of Major form.
Do I have to be there for the entire orientation session?
Yes, per policy AA.12.007, attendance at orientation is mandatory. Students who do not attend the full orientation session, arrive late or leave early may receive a hold on their record preventing registration and enrollment.
Do I have to stay overnight in the residential halls if I'm a commuter student? (For First-Years Only)
Yes. First-Year Orientation is a required two-day, overnight experience for all incoming first-year students, including our commuter student population.
Day 1 begins with check-in between 7:30–8:30 AM, and programming starts promptly at 8:35 AM. The day concludes at 9:00 PM. Day 2 begins at 9:00 AM, with breakfast provided from 7:45–8:45 AM.
The overnight experience is an important part of orientation, as it allows you to fully engage in programming and build meaningful connections with your peers, including other commuter students. Staying on campus helps you begin forming relationships and getting comfortable in your new college environment before the academic year begins.
If you need accommodation srelated to your overnight stay in the residence halls, please complete the AccommodationRequest Form in advance so arrangements can be made.