WELCOME

Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819 with dreams of creating a unique place of higher education that would inspire leadership and life-long learning.

Jefferson considered the founding of the University to be one of his greatest achievements. Towards the end of his life, after a long, illustrious career as a revolutionary, political leader, writer, architect, inventor, and horticulturist, Jefferson undertook the creation of the University of Virginia. He was closely involved in the planning of the University - developing the curriculum, recruiting the first faculty, and designing the Academic Village, a terraced green space surrounded by residential and academic buildings and gardens, with the Rotunda as a majestic center point. The most recognizable symbol of the University, the Rotunda, stands at the north end of the Lawn and is half the height and width of the Pantheon in Rome, which was the primary inspiration for the building.

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To New Students of the UniversityCongratulations on your admission to the Universi-ty of Virginia. Soon you will come to Charlottesville to join our community, and we are looking forward to your arrival with great anticipation. Your presence among us and your participation in the academic en-terprise will strengthen the University and add to the diverse human richness that defines life and learning here.

You are joining a community that holds a distinctive place among American universities. Thomas Jefferson founded this University in 1819 as an institution “based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind.” Near-ly 200 years later, we uphold Jefferson’s founding prin-ciples even as we affirm our commitment to innova-tion and the exploration of new intellectual horizons. Our students embrace a set of core values that includes honor, ethics, self-governance and personal account-ability, public service, community engagement, and

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diversity. By living these values, students learn to be responsible citizens and effective leaders. During ori-entation this summer, you will learn more about life at U.Va., as you take the first steps toward joining this community.

To parents of new students, I say welcome to the Uni-versity community. You are now part of the U.Va. fam-ily, too. We hope you will join us this summer for the special parent orientation session that takes place con-currently with the student session. This publication, along with the website, www.virginia.edu/orientation, will provide more information and help both students and parents get started on the journey ahead.

As you prepare to begin your studies here, I send my best wishes. I look forward to welcoming you to Charlottesville.

Very truly yours,

Teresa A. Sullivan President

Orientation · 5 Mark Your Calendar · 7Orientation Sessions · 8Deadlines · 10Traditions & Lingo · 12

Photographs Dan Addison, Cole Geddy, Alison White

Orientation Staff Assistant Director, Shraddha Prasad

Director, Tabitha A. Enoch Orientation Coordinator, Timothy Eckert

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About Orientation virginia.edu/orientation/summer

Summer Orientation is where you’ll learn about the University, ask questions, meet faculty members, sign up for classes, and get to know your fellow classmates. You will also have the chance to speak with representa-tives from University offices such as Housing & Resi-dence Life and Dining, and you’ll take care of logis-tical details, including familiarizing yourself with the Grounds and getting your student ID.

Orientation sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up for a session as soon as you know your summer plans. You must attend an orientation ses-sion that corresponds with your school, year, and pro-gram ( e.g. first year School of Architecture students can only attend Session C). Please see the schedule for more details. If you’re an international student or live a great distance from Virginia, it may be more convenient to at-tend Session H, just prior to move-in day. Contact the Orientation Office for more details.

If you choose to attend a later orientation session, don’t worry about signing up for classes, as we reserve space for first-year students in classes that are popular and release them throughout the summer. For example, your chances of successfully enrolling in Introducto-ry College Chemistry ( CHEM 1410 ) are just as good in Session G as they are in Session A.

Summer Orientation is also an opportunity for your parents to learn more about the University and the journey you are about to take. We hope they, or anoth-er family member, will accompany you for the concur-rent parent program. Seating is limited for some of the sessions. Please see your confirmation letter for details.

In preparation for Summer Orientation, we strongly encourage you to begin looking for classes and famil-iarizing yourself with the Student Information System (SIS). The first time you log on, be sure to take a SIS tutorial – you’ll be glad you did.

