New Student Orientation

Freshman Orientation Dates
Freshmen beginning in summer or fall attend a two-day program in person. Sign in to your MyUTPB student portal to view available options. 

2026 New Student Orientation Dates

New Student Orientation

Spring Orientation	Online via Canvas
Fall/Summer Orientation	To be announced February 2026

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $130 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. Payment is not due when you register for orientation.

Required Documents
Please submit the following to the Admissions office, admissions@utpb.edu before your orientation session:

• High School Transcript
• Dual Credit or other University/Community College Transcripts (if applicable)
• Bacterial Meningitis Shot Record or Exemption Form
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

What to Expect
Spring Orientation: Online orientation will connect you with administrative, academic, and support services at UTPB; help you understand the expectations of UTPB students and campus rules; and provide tips and resources for having the best possible experience.

Summer Orientation: During orientation, you will meet many of your peers, professors, staff and other freshmen starting the same journey as you. There will be several groups of students all assigned to an orientation leader. Your orientation leader will serve as your guide to UTPB. You can ask them anything you need to, and they will help guide you in the direction you want to go. Your group will consist of other freshmen, and you will be together for most of the session. Here you will get to meet new people, find people in your major, build connections and blossom new friendships.

There will be sessions where you get to learn everything about UTPB. You will hear from university departments such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, The Dean of Students, and your orientation leaders. You can also visit these departments if you wish to get more detailed information or to meet with them regarding any questions you may have.

What to Bring
Spring 2026: This is an online session. You will complete orientation via Canvas, our content management system.

Summer/Fall 2026: These orientations are two-day sessions, meaning all new freshmen will stay overnight in the Residence and Dining Hall (RDH) to experience what it's like to stay at a college campus. You will need:

• Blanket & sheets (twin XL) or sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Pajamas
• Toiletries
• Towel(s)
• Swimwear
• Reusable water bottle
• Light jacket (buildings can be cold)

FAQs
Am I required to attend orientation?
It is mandatory for freshmen to complete orientation.

What is the orientation schedule?
Schedules will be published closer to the date of orientation and students will receive a copy in their UTPB email. 

Spring orientation is online and can be completed at your own pace prior to beginning classes.

Summer orientation for freshmen is a two-day, overnight orientation experience. Students should expect to check-in between 11:00 AM - 12:50 PM on Day 1, stay overnight in the Residence and Dining Hall (RDH), and remain on campus until lunchtime on Day 2. 

Where will I stay during orientation?
Summer freshman orientation includes an overnight stay on campus for students. The cost is included in your orientation fee. Students need to bring a blanket & sheets (twin XL) or sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, toiletries, towel(s), swimwear, a reusable water bottle, and a light jacket

Will I register for my classes during orientation?
If you plan to take spring or summer classes, you may contact Academic Advising directly at (432) 552-2651 or advising@utpb.edu to get help with registering for the summer term. Students interested in summer classes should try to attend the first orientation session.

Advising and class registration for freshmen is linked to your attendance at orientation. Academic advising and class registration for Fall 2026 freshmen students will be made available in late May 2026. Students are encouraged to attend New Student Orientation as soon as possible to secure their class schedule for fall. 

Can family members participate in orientation?
Yes! We encourage family members to join in. We have a family orientation program that runs concurrently with our student program. Please make sure you register guests with you.

Where will my guests stay during orientation?
Guests will need to arrange their own accommodations. Two hotels located less than 5 minutes from UT Permian Basin are offering special discounted rates for our orientation attendees:

• Holiday Inn Odessa | 5275 East
  42nd St., Odessa, TX
  Make a Reservation
• Fairfield Inn | 3933 John Ben
  Shepperd Parkway, Odessa, TX
  Make a Reservation

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
It is important to have your TSI requirements completed prior to orientation. Students who have not completed their TSI requirements will be limited during class registration. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2360 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

Transfer Orientation
All transfer students will complete their New Student Orientation online. This self-paced program allows you to complete it at your convenience. You'll receive the enrollment link in your UTPB email, or you can log into your MyUTPB student portal to access enrollment.  

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $75 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. 

