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Orientation Fall 2026
About
Schedule
Tools for Success
Map & Directions
FAQs
Welcome to Franciscan University!
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Franciscan University family!
Orientation Weekend is August 20–24, 2026. During these days you will:
- Move into your residence hall
- Meet your roommates, classmates, and small group
- Connect with faculty, staff, and friars
- Explore academic, spiritual, and wellness resources
You and your family will also have opportunities to pray and join in the sacraments as you transition to life on campus. Our hope is to form joyful, faithful disciples—sharpening minds, enlightening hearts, and refreshing souls.
Contact: Student Life Office – [email protected] | 740-283-6441
Orientation Schedule
(Tentative)
- 12:00–5:00 p.m.
New Resident Students Move In (per account last name*)
Residence Halls
- A–F New Students Move In after 12:00 p.m.
- G–L New Students Move In after 1:00 p.m.
- M–R New Students Move In after 2:00 p.m.
- S–Z New Students Move In after 3:00 p.m.
- 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Off-Campus, Commuter & Graduate/Non-traditional Students Check-In
J.C. Williams Center
Receive orientation materials and meal passes
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
New Student Services
Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher
ID Cards, Email Accounts, Trinity Health Clinic and Baron Counseling Center, Local Banks, Student Employment (SWOP), Parkhurst Dining (Meal Plans), Mail Center, Career Services, Student Accounts, Center for Success – First Generation Students
Egan Hall 159
Parking Permits:
John Paul II Library
Library Services
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Enrollment Services Staff
Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher
Available to Meet With New Students and Parents
(Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts)
- 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Campus Tours (10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.)
Christ the King Chapel Plaza
- 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Dinner
Antonian Hall
- 7:30–8:45 p.m.
Grand Opening (Students & Families)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 8:45–10:00 p.m.
Parent Social With Admissions Staff
J.C. Williams Center
- 8:45–10:00 p.m.
Graduate Student Wine & Cheese Reception With Faculty
Aerobics Room, Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 9:00 p.m.
Commuter Student Meet & Greet
The Harp & Habit/Franciscan Square
- 9:00 p.m.
New Student Meetings With Residence Life Staff
Residence Halls
- 10:00 p.m.
New Student Small Group Sessions
TBA
- 7:30–8:45 a.m.
Breakfast (Complimentary for Parents & Families)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 9:00–10:15 a.m.
Navigating Success: The Academic Life with the Provost and Center for Success
(Students & Parents)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 10:15–11:15 a.m.
Graduate, Commuter, & Transfer Students – Advising Session #1
Egan Hall
- 11:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Undergraduate Student Academic Advising
Egan Hall
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Advising Session #2
(For those who did not attend a Baron Day)
12:45–1:45 p.m. Advising Session #3
(Last names beginning with the letters A-L)
1:45–2:45 p.m. Advising Session #4
(Last names beginning with the letters M-Z)
2:45– 3:30 p.m. Advising Session #5
(Open to All)
3:00–3:45 p.m. PLUS Student Orientation
(Students in PLUS Program Only)
3:00–3:45 p.m. Foreign Language Placement Exams
(French, German, Spanish)
10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Course Changes – Egan Hall 103, Christ the Teacher
10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Enrollment Services Staff
Available to Meet With New Students & Parents (Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts)
Christ the Teacher
- 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
New Student Services
Christ the Teacher
ID Cards, Email Accounts, Trinity Health Clinic and Baron Counseling Center, Local Banks, Student Employment (SWOP), Parkhursts Dining (Meal Plans), Mail Center, Career Services, Student Accounts, Center for Success – First Generation Students, Slingshot.
Egan Hall 159
Parking Permits
St. John Paul II Library
Library Services
Informational Mini Sessions (All sessions held in Christ the Teacher Hall)
- 10:30–11:00 a.m.
Austria – 137
Health & Wellness – 128
Fitness, Athletics & Intramurals – 139
Residence Life & Households – 140
Career Services – 138
- 11:15–11:45 a.m.
Austria – 137
Student Engagement, Clubs & Organizations – 139
Chapel Ministries & Missionary Outreach – 128
Residence Life & Households – 140
Coaching & Mentoring – 138
- 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Austria – 137
Campus Technology – 138
Chapel Ministries & Missionary Outreach – 128
Parkhurst Dining (Special Dietary Needs) – 139
Financial Aid (Completing & Planning) – 140
- 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Lunch
Antonian Hall
- 1:00–1:30 p.m.
Honors Program (Parents & Students In Honors Program) – 137
Public Safety/Campus Security – 140
Fitness, Athletics, & Intramurals – 139
Student Engagement, Clubs, & Organizations – 128
- 1:45–2:15 p.m.
Honors Program (Parents & Students In Honors Program) – 137
Health & Wellness – 128
Fitness, Athletics & Intramurals – 139
Residence Life & Households – 140
Career Services – 138
- 2:30–3:00 p.m.
Health & Wellness – 128
Public Safety/Campus Security – 140
St. John Paul II Library Resources – 139
Accessibility Services – 137
Coaching & Mentoring – 138
- 4:00 p.m.
