Orientation is your opportunity to learn more about USM. During your in-person Orientation session you can expect to:
- Explore our campuses and USM Resources.
- Connect to community, classmates, and new friends.
- Prepare for success in and outside the classroom.
- Learn about yourself and others.
Please Note: Enrolling in courses occurs during your one-on-one Advising & Course Selection (ACS) appointment, which is completed separately from the Orientation events listed below.
For information about how to schedule your ACS, please review Next Steps for Admitted Students page or contact us with questions.
Check out the information for Fall 2025 Orientation below!
Orientation Programs | Fall 2025
The Orientation and First Year Experience team is excited to welcome you to our community, Huskies! We offer a wide range of programs the week leading up to classes starting to support your success.
Click below to check out the programs applicable to you based on your “Student Type”- Residential (Student living on a USM campus), Commuter (Student commuting to USM), or Online (Student taking all Online courses, not attending classes in person)!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION
Registration Deadline: August 14th, 2025
Have questions? Contact us via email usm.orientation@maine.edu or call 207-780-4604
Follow our Instagram @usmorientation for updates and reminders!
Online Students have 1 REQUIRED and 1 OPT- IN Orientation Event
REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION HERE
ZOOM ORIENTATION (Required)
Zoom Orientation is a required session for ALL incoming Huskies. You will select ONE session to attend the week prior to the semester beginning. During the session, you will hear from key campus resources, meet your peers and student leaders, and have the opportunity to ask questions of offices and support services that are most relevant to you!
FALL 2025 ZOOM ORIENTATION SESSIONS
Saturday, August 23rd | 10am-11:30am
Monday, August 25th | 3pm-4:30pm
Note: Zoom links for each Orientation session will be sent out the day prior to the event!
*All event dates and details are subject to change
CAMPUS COMMUNITY EXPLORATION (Opt-In)
Campus Community Exploration events will take place Sunday, August 31st & Monday, September 1st on both our Portland & Gorham campuses and highlight opportunities for students to explore the southern Maine communities that surround and support our community! Explore our campuses, attend fun events, meet more of your peers, and get settled before classes start on Tuesday, September 2nd!
Commuter Students have 1 REQUIRED and 2 OPT-IN Orientation events
REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION HERE
ZOOM ORIENTATION (Required)
Zoom Orientation is a required session for ALL incoming Huskies. You will select ONE session to attend the week prior to the semester beginning. During the session, you will hear from key campus resources, meet your peers and student leaders, and have the opportunity to ask questions of offices and support services that are most relevant to you!
FALL 2025 ZOOM ORIENTATION SESSIONS
Saturday, August 23rd | 10am-11:30am
Monday, August 25th | 3pm-4:30pm
Note: Zoom links for each Orientation session will be sent out the day prior to the event!
*All event dates and details are subject to change
COMMUTER ORIENTATION (Opt-In)
Commuter Orientation is a great opportunity for you to check out our campuses, hear from student leaders, and meet new Huskies who are also commuting to USM!
The day will include opportunities to take a tour, find your classrooms, get your student ID, make sure your parking permit is ready to go, check out the Resource Fair and meet numerous student support services and resources, and get any last minute questions answered before classes start!
This is an OPT-IN program, you can choose to attend as much or as little of Commuter Orientation that would be most beneficial for your success.
Tuesday, August 26th | 10am-3pm | Portland Campus
Event schedule coming soon!
*All event dates are subject to change
CAMPUS COMMUNITY EXPLORATION (Opt-In)
Campus Community Exploration events will take place Sunday, August 31st & Monday, September 1st on both our Portland & Gorham campuses and highlight opportunities for students to explore the southern Maine communities that surround and support our community! Explore our campuses, attend fun events, meet more of your peers, and get settled before classes start on Tuesday, September 2nd!
Orientation programming for new residential students will take place the week before move-in and will also be folded into the housing move-in process the weekend before classes begin.
Residential Students have 2 REQUIRED and 1 OPT-IN Orientation events
REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION HERE
ZOOM ORIENTATION (Required)
Zoom Orientation is a required session for ALL incoming Huskies. You will select ONE session to attend the week prior to the semester beginning. During the session, you will hear from key campus resources, meet your peers and student leaders, and have the opportunity to ask questions of offices and support services that are most relevant to you!
FALL 2025 ZOOM ORIENTATION SESSIONS
Saturday, August 23rd | 10am-11:30am
Monday, August 25th | 3pm-4:30pm
Note: Zoom links for each Orientation session will be sent out the day prior to the event!
*All event dates and details are subject to change
MOVE-IN DAY | Friday, August 29, 2025
(your specific move-in time will be assigned by Residence Life)
Important note: Move-In Weekend 2025 will take place over Labor Day Weekend
August 29th-September 1st
Residential Student Move-In | 7am-3pm (Enter Campus at the intersection of Husky Drive and State Street)
Student Support Services Panel for Parents & Family Members | 10:30 AM & 3:30 PM
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION CHECK IN (Required) Opens at 4:00pm Students only, please
NEW STUDENT WELCOME EVENTS & DINNER (Required) 4:30pm – 7:00pm
RESIDENTIAL ORIENTATION | Saturday, August 30, 2025 (REQUIRED)
9:00am – 10:00am | Morning Activity Block
10:30am-12:00pm | ORIENTATION SESSIONS (REQUIRED)
12:00 – 2:00 pm | Lunch
2:00 pm | Meet with your Orientation Group
2:30pm – 4:00pm | ORIENTATION SESSIONS (REQUIRED)
4:00 – 7:30pm | Dinner & Evening Activities
8:00pm | Evening Event- Details coming soon!
Event Schedule coming soon!
*All events are subject to change
CAMPUS COMMUNITY EXPLORATION (Opt-In)
Campus Community Exploration events will take place Sunday, August 31st & Monday, September 1st on both our Portland & Gorham campuses and highlight opportunities for students to explore the southern Maine communities that surround and support our community! Explore our campuses, attend fun events, meet more of your peers, and get settled before classes start on Tuesday, September 2nd!
Accommodations
The university is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and services. If you require accommodations to participate in Orientation activities please contact us at usm.orientation@maine.edu to make arrangements.
Transportation & Parking
If you’re planning to park your car on campus while attending Orientation events, please be sure to review our Parking Services website for payment rates & policies. Check out the campus maps to see where you should park.
Other Information
Do you have a question about information not listed here? Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us for more information at (207) 780-4604 or usm.orientation@maine.edu.