NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION is just ahead! Look over the things you need to know before arriving. After that, check out the Orientation Week Schedule and Frequently Asked Questions below. We can't wait to see you on campus!
Before You Arrive
International students arrive at Andrews University from nearly 100 countries around the world–some as first-year students and others as transfer students.
Each of you has unique needs that our Orientation Week program is tailored to meet.
Thursday arrival: If you have already had an orientation experience at another institution, you may still sign up to participate in the full week, or you may opt to sign up for a later Thursday, August 26, check-in. Transfer students who arrive on Thursday will take part in an abbreviated Orientation experience, August 26-28.
* International transfer students have the choice of arriving on Sunday or Thursday as well, with the added expectation that you attend International Student Orientation on either Sunday, August 22 (for Sunday arrivals) or Sunday, August 29 (for Thursday arrivals). These are listed in the schedule.
* International first-year students should plan to arrive on Sunday, August 22, as well. However, your day will begin with International Student Orientation from 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. See the schedule below.
If you arrive later in the week, please check in on the first floor of the Administration Building during business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
If you haven’t received financial clearance before arriving, you will need to see our Student Financial Services staff located on the first floor of the Administration Building from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (including Sunday, August 22).
PLEASE NOTE: Students must be financially cleared before moving into the residence halls.
If you are financially cleared, you may move into a residence hall on Sunday, August 22, at your scheduled time. Please go to the Andreasen Center for Wellness parking lot to begin the process. Simply drive-through, check-in, and then move-in to your assigned residence hall room.
REMEMBER: Students must be financially cleared before moving into the residence halls.
REMEMBER: Students must be financially cleared before moving into the residence halls.
Orientation Week Schedule—Fall 2021
Virtual Conference for Parents and Supporters
International Student Orientation
Location: Dining Center, Lincoln Room
Description: This session is for new international undergraduates. Breakfast is provided. Please plan to attend, as it is required by law.
First Stop
Time: 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Location: Howard Performing Arts Center
Description: Be sure to sign up for a First Stop check-in time HERE. We'll produce your ID Card, connect you with Student Health (if you have a Medical Hold), check the status of your Registration, sign you up for a free Andreasen Center for Wellness membership and more.
Move into the Residence Halls
Time: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: Residence halls
Description: Move-in begins in the Andreasen Center for Wellness parking lot. Just drive-in, check-in, and then move-in.
Convocation & Matriculation Ceremony
Time: 5:15–6:30 p.m.
Location: Pioneer Memorial Church
Description: New students and their families are invited to attend this Convocation service, which will end with a special Matriculation ceremony underneath the bridge of the Undergraduate Learning Center.
President's Welcome Dinner
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Undergraduate Learning Center Lawn
Description: New students and their families are invited to join the University President for a Michigan farm-to-fork dinner, catered by our very own Bon Apetit dining services.
Honors Freshman Rally
Time: 8:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Newbold Auditorium
Description: Was your ACT composite score 25 or higher or your SAT (Math+Verbal) score 1200 or higher? Your GPA 3.50 or above? You might qualify for the Honors Program. Discover all of the benefits of being an Andrews Scholar.
Hispanic/Latino Students & Families Meet-Up
Time: 8:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Buller Hall, Room 106
Description: The Andrews University Latino Association invites new Hispanic students and their families to come and get acquainted!
Bridge Students Meet-Up & Breakfast
Time: 9:00–9:50 a.m.
Location: Dining Services, Lincoln Room
Description: If you are part of the Bridge Program, meet-up with us first thing in the morning for Breakfast. Please be there at 9:00 a.m. sharp!
New Student Assembly #1
Location: Howard Performing Arts Center
Description: This is a required meeting and attendance will be taken. Please bring your ID Card with you.
First Year Testing (Session 1)
Description: Please attend the First Year Testing Session you were assigned at First Stop (either Session 1 or 2). These tests are personal inventories that will help our staff improve your experience at Andrews University.
First Year Testing (Session 2)
Location: Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall
Description: Please attend the First Year Testing Session you were assigned at First Stop (either Session 1 or 2). These tests are personal inventories that will help our staff improve your experience at Andrews University.
Math Placement Exam
Time: 3:00–5:30 p.m.
