Orientation

Overall, it is a great idea to bring:

• A refillable water bottle (water filling stations are located across campus)
• A notebook and a pen/pencil to jot down important information during the sessions

Students attending Orientation Session I, II, or III will stay in the residence halls overnight! Be sure to bring the following with you to check in:

• Bedding (extra-long twin sheets, light blanket, pillow, pillowcase)
• Change of clothes and comfortable walking shoes
• Light jacket or sweatshirt
• Shower items (towel, flip flops, toiletries)
• Cell phone, charger
• Small fan (optional) 
• Prescribed medications
• Valid ID

Orientation usually takes place during the summer and requires a lot of trekking around campus. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. If you expect to get chilly, you might want to bring a light sweater or hoodie for the indoor sessions.

We recognize transitioning your student(s) to college can be stressful and emotional. New Student Orientation will give you the opportunity to meet with other parents and families of incoming students, better understand what life at Catawba will be like for your student, and how you can support them in their journey.

Orientation Schedule
You will find several parent and family only sessions in the Orientation schedule which are optional for your participation. There is also time included to explore the Salisbury and Rowan County area.

Don't miss the Parent Reception at our New Student Orientation sessions from 6-8 p.m.! Meet other new parents and families, members of our Parent and Family Council, and Catawba staff.

Accommodations
Your student(s) will be spending the night in a residence hall on campus as part of New Student Orientation. Parents and families are welcome to stay at one of our local hotels, inns, or bed and breakfasts in the area.

Placement processes at Catawba College are designed to help students and their advisors make informed decisions about course selection. Placement is conducted for English composition and foreign languages.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Catawba's general education curriculum calls for intermediate level proficiency in foreign language. The Modern Foreign Language Department encourages students to begin college study at the highest level for which they are prepared.

Only students who seek placement recommendations above the 1001 level (Elementary I) and/or exemption from the language requirement on the basis of proficiency should report to the test, held during Welcome Weekend.  Native speakers of Spanish should take the placement to assess competency and native speakers of languages other than English and Spanish will see Dr. Wilson, Chair of Modern Foreign Language, to certify competency.

COMPOSITION

Composition placement is done by a writing sample. Dr. Gordon Grant, Coordinator of Rhetoric and Composition, determines which students will be asked to take a writing sample. Most students do not need a placement test for composition, and those who do are notified on arrival.