 V-Hawk Orientation DaysDestination: Viterbo University**Save the Date: Aug. 21–24, 2025** |
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Welcome New V-Hawks!
V-Hawk Orientation Days is a great way to start your Viterbo experience. These events are in addition to Student Transition and Registration (STAR) events and aim to make students' transition to Viterbo as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Studies show that students who attend and participate in orientation are more successful, more involved, and more knowledgeable about their campus than students who do not attend orientation programming. To ensure student success, V-Hawk Orientation Days is mandatory for all new incoming first-year students. The sessions on Friday are required for new transfer students, with the remaining weekend activities highly encouraged, but optional.
V-Hawk Orientation Days begin on Thursday following New Student Move-In, continues throughout the weekend and ends on Sunday. The first day of classes is the following Monday. Click here for Viterbo's academic calendar and important dates/breaks.
2024 Orientation Schedules and Resources
2024 First-Year Student Orientation Schedule
2024 Transfer, Re-Entry, Non-Trad Student Orientation Schedule
2024 Parent and Guest Orientation Schedule
Vic's Checklist - A brief list of possible tasks for new students to review and complete
Orientation Group Assignments by VUSM100
Academics at VU Room Assignments - Friday 8/23, 11:45a-1p
Explore Downtown Schedule - Saturday 8/24, 2p-4:30
During V-Hawk Orientation Days, new students will be assigned to an Orientation Team with other new students and led through the weekend's events by an Orientation Leader.
- O-Leaders are experienced students trained to help you get started off on the right track at Viterbo. Each orientation group will have an individualized schedule with meeting times and locations (through the Viterbo app, email updates, this website, and hard copy on their nametags). Students will learn more about the weekend's events when they meet their orientation group on Thursday and through emails.
**Reminder – all new domestic undergraduate students (except bachelor completion students) must complete Vector online modules BEFORE they come to campus. New students residing off-campus must complete the modules BEFORE classes start.** All students will receive an email over the summer with information on how to complete these modules; check your Viterbo email for instructions on how to complete these required modules designed to help prepare students for situations they may face in college. **Failure to complete Vector Modules could result in a hold on your account, preventing students from registering for classes.**
V-Hawk Orientation Days Highlights
O Group Time helps you get connected to Viterbo's resources, other new students, and your helpful O-Leader. During O Group Time, you and the other members of your Orientation team (also your VUSM100 classmates) will learn the nuts and bolts of being a student (including how to print, access Moodle and Vitnet, and other necessary tasks), learn about campus and community resources, and find out more about what it means to be a V-Hawk. Expect to have fun, meet new people, and learn a lot about Viterbo and La Crosse!
Viterbo Mission Seminar (VUSM100) Faculty Meet and Greet will introduce you to faculty you'll be working with during your first year at Viterbo in VUSM100. Get to know faculty and their approach to this experience before classes begin!
"Brave Space: Keeping Your Friends Safe" emphasizes the importance of healthy, productive relationships in college, ensuring students are informed and ready to advocate for themselves and others. We will cover understanding consent, recognizing intervention barriers, and effective bystander strategies to protect peers and uphold university values.
Night at the Rec is your all-access late-night open gym in the Mathy Center. Learn about intramurals, get active, do some touring of the facility, win great prizes, and more!
Orientation Service Saturday is a fantastic Viterbo tradition that gets you out into the La Crosse community to serve and get to know your neighbors. After all, what a better way to get to know a community than by serving in it? All new students along with orientation leaders and select faculty members will participate in Orientation Service Saturday, the first Service Saturday of the year. Watch this video to learn more about the Service Saturday experience.
2024 Common Read: All new students will receive a free copy of our common read at STAR: Heartland by Sarah Smarsh. This book will be an integral part of Orientation, your first VUSM class (first-year students only) and your first semester at Viterbo, so be sure to take time over the summer to read it! Didn't get your book? First-year students can contact Kirsten Gabriel and transfer students can contact Eileen Wynos at ecwynos@viterbo.edu.
2024 Newsletters
- July 9th
- July 25th
- August 6th
- August 20th
More Information
If you have additional questions about V-Hawk Orientation Days, contact the Office of Orientation and Engagement by calling 608-796-3846 or emailing orientation@viterbo.edu.
In addition to V-Hawk Orientation Days, Viterbo is also excited to welcome new international students to campus! More details regarding New International Student Orientation and international student pre-arrival details can be found here.