All incoming classified students, including those on a neighbor island, are required to attend the LIS New Student Orientation held before the start of the semester. Those with work or family obligations should make arrangements far in advance for childcare and/or job coverage that will allow them to attend this event. Neighbor island students should make travel arrangements well in advance so that they can arrive on Oahu in time for the event.
The orientation generally takes place on the Wednesday before the semester’s first day of instruction and is designed to acquaint students with each other and the LIS faculty as well as providing library and campus information, academic services and program policies. Incoming students will also meet with an assigned faculty advisor to select that semester’s courses and discuss their academic goals.
After students have been officially admitted to the Program and before the orientation, they must request a UH username as this is required to register for courses. Students new to UH Mānoa may also pick up their student ID card after they have registered and paid for their courses.
Be aware that the Graduate Student Organization and the Graduate Division jointly sponsor an orientation for all new graduate students on campus each August. It has recently been held on the Thursday morning before classes begin. This is separate from the LIS Program Orientation. It contains useful information for students new to the UH Mānoa campus as well as local students who are beginning graduate studies and participation is encouraged.