Student Orientation, Advising & Registration Information

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and to prioritize the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and guests, we have made the difficult decision to transition to online orientation services this summer.

We know you were looking forward to coming to campus for Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR), and we recognize many of you are being impacted by our current situation in complex ways. Even though we are going digital this summer, students and their families will be provided with a comprehensive online SOAR experience that includes all the elements of an on-campus SOAR broken up into 5 bite sized pieces. This new format allows us to deliver more information over an extended period of time and allows the experience to be customized to meet the needs of our students and their families. Below are a breakdown of the 5 phases of the Online SOAR Experience.

Phase 1 – Confirm Critical Pre-Enrollment Information

Students will work their Admissions Representative to confirm essential information needed to ensure they are assigned to an applicable advisor that best suits their educational goals.

Phase 2 – Complete Pre-Enrollment Survey

Students will complete a pre-enrollment survey that will allow us to gather more information about each unique students' needs and areas of interest. This information will be utilized by members of our advising faculty and staff to put together a fall course schedule that will set each student up for success!

Phase 3 – Complete Online Orientation & Videos

Students and their families will complete online orientation together.

Families are encouraged to view the videos below to learn how they can best support their student throughout the transition to MSUM.

You can watch these videos by utilizing the playlist, which allows you to watch through all of the videos without coming back to this page.

Orientation Video Playlist

If you prefer to watch one video at a time, just click on each individual video title below.

Individual Video List

  • Academic Support Center
    The Academic Support Center fosters student success and retention by providing a centralized location of resources for students, staff and faculty.
  • Accessibility Resources
    Accessibility Resources leads collaboration to cultivate an inclusive environment and facilitates the removal of existing barriers for the full inclusion of people with disabilities.
  • Athletics
    Dragon Athletics is home to NCAA Division II and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams with rich traditions of success. Our programs build champions through academic achievement and athletic success.
  • Bookstore
    The MSUM Bookstore is stocked with all of your class needs like textbooks and art supplies as well as lots of spirit gear to show off your Dragon Pride.
  • Career Development Center
    The MSUM Career Development Center supports you in discovering your passion by providing programs, education, services and support throughout your journey from exploring student to prepared professional.
  • Center for Global Engagement
    The Center for Global Engagement encourages you to study at a different location, whether within the U.S. or somewhere else in the world and bring those experiences back to MSUM to enhance your educational experience.
  • Comstock Memorial Union
    Since we can't be on-campus for your SOAR day this summer, we want to make sure you get a sense of an important place on campus, the Comstock Memorial Union. It's also known as the CMU or the Student Union - and it's a special place designed with students in mind.
  • Counseling Services
    MSUM Counseling Services is here to balance the social, emotional and educational pieces of your life as a student. We offer free confidential mental health, alcohol and drug, sexual assault and violence counseling.
  • Counseling Services - Case Manager Navigator
    MSUM Counseling Services has a Case Manager Navigator to work with you to access community-based resources, such as assisting with health insurance enrollment, finding a clinic and transferring a prescription to a local pharmacy.
  • Dean of Students
    The Dean of Students Office contributes to students’ individual development, promotes self-authorship, and facilitates a safe, vibrant, inclusive, healthy and resilient Minnesota State University Moorhead community through four core areas of work.
  • Dining Services
    Whether you’re looking for a sit-down dinner or lunch on the go, we have your dining needs covered. You’ll find a wide variety of fresh food designed to satisfy your appetite, with an array of choices to rival your favorite restaurants.
  • Getting Involved at MSUM
    There are plenty of ways for Dragons to get involved at MSUM. Associate Director for Student Life, Annie Wood shares helpful information and our resource call DragonCentral where you can find information about campus events and student organizations.
  • Housing & Residential Life - Finding a Roommate
    Once you have signed your housing contract and made the $50 prepayment, you can fill out your profile and search for a roommate.
  • Housing & Residential Life - Life on Campus
    Our job is to provide you with a positive experience by providing opportunities for you to engage with other students and the ability to achieve your academic goals.
  • Housing & Residential Life - Snarr Hall Tour
    Tour the Snarr Hall complex that has been completely renovated.
  • Housing & Residential Life - What to Bring
    Information on what to pack and what to leave at home as you begin your college career.
  • Learning Communities
    Learning communities allow you to be a part of a group of students who have a major and interests similar to yours giving you an automatic group of friends.
  • Office of Diversity & Inclusion
    The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) serves as a campus resource that focuses on meeting students needs, especially those from under-served communities and creating opportunities for cross-cultural experiences on our campus.
  • Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
    The Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid is your number one resource for finding out how to apply, what you need to do to qualify, and what types of financial aid are available.
  • Public Safety
    Public Safety is here to provide security to persons, buildings and all property of MSUM 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. You will also find the Parking, Key and Card Access office here.
  • Rainbow Dragon Center
    The Rainbow Dragon Center work proactively to abolish homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, genderism, and other forms of oppression, while fostering a campus community that is committed to social justice and creating an equitable society.
  • Recreation & Wellness Center
    Take a quick tour of the Russell & Ann Gerdin Wellness Center showing the wide variety of opportunities for an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • Student Conduct & Resolution
    Our goal is to promote and maintain a safe living and learning environment for all and we want students to understand what their responsibilities are and hopefully preventing them from violating a policy.
  • Women's Center
    The Women's Center is a resource for students of all genders on campus. We are engaged in advocacy and collaborations across campus to help make our institution more equitable and knowledgeable.
Phase 4 – Day of SOAR
  • Students
    • 1:00-4:00 pm | Individual Schedule Confirmation Meetings
      • Students will receive an email two days prior to their SOAR date with an assigned specific block of time to meet with a department representative to discuss their schedules, make necessary changes, and answer questions
      • Students will have the opportunity to connect with a group of their peers along with a current student at MSUM (SOC) for informal conversations and questions.
  • Families
    • 1:00-2:00 pm | Welcome and Connection | https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/91316908964
      • Families will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the FYP staff to hear about ways they can stay engaged with the university throughout the year and meet other families that are sending their student to MSUM for informal conversations and questions.
    • 2:00-4:00 pm | Student Service Areas Drop-In Zoom Rooms
Phase 5 – Continued Engagement

Students will continue to receive communications from their Student Orientaiton Counselors (SOCs) to encourage engagement and serve as a guide throughout the transition process.

Students and Families will have the opportunity to schedule individual appointments with student service areas as needed.