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Fall 2020 Orientation

Welcome Otis Owls!

During Orientation Week, you will be able to join Virtual Orientation Sessions, complete your self-guided Online Orientation Course, meet your Orientation Leaders, connect with other new Owls, and get aquainted to life as an Otis College student. We look forward to meeting you!

1. Sign up for your Virtual Orientation Sessions that will be taking place throughout the week. Registration is now open.

Making the transition to college can be exciting, eye-opening, and perhaps a bit overwhelming at times. Through our Live Virtual Orientation Sessions, we will provide you with important information and tools to help you become the most successful Otis Owl that you can be. Through these sessions, you will be learn about strategies and resources you can utilize to strive academically, creatively, and personally during your time at Otis College. Lastly, you will have the chance to ask any questions you have and connect with Orientation Leaders, other Otis College students, and members of our community. These sessions will be hosted via Zoom so your family can also join the experience with you. All Virtual Session times listed below take place in Pacific Daylight Time. 

2. Complete your self-guided Orientation Course through the Otis College learning management system,The Nest.

The online orientation course is created to help you learn about all the resources that you can access as an Otis Owl. Through this course, you will be able to navigate through informational modules that serve as essential introductions to the Otis College student experience. There are required steps to complete throughout the course, and a gift to unlock once all the modules are completed!

All new students will be able to access the Online Orientation Course on August 17th. Your orientation course can be accessed by logging on to your Otis College student dashboard (my.otis.edu), and clicking on the nest icon on the right side of the page, below "Events".

The deadline to complete this course to be eligible to earn your New OWL gift is September 7th, 2020. 

3. Optional additional programs will be facilitated throughout the week. Please look through these additional programs listed below. Registration is now open. 

 

View the Virtual O-Week Schedule here!

 

August 21- August 28 2020
Virtual Orientation Sessions

  • August 17-August 29 | New Student Housing Move-in 

    Move-in appointments will be staggered throughout two weeks, Monday, August 17 - Saturday, August 29, in order to provide social distancing as everyone moves in. Residential students will be emailed a link to sign up for the day and time that work best for them. Additional details will be emailed throughout the summer to students with confirmed places in housing. Feel free to contact Residence Life and Housing at studenthousing@otis.edu for any questions or concerns.

  • Friday, August 21 | International Student Orientation 

    The college is excited to welcome all newly admitted International students! The International Student Virtual Orientation Session is your first chance to learn about all that Otis College has to offer you. You’ll receive valuable information to ease your transition to campus and life in the USA, as well as federal requirements to maintain your student visa status. You will also have the opportunity to engage with your Team International Student Outreach (TISO) leaders. To join an additional International Student Q&A Session, please find more information under the tab for Friday, August 28th. 

    All newly admitted International students are required to attend. 

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Daylight Time)

    6:00pm               Welcome

    6:10pm               Meet the Team International Student Outreach Leaders (TISOs)

    6:30pm               How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    6:40pm               Tech Essentials 

    7:15pm               Pathways to Success/Student Rights and Responsibilities

    7:35pm               Maintaining Visa Status and Q&A

    8:15pm               Campus Resource Video

    8:25pm               Final Q&A

    To confirm your attendance to this Virtual Session, please register HERE.

  • Sunday, August 23 | New OWL Welcome Day
    New Owl Welcome Day includes three programs: Family and Friends Welcome, Letting Go, and Welcome Ceremony. When you register for New Owl Welcome Day in Mid-July, you and your loved ones may choose to attend one, two, or all three of those programs. Please see the details for each program below. 

     

    1. On New OWL Welcome Day, Otis College welcomes all newly admitted students and their family and friends to the Owl Community. Parents and families will have the chance to learn about campus resources and ask Otis College staff questions during our Family and Friends Welcome at 2:00pm (PDT). 

    Schedule At-A-Glance: Family and Friends Welcome (Pacific Daylight Time)

    2:00pm    Welcome

    2:10pm    Virtual Orientation Introduction

    2:20pm    Campus Resource Panel

    2:40pm     Closing Q&A

    2. Parents and families will then have the chance to join the Virtual Letting Go workshop at 3:30 PM (PDT), presented by the Otis College Director of Counseling Services, James Birks. This session provides helpful tools on how to best support your Otis College student through their academic journey.

    3:30pm-4:00pm    Letting Go Workshop  

    To confirm your attendance to Virtual New Owl Welcome Day (Family and Friends Welcome and/or Letting Go Workshop), please register HERE.