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Move-In Days | Friday, August 24 & Saturday, August 25 (as assigned)

First Day of Classes | Tuesday, August 28

Family Weekend | Friday – Sunday, October 26 – 28 Parents and family members are encouraged to make hotel reservations as early as possible. See www.virginia.edu/placestostay.htmlwww.virginia.edu/familyweekend

Mark Your Calendar

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Session Dates School/Program

A July 5 – 6 CLAS, CLAS-Rainey, CLAS-Transition, SEAS, SEAS-Bridge, Athletes

B July 9 – 10 CLAS, CLAS-Echols, SEAS, NURS

C July 12 – 13 CLAS, SEAS, SEAS-Rodman, SARC, SARC Transfers

D July 16 – 17 CLAS, CLAS-Echols, EDUC, SEAS

E July 19 3rd Year CLAS Transfers, EDUC Transfers, NURS Transfers

F July 20 2nd year CLAS Transfers

G July 23 – 24 CLAS, CLAS-Echols, SEAS

H August 22 – 24 SEAS Transfer, COMM Transfer, International* Session H is limited to International and U.S. students living

abroad, those traveling great distances, COMM and SEAS transfer students. Contact Orientation for more information.

CLAS / College of Arts & SciencesCOMM / McIntire School of CommerceEDUC / Curry School of Education

NURS / School of NursingSARC / School of ArchitectureSEAS / School of Engineering and Applied Science

Orientation Sessions

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Deadlines

Register for Orientation June 1

Housing Application Optional for TransfersMandatory for First-Years

Transfer: May 25First-Year: June 1

ID Photo Submission Mandatory for all students June 15

College of Arts & Sciences Information Form

All CLAS students must complete a Student Information Form.

June 22

Sign Up for U.Va.Emergency Alerts

For instructions visitwww.virginia.edu/uvaalerts

July 1

Dining Contract Mandatory for First-Years Optional for Transfers

July 6

Tuition and Fees August 16

Pre-Entrance Health Record All students must submit the completed Health Record and proof of insurance by the deadline or they will incur a registration block and $100 late fee.

Postmarked by August 31

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Deadlines

Student Information System (SIS) Tutorial

Review system and take a tutorial the first time you log in to SIS.

Prior to Summer Orientation

Send-Off Party in Your Area Sign up for Summer Send-Off Party in your geographical area.

Various datesuvaclubs.virginia.edu/send-offs

Foreign Language Placement Exams

For French and Spanish, take your exam online before Summer Orientation. First-Year students interested in taking German, Latin or Russian will be tested during Summer Orientation. Transfer students and all students needing to take any other language will be tested during Fall Orientation.

Times vary

For Parents Sign up for communications from the University.http://hoosonline.virginia.edu/parentsemail

Anytime

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Traditions & Lingo

Traditions From the beginning, rituals, routines, clubs, and so-cieties were a part of life on Grounds. Some tradi-tions, like the Jefferson Society founded in 1825 and the Honor System established in 1842, continue into the present. Other traditions were succeeded by new ones. Across all of these changes though, one theme remains — enduring affection for the University.

The Lawn · Despite numerous inconveniences, stu-dents annually vie for the honor of a room on the Uni-versity’s Lawn. Originally only Virginians were eligi-ble to reside in the coveted Lawn and Range rooms, but this changed in 1949 when it was announced that the rooms would be assigned to student leaders — ge-ography notwithstanding. Today, a panel of students selects those peers whose academic performance and service to the University they believe merit a Lawn

room. Academic deans, accomplished professors, and the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer reside in the ten Pavilions on the Lawn.

The Honor System · The University of Virginia’s Hon-or System is one of the school’s most venerated tra-ditions. Administered solely by students, the Honor System requires that an individual act honorably in all relations and phases of student life. More specifically, the system rests on the premise that lying, cheating, and stealing are breaches of the spirit of honor and mutual trust, and therein are not to be tolerated.

