General Questions:
Is New Student Orientation mandatory?
Is pre-registration required for the Orientation program?
Are accommodations provided during the Summer Orientation program?
How much does the program cost?
Is transportation provided from local airports, train, or bus stations? 
Are Students permitted to drive themselves to Orientation? If so, where will they park?
What is the Urban Action Program?
What is Transformations?

Questions asked most frequently by students:
What if it is impossible to attend Summer Orientation?
Do students have to stay on campus during the program?
What should I do if I'm planning to arrive the night before my program begins?
What should I bring with me to Orientation?
What do I need to do in preparation for the program?
When will I register for classes?
Something came up. How do I change my Orientation date?
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.  Students unable to attend the Summer Orientation program must attend the Fall program (to be held August 28-29,2008.)  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.

Is pre-registration required for the Orientation program?
YES!  In order to ensure proper facilitation of the program, we need both parents and students to reserve their spots ahead of time.  Parents must complete the reply card in their orientation packet and return it to us via regular mail.  Students must complete the Orientation Registration Form online. Should you need to re-schedule your orientation after registering online, please contact the SAIL Office at (401)865-2211 or 865-2212.  Also, please be sure to let us know of any special needs you may have at the time of registration or in writing prior to the Orientation program.
 
Are accommodations provided during the Summer Orientation program?
Accommodations are provided for all students during the Summer Orientation program (both resident and commuter.)  It is mandatory that all new students remain on campus for the duration of the Orientation program.  Those with extenuating circumstances must receive approval prior to the program to leave campus at any time (contact the SAIL Office with any special needs or questions.)  Male and female students stay in McDermott and Meagher Halls, respectively.  These accommodations are funded by a portion of each student's Orientation fee.

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 $35 per person fee plus the cost of accommodations if they choose to stay on campus.

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.

Are Students Permitted to drive themselves to Orientation? If so, where will they park?Students are permitted to drive themsleves to Orientation. They will park in the Raymond Parking Lot adjacent to the Safety and Security Building. Students must fully participate in the program so are asked not to leave the campous until the program is over. We ask that cars remain parked in the designated lots from the time the students arrive until they leave at the conclusion of the program. 

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 2008 will take place August 27-30, 2008.  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 if it is impossible to attend Summer Orientation?
Those students unable to participate in the Orientation program during June or July must attend the Fall Orientation program, to be held August 28-29, 2008.

Do students have to stay on campus during the program?
Orientation participants are required to remain on campus for the entire two-day program.  Those who seek to be excused from any portion of the program (including overnight residency) must make a request in writing prior to arrival.

What should I do if I'm planning to arrive the night before my program begins?
Any student or parent/guardian planning to arrive the evening before the program should indicate this on their registration form or call the SAIL Office at (401) 865-2211 to register after filling out the form.  Students and parents/guardians arriving early must report to Slavin Center Room 112 between 7:00-8:30pm the evening before the program.  Please contact the SAIL Office if for some reason you will be arriving outside of this set time frame.  Those residing on campus will be registered and escorted to the residence halls or apartment complex.  Later, students will have an opportunity to mix and mingle in McPhail's, PC's on-campus entertainment facility, located in the Slavin Center.

What should I bring with me to Orientation?
There are just a few things you should bring with you to Orientation:

• Casual clothing for two days (include a sweatshirt and a raincoat - you never know!)
• Comfortable footwear
• An alarm clock
• Any paperwork you have questions about or need to turn in
• Your Banner ID # 
• Spending money for transportation to and from the College (if needed)
• Light blanket (if desired)

Things you do not need to bring with you:

• Bed linens (We provide sheets and pillows.)
• Towels
• Valuable items

What do I need to do in preparation for the program?
All freshmen must take the Math Placement Exam.  Freshmen who took Spanish, French, or Italian in high school and are planning to take a Spanish, French, or Italian class at PC also should take a language Placement Exam.  For more information, click here.

When will I register for classes?
Class registration is a major part of the Orientation program.  To facilitate the process, depending on your major, you will already be partially preregistered for courses that are required for your first semester. Registration for additional courses and schedule adjustments will take place during the second day of the program in collaboration with your academic department chairperson or advisor.

Something came up.  How do I change my Orientation date?
Orientation dates can be changed by contacting the SAIL Office at (401) 865-2211 or 865-2212 no earlier than May 20.  Please note: Undeclared and Declared Orientations are not interchangeable.  Therefore, an Undeclared student cannot attend a Declared Orientation and vice versa.  Please keep this in mind when looking into changing dates.  Students unable to attend Summer Orientation must attend the Fall Orientation Program, scheduled for August 28-29,2008.

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 2,2008.  

Questions asked most frequently by parents:

Will I have the opportunity to meet my student's advisor?
Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to meet with either their student's advisor or a department representative and have their questions answered face-to-face during the first afternoon of the program. 

Are accommodations provided for parents?
Parents/guardians who need overnight accommodations for the Summer Orientation program have two options: staying on campus in an apartment complex or reserving a room at a local hotel.  Those planning to stay on campus should indicate this on the parent reservation card (included in the parent mailing.)  Rates will be posted in April.

• One (1) night, double occupancy - $130.00
• One (1) night, single occupancy - $80.00
• $35 per additional person, per night

Should you need to reserve space after completing the form, please contact the SAIL Office at (401)865-2211.  Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Parents/guardians not interested in staying on campus 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
Standard rooms from $219, suites from $249
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
(888)887-7955
$149 if you request the "PC Summer Orientation Rate" * must be booked through Donovan Travel
www.marriott.com/courtyard/

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

Hilton
21 Atwells Avenue
Providence
(401)831-3900
Standard rooms from $219-$259
www.hilton.com

Renaissance Providence Hotel                                                                                        

5 Avenue of The Arts                                                                                                 Providence
(401)919-5000
$179-$199 if you request "Providence College Rate"     http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pvdbr-renaissance-providence-hotel/

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
Charles and Orms Streets
Providence
(866)807-2171 
$149 if you request the "Providence College Rate"
www.marriottprovidence.com

Radisson Providence Harbor Hotel
200 India Street
Providence
(401)272-5577
$109 if you request the "PC Orientation Rate - Code T-13436"
www.radisson.com

The Westin Hotel
One Exchange Street
Providence
(401)598-8000
Rooms from $189
www.westinprovidence.com