We're honored that your student has chosen to have their college experience here at New Paltz. We recognize that this is a new journey for you, too.
The health, safety and comfort of our students are of utmost importance to us. We look forward to helping you make this a fulfilling and successful endeavor for your whole family.
Yes! We are very excited to welcome your student to New Paltz. Due to Covid 19, transfer students will have a virtual orientation program with an optional day in-person; first year students will have a 2-day/1-night in-person orientation program. Once your student has paid their pre-enrollment deposit, they will begin receiving communications from us. In the coming months, we will begin emailing their New Paltz email account on how to complete orientation and course registration so they will be prepared for the fall semester.
Orientation will be virtual for transfer students. The $60 orientation fee covers the online orientation platform, virtual orientation staff, and transfer student programming for the upcoming year. We are planning an optional in-person day on campus this summer for students/families that would like to visit and connect with other students and offices. Check back for details.
First-year students will sign up for a 2-day/1-night program on campus. Dates are: July 7-8, July 12-13, July 15-16, July 20-21, July 26-27, or July 29-30. The orientation fee of $215 covers the online orientation platform, all aspects of the in-person program, and in-person Welcome Week activities in August.
Yes, ALL students will need complete the orientation program. Our orientation program has essential information to your student’s success, no matter where they live in the fall. Your student will also be meeting their Orientation Leader or Transfer Liaison who will provide support for them throughout the fall.
Yes, there will be many ways to get connected and learn about resources during the summer. Please check this page regularly for announcements about virtual programs/panels and helpful videos. For first-year parents, you can attend a session after drop-off and before pick-up for your student’s in-person session (note: no on-campus overnight housing available for parents/family members). Transfer parents are welcome to attend the optional in-person day (date and details TBA).
Yes! First-year students will be assigned an Orientation Leader/Peer Mentor and transfer students will have access to a Transfer Liaison. Throughout the summer, OL’s & TL’s will be hosting virtual gatherings and meet ups for their students. Additionally, there will be a calendar of online meet-ups hosted by different departments on campus where students may have the opportunity to meet other students with common interests.
Your student will be receiving information directly from the EOP program throughout the summer. First-year students will be attending an orientation just for EOP students and transfer EOP students will engage with the program virtually.
Advising & Course Registration
After your student completes all the components of the mandatory online orientation, they will be able to begin the advising and course registration process. Freshmen will work with the Office of Academic Advising, and transfers will work with their major department faculty to register for classes. Class registration will begin late May.
Yes. Depending on their major and whether they a first-year or transfer, your student will work with either an advisor from their department or from the Office of Academic Advising.
Testing, Screening, and Vaccinations
Students will need to be fully vaccinated (2 weeks after final vaccine in series) OR submit a negative PCR test prior to arrival. Note – a PCR test must taken within 5 to arrival to campus. Negative test results must be submitted at least 24 hours before arrival. Students must also submit their Covid-19 Screening on the first day of Orientation, before checking in.
Students can share that information with the college by uploading it to their Covid-19 Profile on newpaltz.edu.
In order to attend our in-person events, all family members and student guests must show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test taken within 5 days of arrival to event. For ease of verification, family members and guests should be prepared to show the Excelsior Pass to gain entry into any in-person program. All family members and guests must wear a mask to any in-person event, regardless of vaccination status.
Masks will be required for all participants at all times. Residence Hall rooms will be single occupancy. We will utilize outdoor space as much as possible for our program sessions. We’ve adjusted group sizes and to accommodate more distancing between individuals. We also have plans in place should someone develop symptoms during the program (including quarantine rooms). Students who have been contract traced to a positive case during orientation will be quarantined until they can travel home via private vehicle (can’t use public transportation).
We are offering incoming students (age 18 and over) the opportunity to be vaccinated during the second day of the Orientation program. To receive the one-dose vaccine, students must bring their health insurance information to Orientation with them.
Opportunities at New Paltz
Visit the Honor’s Department website for information about the program and instructions on how to apply.
You can contact the Disability Resource Center at (845) 257-3020 or visit their website for more information on accommodations.
On that webpage you will find helpful information about applications, checklists, FAQs and more.
The Office of Student Financial Services can be reached by sending an email to fao@newpaltz.edu. The office is located on the first floor of Wooster Hall, the telephone number is (845) 257-3250, the fax number is (845) 257-3568 and the mailing address is 200 Hawk Drive, New Paltz NY 12561
Once your student has registered for their fall course schedule, a bill will be generated to their my.newpaltz.edu account. More information can be found on the Student Accounts webpage.
As with other personal records, students 18 and over control who receives financial information related to college expenses. This confuses many parents at first. After all, if we’re paying those bills, how come we don’t receive them automatically? Thankfully, it’s easy for your student to grant you access to our my.newpaltz.edu billing system.
Campus Life
All students that have paid both the $150 Pre-enrollment Deposit and the $100 Advance Room Deposit will receive an email with more information regarding room and roommate assignments from the Office of Residence Life.
New students will submit a roommate matching survey in July. The survey asks questions about living habits, such as what time they typically go to bed, cleanliness, frequency of overnight guests and allergies among other things.
The survey allows new students who know each other to request each other as roommates. Students that request each other will be placed together. For students that do not know specific people they want to live with, we will use their survey answers to match them with people that have similar living habits.
Right now, we are projecting to let students know in the first two weeks of August.
Visit the Department of Residence Life’s website to find out information on living on campus.
Please visit the Campus Dining Services website for information on the wide variety of food options and what dining plans are available to your student.
Our Dining Services colleagues are attuned to medical and religious dietary restrictions. They can accommodate nearly any requirement your own student might have, at no extra cost, as part of our standard meal plan. After you’ve had a chance to familiarize yourself with our services, please encourage your student to reach out to Dining Services, whose experts work most effectively when they work directly with students themselves.
The campus does provide rental of a microfridge, which is the only option if you would like your student to have access to a microwave. Due to safety issues, standlone microwaves are not allowed. However, personal refrigerators are permitted.
Yes, visit the campus bookstore website for information on buying and renting books. They also have an online store to buy your New Paltz gear so you can show your NP spirit off before you get to campus.
Yes, please visit the Student Health Center website for information about the immunization form that is required and for a description of their hours and services.
Student safety is a strong priority in the New Paltz community. Learn more about our 24 hour University Police department and their services here.
Yes, students can sign up for NP Alert which is used to communicate emergencies as well school cancellations and closings via text message. Your student can sign up multiple phone numbers to receive these messages.
Yes, we have many computer and printing labs on campus. Visit Academic Computing for a list of locations or what equipment you will need if you are bringing your own.
Student involvement is a priority in the New Paltz community. Visit the Center for Student Engagement for a listing of these clubs, organizations and events. Additionally, New Paltz hosts hundreds of arts, theatre, music, speaker and sporting events each year. These events are listed throughout the www.newpaltz.edu website.
Effective immediately, parents, guardians and other family members of New Paltz students will have the ability to receive additional emails and text messages about important news at the College, including information about our response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Your participation on this list is fully optional – if you prefer not to receive these messages, you can opt out with just a few clicks. You can also sign up to receive updates about some topics, but not others.
