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Spring 2021 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 Peer Mentors/TISOs, 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 Student 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 Standard 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 December 11th. 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 February 1st, 2021. 

CHECK OUT THE SPRING 2021 VIRTUAL ORIENTATION WEEK SCHEDULE

January 13- January 15, 2021
Virtual Orientation Sessions

  • January 12-13 | BIPOC Summit

    Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Summit

    Note: This is an optional event for any student who identifies and who would like to participate.

    Program Goal:

    Create a community space for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) to connect around shared or similar identity(s), while addressing the realities of being a person of Color within the creative industry. This program will uplift and empower BIPOC voices through dialogue on topics of personal development, professional growth, and opportunities beyond graduation.

    Summit Outcomes:

    As a result of participating in the BIPOC Summit, students will:

    Build a strong network of BIPOC creatives.

    Explore and expand upon their identity as a BIPOC person within their own personal development.

    Identify individual/community strengths and assets as BIPOC creatives for professional growth and opportunities.

    Explore how their identity(ies) influence their journey within the creative industry.

    Identify strategies for academic success to provide a successful transition into a creative field.

    Register Now!

    Who is Eligible?:

    All incoming and current students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) are eligible for this program. This program is focused on the experiences and narratives of BIPOC-identified persons in the creative field and will offer opportunities for students to self-explore and build connections around this focus.

    How to Register:

    If you self-identify as BIPOC and are an incoming or current student who would like to participate in this free program, please click here to register. The deadline to register is Friday, January 8th.

    Summit Dates:

    The BIPOC Student Summit is designed as a virtual two-day experience that will run prior to the start of the Spring semester. The program dates are Tuesday, January 12 - Wednesday, January 13, 2021. 

    Summit Fee:

    This program is completely FREE! All you have to do is register for the program and await further details.

    For more information, please visit our website!

  • January 13-16 | New Student Housing Move-in 

    Move-in appointments will be staggered between January 13 through January 16, 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 to students with confirmed places in housing. Feel free to contact Residence Life and Housing at studenthousing@otis.edu for any questions or concerns.

  • Wednesday, January 13 | 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 Standard Time)

    5:00pm    Welcome 

    5:05pm    Student Introductions 

    5:15pm   How to Complete Orientation on the Nest 

    5:20pm    Pathways to Success 

    5:40pm    Tech Essentials

    6:10pm    Campus Resources 

    • Campus Partners Video
    • Library
    • Career Services
    • Student Health and Wellness Center
    • One-Stop
    • Shops, Labs, and Studios

     

    6:30pm-6:45pm     Final Q&A

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

     

     

  • Wednesday, January 13 | 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. 

    All newly admitted International students are required to attend. 

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific StandardTime)

    7:00pm               Welcome

    7:10pm               Meet the Team International Student Outreach Leaders (TISOs)

    7:25pm               How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    7:30pm               Tech Essentials 

    8:00pm               Pathways to Success/Student Rights and Responsibilities

    8:30pm               Maintaining Visa Status and Q&A

    9:00pm               Campus Resource Video

    9:10pm               Final Q&A

    You can register for this event when you register for your MAIN orientation session (Foundation and Upper Division Transfer Orientation or Graduate Student Orientation). 

  • Thursday, January 14 | Late Virtual Registration Day & Mandatory Step Up- Bystander Intervention 

    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.

     

    Step Up- Bystander Intervention 

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

    All students are required to attend a Step-Up Bystander Intervention presentation led 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. 

    You can register for this event when you register for your MAIN orientation session (Foundation and Upper Division Transfer Orientation or Graduate Student Orientation). 

  • Friday, January 15 | Foundation and Upper Division Transfer Student Orientation

    This year, there are two Live Virtual Orientation sessions that Foundation Students, Foundation Transfer students, and Upper Division Transfer Students can sign up for. Attendees only need to register for one of the sessions being offered.  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 what the first year will entail for the student. There will be an opportunity for students to meet student 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, Foundation Transfer students, and Upper Division Transfer Students are expected to attend.

    Morning Session:

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Standard Time)

    9:00am   Welcome

    9:10am    Meet Your Peer Mentors

    9:25am    How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    9:30am    Tech Essentials 

    10:00am    Academic Overview

    10:30am    Pathways to Student Success

    10:50am    Campus Resources 

    11:00am-11:15am    Q&A

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

     

    Evening Session:

    Schedule At-A-Glance (Pacific Standard Time)

    6:00pm    Welcome

    6:10pm    Meet Your Peer Mentors

    6:25pm    How to Complete Orientation on the Nest

    6:30pm    Tech Essentials 

    7:00pm    Academic Overview

    7:30pm    Pathways to Student Success

    7:50pm    Campus Resources 

    8:00pm-8:15pm    Q&A

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