Orientation
Your college experience is already off to a great start because you’ve chosen Montana Western to begin your educational career. We’ve put together an orientation program to help make the transition as seamless as possible.
Orientation is mandatory for all first-year and transfer students and because it’s fun and informative — you want to attend. Orientation events include: Convocation (the official start of the school year ceremony), academic exploration activities, a hike to the hillside “M” and much more.
If you are a student athlete and will be coming to campus before the start of orientation, you are still required to attend orientation. Your coach is aware of orientation and expects you to attend so you can be successful in and out of the classroom.
By participating in New Student Orientation, students will:
Orientation Schedule
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – New Student Check-In – Legacy Plaza
Includes tuition/fee payment
Students will move into their residence halls by appointment. Instructions for selecting a check-in time will be provided via email from Residence Life. Please honor your selected time and begin at the check-in tables at Legacy Plaza.
Step-by-Step Check-in Process
Step 1: Orientation Table
Check in for orientation, receive your welcome packet, and get assigned to an orientation group.
Step 2: Business Services/Financial Aid Table
Pay your bill or make payment arrangements via a Deferred Payment Plan (requires 25% of your balance and a $35 processing fee).
Step 3: Residence Life Table
Pick up your residence hall room key and begin moving in.
Step 4: Bulldog Card Table
Pay the $20 fee and receive your Bulldog Card. You may also add funds to your card and pick up your parking pass.
5:00 PM
Meet Your Orientation Leaders – Legacy Plaza
6:00 PM
New Student & Family Welcome Dinner – Mathews Lawn
7:00 PM
Welcome Extravaganza: Games & Activities – Mathews Lawn
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast – Dining Hall
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Class Photo – Bulldog Stadium (Students only)
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Convocation – Straugh Gymnasium (Students & Families)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Legacy Plaza Tradition – Legacy Plaza (Students & Families)
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch – Mathews Lawn
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Campus Scavenger Hunt – Legacy Plaza (Students only)
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Parent Session – Lewis & Clark Room, Mathews Hall (Parents only)
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Academic Social with Faculty (Students Only)
Locations:
Math & Sciences – Chancellor’s Residence
Education – Model Classroom
Business & Technology – Bulldog Lounge
Health & Human Performance – BARC
Equine Science – Horse House
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences – Beier Auditorium Foyer
Undecided Majors – Great Room
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Dinner – Mathews Lawn (Students only)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Bulldog Way: Title IX, Consent & Bystander Awareness – Beier Auditorium & STC Great Room (Students only)
8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Residence Hall Socials & Activities – Residence Halls (Students only)
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast – Dining Hall
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Activity Options:
Hike the M – Meet at Mathews Lawn
Frisbee Golf – Meet at Legacy Plaza
Cornhole, Ping Pong & Yard Games – Legacy Plaza
Axe Throwing – Legacy Plaza
Board & Card Games – Bulldog Lounge
Brushin’ with the Bulldogs (Painting Session) – STC Great Room
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Football Scrimmage & Lunch – Tailgate Area
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Activity Options:
Float the Beaverhead River – Meet at Mathews Lawn
Frisbee Golf – Legacy Plaza
Cornhole, Ping Pong & Yard Games – Legacy Plaza
Axe Throwing – Tailgate Area
Board & Card Games – Bulldog Lounge
Brushin’ with the Bulldogs (Painting Session) – STC Great Room
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bulldog Feast & Bulldog Brain Teaser – Keltz Arena
Dining Hall (Meal Plan Students Only):
Brunch: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
All-Residents Meeting – Beier Auditorium
8:00 PM
Residence Hall Floor Meetings – In Your Residence Hall
Community members, faculty, and staff:
Looking for ways to volunteer in the community? The Montana Western Moving Company (MWMC) has you covered. The MWMC is in its 8th year and was formed to help students and their families move into the residence halls on opening day.
All you need to do is sign up for a shift below and you will be emailed instructions on how to participate and receive a free t-shirt.
This fun event will allow community members, faculty, staff and alumni to meet new students and welcome them on behalf of the campus and community of Dillon!
There are several two-hour shifts available so please register by Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Move-in takes place on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Who: You.
What: Montana Western Moving Company
When: Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024
Shifts: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Montana Western Residence Halls: JDC and Mathews
Show your Bulldog Card at any of the local businesses below to receive a discount.
3-D: 10% off, except custom
Angler Village: 50 cents off drinks
Atomic 79: 10 % off boots and clothing
Backcountry Anglers: 15% off fly fishing gear and apparel when you show your Bulldog Card
Beaverslide Coffee: free sugar cookie with drink purchase
Bookstore: 10% off
Gyro Wagon: $1 off Meal Deal
Stageline Pizza: 5% discount on carry-out/dine-in orders
YMCA: Waive registration fee
