Information for New Students and Families

New Student Orientation

Tuesday, August 20-Saturday, August 24

New Student Orientation is where we welcome and onboard our new students, both first-year and transfer students.  

The primary goals are to increase personal connections with other students, faculty, and staff, to increase a sense of belonging, and to increase academic success. You will have the opportunity to meet other new students, connect with Student Orientation Leaders (OLs) to ask your questions about what being a Geneseo student is really like, meet faculty and staff, and learn more about Geneseo’s majors and what to expect in class.

New Student Orientation is executed in 2 components:
-New Student Orientation Online Course-Available on August 1!
-Formal New Student Orientation Program-Begins August 20

Check your GENESEO email to learn more about gaining access to the course at the end of July!

Transfer Credit

Did you take classes in high school for college credit? Learn more about how to receive transfer credit.

Housing

A residential college, SUNY Geneseo believes that living on-campus is an integral part of the educational experience. Connection with your peers and the campus, support from residence hall staff, and opportunities to meet and live with others are a few of the ways in which the experience of living the residence halls contributes to your academic success. As a reminder, SUNY Geneseo has a 4 semester residency requirement for all incoming First-Year college students and transfer students who have less than 30 credits upon admission.

Incoming students live throughout the residential campus (North, Central, and South Villages) and all areas provide a variety of offerings. You can offer your preference for a few factors to help us determine your placement. Note that all components of the housing application are preferences, not guarantees. You can provide your preference for one roommate, the style of residence hall you prefer (corridor or suite), and apply to live in a Living Learning Communities (LLC) that interests you. Most of our students live in double rooms in corridor communities and about half of our incoming students live in LLCs! 

Housing applications (also called New Student Roommate Preference Form) are due June 1! Deposits and applications will be accepted after these dates, but you may miss out on certain Living-Learning Communities. Be sure to check your Geneseo email for information about the Housing application or visit go.geneseo.edu/symplicity. 

Housing assignments will be released in the beginning of August.

More Information

• What to bring to campus
• Room and furniture dimensions

Geneseo ID Cards

Please be on the lookout for emails from Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), (cas@geneseo.edu) regarding your ID card. The first email will provide instructions on how to submit your photo and how to obtain your Geneseo ID card. We encourage you to submit your information early so your card will be ready when you arrive. 

Course Registration

Are you a First Year Student?

1. Once you are enrolled through admissions, complete the Course Registration Survey.  The link is emailed to your Geneseo email account and shares your plans, needs, and interests so we can build a customized schedule.

2. Make sure your Advanced Placement (AP) test scores, transcripts from dual enrollment courses, international bachelorette diplomas, and/or any other ways you plan to bring in college credit are being sent to Geneseo.

Are you a Transfer Student?

1. Once you are enrolled through admissions, an advisor will begin to build your course schedule.  Depending on your major, this process will be slightly different, but you can expect communication from a Geneseo advisor who will talk with you about what you are planning and expected and will share a potential schedule with you.  Make sure you advocate for what you want from your Geneseo experience!

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) coordinates accommodations and other support services for students with disabilities at Geneseo. More information about our office, how to request accommodations, and student and family resources can be found on the Office of Accessibility website. Questions? Contact us via email at access@geneseo.edu, or call 585-245-5112.

Paying Your Bill

The Office of Student Accounts is responsible for billing and collection of tuition, fees, room and board, and other miscellaneous charges assessed to a student's account. The office manages the monthly payment plan, processes payments, disburses financial aid to student's accounts, processes refunds from over-payments, and performs other miscellaneous financial functions. They work closely with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure a smooth financial transition. 

Electronic bills will be generated in late-July.  Students should be sure to establish authorized payer(s) on their Student Account Center if they'd like an electronic billing notification (e-bill) sent to their parent, guardian, or any other third party. Authorized payers will receive all e-bill notifications and have access to view, print and pay bills online.

Complete the following:

⬜ Setup authorized payer for parent/family access to student account billing
⬜ Select or make adjustments to campus meal plan (included on tuition bill)
⬜ Make your fall term payment
⬜ Complete monthly tuition payment plan form (if applicable)
⬜ Set up direct deposit for student refunds

Health

Proof of immunization is required for all new/transfer students. Immunization records are due June 1 or 4 weeks from the date of acceptance. Please review the immunization page for additional information.

International Students

A specialized orientation program for new international students is held just before classes begin each semester in August and January. Visit the International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) for more information about next steps for international students, international departure and international orientation!

Parent and Family Orientation

Join us for the Parent and Family Orientation Webinar Series! Starting June 13 and concluding around the middle of August, the Parent & Family Orientation provides you, the families, an opportunity to learn more about the services and resources Geneseo has to offer. Hear from Geneseo faculty, staff and administrators about the various opportunities that exist for students and the ways in which you can support them as they transition to Geneseo.

Upcoming webinars can be found below. Registration is required for each individual session. The registration link can be found below. In the event you are unable to attend, we will record each session and email the recording to parents and families the following week.

• June 13: Welcome to Geneseo with Campus Leaders (5:00pm)
• June 25: New Student Advisement with the Office of Advising (5:00pm)
• July 9: Opening the Door to Living and Learning with Residence Life (5:00pm)
• July 17: Understanding and Paying Your Bill with Financial Aid and Student Accounts (5:00pm)
• July 22: Safety & Security with University Police, Lauderdale Health and Counseling, Title IX, Dean of Students and Conduct  (5:30pm)
• July 30: Staying Healthy with Lauderdale Health & Counseling (5:00pm)
• August 1: Career Readiness with Career Design (5:00pm)
• August 7: Finding Belonging at Geneseo with Student Life, Center for Community and more! (5:00pm)

Register Now

The Zoom link will be sent to participants one to two days prior to the webinar. In the event you’ve registered and have not received the link, please email orientation@geneseo.edu.

Campus Technology Requirements

Review the laptop requirement and set up your mobile devices and campus technology with Geneseo apps and access.

Admissions Questions?

Email: admissions@geneseo.edu | Call: (585) 245-5571

Financial Aid Questions?

Email: financialaid@geneseo.edu | Call: (585) 245-5731