Do I need to attend Orientation?
Yes. All incoming students, including Online and Extended Learning students must complete an Orientation before registering for classes.
If I am a student enrolled at another institution and am only taking a course or summer courses from Minnesota State University, Mankato, do I need to attend Orientation?
It depends. Please contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498 for assistance with this question.
Do I have to complete Orientation before registering for classes?
Yes. You are not able to register for your classes until you have completed the Orientation program and met with an advisor in your area of interest. Individual orientations are not available.
Can I register for classes before attending Orientation?
No, you cannot register for your classes until you have completed all components of the Orientation program, which includes advising and registration. All incoming students have an Orientation hold, and it will not be removed until you have completed the Orientation program.
What if I am unable to stay for the entire Orientation program?
Students must complete the entire program prior to registering for classes. If you are unable to attend the entire session you originally chose, you will need to attend a different program. If you need assistance in changing your Orientation date, please contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498.
Are parent/family members required to attend Orientation with their student?
Parent/family members are not required to attend Orientation with their student, however we do encourage it. We offer Family Orientation during our two day New Student Orientation Program. We do not offer Family Orientation during Transfer Orientation; however, parent/guests are still able to attend. See the Family Orientation FAQs for additional Family Orientation questions.
As an Extended or Online Degree Completion student, am I required to complete Orientation?
Yes. All Extended Learning and Online Degree Completion students must complete Orientation as well. When you register for Orientation, you will answer questions that direct you to the Orientation program specifically designed for these programs. See the Online/Extended Learner Orientation FAQs for additional Online/ Extended Learner questions.
Do non-traditional students have to attend Orientation?
Yes. All incoming non-traditional students need to attend Orientation. If you are a non-traditional, first year student (not a transfer student), please contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498 and ask about Orientation program dates that may better meet your needs as a non-traditional student.
If I was a MSU Mankato PSEO student, do I need to attend New Student Orientation?
Yes. All PSEO students need to attend the two day New Student Orientation during the Summer. This is your opportunity to meet other new students, as well as meet with your intended area of study, and register for classes. If you aren’t able to attend a June or July program, there will be a one day New Student Orientation the Friday before classes begin.
Can I register for Orientation by phone?
Guests must register for Orientation online or by mail. We do not take reservations by phone. However, once you are registered for the program we are able to assist you with changes by phone.
When I try to register for Orientation, my Tech ID doesn’t work.
Please make sure you are entering the entire 8-digit Tech ID (including zeros), the systems requires all 8 digits to register. If it still doesn’t work, call the Registration Help Desk at 507-389-2252 for assistance.
My password/PIN Number doesn’t work when I try to register for Orientation, what I should do?
If this is the first time you've used your password/PIN, it has been preset to one of the following:
Your birth date in YYMMDD format
The last six digits of your social security number
If it still doesn’t work, you will need to reset your password/PIN number by calling the Registration Help Desk at 507-389-2252.
Do parent/family members have to register for Family Orientation?
Yes. All family members planning on attending Orientation with their student (two day programs only), must register for Orientation prior to the program. When your student registers for Orientation, they must include the name of his/her guest (s) and CLICK the ADD button for guess to be added to the reservation. If family members would prefer on campus housing during Orientation, they must register for that as well (family housing is not included in the Family/Guest fee). Please confirm with your student that they have successfully added you to his/her reservation.
All the dates listed on the invitation are not visible on the Orientation Registration System, what does this mean?
If a date is not visible on the online registration system, it means that the date is full and you should choose another available date.
How do I change my Orientation date?
You can change your Orientation date by logging into the Orientation Registration System and selecting another open Orientation program. If you need assistance in changing your Orientation date, please contact the New Student and Family Programs Office at 507-389-5498.
How do I cancel my Orientation date?
Orientation reservations may be cancelled online or by phone (507-389-5498) until five (5) business days prior to your scheduled orientation session date. Students will receive a partial refund of 50% and family members will receive a full refund if a cancellation request is submitted at least five (5) business days prior to your scheduled session date. Those who do not give five business days’ notice, or do not show up, will be charged the entire program fee.
I didn’t receive a confirmation email for my Orientation date, how do I know I am registered for the program?
All confirmation emails are sent from an automated email account to the email address provided when you registered for Orientation. Please check the address you entered to make sure it is correct. If it is not correct, contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498 and we will change the address and resend your confirmation email. If it is correct, check your junk/spam email as it is sometimes filtered to that folder. You may also contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs to resend your confirmation email if you have lost it, please have your Tech ID when you call in for assistance.
What if I want to attend and stay with a friend?
Attending with a friend is easy. Send in both of your invitations and payments together with the same choices (1-13). We will then assign you to the same program, if possible. If you are registering online, we suggest registering at the same time. Rooming with a friend at Orientation is easy too! Just arrive at the same time during check-in and we will assign you to the same space.
I am on active duty in the military and am not able to attend any of the listed Orientation dates, what should I do?
Please contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498 for assistance with this question.
What does the New Student (two day) $80 Orientation fee cover?
The student Orientation fee covers the entire cost of the Orientation experience from housing, meals, program materials, staffing, etc. Students shouldn’t need any additional monies for Orientation unless they would like to purchase snacks later in the evening. The student Orientation fee DOES NOT cover the cost of a guest. Please see the Orientation fee page for more information.
What does the New Student (two day) $50 Family/Guest fee cover?
The first Family/Guest fee includes meals for one person, programming materials for the family, staffing, etc. It DOES NOT including family housing. If you would like to stay on campus, please have your student indicate that on the registration form. Additional guests have a fee of $25. This fee covers the cost of meals for the guest. Please see the Family/Guest fee page for additional information.
What does the Transfer/Academic Year $40 Orientation fee cover?
This fee includes programming materials, lunch, staffing, etc. for the one day Orientation experience.
Can the Orientation Fee be waived?
Students who qualified for free or reduced lunch in high school or had their Admissions fee waived for financial reasons should contact the New Student and Family Programs at 507-389-5498 for further information on this question. Please note that this request would need to happen prior to the orientation program.
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
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Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
