New Student Onboarding

Welcome to OSU-Cascades!

Joining Beaver Nation in ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÜÕ¾ is more than just attending your first class – you're entering a worldwide community and launching a new phase in your life. There’s a lot to know, so we’ve built a step-by-step onboarding sequence that will support you both during your initial orientation and throughout your first year. This is where your OSU-Cascades journey begins. 

Pre-Orientation Tasks

Complete your required pre-orientation tasks to begin your onboarding sequence as early as May 5!  

By May 1: 

  •  (Oregon State student account) (required) 

  • Confirm your enrollment and pay your ATD (required) 

After May 1: complete other remaining tasks in Beaver Basecamp to-do list  

  • ALEKS math assessment (required)  

  • Housing application (if applicable)  

  • Financial self-assessment (recommended) 

  Completing the required tasks allows you to move into Prepare as early as May 5. 

  Log in to  to take care of the checklist items that need your attention! 

 

1. Prepare: Online Modules

After the pre-orientation tasks, you'll move on to Prepare, a series of online modules designed to support your transition to the university learning environment. Prepare begins in early May. 

You'll access Prepare using (checklist item Prepare and Activate)

  • Complete Prepare to move to Activate: Advising & Registration. 
  • Once you’ve completed your modules and scheduled your academic advising appointment, you can register for Launch in Beaver Basecamp.  

2. Activate: Virtual Advising and Registration

Activate is your virtual academic advising and course registration phase. You’ll access the link to register in your orientation portal via Beaver Basecamp (the academic advising appointment is scheduled via Bookings). 

  • Advising and registration appointments will run from June 16-Aug. 22. 
  • Once you schedule your advising appointment, you can register for Launch. 

3. Launch: Orientation Program

Launch is your optional summer orientation day. You'll meet other students, explore campus, and take part in interactive sessions to help you build connections and get ready to start the term. If you're unable to travel to ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÜÕ¾, there will be a Virtual Launch on September 4. 

Registration for Launch will show up as a task in  after you've completed the Prepare: Online Modules and Activate (scheduling your academic advising appointment 

  • Friday, July 25 - First Year (FY) Students (9AM - 4PM)
  • Friday, August 18 - First Year (FY) Students (9AM - 4PM)
  • Friday, August 22 - Transfer (TR) Students (9AM - 4PM)
  • Thursday, September 4 - All New Students; Virtual Option (9AM - 12PM)

Pre-Term Reminders

Before Launch:

  • Check Beaver Basecamp for any lingering to-do items. If you have already met with your academic advisor, complete any tasks related to getting registered for classes.  

Throughout the summer:

  • Get in the habit of checking your Oregon State email address frequently for reminders and updates.  

Before Connect:

  • Check  for tasks like completing your immunization records. If you’re living on campus, check your  for updates related to your room assignment and move-in date.  

4. Connect: Pre-Term Immersive Experience

Connect kicks off your first term at OSU-Cascades. During this multi-day pre-term event, you’ll deepen the relationships you formed at Launch, take part in OSU-Cascades traditions, and attend sessions to hone your academic skills before the term begins. This is your chance to settle in, make memories, and get to know your new community at OSU-Cascades.  Below is the general schedule; specifics will be released by July 1, 2025.

  • Saturday, September 20 
    • Move-in to the Residence Hall + all-building social event
  • Sunday, September 21
    • Farewell Brunch
    • "Learn by Doing" day - campus & community events
    • Orientation Leader meet-ups and special events
    • Residence Hall floor meetings
  • Monday, September 22
    • FORTE2025
    • Campus resource fair and carnival
    • Student Activities events
  • Tuesday, September 23
    • Welcome Breakfast, Class picture and Convocation
    • Academic Integration and Openhouse Sessions
    • Campus resources open houses
    • Campus trivia night

5. Engage: Yearlong Support and Community-Building

Onboarding doesn’t end when the term begins – support continues in the Engage phase throughout your first year at OSU-Cascades   

  • Your first term, you'll take a Transitions course that builds on what you’ve learned in previous phases of onboarding.  
  • We’ll keep reaching out with info. Watch your emails for additional information on with deadline reminders, helpful study tips, and more. 
  • You’ll meet with academic advisors each term to plan your classes and check on your progress.  
  • Stay connected, ask for help when you need it, and remember: you don’t have to do this alone.