Frequently Asked Questions

The Orientation program for new undergraduate students (both first-year and transfer students). At Orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet other new students, discuss academic choices with advisors, explore majors and career options, get a feel for life on campus, introduce you to campus resources and get acquainted with Cal State San Bernardino. Orientation provides you with key resources and tools to help ease the transition into the CSUSB community and prepare you for life as a Coyote.

All new undergraduate students are REQUIRED to attend Orientation in order to register for classes. A Orientation hold is put on a student's account until they have successfully completed Orientation.

Orientation provides each student an opportunity to get all of the questions answered and feel comfortable with the expectations that will be required here at CSUSB. Also, CSUSB's faculty, staff, and administrators want to welcome you to the Pack!

All students must accept their offer of admission BEFORE June 3, 2024. Visit the Admissions How To Guide for step-by-step directions. Please allow 24-48 hours after accepting your admissions before attempting to register. In order to register for a session, log on to your myCoyote portal, navigate across the top menu to find Checklist Items, and in that menu, you will find Orientation Registration. You may also check out our tutorial video on how to register.

If extenuating circumstances make it impossible for you to attend any of the scheduled sessions, please contact us at orientation@csusb.edu. However, this is college and we expect you to make this a top priority! Only extenuating circumstances will be reviewed.

For our first-year students, it is not required for parents or family members to attend Orientation with you, however we do have a Parent and Family orientation program just for them! We strongly encourage family members to attend our Parent and Family Orientation. This is a good time to learn about resources available at CSUSB to help families support their students. Your family can also learn about Parent and Family Orientation and special events just for them by visiting the Parent and Family Orientation page.

Parent and Family Orientation is only offered concurrently with our first-year orientation program. Otherwise, guests are not permitted to attend with the student participating in orientation. 

The "Orientation Hold" is an advising hold that will be removed AFTER you complete Orientation. If you have completed Orientation and the hold is still active on your account, please contact the Orientation and First Year Experience at 909.537.5233 or orientation@csusb.edu. 

In order to attend Orientation at the Palm Desert Campus, you must have been admitted to the Palm Desert Campus. Otherwise, you must attend Orientation at the San Bernardino campus. For more details about Orientation at the Palm Desert Campus, visit our website or call us at 909.537.5233.

The Orientation registration system does not allow you to make changes on your own. To change your Orientation registration, send an email to orientation@csusb.edu or give us a call at (909) 537-5233. You will need to have the following information prepared: your name, Coyote ID number, your current Orientation date and the date you would like to change to. Please note that changing into another Orientation session date is contingent upon that session having space available. NOTE: There will be a $25.00 fee for changing your date more than once.

You must be present for the entire Orientation session. Your Orientation program is full of information, Coyote spirit, and time to welcome you to the CSUSB community. Please select your Orientation date carefully and plan accordingly for work, childcare, vacations and other conflicts.

Failure to attend an Orientation session in full will result in your Orientation Hold not being removed. 

Great question! Depending on which program you are attending, we have some different recommendations on what to bring to ensure a smooth and successful time at Orientation and on campus! 

• Photo ID (driver’s license is preferred, but anything with your name and photo)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A smile, good attitude, and some Coyote pride!
• Optional: tablet or small laptop

First Year Students (San Bernardino Campus) - as you are staying overnight as part of your program, you'll also want to have the following:

• Change of clothes for staying overnight in campus housing (dress casual and comfortable) and comfortable shoes for walking around campus
• A backpack or bag to carry orientation materials
• Pillow, sleeping bag or bed sheets and blanket
• Toiletries and towel
• Any medication you might need for two days

During Orientation, you will receive advising so that you can register for classes. Transfer students will register during their scheduled appointments through their myCoyote Student Center, once Orientation has been completed. First-year students will be pre-enrolled for their fall semester courses by the University in what we call Pack Enrollment!

Students and parents & families who are registered to attend an Orientation session will receive a complimentary parking permit provided by Orientation and First Year Experience. This will be your valid parking permit ONLY during your attendance at orientation.

• Parking permits are only valid for the parking lot assigned during the Orientation program. See below for designated parking lots by orientation program type.
• Parking permits must be printed and clearly displayed on the front dashboard of the vehicle.
• Parking permits will be e-mailed to attending students to their CSUSB email account two (2) days prior to their Orientation. 
• Vehicles must be parked forward-facing in diagonal parking spaces on campus. Vehicles parked backwards in diagonal spaces may be issued a citation.

It is the student's and parents/family responsibility to have their parking permit and have it clearly displayed in their vehicles. Failure to park in the designated parking lot  and/or properly displaying the permit will result in a $54 parking citation.

Orientation and First Year Experience will not be responsible for any citations.

Orientation fees are non-refundable. If you do not attend the required session, you are still responsible for paying the fee. You will also be charged a no-show fee should you miss your scheduled session. For more information on the fees associated with Orientation, please see the Program Policies page.