Location: Science Complex, Haughey Hall, Rooms 133 & 317
Description: Check HERE to see if you should to take the Math Placement Exam. If at all possible, prepare for and take the MPE before coming to campus. Otherwise, you can take it at this time.
Undergraduate Leadership Reception (Supper Provided)
Location: Dining Center, Lincoln Room
Residence Hall Orientations
Time: 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Location: Lamson and Meier Halls
Description: Residential students will receive important information about your living community from your Residence Hall Deans and RA staff. This is a required meeting for all residents. Please bring your ID Card.
Community Life Orientation
Time: 8:00–9:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Community students will receive important information about navigating the campus as a community student from Dean Alyssa Palmer. This is a required meeting for all community students. A Zoom link and password will be sent out on Monday morning, August 23.
Meet Your Department Breakfast
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Johnson Gymnasium
Description: Come have breakfast with faculty and other new students from your academic departments.
Departmental Introduction
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
Location: Academic Departments
Description: After breakfast, you will go with your fellow majors for an introduction to your academic department.
Individual Academic Advising
Time: 1:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: Advisors' Virtual Offices
Description: If you need to meet with your academic advisor, you may do so during this time or at another time your advisor sets with you.
Honors Orientation
Location: Newbold Auditorium
Description: This is an academic orientation for students planning to enter the J. N. Andrews Honors Program.
Library Introductions
Description: Please attend the 30-minute Library Introduction you were assigned at First Stop.
New Student Assembly #2
Location: Howard Performing Arts Center
Presenter: Dr. Anthony Bosman, PhD
Description: This is a required meeting and attendance will be taken. Please bring your ID Card with you.
Mentoring Groups
Time: 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Location: Howard Performing Arts Center Lawns
Description: Time to meet your new student mentors and get acquainted with the rest of the students in your new student mentoring group. Please attend the group you were assigned at First Stop. We'll be in the lobby of HPAC to remind you of your group number, if you forgot it.
New Student Assembly #3
Location: Howard Performing Arts Center
Presenter: Dean Alyssa Palmer, J.D.
Description: This is a required meeting and attendance will be taken. Please bring your ID Card with you.
Student Success Workshops #1
Time: 1:00–1:50 p.m.
Location: Buller Hall, Rooms 149, 250 and 251
Description: Choose from one of several Student Success workshops. These programs are optional but important!
Student Success Workshops #2
Time: 2:00–2:50 p.m.
Location: Buller Hall, Rooms 149, 250 and 251
Description: Choose from one of several Student Success workshops. These programs are optional but important!
Student Success Workshops #3
Time: 3:00–3:50 p.m.
Location: Buller Hall, Rooms 149, 250 and 251
Description: Choose from one of several Student Success workshops. These programs are optional but important!
New Student Assembly #4
Description: This is a required meeting and attendance will be taken. Please bring your ID Card with you.
Mentoring Groups
Description: This is your second Mentoring Group session. Each group will be joined by one of our faculty members. So come with your questions about professors and life in the classroom.
New Student Assembly #5
Mentoring Groups & Pizza Feed
Location: Howard Center Lawn
Time: 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Location: Various Locations
Description: After lunch, your group will take a campus tour, featuring stops at Open Houses around the University.
Transfer Student Check-In (Late Arrivals)
Location: Administration Building, Lower Level
Location: Lincoln Room, Dining Services
Description: If are Transfer student, please plan to join us at this welcome dinner!
Pre-Professional Rally
Location: Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall
World Changers Cinema
Location: Athletic Fields (in front of Meier Hall)
Beach to Bluff Trip | Group #1
Pick Up Lunches, Load Buses and Travel to St. Joseph
Beach to Bluff Day
Location: St. Joseph, MI
Description: You'll be spending a few hours in beautiful St. Joseph along the shores of Lake Michigan. You can enjoy Silver Beach, beach volleyball, the Pier and St. Joseph Lighthouse, and the town on the bluff overlooking the Lake.
Load Buses and Come Back to Berrien Springs
Location: Silver Beach Parking Lot
Description: Arrive back on campus at 1:30 p.m. in time to relax before supper. Again, you will need to wear a mask while riding on University transportation.
