Orientation in Hattiesburg
Orientation in Hattiesburg
We are excited to welcome you as you start your journey at Southern Miss! New Student Orientation, Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW), and UNV 100 work together to introduce new students to the people, offices, and resources that will make them Ready for Life at Southern Miss and beyond.
New Student Orientation
Registration for Spring Orientation in 2025 is now open! Spring Orientation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025. Be sure to check your email and Orientation and Transition Programs' social media for more information!
Please note: You must set up your SOAR account to register and temporarily disable any pop-up blockers on your browser before registering. You must also submit documentation of two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions below if you need to complete a medical or religious exemption.
Golden Eagle Welcome Week
Before the fall semester begins, new students will participate in Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW). They will get to know their campus, meet new friends, and participate in exciting campus traditions.
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required course for all new degree-seeking students. This course is a supplement to in-person Orientation. The curriculum is designed to provide academic and campus resources during pertinent times throughout a new student's first semester.
Orientation Experience Fees
Orientation fees are nonrefundable and cover the cost of select meals, materials, and programming for your Orientation session. Orientation fees for students and parent/family members must be paid upon registering for an Orientation session.
Spring 2025 Fees
Student | $50
Guest | $50, per person
UNV 100
UNV 100 is a required course; a separate $100 fee will be billed to the student’s account at the start of the fall semester. A portion of this fee covers GEWW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation is for all new degree-seeking students at Southern Miss. Our goal is to ensure that Orientation provides you with all the information you need before the start of your first semester at Southern Miss.
Yes. Orientation is mandatory for all new degree-seeking students at the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses. You must register for Orientation to complete registration for classes.
On your Campus Dashboard in SOAR, click "Admissions" on the left side of the page, then select "Orientation Registration."
If you need special assistance to accommodate you, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientation@usm.edu as soon as possible.
Students needing a medical exemption should complete this form and upload it through the same portal listed above.
Please note that medical exemptions must be signed by a physician.
Students needing a religious exemption should complete this form and upload it through the same portal listed above.
Absolutely! We encourage students to bring a parent/family member with them. Some students, however, do come on their own.
#1 Begin checking your USM email account.
#2 Log into your SOAR account and complete your Academic and Financial Agreement to remove the hold on your student account.
#3 Be ready to hear from a Southern Miss representative to discuss your class schedule. Beginning in November, they will contact you via your USM email account.
You must be admitted to Southern Miss to register for Orientation. The Office of Admissions can assist you with getting admitted to Southern Miss before registering for Orientation. To contact the Office of Admissions, please email admissions@usm.edu or call 601.266.5000.
No. If this applies to you and you have an orientation hold on your SOAR account, please contact the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at orientation@usm.edu.
Fully online students have the option to attend orientation in person or virtually. Please note that your online degree plan must be listed at the Office of Online Learning for attendance at Orientation to be optional. You must contact the Office of Online Learning at online@usm.edu or 601.266.5518 if you have questions about your next steps.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services will assist with your onboarding. You can contact them at 601.266.4841 or email them at intl@usm.edu.
All incoming freshmen and transfers will connect with an Academic Advisor to finalize
their class schedule for the spring semester.
Please note that advisors are working to contact students prior to their scheduled
session to discuss their class options and complete pre-enrollment. Students should
check their USM email for direct outreach from their advisor.
UNV 100 is a required 1-hour course for all new students at Southern Miss. The Office of Leadership and Student Involvement will contact all Hattiesburg campus students about this course at the beginning of your starting semester.