Winter Orientation - January

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Check-in for all new students (residential and commuter) will be from 9:00am - 2:00pm on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024. Orientation events will follow that afternoon and evening, continuing through the weekend. Family, friends, and guests are welcome to join for all events on Friday, Jan. 10 until and including the Welcome Service and Reception. After the Welcome Service, all events will be for students only. You will receive a printed version of this schedule when you check in on Jan. 10.

Friday, Jan. 10, 2025

9:00am - 2:00pm: New Student Check In, Kim S. Phipps Admissions & Welcome Center

9:00am - 2:00pm: Residential Student Move-In, Your Assigned Residence Hall

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Complimentary Lunch, Lottie Nelson Dining Hall

3:00pm - 4:15pm: Welcome Service and Reception (for students & their guests), Hostetter Chapel

4:15pm - 5:00pm: Icebreakers for New Students, Boyer Hall, Howe Atrium

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Dinner (students only for this dinner, and throughout the rest of the schedule), Lottie Nelson Dining Hall

6:00pm - 7:00pm: MU Orientation 101, The Loft Greatroom

7:00pm - 9:00pm: New Student Kickback, The Loft Greatroom

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025

8:30am - 9:00am: Breakfast and Devotional, Boyer Hall, Howe Atrium

9:00am - 12:00pm: Orientation Sessions (mandatory for all incoming new & transfer students), Boyer Hall

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch, Lottie Nelson Dining Hall

1:00pm - 3:00pm: Orientation Sessions (mandatory for all incoming new & transfer students), Mountain View Residence Hall Classroom

5:00pm - 7:30pm: Off-Campus Excursion: Bowling, Trindle Bowl

Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025

9:00am - 12:00pm: Church On Your Own, Various Churches

2:00pm - 3:00pm: Library Orientation, Boyer 131

3:00pm - 5:00pm: Optional On-Campus Fun, Larsen Student Union

Monday, Jan. 13, 2025

First Day of Spring Term Classes

Below is a list of suggested items to bring to campus with you for orientation. For the complete packing list for residential living, please visit the Office of Residence Life site.

Things You Should Bring for Orientation

• A Tablet/notepad/paper
• A pen
• Small games
• Backpack/drawstring bag
• Water bottle
• Personal ID (you'll show this to receive your student ID)

These are highlights of services offered by Messiah University that students will want to become familiar with early.

Campus Mailbox

Your address at Messiah University will be:

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Messiah Log-in Username]*
1 University Avenue
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
*Your First and Last Initial + 4-Digit Number

Whenever you receive mail and packages, our automated Slingshot Logistics system will send you an email notification from donotreply@slingshotedu.com. To pick up your mail and packages, visit the Campus Store during their operating hours posted on the Campus Store Website. You can also find a helpful Mail FAQ there as well. Please remember to bring your student ID to pick up your mail.

Computer Access

Messiah University offers both in-room and/or public network jacks. There is a wired-network connection in each room in the residence halls and public jacks are available in the base of the benches located in the hallways of Boyer Hall, Larsen Student Union, and in Falcon Services. For information such as minimum system requirements and connecting to the Messiah network, visit Information Technology Services (ITS).

Campus Wireless Network

Wireless internet access is available in all campus buildings and select outdoor locations. When connecting your computer or smart phone, you will want to choose to connect to the Messiah Secure wireless network. On most devices, you will then simply need to enter your Messiah username and password and accept the security certificate when prompted. Chromebooks and Android devices require additional settings to be configured to connect.

Smart TVs and Gaming systems require registration and connect to a different network on campus. For detailed instructions to connect those devices, please visit the ITS blog.

Campus Parking

First-Year Students (Residential and Commuter)

All commuter students who plan to commute with a personal vehicle must register for a parking permit. Residential students may be granted a parking permit if desired on a very limited basis. The steps for applying for a spring parking permit are as follows:

1. Complete and submit the Student Parking Registration Form*
2. Watch your Messiah University email for messages regarding your student parking registration.

*This form includes a section that asks for your residency. If you are a residential student who has not yet received a housing assignment, you may enter "N/A" in the box for a building.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact studentparking@messiah.edu or call 717-691-6036.

Transfer Students
Use the Incoming Transfer Student Parking Registration Form on messiah.edu/studentparking to register your vehicle.

Once you have submitted a registration form, please check your Messiah e-mail regularly for a message regarding the status of your request.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact studentparking@messiah.edu or call 717-691-6036 and select option #2.

Upperclass Students and Returning Students
When returning to campus for the start of the Fall semester, upperclass students are given their parking permits. Those who did not register during the on-line parking registration process or over the summer are issued a parking permit in a lot where space is available on campus.

Parking in the following parking lots are reserved for students living on campus: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, and TR (overflow residential parking).

Parking for students who are commuting or living off-campus will be assigned to: P (Starry Field parking lot).

Please visit the Student Vehicle Registration page for more information, an FAQ section, or to contact the Box Office.

Bicycle Registration

All students, faculty, and staff who have a bicycle on campus must register it upon bringing it to campus. Registration of bicycles at the Dispatch window in the Eisenhower Campus Center or register online. There is no fee for registering a bicycle. You will receive a Messiah University Bicycle Identification Sticker that is to be placed on your bicycle. Unlike vehicles, bicycle registration only needs to happen once. For more information, visit the Department of Safety website.

Brand New Commuter Student at Messiah?

As a new student who is commuting to Messiah, you will be involved heavily in New Student Orientation activities. Special events will take place specifically geared to help you transition to your life as a student. Additionally, we encourage you to attend as many of the programs offered as you can (though sessions that specifically apply to residential students, such as mandatory hall meetings, are not required for commuter students). 

Although we highly recommend you attend all the orientation sessions, you are the one who knows what will best fit into your schedule. If you have any questions about what you should and should not attend, please reach out to Commuter Student Services by emailing commuterservices@messiah.edu.

Click here to go to the Commuter Services page.

Welcome international students and families! In partnership with the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of International Student Programs is working to make your Winter Orientation an unforgettable one!

All international students will join the group of all incoming students during Winter Orientation and follow the schedule accordingly.

If you are arriving from out of the country or if you have questions specific to international students (i.e., transition, F-1 visas, bank accounts, mobile phones, etc.), please contact Amy Nicols, Director of International Student Programs.