First-Year Student Orientation
All incoming UC Blue Ash students who applied by July 1, 2023 and confirmed their application by August 1, 2023 will need to complete a required New Student Orientation session. This is when new students register for their fall 2023 classes.
If you have not yet registered for your orientation, please contact the Office of Student Life as soon as possible by emailing us at bastdlfe@ucmail.uc.edu or by calling our office at 513-558-9429. The last fall 2023 orientation session will be in mid-August (the week before classes begin).
Some things to remember:
- Check your Bearcat Portal regularly.
- In your Bearcat Portal:
- Complete your Pre-Enrollment Questionnaire.
- Complete your Placement Self-Assessment.
- Once you complete these two tasks, you will be able to register for an available orientation session.
Our Orientation Mission
Our top priority is to support you in a successful academic and social transition to the UC Blue Ash community. The purpose of our orientation is to introduce new students and their families to the quality academics, resources and community fostered at UC Blue Ash College. Orientation is the catalyst to support your transition to our institution by preparing you for the academic rigor, personal responsibilities, and intellectual, cultural and social climate of our campus.
What Is New Student Orientation?
UC Blue Ash will offer several orientation sessions throughout the year. All first-year students are required to attend one of these sessions. During orientation, we will introduce new students and their families to faculty, staff and current students. You will learn about the "business of being a student", how to be successful in and out of the classroom, and will work with the advising staff to register for your first semester of college classes.
First-Year Student Orientation
Attending a UC Blue Ash (UCBA) Orientation is required for all incoming first-year UC Blue Ash students.
You will attend either an online orientation over Zoom or an in-person orientation on the Blue Ash campus. You will only need to attend an online orientation or an in-person orientation, not both!
We encourage all students to register for an in-person orientation if possible. However, both virtual and in-person orientations will help you learn about valuable academic resources, meet other new students, learn how to get involved on campus and hear tips about how to succeed as a new student!
Virtual orientations will last approximately four and a half hours. You will need a working internet connection. We will also encourage you to have your camera on to help you meet other new students. A laptop provides the best orientation experience.
In-person orientations will last approximately eight hours. Muntz Hall is where you will check in and where a majority of the orientation program will take place.
Once you have confirmed your admissions to UC Blue Ash, your first step is to go to your Bearcat Portal and complete your Pre-enrollment Questionnaire and your Placement Self-Assessment. The questionnaire and self-assessment must be completed or you will not be able to register for orientation. Once both tasks are completed, click on the register link for the task called “Register for Orientation.”
You will be able to pick an online or in-person orientation from the calendar dates listed. Click on the date and format (online or in-person) that works best for you. Answer a few short questions on the form and hit submit. If you have successfully registered for an orientation session, you will receive a confirmation email. This message will be sent to both the personal email account you used to apply to UC Blue Ash College and your new UC email (note: please also check your SPAM/junk folder for your confirmation).
- Fall 2023 orientation sessions are offered from late May – mid-August
- Spring 2024 orientation sessions are offered late November – early January
- Summer 2024 orientation sessions are offered late April – early May.
We recommend you register for the earliest in-person or online orientation you are able to attend.
You will register for your classes at the end of your orientation session. At this time, an advisor will walk you through the steps to create your schedule.
Yes, of course! Guests are welcomed to attend either your online or in-person orientation. You can register guests when you sign-up for your orientation date.
If you attend an online orientation, your guests may attend the session in its entirety. If you attend an in-person orientation, family members and guests will attend a separate session at the end of the day. They will learn how to support you with your educational goals as you register for your classes.
During orientation check-in, there will be a station where you will be asked to verify your major. If your major has changed since you registered for your orientation session, you will share your new major with the academic advisor staffing the station.
Attending the orientation program at UC Blue Ash is free.
You may park in the Muntz parking lot outside Muntz Hall. Parking will be free for guests visiting campus for orientation.
You may contact the UC Blue Ash Student Life office by emailing us at bastdlfe@uc.edu or calling us Monday – Friday at 513-558-9429. When contacting us, please let us know this is an orientation question.
Placement Tests & Orientation
A Guided Self-Placement Writing tool (GSP) and Math placement test are required for students who do not have college-ready ACT/SAT scores or official transcripts with qualifying college credit. The Reading Placement Test is required only for students with a high school GPA below a 2.2 or have earned a high school equivalency diploma and who did not submit an ACT or SAT score. The GSP and math placement test will assist advisors in placing you in the correct classes.
To be prepared for orientation, you are strongly encouraged to complete your required placement tool and/or test as soon as possible. All placement testing must be complete two weeks prior to your registered orientation date.
Please go to the Placement Testing page to learn more about which tests you need to complete before your orientation.
New Transfer Students
Transfer students have the option of completing an online orientation. Whether or not they complete the optional online orientation, all Transfer students should schedule an appointment with the Academic Advising office by following the online advising appointment instructions.
Spanish-Language Parent Orientation
UC Blue Ash will offer a program in Spanish for parents of first-year students. Spanish-speaking parents can attend this one-hour session to learn about the higher education experience and how to help their son or daughter achieve academic success. Parents will be introduced to various campus resources and services that will help support students' social, cultural and academic transition. Students should register for their preferred orientation date, then contact Molly Scruta at 513-558-9404 or molly.scruta@uc.edu to schedule the Spanish parent session for that date.
UC Blue Ash ofrece un programa en español para padres de estudiantes de primer año. Los padres pueden asistir a esta sesión de una hora para conocer la experiencia de la educación superior y cómo ayudar a su hijo o hija lograr el éxito académico. Los padres se introducirán a los varios recursos del campus y servicios que ayudarán la transición social, cultural y académico de los estudiantes.
Welcome to UC Blue Ash
Once again, we’re excited you’ve made the decision to attend UC Blue Ash College! We look forward to welcoming you to the Bearcat community and helping you make your first semester on campus a positive and successful one.
Resources
Contact Information
Chris Dziekan | Program Manager for Orientation and Leadership Development
Muntz Hall | Room 123
Phone: 513-558-9456
Email: dziekacr@uc.edu