Important steps for all new students

Congratulations on your decision to join the 188th Class of Lafayette College!

When you arrive here, you’ll begin to take advantage of our academic programs, beautiful campus, and outstanding faculty. Before that happens, we’d like to get you ready for the first day of class. This site will help you prepare to transition into your first semester at Lafayette. We know it can be a daunting task when there are a lot of forms and other materials that you’ll need to submit to us — especially when you’ve got a million other things to take care of before the start of college. Below is a new and simplified student checklist that will help you easily identify what you need to complete before you become a Leopard.

Beginning May 13, check your personal email for Lafayette credential setup instructions, and follow all the instructions in the email. After you set up your Lafayette email account, all correspondence will then go to your Lafayette email address.

After you setup your Lafayette credentials, you will now be able to do the following required steps:

Required Steps

Take your placement exams

Beginning May 14, as part of your fall course selection, you are required to complete a Foreign Language and Math placement exam. Languages include: Chinese, French, German, or Spanish.

Further, if you plan to take General Chemistry you will need to complete the Chemistry placement test.

Review Majors & Programs, First Year Seminars, and Fall course Offerings

This is your time to explore! Take time to carefully review the Majors & Programs offered at Lafayette College. Next, review the First Year Seminar offerings. Finally, review the Fall course offerings. Take notes. Pay special attention to what inspires you or really raises your curiosity. This will help you to identify the four courses you will take in the fall semester. 

Submit your fall course selection preferences before June 11

Fall Course selection begins May 15th and will remain open until June 11th.

As a student you will select your top 5 FYS courses and 3 other courses for your fall schedule.

This process is not first come, first served.

The First Semester Course Selection Preferences website is dedicated to helping new students view and submit first semester course selections.

Submit your emergency contact information by June 30

It is important for the College to have your most up-to-date emergency contact information, you are required to enter this information into Banner by June 30.

Complete the Dietary Information Form by July 1

The Dietary Information Form is required for all students. Please complete this form through the MyHousing website by July 1.

Complete the First-Year Housing Application

Living on campus has always been an integral part of the Lafayette experience. Living in a residential academic community boosts both intellectual and social development. All students are required to live in College housing unless they apply and are approved to commute from their parents/guardians’ home or reside in private off-campus housing (seniors only). You can read more about housing information for first-year students on the Residential Life website. Then, you must complete  the First-Year Housing Application through the MyHousing website by July 1.

Submit your medical forms by July 15

Staff at the Bailey Health Center knows how difficult it can be to make decisions, including ones about health and wellness. Staff members are always willing to answer all your questions, and to make this process even more simple, they’ve answered many common questions on their website. The Center requires much of the same documentation that may be asked for by your family health provider. It is important that you complete all the required Bailey Health Center forms by July 15 to make using Lafayette’s health services seamless. You can contact the Center at (610) 330-5001 with any questions about this step and the required forms.

Complete the Community Reading prior to move-in

At Lafayette, we try to orient you to our intellectual community by introducing you to the conversations that will be occurring on campus through a common community reading. This year’s reading is The Book of Delights by Ross Gay ‘96. You can find this book in the Lafayette College Store, through Amazon, Audible, or a number of other leading book sellers.

View room, roommate, and meal plan assignments

You can view room, roommate, and meal plan assignment information in the MyHousing website after July 26.

Submit tuition payment by August 8

There are a number of ways to submit a tuition payment. Information on tuition payments can be found on the Admissions and Aid website, and must be made by August 8. 

Refer to move-in schedule and arrival instructions

You will receive your move-in schedule and arrival instructions via your Lafayette email account (approximately August 15).

By August 22, complete the two short online courses related to alcohol and sexual assault prevention

In late July, you will receive information about completing two short online courses called AlcoholEdu for College (Part 1) and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (formerly Haven), the College’s introduction to issues of sexual assault and affirmative consent. Be on the lookout for that message in late July and note that completion of these courses is required before move-in day. Students must complete these two courses by August 22. 

