General Questions:
Is New Student Orientation mandatory?
How much does the program cost?
Is transportation provided from local airports, train, or bus stations? 
What is the Urban Action Program?
What is Transformations?

Questions asked most frequently by students:
What do I need to do in preparation for the program?
When will I register for classes?
I'm no longer interested in the major I selected. How do I change my major?

Questions asked most frequently by parents:
Will I have the opportunity to meet my student's advisor?
Are accommodations provided for parents?

Is New Student Orientation mandatory?
Orientation is a required program for all new students entering the College. Orientation is a chance for new students to become acquainted with the College, its services and policies.  It is also a great opportunity to meet other students and have questions answered by the Orientation Leaders, faculty, staff and members of the College's administration.

How much does the program cost?
Costs incurred by the Orientation program are part of the student's "Orientation Fee."  Meals for students are also provided in this fee.  Parents/guardians attending the program  pay a $25 per person fee

Is transportation provided from local airports, train, or bus stations?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide transportation to and from the college during the summer months.  There are, however, a few different options.  RIPTA (the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) has a stop directly outside of the Huxley Avenue gate to the College.  RIPTA buses service the entire state of Rhode Island and are a safe, reasonably priced mode of transportation.  For more information on routes and schedules, please see www.ripta.com (Providence College/Huxley Avenue is on route 55.)  Taxicabs often wait outside of TF Green Airport and the Providence Amtrak Station to transport passengers around the state.  Some local companies servicing the greater Providence area include:

• Checker Cab (401) 273-2222
• Yellow Cab (401) 941-1122
• College Cab (401) 943-3636

For parents/guardians attending the program and staying off-campus in a local hotel, be sure to ask about transportation to and from the airport or train station.  Many of the hotels provide this service for their guests or can recommend a company.

What is the Urban Action Program?
Urban Action (UA) is a program designed for incoming freshmen that increases students' understanding of urban issues while introducing them to the community surrounding Providence College.  Through UA, students will spend three days volunteering at local sites in the city of Providence  - making a difference in their new community.  UA 2009 will take place August 30-September 2, 2009  The program is limited to 150 first-year students.    For more information about the program, or to download an application, please click here.

What is Transformations?
The Transformations Leadership Retreat was designed to cultivate the leadership skills of the aspiring first year student leader.  Transformations offers fun and challenging outdoor activities over one Fall weekend at an off-campus venue.  The retreat provides first year students with an opportunity to build relationships with other students who share similar interests, and an opportunity to meet upperclass student leaders and PC staff through teambuilding and leadership skill building activities.  Transformations enables the aspiring leader to begin to explore their potential as a PC student leader.  Although participation in Transformations does not guarantee future leadership success at PC, it provides students with the tools to find their leadership niche.  Applications will be available on the PC Leadership web site beginning in June.

Questions asked most frequently by students:

What do I need to do in preparation for the program?
A comprehensive mailing regarding the Orientation program will be sent to new students in early June. Within the mailing will be an Orientation Checklist with due dates next to each item on the list. Students are encouraged to attend to the items as quickly as possible.

When will I register for classes?
Students will register for classes during the summer. Please refer to the academic section of the New Student Orientation Website for more information. During Orientation, students will have the opportunity to meet with a faculty member to go over schedules and to discuss courses of study.

I'm no longer interested in the major I selected.  How do I change my major?
One must obtain permission to change academic concentrations.  Majors must be changed in writing.  To do so, please contact the Admissions Office at (401) 865-2535 for more information.  Any major changes must be made before June 2,2009.  

Questions asked most frequently by parents:

Will I have the opportunity to meet my student's advisor?
Yes, parents/guardians will have an opportunity to meet with either their student's advisor or a department representative during the second day of the Orientation program (Thursday). This will be a wonderful opportunity to have questions answered about the curriculum at the College.

Are accommodations provided for parents?

Parents/guardians have several hotel options in the downcity area.  For a listing of local hotels and their respective rates (prices based upon availability), please look below.

The Biltmore Hotel
11 Dorrance Street
Providence
(401)421-0700 or (800)294-7709
Standard rooms $139 *ask for Providence College Orientation Rate
www.providencebiltmore.com

Comfort Inn
2 George Street
Pawtucket
(401)723-6700
Standard rooms from $109 *ask for rate code "PC"(AAA discounts accepted)
www.comfortinn.com

Courtyard by Marriott
32 Exchange Street at Memorial Blvd.
Providence
(401)272-1191 or (800)321-2211
$149 *ask for PC Orientation Week 2009 group rate
www.Marriott.com/PVDDT

Hampton Inn
2100 Post Road
Warwick
(401)739-8888
Standard rooms from $158-$199
www.hamptoninn.com

Hilton Providence
21 Atwells Avenue
Providence
(800)445-8667
$129 *Identify yourself as with Providence College
www.providence.hilton.com

Renaissance Providence Hotel                                                                                        

5 Avenue of The Arts                                                                                                
(401)919-5000 or (800)468-3571
$169 if you request "Providence College Rate" if booking online use code PVL     http://www.Renaissanceprovidence.com

Holiday Inn Express
901Jefferson Blvd.
Warwick
(800)345-8082 or (401)736-5000
Standard rooms from $99 with free breakfast if you request the "Providence College Rate"
www.holiday-inn.com

Providence Marriott
One Orms St
Providence
(401)272-2400 or (866)807-2171 
$135 *request Providence College Orientation Rate
www.marriottprovidence.com 

Radisson Providence Harbor Hotel
200 India Street
Providence
(401)272-5577 or (800)333-3333
$99 *request Providence College Orientation Rate
www.radisson.com

The Westin Hotel
One   West Exchange Street
Providence
(401)598-8000 or (800)625-5144
$169 *Identify yourself as a Providence College Parent
www.westinprovidence.com

The Hotel Providence
311 Westminster St
Providence
(401)861-8000 or (800)861-8990 
$169 *request Providence College Rate
www.hotelprovidence.com