2020 Orientation Registration Guidelines
UPDATE - policies below apply to new students attending Cal Poly for the current 2020-21 academic year.
It is the guidelines of the university that all newly admitted students register for and attend SLO Days and the Week of Welcome (WOW) orientation. Participation and registration in orientation is mandatory for all new students attending Cal Poly. A student’s failure to complete their orientation requirement may result in their admission being rescinded by the university.
All SLO Days sessions have limited capacity. Space is not guaranteed until registration and fee have been received. There is no wait list for closed/locked sessions. All requests for a change of session date must be made 14 business days prior to your registered SLO Days session.
Newly admitted students - both first-time freshmen and transfer students - must participate in and register for the mandatory orientations. Transfer students participate in a single-day SLO Days session. The session they will attend will be based on the college of their major.
SLO Days/Week of Welcome (WOW) Overall Exemptions
It is the policy of the university that all students register for and attend orientation (SLO Days and the Week of Welcome). In rare, extenuating circumstances, a student may be granted an exemption from attending all or part of orientation. Circumstances may include a medical need, or family circumstances. We kindly ask that you submit your request to be exempted from the orientation event(s) as soon as possible. Documentation may be required as part of the request, and it is not guaranteed an exemption, as our platform has changed to solely virtual.
Supporter Registration
We encourage our parents and supporters to participate in SLO Days and learn about the Cal Poly experience. Register up to two (2) supporters per student under your student's orientation registration tab in their Cal Poly Portal.
We will be providing presentations that will be beneficial to you and your student's success at Cal Poly. Our campus partners will be collaborating with us to provide you the same information that would have been shared at the in-person event. You will not want to miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the campus resources.
Changes, Refund & Cancellation Policy
No further refund will be granted for the academic year of 2020-21. Price adjustment was processed to students and supporters who registered prior to the new pricing as of May 29, 2020. Students and supporters who qualified, submitted an orientation payment on behalf of SLO Days:
- *Freshmen SLO Days: $90 or $190
- Transfer SLO Days: $150
- *Supporter SLO Days: $150 or $175
* Please note, the difference in pricing for freshmen students is based on eligibility of financial support. Supporters portion is based on the number of days attended.
As of July 27th at 11:59PM (PST) late fees applied to the overall orientation reservation which is reflected under the Week of Welcome portion. Refunds will not be offered to students who missed their SLO Days session. Options included completing the Orientation Request Form to select a new available date or participate in the recorded presentations. Recorded footage is available mid-August. Recorded sessions are only accessible for students and supporters who registered and submitted payment.
Published February 28, 2020 - Updated December 10, 2020