Prepare for your move to campus

We can’t wait to welcome you to campus! Move-in day for students in the Class of 2023 is August 23 (unless you are participating in International Pre-Orientation or another pre-orientation program — see more information below in the “Steps May Be Required” section). Many students use this handy “What to bring to Lafayette” checklist as part of their move-in preparation. In addition to the items listed on this checklist, the Office of Sustainability strongly encourages students to bring a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, a separate recycling can, reusable eating/cooking utensils, LED bulbs as needed, and Energy Star Rated electronics (TV, college rental mini-fridge, college rental microfridge).

The Office of Sustainability also strongly encourages students and their families to recycle cardboard, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and more at their “Green Move In” Pod locations.

Participate in the New Student Orientation Program, August 23–25

Orientation is a three-day experience that takes place just prior to the start of fall semester classes. Orientation provides new students with the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, current student leaders, and fellow new students at Lafayette. It familiarizes you with our shared community and academic values and expectations, encourages understanding the importance of operating in Lafayette’s pluralistic and inclusive community, introduces resources that can assist in making a successful transition to college life, and instills an appreciation for the value of liberal arts and academically rigorous and diverse community. New Student Orientation will take place from August 23-25, 2019.

Attend your first day of classes on August 26

Your official Lafayette academic career is about to begin, so take advantage of all the College will be offering to you! Visit the Office of Advising and Co-Curricular Programs website for some useful resources, campus links, academic enrichment resources, general college transition advice, and much more.

Optional or May Be Required

Submit Disability Services accommodations by June 1

Individuals who experience a specific disabling condition that is eligible for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or other relevant legislation, should submit appropriate documentation directly to the Accessibility Services Coordinator in the Academic Resource Hub for consideration of the accommodations and/or services that can be provided by the College. Accessibility accommodation requests are accepted on an ongoing basis, however for full consideration, housing, academic, and dining accommodation requests should be made by June 1. This will ensure adequate time for review of substantiating documentation and allow for appropriate planning of accommodations.

Apply for the Pre-Orientation Summer Program (POSP) by June 1

The Pre-Orientation Service Program (POSP), coordinated by the Landis Center, is an immersive service experience that unites First-Year Students, Returning Leaders, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members in an inclusive environment before the Fall Semester begins.

Participants engage in meaningful service, build lasting relationships, and develop both as leaders and active citizens.

POSP is the catalyst that encourages students to make connections through their involvement in meaningful service experiences, and results in increased appreciation of our Easton Community.

POSP 2019 begins on August 18th and concludes on August 22nd.

International Student Move-in August 18; Roommates of International Students Move-in August 20

International students are invited to move in on August 18th, and take part in the International Student Orientation. Roommates of International students are invited to move in on August 20.

Review the Preferred First Name policy

To foster an environment that is inclusive and that encourages self-expression, Lafayette College has established a policy whereby any College community member may use a preferred first name. Please visit  https://diversity.lafayette.edu/preferred-first-name-policy/ to review the policy and submit your preferred first name.

Consider taking the Success@Lafayette summer course for a jump start on college-level work (and earn a financial incentive in the process)

Success@Lafayette is an online, five-week, free, non-credit course focusing on academic and non-academic skills and concepts related to success at the college level. A cohort of 50 incoming students (first come, first served) is invited to participate in this pilot course for the summer of 2019 between the dates of July 8 – August 9.

Throughout the duration of the five-week course, a series of eight modules will provide students with skills and tips for a personalized study plan for this class and beyond. The modules are focused on areas such as Motivating Success, Study Skills, Learning Styles and Strategies, Goal Setting and Time Management, Thinking and Analysis, Social Interaction and Diversity, and Beyond the Classroom topics. The study plans are designed to engage students with the weekly material, as well as provide an interactive learning environment. In return, students receive individual feedback, perform formative self-checks, and participate in assignments. Each module contains written text, video clips, and additional outside links which provide access to related learning materials.

In addition, participants are divided up in to small cohorts that have weekly virtual meetings via Google Meet. These sessions are led by Teaching Assistants (current juniors and seniors) and serve as a way to collectively review the material, provide a forum where questions can be answered, meet other incoming students, and talk about transition to Lafayette and college in general.