Required Documents
Please submit the following to the Admissions office, admissions@utpb.edu before your orientation session:

• Transcripts
• Bacterial Meningitis Shot Record or Exemption Form
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

 

FAQs about Transfer Orientation

Am I required to attend orientation?
Yes, it is mandatory for new transfer students to complete New Student Orientation.

Do I need to finish New Student Orientation before registering for classes?
As a transfer student, you have the benefit of being able to register for classes before completing orientation. We recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible so you can secure your class schedule for fall. Simply email advising@utpb.edu to schedule your appointment. Online students can email onlineadvising@utpb.edu.

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
It is important to have your TSI requirements completed prior to orientation. Students who have not completed their TSI requirements will be limited during class registration. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2360 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

 

What to Expect
Online students will complete their program via self-paced modules in Canvas. Please note if you are in an online program but plan to take a class in person, you will be directed to complete orientation as an in-person student.

Orientation Fee
An orientation fee of $20 will be applied to your bill for your first enrollment term. Payment is not due when you register for orientation.

Required Documents
Please submit the following to the Admissions office, admissions@utpb.edu before your orientation session:

• Transcripts
• Test Scores (TSI, ACT, SAT)

FAQs
Am I required to attend orientation?
It is mandatory for all new students to complete orientation.

What does the online orientation include?
Students will learn about campus policies and procedures, academic programs, and resources.

Will I register for my classes during orientation?
Freshmen enrolling in summer or fall must complete orientation first. Once you complete the orientation program you may email onlineadvising@utpb.edu to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Transfer students and freshmen enrolling in spring may register for classes before you complete orientation. We recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible so you can secure your class schedule for fall. Email onlineadvising@utpb.edu to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Do I need to have completed the TSI requirements prior to orientation?
TSI requirements need to be completed prior to registration for classes. If you are unsure of your TSI status, please contact the Registrar's Office at (432) 552-2635. You can schedule your test date online. Contact the Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department at (432) 552-2630 for questions about TSI testing and fees.

Is payment for classes required during orientation?
You cannot pay for classes until your bill posts. Please contact the Accounting Office at (432) 552-2706 for additional information.

In addition to attending New Student Orientation, international students will also complete an International Student Orientation. All international students new to UTPB are required to attend International Student Orientation before classes begin.

FAQs
When is International Student Orientation?
The date for International Student Orientation will be posted in May 2026 for summer and fall semester.

What does the orientation include?
Our orientation program for international students will help you meet fellow students and gain important information about things like international admissions, immigration rules and regulations, academic requirements, advising, health care, career placement, CPT, OPT, and much more.

How do I register for International Student Orientation?
New international students will receive an email invitation to sign up for international orientation once registration opens.

What is the International Student Orientation schedule?
A schedule will be sent in the summer so you can plan accordingly.

We are very excited that you're joining us in this next chapter of your student's academic career. While this is a monumental moment for your student, we realize this is also a monumental moment in your life. We look forward to welcoming you to the UTPB community!

FAQs
Can family members participate in orientation?
Yes! We encourage family members to join in-person orientation sessions over the summer. Be sure your student registers you for orientation when they register themselves.

• Freshman orientation: We have a family orientation program that runs separately and concurrently with our student program.
• Transfer orientation: Our transfer students complete their New Student Orientation online and family orientation is not offered in that format.

Are there guest fees?
There is a cost for guests to attend orientation, and guest payments are due when you register.

Family Orientation Information

Adults (12 years old & up) $30.00

Children (4 to 11 years old) $15.00

Small Children (0 to 3 years old) Free

NOTE: Cancellations for guests made seven (7) days or more in advance of the orientation session will receive a full refund. Guest cancellations made after the deadline will not receive a refund for the orientation session. If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact orientation@utpb.edu.

Where will guests stay during orientation?

• Summer/fall freshman orientation: Guests traveling from out of town will need to book their own accommodations. Two hotels located less than 5 minutes from UTPB are offering discounted rates for our orientation guests. Click the "Make a Reservation" link as the discounted rate is applied to the booking page:
  • Holiday Inn Odessa  |  5275 East 42^nd St., Odessa, TX  | Make a Reservation
  • Fairfield Inn  |  3933 John Ben Shepperd Parkway, Odessa, TX  | Make a Reservation
• Transfer & spring orientation: Transfer orientation is held online and our spring orientation is a one-day session. Neither require an overnight stay.