New Student Orientation

Welcome Week runs August 10–15, 2026, one week before your first class begins. Each day is designed for discussion, community building, and getting to know the people and place that will shape the next four years. All first-year students are required to attend.

Arriving to Campus

Arrival Dates

New students move in on one of two days:

  • Sunday, August 9, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Monday, August 10, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When you arrive, you’ll receive your student ID and laptop and complete your online Language Placement Exam.

Housing Assignment

Roommate and housing assignments are made through the SUA Residence Hall Questionnaire, available online June 1–30, 2026 at housing.soka.edu. Log in with your Soka username and password.

If you need a paper copy, email housing@soka.edu to request one.

Housing placement details will be posted online on July 13, 2026 after 5:00 p.m. You’ll also be able to connect with your roommate at that time.

Welcome Week Schedule

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Arrival and move-in
  • Receive student ID and laptop
  • Online Language Placement Exam

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  • Arrival and move-in
  • Receive student ID and laptop
  • Online Language Placement Exam

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

  • Residential Life Orientation
  • Evening Social

9:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

  • Welcome to SUA
  • Health and Safety Session
  • Parent Orientation — 2:00–3:30 p.m. | Black Box Theater
  • Welcome Session with President Feasel — 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Performing Arts Center
  • Welcome Reception Dinner — 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Campus Green

9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

  • Academic Opening Session
  • Community Series Session
  • Academic Advising
  • Evening Social

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

  • Morning Orientation Sessions
  • Community Series Session
  • Class Registration

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Founding Principles of SUA
  • Financial Aid and Budgeting
  • International Student Orientation
  • Community Series Session
  • Evening Activity (optional)

10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

  • Student Athlete Physicals
  • Talent Blast

For Parents and Families

Three events during Welcome Week are designed for families:

Parent Orientation

Tuesday, August 11 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. | Black Box Theater

Staff from Academic Affairs, Residential Life, Campus Safety, and Student Services will walk families through the support available to students throughout the year.

Welcome Session with President Feasel

Tuesday, August 11 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Performing Arts Center

An official welcome ceremony with remarks from the Student Government, members of the Class of 2030, and President Ed Feasel.

Welcome Reception Dinner

Tuesday, August 11 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Campus Green

The Class of 2030 and their guests are invited to join a reception dinner and dessert on the Campus Green immediately following the Welcome Session.

Flowers Orange

Frequently Asked Questions

Students arrange their own transportation. Ground transportation options are available from three nearby airports:

Each student is placed in an Orientation Group of 10–12 classmates, led by a Student Orientation Leader (SOL) — an upper-division Soka student who organizes community-building activities, connects individually with each student weekly, and serves as a guide throughout the first year. Learn more about SOLs.

Your first course, Core I: Enduring Questions of Humanity, begins Monday, August 17, 2026. This intensive three-and-a-half-week course is required of all first-year students and runs during the Fall Block. You'll be automatically registered.

During Welcome Week you'll meet the Writing Center, Counseling Services, Library, and IT staff — all available throughout the year, in person and virtually. Faculty also hold regular office hours.

Academic advising and class registration training happen during Orientation on Thursday, August 13.

Enrolled students will be contacted by email. The soka.edu website is the primary source for all other audiences.