Beach to Bluff Trip | Group #2
Pick Up Lunches, Load Buses and Travel to St. Joseph
Location: HPAC Parking Lot
Beach to Bluff Day
Location: St. Joseph, MI
Load Buses for Berrien Springs
Location: Silver Beach Parking Lot
Alumni Barbecue with Mentoring Groups
Location: Howard Center Lawn
Proximity Vespers: New Student Edition
Location: Pioneer Memorial Church
Afterglow Experience
Location: TBA
Description: Do you have a song or spoken word you'd like to share with others? Perhaps something that has been encouraging in your own spiritual life? This will be an "open mic" time of sharing with your new campus family.
Location: PMC, HPAC (New Life), Newbold Auditorium (One Place)
Time: 1:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Location: In front of PMC
Description: Church members will host a punch-and-cookie reception following the 11:45 a.m. service. Please stop by on your way to lunch at the Cafeteria.
Time: 8:30–11:00 p.m.
Location: Andreasen Center for Wellness
Description: Come and experience all that the Andreasen Center for Wellness has to offer! We'll start with a short sundown vespers in the lobby by Rachel Keele, Director of University Wellness. Following that, there will be basketball and volleyball in the gymnasium; weights, cardio, track, and TRX in the fitness areas; group fitness classes in the spacious Bridgetown Studio; swimming in our new salt-water pool, relaxation in the Healing Oasis (dry sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and waterfall, infrared room), and smoothies in the Le Cafe. It's going to be a great evening!
International Student Orientation
Welcome the World
Location: Flag Mall (in front of James White Library)
Frequently Asked Questions
You will receive an Andrews ID card when you come to campus. Please note that you must be financially cleared for it to be activated.
You can purchase a great selection of books, supplies and University merchandise at the Bookstore. For textbooks, check out the Bookstore's new First Day® Complete program, a cost-effective, all-in-one solution that guarantees you'll be ready for the first day of class!
Meals in the Terrace Cafe are on a fixed price, all-you-care-to-eat basis. Your Andrews ID card and meal plan will work at the cashier if you are financially cleared. Otherwise, be prepared to pay with cash or a credit card.
Please note: For dietary accommodations, please contact the main office 269-471-3161 to speak with the executive chef directly and set up a meeting to discuss your specific situation.
Yes, all students are allowed to have a vehicle on campus. To register your vehicle, go to our Vehicles & Parking webpage.
First-year testing sounds intense, but it is really simple. The purpose of these survey instruments is to provide us with information that will help us better serve your spiritual and emotional needs. All new students will be assigned a First-Year Testing time at First Stop.
We recommend that you complete your math placement before arriving on campus. The Math Placement Exam is available NOW—you can use the provided materials to review and then take the exam with remote proctoring. The purpose of the MPE is to maximize student success in beginning mathematics courses by placing the student in an appropriate-level course.
Do you need placement? Check on your "Academic Information" on your iVue page and compare your score to the prerequisite of the math class needed for your major (if no major requirement then you want at least a P2 score). If you are unsure, then contact the Department of Mathematics at math@andrews.edu.
How do you get started now? Follow the instructions on the Department of Mathematics webpage to sign up for the preparation and placement module (cost of about $20) and start preparing.
All students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to receive one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations. If you have not been vaccinated before arriving on campus, you will receive information about local vaccination opportunities once you are here.
Vaccination is the best opportunity we have to stop the spread of the virus, reduce the likelihood of additional variants that could place all persons at risk, and return to fully normal operations.
Vaccinated individuals and those with acquired immunity will not be required to wear masks or socially distance indoors or outdoors but are free to do so, if they wish. If you are vaccinated and registered as an Andrews University student, please report your vaccination status HERE.
Unvaccinated individuals will be expected to wear masks indoors and, where possible, socially distance (classrooms will no longer have a social distance requirement). They will also asked to monitor their health status with a COVID-19 test on a monthly basis, at minimum.
Please note: Masking, social distancing, and vaccination guidelines are subject to change based on local, state and national conditions and recommendations. Students should maintain good hygiene practices (hand-washing, surface sanitizing, staying home when sick) at all times.
For more information and updates, please go HERE.
Andrews University makes necessary accommodations for students with disabilities, both learning and physical. Students requesting support from the Student Success Center should provide written documentation from a qualified professional as early as possible.
For more information, please visit the Center for Intensive English Programs (CIEP) website.
Through AU Alert, Andrews will send emergency notification alerts to the campus. During emergencies and weather closings, text messages, emails and voice calls will be sent to registered recipients. Be informed and register online.