Virtual Parent Session – Adjusting to College: What Parents Need to Know to Help Your Student Thrive
While there is a lot of information in this recording, we know you may still have questions. If you aren't able to find the answer to your question in the FAQs below, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Center for Student Engagement at cse@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation
Yes! We are very excited to welcome your student (and up to 2 guests) to New Paltz for our Orientation program.
Session dates for Winter - 1 day program
January 10, 2023
January 12, 2023
January 18, 2023 (virtual)
Once your student has paid their pre-enrollment deposit, they will begin receiving communications from us.
EOP students will attend both a summer orientation and an EOP Summer Bridge Program.
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 during the semester.
Yes. Our optional Parent and Family Program is back. We offer a parallel experience for Parents and Family members to get to know New Paltz and what to expect. There is an additional fee for parent and family members who choose to attend. The fee will cover meals, staffing and housing accommodations (when necessary).
A detailed schedule will be available soon for both Transfer and First-Year Student Orientations. When your student registers for Orientation, they will be prompted to register for Parent and Family Orientation. Registration information will also be sent to your email in the Orientation confirmation.
What to expect: Winter Parent and Family Program
During the one-day session, you will have the opportunity to learn about Students' Rights and Responsibilities, On- Campus and Off-Campus living, and Academics. You will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from Athletics and Wellness, the Career Resource Center, Disability Resource Center, Financial Aid, Health Services, The Honors Program, Meal Plans, Student Accounts, Study Abroad, University Police, Spiritual Services and Sojourner Truth Library.
Students will pay the orientation fee with the Pre-Enrollment Deposit and their Advance Room Deposit (if applicable). No additional fee will be collected for students at time of Orientation Registration.
There is a Parent and Family Orientation Fee.
Winter Orientation - Parent and Family - $40
Yes! First-year students will be assigned an Orientation Leader/Peer Mentor and transfer students will have access to a Transfer Liaison. Throughout the spring, OL’s & TL’s will be hosting meet-ups for their students. Your new student will also be invited to programming hosted by the Center for Student Engagement throughout the semester.
Your student will be receiving information directly from the EOP program.
Advising & Course Registration
First-Year Students
After your student registers for orientation, they will be contacted by academic advising or the school of business to begin the advising process. Make sure to check your New Paltz email for academic advising updates.
Transfer Students
Transfer students will meet with advisors from their major department at their in-person Orientation to register for classes. Transfer Businesss students will be contacted prior to their in-person orientation session to schedule an advising session.
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
More information coming soon!
Students can share that information with the college by uploading it to their Covid-19 Profile on my.newpaltz.edu
Students will need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to attending Orientation and prior to registering for classes.
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 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 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.
When students attend Orientation they will fill out a housing survey which will help determine their housing assignment. Housing assignments will be provided in Janaury for Spring and August for Fall.
New students will submit a roommate matching survey. 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 mid-January. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at 845-257-4444 with questions.
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.
