Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates of Orientation?
Orientation begins on September 2 at 8:30am and continues daily from approximately 8:30am to 5pm through Wednesday, September 5.

Who is expected to attend Orientation?
All members of the Class of 2011, as well as Transfer Students.

What will I learn at Orientation?
Over the course of 4 days, we hope you learn quite a bit!  First, we will give you time to meet other students.  Then we will help you get your ID’s and your final class schedules. We will show you where you can find your classes and introduce you to your faculty and college administrators.  We will BBQ, eat plenty of ice cream and have a dinner dance on the Spirit of Boston Cruise Ship.  Your post card project will be hung in the Presidents Gallery and you will spend time with your faculty critiquing the art.

What if I think Orientation is not for me?
Orientation is designed to meet the needs and interests of a very diverse class.  It is our intention that everyone will find something that they wanted or needed at Orientation.  Orientation is mandatory and all members of the class of 2011 are expected daily.

Are there upper-class students around to help us out and share their perspective?
Yes.  Each student will be assigned to a Primer (Orientation Leader) who is an upper-class student leader.  They will spend the entire Orientation with you so you will always have someone to guide you and answer your questions.

What is the cost to attend Orientation?
There is no extra cost associated with Orientation at this time as it is incorporated in your tuition.  The Spirit of Boston Dinner Dance is an evening event and is optional.  The cost to attend is $25 per person.  Please download the form from our website and send in your check by Friday, August 24.  Your Primer will have a ticket ready for you when you get to Orientation check-in.

What about meals?
The cafeteria will be open each morning for breakfast.  If you have a meal plan, you may swipe your ID for breakfast and if you do not have a meal plan, they accept cash or credit cards.  Lunch is part of the Orientation Program daily and if we have events scheduled through dinnertime, dinner will also be served.

What should I have with me each day?
Feel free to travel light.  Comfortable clothes, a water bottle and something to write with should be perfect.

When will I get an Orientation Schedule?
The full schedule of hourly activities will be given to you at Orientation Check-In on September 2.  In the meantime, you can find a brief overview on the Orientation Webpage. www.massart.edu/orientation

Do a lot of students attend the Spirit of Boston Dinner and Dance Cruise?
Yes!  Almost everyone goes to this event.  It is mid way through the Orientation program, so you’ll know lots of new classmates by then!  We have an entire floor of the ship to ourselves, you can dress up or dress down as long as you are prepared to eat well and dance the night away!  Tickets are limited and are on a first come first serve basis.

Do my parents/guardians need to come with me to Orientation?
Family Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, September 1.  Please check the Orientation webpage for a schedule and registration materials.

When sending in our Family Registration materials, should I be included in the cost of the day?
Mass Art students are welcome at Family Orientation at no cost. 

When I arrive for Orientation, where should I go to check-in?
Check-in will be in the Gym, by the Public Safety Office.  If you live in the residence halls, your RA will be walking you over in the morning.  If you are commuting in, take the green line to Huntington Ave, and walk to the Gym.  There will be lots of signage to follow!

Whom should I contact if I or someone in my family has a special need for the Orientation program?
Please contact Kristine Bell Smith by August 15, 2007 at 617.879.7983 or kbsmith@massart.edu

When is the first day of classes?
Thursday, September 6, 2007

I am eager to begin using my MassArt email account.  What is the process to get that started?
Before August 1, the Department of Information Technology will be mailing you instructions so that you can get set up over the summer and be ready to go by the time classes start!

I am going to be arriving late for Orientation, who should I alert?
Meghan Mahoney: meghan.mahoney@massart.edu

If I arrive late, where should I go to catch up with my group?
Please go to the Information desk in the Tower Lobby.  We will check you in and help you find your group.

Is there anything major I should be sure is in order before classes start?
Yes! Please see below:

Required Forms	Office	Contact
Health Immunization Form	Health Office	617.879.7760
Health Insurance Decision Form	Health Office	617.879.7760
Emergency Contact Form	Emergency Preparedness Office	617.879.7801
Tuition Bills	Business Office	617.879.7900
Parental Affidavit for Academic Information Form (FERPA)	Registrar’s Office	617.879.7264
Consent to Disclose Records	Registrar’s Office	617.879.7264

I have heard that the MBTA offers a discount pass to MassArt students.  How do I order one?
Please download the form on the Orientation webpage and mail it back to the college by July 27.  Only bank checks and money orders are accepted.

When do New Students register for classes?
New students are registered by the Registrar’s Office during the summer. This happens only for their very first semester – thereafter, students will preregister themselves each semester. First-time freshmen all have the same requirements so the Registar’s staff assigns their courses.

When do Transfer Students register for classes?
Transfer students have their credits evaluated by the Advising Office and then are registered for requirements and maybe a few electives. Transfers are invited in for transfer advising days at the end of August to make adjustments to their schedule if necessary.

Who can I speak to about my transfer credits?
Students who come for a transfer advising day will have the opportunity to speak to an adviser and/or faculty member about their transfer credits. Some students may need to speak to faculty in their department (major) after they start classes in September. That’s fine – not all problems have to be solved during the summer.

Adjustments can be made at any time that faculty or Advising gets new information. Transfer students should make sure that Admissions has received their grades from spring and summer courses – this is a frequent source of missing credits.