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SCIS Graduate Student Orientation

Orientation for all incoming SCIS graduate students

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Salem Campus (all students)

All new MSDS and MSCS students are required to attend a one-day Orientation the Saturday before their first day of classes. This Orientation program is meant to help you launch successfully into your graduate journey at Willamette and will cover a range of topics, including: managing a graduate academic course load, general student support resources, and an introduction to Career Development resources.

Ford Hall at Willamette University's Salem Campus

Pre-Orientation Checklist

Please visit the Information for Admitted Students page to complete your enrollment process.

2025 Orientation Schedule

The schedule is subject to change at any time without notice. Updates will be posted on this page.

Time Event Location
8:00–10:00 a.m. Goudy open for breakfast Goudy Commons
9:45 a.m. Check in
Coffee and cookies provided		 Cat Cavern (Putnam University Center, 2nd floor)
10:00 a.m. Welcome
Overview of student support and resources		 Cat Cavern
11:00 a.m. Get-to-know-you activities
Introduction to campus		 Putnam University Center
12:00 p.m. Lunch (provided) Goudy Commons
1:00 p.m. Program policies and expectations
WU digital tools introduction		 Ford Hall, 2nd floor
2:30 p.m. Alumni panel: Tips for Success Ford Hall, Theatre 122
3:30 p.m. Wrap up Reception Ford Hall, 1st floor

Important Dates

View the full academic calendar online.

  • International Student Orientation is on Friday, August 15, 2025.
  • SCIS Graduate Orientation is on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
  • Fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 25, 2025.

FAQs

During orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with SCIS faculty and staff, as well as your classmates. You are welcome to dress in either casual or business casual attire. We recommend dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable shoes, as we will be walking around campus.

You should also bring a water bottle. Bringing a laptop or a notebook is optional; we will send out important information via email after Orientation.

On the day of Orientation, we recommend parking in the Sparks lot, accessible from either Mill St or Bellevue St. Permits will not be checked on this day. Street parking is also available on State St or Winter St.

Graduate and Professional Center

Portland-based students should attend the Orientation event in Salem. Regular classes are held in the Graduate and Professional Center (GPC) located on the second floor of the Ecotrust building in the Pearl District. It houses the Portland-based MBA-P, MSDS, and MSCS programs.

The GPC is only accessible via a registered fob. Students taking classes in Portland will be given a fob during the first week of classes. Please note that parking is limited to street parking and/or a daily pass at the PNCA lot. Enter the GPC on the NW 10th Avenue side of the building, near the Hotlips Pizza entrance.

721 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
971-717-7260

PNCA

The Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) is a short walk from the GPC and is accessible to the Willamette University community with a Compass Card. You will also find Campus Safety and IT services at the PNCA building.

Your book list is on the Willamette Bookstore website after your class schedule is available.

Visit myWillamette for a comprehensive list of student resources.

Contact Us

Please contact the SCIS graduate admissions team with any questions.

Willamette University

Office of Admissions

  • Graduate and Professional Center

    Address

    Ecotrust Building
    721 NW 9th Ave
    Portland Oregon 97209 U.S.A.

    Contact

    503-370-6303

    Contact Us