Student Self-Governance · One of U.Va.’s most en-during traditions and strengths is the entrustment of much decision-making to students. The Universi-ty Judiciary Committee, Honor Committee, Student Council, Lawn Selection Committee, and many oth-ers are staffed and governed solely by students.

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Secret Societies · Many secret ribbon and ring societ-ies have been established at the University of Virgin-ia, including the Seven Society, IMPS, Z Society, 21, Thirteen, Pumpkin, TILKA, Rotunda Burning, Pur-ple Shadows, and Eli Banana. Members are selected or “tapped” based on the preference of current mem-bers of each society.

The Good Old Song · “The Good Old Song” is the school anthem of the University of Virginia. The lyrics were written by Edward A. Craighill in 1895. At foot-ball games it has become tradition for students, fac-ulty, and alumni to link arms and sway while singing

“The Good Old Song” after each U.Va. touchdown and field goal.

The Lighting of the Lawn · A more recent tradition, the Lighting of the Lawn brings together U.Va. stu-dents, faculty, staff, and the Charlottesville commu-nity for a festive December evening of acappella mu-sic and good cheer — culminating in a brilliant display of light.

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Ring Ceremony · Held in conjunction with Family Weekend and the awarding of Intermediate Honors, the Ring Ceremony brings together Third-Year stu-dents and their families for a program celebrating their time at the University. At the conclusion of the event, participating Third-Year students put on their U.Va. class rings. Another U.Va. tradition involves place-ment of the ring: students wear the ring with Miner-va facing inward. Upon conclusion of Final Exercises, graduates wear the ring with Minerva facing outward to the world.

LingoAcademical Village · The community of U.Va. stu-dents, faculty, and staff — termed the Academical Village — is the basis of Thomas Jefferson’s idea that living and learning are connected. The Lawn is built around this concept with faculty living in the Pavil-ions, students in the Lawn rooms, and the Rotun-da — formerly the University library — at its heart.

Carr’s Hill · The home of U.Va.'s president, Carr’s Hill is located across Rugby Road from the sports field known as “Mad Bowl.”

The Cavalier Daily · The Cavalier Daily is the student run and produced newspaper at the University.

The Corner · Located on University Avenue, the Cor-ner is a strip of restaurants and shops that is a favorite spot of U.Va. students.

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First, Second, Third, Fourth-Year · Instead of fresh-man, sophomore, junior, or senior, students are re-ferred to by their year at the University. Thomas Jef-ferson believed that no one could be a senior in their learning, but that education is a life-long process.

The Grounds · The term used by students, faculty, and alumni to refer to the University. Campus is never used.

Mad Bowl · Mad Bowl is the sunken field across the street from the Rotunda on Rugby Road. Some club sports use this field. Mad Bowl is a great place to study, play frisbee, or have a snowball fight.

The Pav · Pavilion XI is a retail dining facility located on the first floor of Newcomb Hall.

Rugby Road · Rugby Road is often used to refer to the home of fraternity and sorority life at U.Va., although there are houses located elsewhere.

Use of the Title Doctor · There is an old academic cus-tom in Western Europe and in the United States that only persons holding the M.D. degree are addressed as Doctor. Holders of the Ph.D. thus are addressed as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. The University of Virginia is one of the few schools in this country still holding to this custom.

Wahoos or Hoos · An alternative name for the Cava-liers, or the students at the University of Virginia.

The University of Virginia held its first Final Exercises in 1829. Staged in the Rotunda, the ceremony included a recitation of the names of students receiving honors and student orations. Under the influence of first University president Edwin Alderman, the

procession was incorporated into the ceremony in 1904, with graduating students and faculty members wearing academic regalia

processing from the newly rebuilt Rotunda down the Lawn to Cabell Hall. In 1953, University President Colgate W. Darden, Jr., moved the ceremony outdoors to the spacious South Lawn,

where Final Exercises continue to be held each May. Today, tens of thousands of parents, guests, and faculty members watch as

graduating students proceed down the Lawn.

OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTSORIENTATION & NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA