Hattiesburg Orientation FAQs

Yes, Orientation is mandatory for all new degree-seeking students. Orientation is a fun, productive event for incoming freshmen and transfers (and their families) that will make sure new students have a smooth, successful start to their Southern Miss journey.

Admitted students can access Orientation registration in their SOAR account. However, Orientation registration is only visible for students who have submitted proof of two (2) measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. (Click here for more information about the MMR requirement and exemptions.)

Fully online students are students who are majoring in academic programs that are 100% online (i.e., no face-to-face classes), and Online Learning assists those students with advisement and registration. Even if you plan to take the majority or entirety of your classes online, new students majoring in Hattiesburg-based academic programs must attend Orientation.

Even with earned college credit, recent high school graduates attend Freshman Orientation.

Academic advisement is coordinated by the academic colleges. Students are contacted before their scheduled Orientation session to discuss class schedule creation. At Orientation, students will meet independently with an advisor to confirm their class schedule and have the opportunity to ask other questions about their degree plan. 

The process of college credit posting is initiated when an admitted student registers for an Orientation session. Typically, a student’s college credit (credit earned from another college or through an examination like AP or CLEP) is posted no later than the date of a student’s Orientation session.

We’ll send you helpful information a couple of weeks before your session, but there are 3 things that you’ll need to do before coming to campus for Orientation.

• Log into SOAR and complete your Academic and Financial Agreement to lift the registration hold on your account.
• Follow these photo upload instructions so that you can pick up your student ID card at Orientation.
• Monitor your Southern Miss student email account. This email account is how the University will officially communicate with you.

We’ll provide all of the printed materials you need. We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and casual clothing. (You’ll be walking around campus, and it will be hot!) If the weather forecast calls for rain, bring a raincoat or umbrella. Please note that Eagle Dining locations do not accept cash, so bring another way to pay if you want to buy food on campus (select meals will be provided). Lastly, students at Freshman Orientation who stay overnight in campus housing should bring towels and bedding.

Before your Orientation session, we’ll email you instructions on how to upload a photo for your student ID. You can pick up your student ID card when you’re on campus for Orientation.

We want everyone who attends Orientation to have a safe, comfortable, and productive experience. If anyone in your party needs accommodation for a disability or impairment, we ask that you contact our office as soon as possible to discuss those needs.

Only admitted freshmen and transfer students can attend Orientation. Click here for more information about how to apply for admission.

Contact our office as soon as possible for further assistance.

Exemptions from the MMR requirement are permitted for some medical or religious reasons. Click here for more information.

No. If you have an Orientation hold on your SOAR account, contact our office for assistance.

No. If you have an Orientation hold on your SOAR account, contact our office for assistance.