Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

New students who will be living on campus will check in at their residence hall during their assigned appointment day and time. Commuter students will check in on the second floor of the Vaughn Center in the Spartan Card Office. New residential student move-in will take place Wednesday, Aug. 21 - Friday, Aug. 23. Information on how to sign up for a move-in time will be available in July. Commuter students are expected to check-in Aug. 21 - 23 between 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

2. Where do transfer students go to check in? | Back to top.

New transfer students who will be living on campus will check in at their residence hall during their assigned appointment day and time. Commuter students will check in on the second floor of the Vaughn Center in the Spartan Card Office. New residential student move-in will take place Wednesday, Aug. 21 - Friday, Aug. 23. Information on how to sign up for a move-in time will be available in July. Commuter students are expected to check-in Aug. 21 - 23 between 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

3. Where do international students go to check in? | Back to top.

International students must complete and submit the New International Student Check-In Request, via the Request and Document Center of your ISSS Portal app in MyUTampa. You may begin this anytime but will not be able to submit it until after you have been issued the UT I-20 and you have arrived in the U.S. Visit the New International Student Orientation page for more information on your pre-arrival and orientation dates.

4. What is the earliest day I can move in? Back to top.

Please only plan to move in during your assigned date and time. The earliest date students are permitted to move onto campus is Wednesday, Aug. 21 (unless you are a new international student).

5. If I arrive late where do I go to check in? | Back to top.

Students who arrive after hours late can check in at the Vaughn Center Information Desk.

6. How do I find out which residence hall I move into? | Back to top.

To find out which residence hall you will live in for the semester, please log onto your Residence by Symplicity account in mid-July.

7. How will I know which building is which and where to park? | Back to top.

There will be signs pointing to the designated buildings, as well as student helpers around campus to direct students, families and guests to our parking areas. You can also reference the move-in maps.

Students, families and guests are not permitted to bring moving trucks or box trucks onto campus.

8. Where do I receive my keys for my room? | Back to top.

Students will receive the keys to their room when they check into their residence hall.

9. How do I find out who my roommates are? | Back to top.

To find out who your roommates will be, please log onto Residence by Simplicity through MyUTampa after you have received your housing assignment.

10. How do I request a new roommate? | Back to top.

After the third week of each semester, residents will have a chance to move or swap rooms during an open room change period based on circumstance and availability. For more information, please contact the Office of Residence Life at (813) 253-6239 or reslife@ut.edu.

11. What events take place during the Week of Welcome? | Back to top.

Week of Welcome (WOW!) is designed specifically to help our new students as they transition to the University and we are excited to welcome our new Spartans to campus! The Fall 2024 Week of Welcome will take place from Friday, Aug. 23, to Monday, Sept. 2.

Our Week of Welcome schedule is made available through the Guidebook app. This interactive app allows you to set your own schedule, view Tampa weather, find important campus contact information, receive event changes in real time and more!

The Fall 2024 Week of Welcome schedule will be available via Guidebook on Aug. 1! Download Guidebook via Google Play or the App Store. Once the app is downloaded search The University of Tampa Office of Orientation and Family Engagement to download our guide space to access the schedule.

12. Is it mandatory that I attend Week of Welcome? | Back to top.

Week of Welcome participation is highly encouraged throughout the duration of the program. The information presented will greatly aid students throughout their collegiate careers and the opportunity to connect with fellow students is important for new students on campus.

13. How long is online orientation? | Back to top.

The online orientation program is designed to take approximately 60 minutes to complete. Students can elect to complete the seven modules all at one time or each module separately.

14. Can my family members and guests attend Week of Welcome with me? | Back to top.

Parents and family members are not permitted to attend Week of Welcome events with the student.

15. How do I register for Family Orientation? | Back to top.

Please visit the Family Orientation page for more detailed information on the Fall 2024 Family Orientation webinar and instructions on how to register. The session will be posted for viewing on the Family Orientation webpage for those who cannot attend.