    3. Lastly, all new students will be celebrated during our Virtual Welcome Ceremony in the evening. During this ceremony, many members of our faculty and staff will formally welcome all new students. We encourage all students to attend.

    6:00pm-7:00pm    Virtual Welcome Ceremony

    To confirm your attendance to the Virtual Welcome Ceremony, please register HERE.

     

     

  • Monday, August 24 | Foundation and Foundation Transfer Student Orientation

    This year, there are two Live Virtual Orientation sessions that Foundation and Foundation Transfer students can sign up for. Attendees only need to register for one of the sessions being offered (links will be provided below in Mid-July).  This Virtual Orientation Day is especially important for students entering college for the first time or transferring from another college and starting at Otis College as a Foundation student. 

    Students and families will gain a basic understanding of the college and the Foundation year for the student. There will be an opportunity for students to meet their Orientation Week Leaders and speak with various staff and faculty representing different resources at the college.


    Family and Friends are welcome to join this virtual event! All newly admitted Foundation and Foundation Transfer students are expected to attend.

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Daylight Time)

    9:00am    Welcome

    9:10am    Meet Your Orientation Week Leaders

    9:30am    How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    9:40am    Tech Essentials 

    10:05am    Break

    10:10am    Academic Overview 

    10:35am    Pathways to Student Success 

    10:55am    Campus Resources

    11:00am-11:15am     Q&A

    To confirm your attendance to this Virtual Session, please register HERE.

  • Tuesday, August 25 | Foundation and Foundation Transfer Student Orientation

    This year, there are two Live Virtual Orientation sessions that Foundation and Foundation Transfer students can sign up for. Attendees only need to register for one of the sessions being offered (links will be provided below in Mid-July).  This Virtual Orientation Day is especially important for students entering college for the first time or transferring from another college and starting at Otis College as a Foundation student. 

    Students and families will gain a basic understanding of the college and the Foundation year for the student. There will be an opportunity for students to meet their Orientation Week Leaders and speak with various staff and faculty representing different resources at the college.


    Family and Friends are welcome to join this virtual event! All newly admitted Foundation and Foundation Transfer students are expected to attend.

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Daylight Time)

    6:00pm    Welcome

    6:10pm    Meet Your Orientation Week Leaders

    6:30pm    How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    6:40pm    Tech Essentials 

    7:05pm    Break

    7:10pm    Academic Overview

    7:35pm    Pathways to Student Success

    7:55pm    Campus Resources 

    8:00pm-8:15pm    Q&A

    To confirm your attendance to this Virtual Session, please register HERE.

  • Wednesday, August 26 | Upper Division Transfer and Exchange Student Orientation

    The college recognizes that Transfer and Exchange students have already been to college and are a unique population with specific needs. This orientation day is for those students who have previously attended either a two-year or four-year institution and have been admitted to Otis College as a transfer student. You will learn about academic expectations and opportunities for involvement and get the chance to meet your representatives from your academic departments. All newly admitted transfer and exchange students are expected to attend. 

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Daylight Time)

    6:00pm    Welcome

    6:10pm    Meet Your Orientation Week Leaders 

    6:30pm    Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS)

    6:45pm    Virtual Department Meet and Greets 

    7:05pm    Break

    7:10pm   How to complete Orientation on the Nest

    7:20pm    Tech Essentials 

    7:45pm    Pathways to Success

    8:05pm-8:15pm    Final Q&A

    To confirm your attendance to this Virtual Session, please register HERE.

  • Thursday, August 27 | Graduate Student Orientation

    The Live Virtual Graduate Student Orientation session will provide all incoming MFA students with information intended to help navigate their academic program. As an incoming graduate student, you will be able to meet other graduate students virtually, as well as representatives from different campus departments. All newly admitted MFA Students are required to attend.

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Daylight Time)

    6:00pm    Welcome 

    6:10pm    Student Introductions 

    6:20pm   How to Complete Orientation on the Nest 

    6:30pm    Pathways to Success 

    6:45pm    Tech Essentials

    7:10pm    Campus Resources 

    • Campus Partners Video
    • Library
    • Career Services
    • Student Health and Wellness Center
    • One-Stop
    • Shops (Print, Ceramics, 3D)

     

    7:40pm-7:45pm     Final Q&A

    To confirm your attendance to this Virtual Session, please register HERE.

  • Friday, August 28 | Virtual Registration Day/ Step Up Training/ International Student Q&A

    Students that have not yet registered for classes will be advised online via Zoom. The One Stop will also be available to help students who have not yet cleared any holds. The Admissions Office will be in contact with students who have still not registered via email with more details. 