Course Completion Incentive: While Success@Lafayette is a non-credit course, there is a financial incentive available for all students who complete the course. “Completion of the course” refers to: 1.) completion of all assigned modules and assignments, and 2.) participation in all five Google Meet cohort meetings. The financial incentive for 2019 is $140 Pard Dollars, which will automatically be added to the student’s account. Pard Dollars are a pre-paid declining cash balance account, are accessible using your Lafayette ID card and for use at any on-campus dining venue and at participating local merchants.

For students participating in the pilot course, Success@Lafayette course will be listed on your Lafayette Spaces web-based portal, and from there you can enter the course and work on the modules.

For more information and to sign up, please reach out to Michael Olin at olinm@lafayette.edu.

Can you help me find and apply for scholarships and fellowships beyond those offered by the Financial Aid office?

Scholarships & Fellowships can empower your dreams, providing resources to study, conduct research, travel, and become a leader in your chosen career. If you can imagine engaging on this path and intellectual journey, let us help. Your first year at Lafayette is the best time to start thinking about these opportunities for now and in the future.

We will introduce you to opportunities, resources, and plenty of practical advice to help you put together a competitive application. The journey may be challenging but nevertheless rewarding! The process takes a significant amount of time, so it is important to start early. And, who knows, you just might win.

Connect with the Scholarships and Fellowships office, and be sure to speak with Deans Morris and Goldberg at externalscholarships@lafayette.edu for more information and guidance on these opportunities.

If you are planning to volunteer at ANY point during your four years at Lafayette, please begin the process of securing your background clearances as soon as possible

You will need:

o   PA Criminal History Record Check

o   PA Child Abuse History Clearance

o   FBI fingerprint

Please visit the Landis Center for Community Engagement and/or Landis forms website for more information about this process and how the College joins the campus and community members to create knowledge and action for the betterment of ourselves and our communities.

If your native language is not English, explore the resources and programs available to you through the English for Academic Purpose (EAP) Center

The English for Academic Purpose (EAP) Center at Lafayette College aims to equip English learners with the reading, writing, and oral communication skills and the knowledge of US culture necessary to succeed in an English-speaking college setting.

If your native language is not English, we strongly recommend you attend the English Language Learning workshops and register for the ENG 100 Academic Writing class [W] provided by the EAP Center during your first academic year. The EAP Center is located on the 3rd floor of Scott Hall. To learn more about the support that is provided by the EAP Center, please visit the website at https://hub.lafayette.edu/eap/ or contact Tingting Kang at kangt@lafayete.edu.

Check out the College Store and order your textbooks

Supporting the needs of our students and the entire Lafayette community, the College Store stocks all the textbooks and academic materials you will need for your classes as well as a large selection of Lafayette apparel and gift items. Convenient online shopping is possible as well. The College Store is independently operated by Lafayette, and any proceeds support the College’s facilities, operations, and programs. Your College Store account will be activated on July 1, allowing you to conveniently charge your purchases using your Lafayette ID. If you choose to use this method of payment, all College Store charges will appear on your student account, similar to your room and board charges. In July, you will receive an email with instructions on how to participate in the optional Textbook Reservation Program. When the information requested in the email is submitted, your books will be charged to your student account, packaged together, and ready for pickup at the College Store when you arrive on campus. At the end of the semester, check out the College Store’s competitive textbook buyback prices, which often beat those of used book companies.

Take these required steps if you plan to work on campus

Students must provide two forms of acceptable documentation – one that establishes photo identity (such as driver’s license or school ID) and one that establishes employment authorization (such as social security card or birth certificate).  However, we will also accept a United States Passport or Permanent Resident Card as BOTH forms of identification.  We will not accept any form of documentation that is expired and the original forms need to be presented to us in person.

Please complete the following five forms:

1)    Local-Earned-Income-Tax-Residency-Certification-Form

2)    I-9 form

3)    W-4 form

4)    Direct Deposit Form

5)    Local Services Tax – Exemption Certificate

Completed forms are to be taken to the payroll office located in the lower level of 030 Marquis Hall.

If you have additional questions please contact:

            Geoff Schoeneck – 610-330-5142

            Darlene Yost – 610-330-5135

            Email – payroll@lafayette.edu

Orientation Schedules