First-Year Experience Spring Orientation

When is Orientation?

Spring Orientation begins Saturday, January 4th. Students can move into the residence halls Saturday, January 4th starting at 11am. There will be Spring Orientation events through Sunday, January 5th. Classes begin on Monday, January 6th.

Are there events scheduled for my family?

Yes! They are welcome to attend the Welcome Session on Saturday, January 5th at 3:00pm on Kerrwood Lawn. Parents can find more information on the Parents & Families webpage.

Why do I need an academic advisor?

Academic advisors can be helpful to you in many ways. They can help you explore your options regarding a major and career choices as they listen and learn about you and your strengths and weaknesses. They are great resources when it comes to knowing college academic policies, general graduation requirements, and scheduling classes. You will be assigned an academic advisor when you arrive for Orientation and you will be scheduled to meet with your advisor during the first week of classes.

Who are the academic advisors?

All full-time faculty members and some student life professionals act as academic advisors.

When do I register?

Spring transfer students register for classes on a rolling basis after you confirm your admission, beginning December 10th. You will be contacted by the Registrar's Office with instructions on registering for classes. If you have any questions, check out the Registrar's page.

Can I move onto campus before January 4th?

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests to move into the residence halls prior to January 4th. Click here for a local hotel guide.

What is the move-in time?

Between 11:00am - 1:00pm on Saturday, January 6th.

Where do I go first when I arrive for Spring Orientation?

Students living in Clark, Emerson and Page use the upper campus entrance on La Paz Road and follow the signs to the residence hall in which you'll be living.

Students living in Armington, VK and the GLC use the upper campus entrance on La Paz Road and follow the signs to the residence hall in which you'll be living.

When do I find out who my roommate(s) is(are)?

Once your Westmont email is activated, you should be able to access your Student Portal. Login and look in the upper right corner for the circular Westmont image/seal. Click this and select "myProfile" from the dropdown list. Next, click on the "Housing" tab to see your room/dorm assignment and roommate(s) with contact info so you can reach out, plan for Spring, and get to know each other! On occasion, new students are assigned to a different room after the original housing assignment has been made and posted on the student portal. When that occurs, the Housing Office will try to communicate the housing change by email or phone call. You may also call the Housing Office for more information at (805) 565-6037.

What size mattresses are in the residence hall rooms?

All on-campus mattresses are extra-long twins (80" x 36")

May I keep a microwave or a micro-fridge in my room?

No, microwaves are not permitted in students' rooms. You may keep a small refrigerator (under 5 cubic feet) in your room. There is an additional charge to defray energy expenses.

May I use nails, double-stick tape, or duct tape to hang posters and artwork on my walls?

No, please only bring small tacks and white (not blue) poster putty to hang artwork in your room.

Do I have to be on the campus meal plan?

Yes, all on-campus students must be on a meal plan. New students must be on the unlimited meal plan for the first semester and then may switch to the 15 meal plan or 10 meal plan for the second semester if they wish.

Where do I send things before school starts?

If you need to mail something before Orientation, please send it addressed as follows:

Student Name
955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

If you need to send boxes, please wait to send them until two weeks prior to coming to campus, as we have limited storage space. The on-campus post office will be open on Monday, January 8th for you to pick up your boxes. Please refer to the Post Office page for more information.

Where do I park when I arrive?

Follow the signs to the residence hall in which you'll be living. There will be parking available at each hall.

Are first-year students allowed to have vehicles on campus?

Unfortunately because of the limitations to the Westmont campus, first-year students are not able to have vehicles on campus (including motorcycles or scooters).

Are transfer students allowed to have vehicles on campus?

Possibly! Once your Student Portal is active, please submit your permit request right away and email Housing & Parking so they are aware. If you have completed 4 terms of college (post high school graduation) and the parking permit page indicates you are "not eligible", please contact Housing to review eligibility.

How can I get around Santa Barbara without a vehicle?

Westmont offers a shuttle that stops throughout Santa Barbara on a regular schedule. Also, Westmont has a dial-a-ride service, called The 955, extending from Santa Barbara airport to Carpinteria.

What is an RA?

RA stands for Resident Assistant. RAs are current students that live in the same section and residence hall as you, and they are there to help you throughout the residential learning experience. Your RA will plan events, facilitate community, and help you with any questions you have.

What is an RD?

RD stands for Resident Director. RDs are professional staff members in the Division of Student Life, and they live in the residence halls and are responsible for student development in the residential setting. They also provide leadership for residence hall programming as well as acting as a resource for personal issues students may encounter during the year.

How do I get a Westmont email account?

For admitted students, email accounts should already be created and password set. If you have not done so already, you can go here to find out your email address and create a password.

What network access is available from the residence halls?

Westmont provides a high-speed network connection that allows users in-room network and internet access 24-hours a day. Wireless internet can be accessed anywhere on the Westmont campus.

PC or Mac?

Westmont is compatible with both PC and Mac computers. This decision is a personal preference. BUT the library has several public computers (both mac and PC), so you may not need a personal computer at all.

How often is Chapel?

Chapel is held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30 am to 11:20 am. 

What happens if I can't make it to all chapels?

Each student is allowed 12 absences from Chapel per semester. To read more information on Chapel, go to the Campus Pastor's page.

Where can I go to church?

There are lots of great churches in the Santa Barbara area. Students generally talk with professors or friends to get recommendations of local churches. 

How can I get to church?

Some churches have shuttles that pick up students. You can contact the Campus Pastor's office to learn more!

How can I order my books?

We are partnered with Slingshot to provide our students with a concierge textbook experience! If you would like all of your required textbooks delivered to your mailbox automatically, you do nothing! Just show up for orientation and your books will be waiting for you in the Mail Center. You can also choose to source your textbooks à la carte from Slingshot or anywhere you choose. To do that, follow the textbook prompts on the bookstore website and select “opt out” under your Slingshot account. You can then navigate to the ‘buy books” tab and purchase the books you would like from there.

What to bring to Westmont

Please click here for a detailed packing list of what we recommend you bring with you to campus.