16. Are first-year students allowed to have a vehicle the first year? | Back to top.

Residential first-year students are not permitted to have a vehicle registered on campus. This policy does not apply to first-year students who live off-campus and commute to the University or students who have completed their first academic year at a different institution.

17. How do I register my bike? | Back to top.

To register your bike, please visit the Campus Safety webpage. You may also register in person at the Campus Safety Office, located in the Innovation and Collaboration Building, first floor – you will need your bike information including the serial number.

18. How do I register my vehicle? | Back to top.

To register your vehicle, visit Vehicle Registration and Traffic Regulations. You may also register in person at the Campus Safety Office, located on the first floor of the Innovation and Collaboration Building.

19. Can I pay for my tuition online? | Back to top.

The University of Tampa accepts Visa, MasterCard or Discover for tuition payments completed online. Log onto your Workday account and view Bill and Payment Information and Payment Options for more information.

20. How do I check to see if I’m financially cleared? | Back to top.

Financial clearance can be found on the student’s Workday account. Once you log into Workday click on the “Finances” tab then select “Bursar’s Office” and from there click on “My Account Balances” link. If you do not see any amount due you are financially cleared. Students can also contact Financial Aid at (813) 253-6219 or finaid@ut.edu.

21. Are there meal plans and how do they work? | Back to top.

Residential students have three to four choices for their meal plans depending on what residence hall they live in.

The Carte Blanche = Unlimited meals with unlimited seconds at The Ultimate

Dining Cafe plus = $75 Spartan Dollars per semester and up to three meal exchanges a week

The Favorite = 15 meals a week with unlimited seconds at The Ultimate Dining Cafe, plus $100 Spartan Dollars per semester with up to 15 meal exchanges a week from defined combo meals

The Ultimate = 12 meals a week with unlimited seconds at The Ultimate Dining Cafe, plus $150 Spartan Dollars per semester with up to 12 meal exchanges a week from defined combo meals

The Express = seven meals a week with unlimited seconds at The Ultimate Dining Cafe, plus $75 Spartan Dollars per semester with up to seven meal exchanges a week from defined combo meals

22. How do I declare or change my major? | Back to top.

To declare or change a major, students may access the form via Workday once the semester begins. Instructions for these forms, and others, can be found on the Academic Forms page. Students who have not started their first semester must email their assigned academic advisor to make any changes.

23. How do I find out who my academic advisor is? | Back to top.

First-year students will be assigned an advisor when schedules become available. The contact information for their advisors will be posted in Workday and students have the chance to communicate with them before school starts.

24. How do I register for classes? | Back to top.

UT academic advisors create the initial base schedules for all incoming students to ensure students are properly placed in classes according to the requirements for their selected majors, the Spartan Studies (common core) curriculum and other academic areas of interest. Advisors are especially careful to take into account prerequisite sequencing and the timing of future course offerings to help facilitate timely degree completion. The freshman preference form provides the student the opportunity to provide feedback related to scheduling. Students should carefully complete the entire form by providing accurate information with the understanding the information will be used to select classes for their first semester of enrollment. Course schedules for incoming first-year students will be finalized and posted on the student’s Workday.

25. What is the add/drop period? | Back to top.

The add/drop period is during the first week of each fall and spring semester. During that period, students may change their schedules. Any adding must be completed by the end of the period, and if you withdraw from a class after the end of the period, you will receive a grade of “W”, indicating you withdrew from the class. Separate add/drop periods apply for summer and seven-week sessions.

26. How do I order textbooks? | Back to top.

Textbooks can be ordered through The University of Tampa bookstore at (813) 253-6230.

27. When are immunization records due to The University of Tampa? | Back to top.

New students’ immunization forms are due to the Health Center no later than July 1, for the fall semester. Students can submit their forms by mail or online through the UT Online Student Health Portal.

28. What health care insurance is provided through The University of Tampa? | Back to top.

Full-time undergraduate and international students pay a health care fee that provides the student with a premium policy for a student injury and sickness insurance plan through United Health Care Student Resources.