Opening Mass and Oath of Fidelity (Students & Families)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Antonian Hall
- 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Welcome to Life at Franciscan (Students & Families)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 9:00 p.m.
Session for New Students: Welcome Home
Residence Halls
- 9:00 p.m.
Legacy Reception – Alumni Parent Social
The Harp and Habit/Franciscan Square
- 9:45 p.m.
New Student Small Groups
Residence Halls
- 7:30–8:45 a.m.
Breakfast
Antonian Hall
- 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Clear Creek Coffee Open
J.C. Williams Center
- 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Franciscan University Campus Store & Mailroom Open
- 9:00–9:30 a.m.
Parent and Student Session: The Franciscan Difference
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 9:30–10:00 a.m.
Session for Students: Personal Vocation
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 9:45–10:15 a.m.
Session for Parents: New Franciscan University Initiatives and Plans
Christ the Teacher
- 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Kickback on the Lawn (Students)
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Session for Parents: A New Chapter for Parents
Christ the Teacher
- 12:00 p.m.
Mass
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Lunch
Antonian Hall
- 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Transfer Student Luncheon: Welcome to the Next Adventure
Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher
- 1:00–2:00 p.m.
First Generation Social
The Pavilion, J.C. Williams Center
- 2:00 p.m.
Free Time Options: Shuttle to Shopping Center (every half hour)
Meet at Rosary Circle
Campus Store Open
- 2:00 p.m.
Koinonia Priestly Discernment Program: Students and Parents Meeting & Lord’s Day
St. Junipero Serra Hall
- 2:00 p.m.
FUS Theatre Program Showcase: Ten Ways to Ruin a Group Project
Anathan Theatre
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Lord’s Day Celebration (Students and Families)
Residence Halls
- 4:30 p.m.
Vigil Mass
Christ the King Chapel
- 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Dinner
Antonian Hall
- 6:30–7:00 p.m.
Keynote: Jesus: The One and Only by Jake Khym
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Orientation Holy Hour with Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 8:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.
The Baron Blast and Popsicles with the President
J.C. Williams Center
- 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Brunch (First Board Meal – Student ID Required)
Antonian Hall
- 10:30 a.m.
Orientation Closing Mass
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 2:00 p.m.
FUS Theatre Program Showcase: Ten Ways to Ruin a Group Project
Anathan Theatre
- 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Dinner
Antonian Hall
- 6:00 p.m.
FUS Theatre Program Showcase: Ten Ways to Ruin a Group Project
Anathan Theatre
- 8:30 p.m.
Semester Kickoff: A Sundae for Your Sunday
The Pavilion, J.C. Williams Center
- 10:00–11:00 p.m.
Praise and Worship
Christ the King Chapel
- 8:00 a.m.
Classes Begin
- 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Campus Store and Mailroom Open
- 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Job Fair for New Students
Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher
- 3:00 p.m.
Convocation & Opening of the School Year Mass
Finnegan Fieldhouse
- 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Ministry Fair
John Paul II Library Plaza Area
Tools for Success
Map & Directions
Franciscan University of Steubenville
1235 University Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport is an easy 30 minute drive away for those flying commercial.
Airport Pickup Service
If you are a new student attending New Student Orientation, please contact the Student Life Office to arrange to be picked up by the Orientation Transportation team at [email protected] or call 740-283-6344
Otherwise, here are some local transportation services:
- Checker Transportation: (740) 283-1757
- Airport Sedan Service: (412) 401-5466
FAQ
Parent attendance isn’t required, but it is highly recommended.
Orientation begins Thursday, August 20, 2026, with check-in running between 1:00–4:00 PM.
Yes. Shuttles are provided to and from Pittsburgh International Airport. When you RSVP for Orientation, you’ll share your travel details so we can plan for your arrival. Families staying off campus can also use shuttle service between campus and the Steubenville and Weirton hotels.
All New Student Services—financial aid, schedules, ID cards—can be handled during Orientation. ID Cards can also be processed prior to your arrival by submitting a photo through Admissions.
The University Campus Store has school supplies and essentials. Hollywood City Center (a short distance from campus) includes a Kroger and other stores. The Fort Steuben Mall area (about 10 minutes by car) has Walmart, Lowe’s, JCPenney, and more. Shuttles will take students (and families, if needed) to these locations on Saturday of Orientation.
Pack for hot summers and cold winters, always with modesty in mind.
Yes. While the University doesn’t rent refrigerators, you can purchase one locally at Walmart, Lowe’s, or similar stores.
The campus shuttle service, BaronExpress, arranges airport shuttles during breaks. These sign-ups are available via the Port and will be communicated over email prior to breaks. You can also make your own arrangements with friends or outside services for trips to the Pittsburgh International Airport.
No. The University doesn’t manage money transfers between families and students. You’ll need to use an existing bank account or open one locally. Local banks will be on campus Friday of Orientation to help students set up accounts. An ATM is available in the J.C. Williams Center. If you overpay your University account, a refund check will be issued for you to deposit at a bank.
Yes. Families are welcome in the cafeteria. However, only new students eat free during Orientation.