EIU New Student and Family Programs

Transfer Event Information

We are so happy your student has chosen Eastern Illinois University to call their new home! New Student and Family Programs wants to do all we can do to help students learn to navigate campus and connect to the university. New Student and Family Programs provides two programs (participation for students is mandatory) to help with the transition:

Part 1: Orientation

Your student's success at EIU is determined not only by the quality of their academic work, but also by how quickly they connect to the campus. 

Students will attend our Orientation program to complete several important steps:

• Learn about academic degree requirements (specific majors require mandatory testing)
• Meet with an academic advisor to develop an academic plan
• Use P.A.W.S. to register for classes
• Learn the ropes from current students
• Learn about campus facilities
• Learn about campus support services and programs
• Meet new classmates and get answers to your questions regarding life at EIU

Coming to college opens a new chapter in your student's life. The transition to EIU is an exciting time filled with a myriad of opportunities. This transition also raises a number of questions and concerns regarding their first year here at Eastern Illinois University. We promise their Orientation day will provide them with more than a class schedule; it will prepare and excite them for their first year at EIU!

As you prepare for your Orientation day, here are some things that might be helpful:

Check-in:  Check in will begin at 8am in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union.  A light continental breakfast will be provided. 

Schedule of Events:

            8am - Check in begins

            8:45 – Welcome and Academic Orientation

            9:45am-10:45am – Breakout Sessions

            11am-11:30am – Tour of campus with your college

            11:30am-12pm – Meet the Deans

            12pm-3pm – Academic Advising and Registration

            1:30pm-3pm – Residence Hall Tours (Stevenson Hall and University Court only)

Major:  If you have changed your major since registering for Orientation, please contact New Student and Family Programs prior to your Orientation day so that we connect you with the appropriate advisor.

Parking:  The parking lot adjacent to Stevenson Hall will be available during your visit without a parking permit.  This lot is not ticketed during Orientation.

Accessible parking is available throughout campus. Please contact our office to let us know of any accommodations you and your family may need, and to receive directions to additional parking options around campus. Review our parking map here: https://www.eiu.edu/police/parking.pdf

Directions:  Driving directions to campus can be found here.

Panther Card Photo Upload:  Please upload your photo for your Panther Card prior to your arrival to Orientation.  You can upload your photo by logging into MyEIU and finding the PantherCard item on your checklist.  You will receive your Panther Card at Orientation.

Part 2: Welcome Weekend

This transition program will aid your student in settling into life on campus. The programs starts the weekend prior to each semester and continues through the first six weeks of the semester. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved and learn about many of the programs EIU has to offer! Click here for additional information about the program.