29. How do I get involved on campus with different organizations? | Back to top.

The University of Tampa has more than 200 organizations and clubs to offer. To find out more about them and see which one you might be interested in, check out the Student Organizations page.

30. I would like to join a sorority or fraternity. When is recruitment? | Back to top.

To learn more about the multiple sororities and fraternities at The University of Tampa, go to Fraternity and Sorority Life within the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. This will provide you with all the information about recruitment, or you can contact Fraternity and Sorority Life at (813) 253-6233 or studentengagement@ut.edu.

31. How do I find out the information for my on-campus mailbox? | Back to top.

Information for your mailbox can be found on the student’s Workday account. Once you log into your Workday account, hover over your photo and select View Profile followed by Contact. This will lead you to your mailbox assignment and address format for shipping.

32. As a transfer student, how do I find out which credits transfer over or not? | Back to top.

Transfer students should review the CollegeTransfer.Net Equivalency Widget located at https://www.ut.edu/admissions/transfer-admissions/transfer-credits-to-ut. Students who have access to Workday can follow the steps below to view transfer credit results:

View transfer credit evaluation in Workday:

§ Log in to your MyUTampa account

§ Click on the Workday button

§ Click on the Academics button

§ On the side navigation bar, click View My Academic Record

§ Click your name at the top of the screen

§ Click Academics on the left navigation bar

§ Click Transfer Credit on the top navigation bar

Note: Instead of the final step, click the Academic Progress tab to review how the courses apply to your declared major and the Spartan Studies.

You may review UT’s Unofficial Degree Planning Worksheets to see how these courses may be applied towards your major: https://www.ut.edu/academics/academic-support/academic-advising-office/unofficial-degree-planning-worksheets.

33. As a commuter student, do I still have to complete online orientation and attend Week of Welcome? | Back to top.

First-year students and transfer students who will commute to UT must still complete the online orientation program prior to the start of the semester. Commuter students are strongly encouraged to participate in Week of Welcome events just like residential first-year and transfer students.

34. Is there a meal plan for commuter students? | Back to top.

There are meal plans for commuter students. To find out the meal plan options for commuter students, please visit the dining services website.

35. When will I be able to see my schedule on Workday? Back to top.

Students entering Fall 2024 will be able to see their schedules in mid-July. If you see the message “schedule under construction” on the schedule, you will know that it is not yet final. In fact, no schedule is absolutely final until classes begin and the add/drop period has ended. You should view and print the schedule from Workday the night before classes begin as room assignments/instructors may change on occasion.

36. Once the schedule is made, can changes be requested prior to new students’ arrival on campus? | Back to top.

Based on the completed preference form, Advising staff should have an idea of any coursework that may be coming in for credit. If, however, a student believes he/she has been scheduled in a course for which credit has already been earned, then a change request is warranted. The Admissions counselors can assist with direction if a student has questions about a possible schedule change prior to arrival on campus. After base schedules are visible in Workday, students can email their assigned academic advisor with questions or schedule change requests, which will be reviewed in the order received.

37. How do I register to attend Week of Welcome? Back to top.

Whether you are a first-year student or a transfer student, you do not need to register to attend Week of Welcome.

The Fall 2024 Week of Welcome schedule will be available via Guidebook on Aug. 1! Download Guidebook via Google Play or the App Store. Once the app is downloaded search The University of Tampa Office of Orientation and Family Engagement to download our guide space to access the schedule.

38. What is New Student Convocation? Back to top.

New Student Convocation will give students the opportunity to meet the dean and faculty members from their college of study. During this meeting, you will learn more about your major, what faculty expect of you during your time at UT and resources available to help you succeed while at UT. This session is required for all FALL incoming students.

39. If I have not declared a major, where do I go for New Student Convocation? Back to top.

For students who have not declared a major, you may attend the College of Arts and Letters' or the College of Social Sciences, Math and Education's New Student Convocation.