    5:00pm-6:30pm (PDT)     Step Up- Bystander Intervention 

    All students are required to attend a Step-Up Bystander Intervention presentation lead by our Assistant Dean and Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Carol Branch. 

    Bystander intervention is the act of stepping up when there is a problem, rather than assuming someone else will intervene. To prepare you to be a proactive member of the Otis community, bystander intervention session will help you recognize potentially dangerous situations; provide you with action strategies for intervention and familiarize you with resources for assistance. 

    To confirm your attendance to the Step Up- Bystander Intervention, please register HERE. 

    7:00pm-8:00pm (PDT)     International Student Q&A

    Otis College DSO, Alia Saeed, will lead an interactive session for international students to be able to ask any questions they may have about maintaining their visa status or succeeding as an international student at Otis College of Art and Design.

    To confirm your attendance to the Virtual International Student Q&A, please register HERE.

Additional Orientation Week Programming and Events

  • Monday | August 24
    Virtual Orientation Week Leader (OWL) Chat 1- Things I Wish I Knew | 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM

    Meet your incredible orientation leaders and connect with your peers by joining this interactive OWL Chat! Get the scoop on what Orientation Week Leaders wish they knew before starting their journeys at Otis College of Art and Design! 

    Click HERE to register!

     

    Virtual Getty Museum Tour | 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

    Join the Dean of Enrollment Management and J. Paul Getty Museum Docent, Matthew Gallagher, on an interactive virtual tour of the Getty museum's collection.

    Click HERE to register!

     
    Virtual Block Party | 3:30 PM- 4:30 PM

    Residential students will be able to virtually connect with their RA and closest neighbors. A zoom link will be provided through your assigned RA.

     

  • Tuesday | August 25
    Virtual Foundation 101 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

    Learn more about what it means to be a Foundation student and meet the faculty chair of the Foundation department! 

    Click HERE to register!

     

    Virtual Ergonomics and the Artist | 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM

    Learn how positioning the body while practicing your art to help prevent long term health problems. Students will learn techniques for proper posture, stretching and movement.

    Click HERE to register!

     

    Virtual Orientation Week Leader (OWL) Chat 2- Owls in Quarantine| 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

    Meet your incredible orientation leaders and connect with your peers by joining this interactive OWL Chat! OWLs will discuss strategies for self care, setting up your workspace for online classes, and maintaining inspiration and creativity during these unique times.

    Click HERE to register!

  • Wednesday | August 26
    Virtual Orientation Week Leader (OWL) Chat 3- Connected OWLs | 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM

    Meet your incredible orientation leaders and connect with your peers by joining this interactive OWL Chat! Owls will talk about how to stay connected to one another and prevent feelings of isolation during the pandemic. They will share their experiences in an open conversation with you all. 

    Click HERE to register!

     
    Virtual Ergonomics and the Artist | 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM

    Learn how positioning the body while practicing your art to help prevent long term health problems. Students will learn techniques for proper posture, stretching and movement.

    Click HERE to register!

     

    Virtual BINGO | 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

    Join Residence Life and Housing for a friendly and fun afternoon of virtual BINGO! Win Otis Swag and other items to help you settle into your new home. A link will be provided to all residential students by email.

     

  • Thursday | August 27
    Virtual Foundation 101 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

    Learn more about what it means to be a Foundation student and meet the faculty chair of the Foundation department! 

    Click HERE to register!

     

    Virtual Orientation Week Leader (OWL) Chat 4- Doodling OWLs | 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM

    Meet your incredible orientation leaders and connect with your peers by joining this interactive OWL Chat! Enjoy a night of doodling and and meeting other incoming students. OWLs will be facilitating drawing prompts as well as a virtual art show-and-tell.

    Click HERE to register!

     
    Virtual Getty Museum Tour | 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

    Join the Dean of Enrollment Management and J. Paul Getty Museum Docent, Matthew Gallagher, on an interactive virtual tour of the Getty museum's collection.

    Click HERE to register!

     
    Virtual Orientation Week Leader (OWL) Chat 5- Things I Wish I Knew | 3:30 PM- 4:30 PM

    Meet your incredible orientation leaders and connect with your peers by joining this interactive OWL Chat! Get the scoop on what Orientation Week Leaders wish they knew before starting their journeys at Otis College of Art and Design! 

    Click HERE to register!

     
    Trivia Night | 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM 

    Each residential location will sponsor a trivia night for their residents. More information on how to access the link will be provided to students as they move in.