General Orientation Information
Welcome to Soka
Welcome to the first part of your New Student Orientation! There is much to learn as you begin your transition into college, and the staff and faculty here at Soka want to support you each step of the way.
As students arrive to campus for the Fall 2024 semester, Soka will be hosting a variety of in-person events and activities for new student orientation. Students can look forward to building relationships and developing community while exploring topics such as the university’s founding principles, academic life, support services, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Arriving to Campus
Arrival Dates
August 4-5, 2024. New incoming students will arrive to campus on Sunday, August 4, 2024, or Monday, August 5, 2024, between 9:00am - 5:00pm. Upon arrival to campus, students will begin to move into their housing assignment.
Residence Hall Questionnaire
Students will be matched with a roommate and assigned to a residence hall via the online SUA Residence Hall Questionnaire. Online access to the housing questionnaire will be available from June 3, 2024 to June 30, 2024 at http://housing.soka.edu. Students will need to use their Soka username and password.
If students are unable to complete an online form and wish to have a paper copy of the questionnaire mailed, a request can be made by emailing housing@soka.edu.
Housing placement details will be available to view online on July 15, 2024 after 5 pm. In addition to viewing housing details, students will have the opportunity to begin communicating with their future roommate.
Welcome Week, August 4-10
All first-year students are required to attend Welcome Week sessions, which begin one week prior to your first class, Core I. Each day during Welcome Week, students will engage in live sessions designed for discussion, interaction, and community building. Most days, sessions will be held between 9:00am - 5:00pm with social activities held in the evening.
Student Schedule
Sunday, August 4, 2024
9:00am - 5:00pm
- Arrival, Move In, Receive Student ID and Laptop
- Online Language Placement Exam
Monday, August 5, 2024
9:00am - 5:00pm
- Arrival, Move In, Receive Student ID and Laptop
- Online Language Placement Exam
8:00pm - 10:00pm
- Residential Life Orientation
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
9:00am - 7:30pm
- Welcome to SUA
- Health & Safety Session
- Parent Orientation
- Welcome Session with President Feasel
- Welcome Reception Dinner
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
9:00am - 8:30pm
- Morning Orientation Sessions
- Code of Conduct
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Series Session
- Afternoon Orientation Sessions
- Evening Social Event
Thursday, August 8, 2024
9:00am - 6:00pm
- Academic Opening Session and Curriculum Overview
- DEI Series Session
- Founding Principles of SUA
- Financial Aid and Budgeting
- Online Language Placement Exam
Friday, August 9, 2024
9:00am - 5:00pm
- Academic Advising
- DEI Series Session
- International Student Orientation
- Financial Aid and Budgeting
- Evening Activity (optional)
Saturday, August 10, 2024
10:00am - 9:00pm
- Student Athlete Physicals
- DEI Series Session
- Talent Blast
Events for Parents
Parent Orientation
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Black Box Theater
Presenters from various departments including academic affairs, campus security, residential life, and student services will provide parents and family members with an overview of the services and supports available from their offices.
Welcome Session with President Ed Feasel
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Official welcome ceremony featuring a welcome video from current Soka students and speeches from the Soka student government president, several members of the Class of 2028, and a formal address from President Ed Feasel.
Welcome Reception Dinner
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Campus Green
Following the Welcome Session with President Ed Feasel, the Class of 2028 and their guests are invited to join a reception dinner and dessert on the Campus Green.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students will need to make their own transportation arrangements from the airport to SUA. Below are links to the ground transportation options from the various nearby airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Each student is placed in an Orientation Group alongside 10-12 classmates. The group is led by a Student Orientation Leader. These upper division Soka students lead ice breakers, organize hangouts, and foster community building. The SOL connects individually with each student in their group on a weekly basis and serves as a resource and guide to help new students navigate the college journey.
You will begin your first class called Core I: Enduring Questions of Humanity on Monday, August 12, 2024. This is an intensive three-and-a-half week course taken during the Fall Block and is required of all first year students. You will automatically be registered for this class.
Students will meet a variety of academic resources during Welcome Week including the SUA Writing Center specialists, Counseling Staff, Library Staff, and IT Staff who can all help students navigate in-person and virtual resources. In addition, professors host regular office hours to connect with students.
During Orientation you will receive academic advising and receive training on how to register for fall semester classes.
Enrolled students will directly receive any updates via email and the Orientation Brightspace course. The soka.edu website is the primary source of updates for all other audiences.