Orientation
Your college experience is already off to a great start because you’ve chosen Montana Western to begin your educational career. We’ve put together an orientation program to help make the transition as seamless as possible.
Orientation is mandatory for all first-year and transfer students and because it’s fun and informative — you want to attend. Orientation events include: Convocation (the official start of the school year ceremony), academic exploration activities, a hike to the hillside “M” and much more.
If you are a student athlete and will be coming to campus before the start of orientation, you are still required to attend orientation. Your coach is aware of orientation and expects you to attend so you can be successful in and out of the classroom.
By participating in the New Student Orientation, UMW students will:
Orientation Schedule
Business, Financial Aid and Registrars Offices will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 15th
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – New Student Check-In at Legacy Plaza
Includes tuition/fee payment
New students will move into residence halls by appointment. An email from Residence Life will provide instructions on selecting a time slot. It’s important to honor the selected time. Check in at the residence check-in tables at Legacy Plaza
Step-by-Step Check-in Process
Step 1: Business Service/Financial Aid Table
First, stop at this table to either pay your bill or make payment arrangements by completing a deferred payment plan contract. This plan requires paying 25% of your balance and a $35.00 processing fee. Once this step is successfully completed, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Orientation Table
Check in for orientation, be placed in an orientation group, and receive your welcome packet.
Step 3: Residence Life Table
Check in at the Residence Life table, receive your residence hall room key, and move into your room.
Step 4: Bulldog Card Table
Check in at the Bulldog Card table, pay the $20.00 fee, and receive your Bulldog Card. You can also load money onto your Bulldog Card if desired.
5:00 PM
Meet Orientation Leaders – Legacy Plaza
6:00 PM
Dinner & New Student and Family Welcome – Mathews Lawn
7:30 PM
Welcome Extravaganza – Games on Mathews Lawn
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast – Dining Hall
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Class Photo
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Convocation – Straugh Gymnasium
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Legacy Plaza Tradition – Legacy Plaza
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch – Mathews Lawn
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Scavenger Hunt – Legacy Plaza
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Parents’ Meeting – Lewis & Clark Room, Mathews Hall
Parents depart after the session
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Academic Social with Faculty (Students Only)
Locations:
Math and Sciences – Chancellor’s Residence
Education – Model Classroom
Business & Technology – Bulldog Lounge
Health & Human Performance – BARC
Equine Science – Horse House
Art, English, Glass, History, Music, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre – Beier Auditorium Foyer
Undecided – STC Great Room
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Dinner (Students Only) – Dining Hall
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bulldog Way, Title IX, Consent Awareness, and Bystander Intervention (Students Only) – Beier Auditorium and STC Great Room
8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Residence Hall Socializing/Activities (Students Only)
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast – Dining Hall
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Activity Options (Students Only):
-Hike the M – Meet on Mathews Lawn
-Frisbee Golf – Meet at Legacy Plaza
-Cornhole and Ping Pong – Legacy Plaza
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch – Dining Hall
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Activity Options (Students Only):
-Float the Beaverhead River – Meet on Mathews Lawn
-Corn Hole Tournament – Legacy Plaza
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner – Dining Hall
7:30 PM
Residence Hall Activities (Students Only)
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Brunch – Dining Hall
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner – Dining Hall
7:00 PM
All Residents Meeting – Beier Auditorium
8:00 PM
Individual Residence Hall Floor Meetings
Community members, faculty, and staff:
Looking for ways to volunteer in the community? The Montana Western Moving Company (MWMC) has you covered. The MWMC is in its 8th year and was formed to help students and their families move into the residence halls on opening day.
All you need to do is sign up for a shift below and you will be emailed instructions on how to participate and receive a free t-shirt.
This fun event will allow community members, faculty, staff and alumni to meet new students and welcome them on behalf of the campus and community of Dillon!
There are several two-hour shifts available so please register by Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Move-in takes place on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Who: You.
What: Montana Western Moving Company
When: Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024
Shifts: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Montana Western Residence Halls: JDC and Mathews
Show your Bulldog Card at any of the local businesses below to receive a discount.
3-D: 10% off, except custom
Angler Village: 50 cents off drinks
Atomic 79: 10 % off boots and clothing
Backcountry Anglers: 15% off fly fishing gear and apparel when you show your Bulldog Card
Beaverslide Coffee: free sugar cookie with drink purchase
Bookstore: 10% off
Gyro Wagon: $1 off Meal Deal
Stageline Pizza: 5% discount on carry-out/dine-in orders
YMCA: Waive registration fee
