Orientation General FAQS

Student Questions:

Do I have to stay overnight?

If you are a freshman attending embark orientation, you will be spending the night between embark Day 1 and embark Day 2 in the residence hall.  You will need to bring a change of clothes, toiletries, linens (XL twin), towels, and a pillow.
If you are a transfer student attending embark, you will not spend the night. embark for transfers is a one-day program.

What do I need to bring for orientation?

In addition to overnight stay materials (if necessary), you will also need to bring a photo ID to embark.  If you have not submitted final transcripts or your immunization paperwork, you will need to bring this information as well.

Do I have to attend the entire program?

The embark program is designed to ease your transition to UNC Asheville so attending the entire program is to your benefit.  If you are unable to attend the entire embark program, you need to notify us so arrangements can be made prior to your attendance.

How do I register for orientation?

Once you've paid your enrollment deposit to the University and the RSVP link is made live (generally early March), you may register online by visiting the Advising and Learning Support Office web page or selecting the appropriate RSVP link on the main embark web page.

How do I register a guest?

Parents and family members who wish to attend the parent orientation program that runs concurrently with each student embark session may register directly on the embark page where a parent RSVP link can be found. All guests must attend the parent orientation session; unfortunately due to space limitations, only students may attend the student embark orientation.

When does my day begin and end?

You may find tentative schedules on the embark pages that are specific to freshmen, transfers, and parents, but generally speaking, freshmen (and the concurrent parent sessions) begin around 10am on Day 1 and end around 2pm on Day 2 while transfers (and the concurrent transfer parent sessions) begin at 8am and end around 6pm.

What classes do I need to register for before I get there?

Freshmen are encouraged to register for their LSIC course prior to attending embark orientation.  Students will register for all other classes during embark orientation.

How much does orientation cost and how/when do I pay?

All orientation fees are placed on the student account as part of tuition and fees once a student registers for classes.  The Orientation fee is $150 per student.

What is the difference between embark, pre-rendezblue and rendezblue?

embark is a student's first orientation to the UNC Asheville campus and includes information about services and resources available to students, curriculum requirement information, social time to meet fellow incoming students, and course registration.
pre-rendezblue is an optional program for students who wish to move in early to meet a smaller group of incoming students while participating in one of seven special-interest programs.
rendezblue is a "welcome week" program for all new students which takes place three days prior to the start of fall classes.  All new students move in prior to returning students and have time to acclimate to the campus, attend their first LSIC class, and meet fellow new students.

I am attending orientation with a friend from high school. Can we be placed in small groups together at orientation?

All small group assignments are based on intended major and academic interest so we are unable to accommodate small group requests.

Should I bring money to orientation?

Although money is not necessary for attending orientation, we encourage students to bring money with them in the event that they would like to purchase additional snack items from vending machines or make purchases in the bookstore.

If I attend an earlier session of orientation, will I have a better chance of getting classes?

UNC Asheville tries to make all orientation sessions fair for all incoming students so a specific number of seats are available in all classes during each orientation session.  This means that attending the first session of orientation or the last session of orientation will yield the same chance of getting the classes you prefer.

I have not yet submitted the required immunization form. Can I still register for classes?

If you are unable to submit all of your required immunizations prior to attending embark, you will need to speak with Health Services while attending orientation to make arrangements for your immunization records.  Once this has taken place, you will be cleared for registration during embark.

Where do I submit my immunization records?

You may submit your immunization records to the Health Services office at:
Student Health Services
201 Weizenblatt Hall
CPO # 2710
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: 828/251-6520

I have mobility issues. Can I still participate in orientation?

Yes.  Please notify us prior to attending embark to inform us of any accommodation issues that may impact your participation.

I have a disability. What accommodations can be made during orientation?

Please notify us prior to attending embark of any disabilities so we can make any necessary arrangements for your participation.

What if I want to change my major at orientation?

Although you will continue with the small group to which you are assigned for orientation, you may change your major during orientation and we will work with you in creating a fall schedule that reflects your newly intended major.

What if a session becomes full and it is the only one that I can attend?

Please contact the Advising and Learning Support Office to inform them of your attendance limitations and we will make arrangements with you regarding your attendance.

What if I cannot attend any of the sessions of orientation?

Please contact the Advising and Learning Support Office to make alternate orientation arrangements.

I need to register early at my orientation session because I have a prior engagement. Is that possible?

If you are unable to attend the entire embark orientation program, please contact the Advising and Learning Support Office to notify them of your limitations.  We will try to work with your schedule as much as possible.

Will meals be provided?

Yes.  For freshmen embark sessions, lunch and dinner on Day 1 and breakfast and lunch on Day 2 is provided; for transfer embark sessions, breakfast and lunch is provided.

What is the best way to contact the orientation office if I have additional questions about orientation?

You may contact us via email at orient@unca.edu or via phone at 828-232-5110.

When is my OneCard (student identification card) made?

You will get your photo taken for your OneCard during orientation and will receive your card when you check in for rendezblue in August.

Parent Questions:

When will I receive information on parent orientation?

Your student will begin receiving all UNC Asheville-related information through their unca email account once accepted to the university.  Your student will receive an email regarding embark orientation (for students and parents) in early spring so you will want to encourage your student to check this email account regularly.  Parents may also find information regarding parent orientation on the embark web page.

May I stay in the residence halls?

Overnight accommodations in the residence halls is not available for parents or family members.  Parents and family members may find area accommodations information on the embark web page, area accommodations menu link.

Where can I find accommodations?

Parents and family members may find area accommodations information on the embark web page, area accommodations menu link. The area accommodations link is not an all-inclusive list of hotels; however, it is a list of hotels that offer discounts to friends and family of UNC Asheville students.

How do I register for orientation?

Parents and family members wishing to attend parent orientation may register on the embark web page, parent RSVP link.

What does my $25 fee cover?

The $25 per person fee covers the cost of meals, snacks/breaks, and program materials.

When does my day begin and end?

You may find tentative schedules on the embark pages that are specific to freshmen, transfers, and parents, but generally speaking, freshmen (and the concurrent parent sessions) begin around 10am on Day 1 and end around 2pm on Day 2 while transfers (and the concurrent transfer parent sessions) begin at 8am and end around 6pm.

Where do I park? Where can I get directions?

Parking is open on campus during embark orientation; however, it's easiest for embark participants to park in the lots on Founders Drive during orientation. You may find maps and directions to campus on the main UNC Asheville web page by clicking on Maps on the top of the page.