Orientation Fall 2026

 
About
Schedule
Tools for Success
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Be sure your deposit is in before you arrive for Orientation.    Secure My Enrollment


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


  • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

New Resident Students Move In (per account last name*)

Residence Halls

  • A–C New Students Move In after 10:00 a.m.
  • D–G New Students Move In after 11:00 a.m.
  • H–K New Students Move In after 12:00 p.m.
  • L–O New Students Move In after 1:00 p.m.
  • P-R New Students Move In after 2:00 p.m.
  • S-V New Students Move In after 3:00 p.m.
  • W-Z New Students Move In after 4:00 p.m.
  • 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 

Off-Campus, Commuter & Graduate/Non-traditional Students Check-In

Christ the Teacher Hall

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

Career Services, Center for Success, Counseling Center, Email Accounts, First Generation Students, ID Cards,  Local Banks, Mail Center, Parkhurst Dining (Meal Plans), Student Accounts, Student Employment (ticket obtained for Job Fair), Trinity Health Clinic

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 (First Board Meal – Student ID Required)

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

 

  • 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

 

  • 9:45 p.m.

Small Groups for Resident Students

Respective Residence Halls

  • 7:30–8:45 a.m.

Breakfast (New Students, Complimentary for Parents and Families)

Finnegan Fieldhouse Plaza

 

  • 9:00–10:15 a.m.

Franciscan Academics: An Education That Goes Deeper
(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 & Stafford Wing

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Foreign Language Placement Exams – Egan 161
(French, German, & Spanish)

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 – CTT 224
(Students in PLUS Program Only)

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Course Changes – Egan/Stafford 146

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Enrollment Services Staff

Available to Meet With New Students and Parents (Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts)

Christ the Teacher

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Accessibility Staff

Available to Meet With New Students and Parents

Pope St. John Paul II Library

 

Informational Mini Sessions (All sessions held in Christ the Teacher Hall)

  • 10:30–11:00 a.m.

Austria – 137

Health and Counseling – 128

Fitness, Athletics and Intramurals – 139

Residence Life and Households – 140

Internships and Career Services – 138

 

  • 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Austria – 137

Student Clubs/Organizations – 139

Chapel Ministries and Missionary Outreach – 128

Residence Life and Households – 140

Coaching and Mentoring – 138

 

  • 12:00–12:30 p.m.

Austria – 137

Campus Technology – 138

Chapel Ministries and Missionary Outreach – 128

Parkhurst Dining (Special Dietary Needs) – 139

Financial Aid (Completing and Planning) – 140

Commuter Connections: Your Campus, Your Community – 130

 

  • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Lunch

Antonian Hall

 

  • 1:00–1:30 p.m.

Honors Program Presentation – 137

Public Safety/Campus Security – 140

Fitness, Athletics, and Intramurals – 139

Student Clubs/Organizations – 128

Accessibility Services – 130

 

  • 1:45–2:15 p.m.

Honors Program Presentation – 137

Health and Counseling – 128

Fitness, Athletics, and Intramurals – 139

Residence Life and Households – 140

Internships and Career Services – 138

 

  • 2:30–3:00 p.m.

Health and Counseling – 128

Public Safety/Campus Security – 140

St. John Paul II Library Resources – 139

Accessibility Services – 130

Coaching and Mentoring – 138

 

  • 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

New Student Services

Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher

Career Services, Center for Success, Email Accounts, First Generation Students, ID Cards, Library Services, Local Banks, Parkhurst Dining (Meal Plans), Slingshot/Mail Center, Student Accounts, Student Employment (Ticket obtained for Job Fair), Trinity Health Clinic and Counseling Center,

Egan Hall 159

Parking Permits

 

  • 4:00 p.m.

Opening Mass and Oath of Fidelity (Students & Families)

Finnegan Fieldhouse

 

  • 4:30–7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Antonian Hall

 

  • 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Welcome to Life at Franciscan (Students & Families)

Finnegan Fieldhouse

 

  • 9:00 p.m.

Session for New Resident Students: Welcome Home

Residence Halls

 

  • 9:00 p.m.

Legacy Reception – Alumni Parent Social

The Harp and Habit/Franciscan Square

  • 9:00pm

Commuter Social

Household Commons, J.C. Williams Center

 

  • 9:45 p.m.

Small Groups for Resident Students

Respective 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

Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher

 

  • 10:00–11:45 a.m.

Kickback on the Lawn (Students)

Finnegan Fieldhouse Plaza

 

  • 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Session for Parents: A New Chapter for Parents

Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, 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 Student 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 and Lord’s Day

St. Junipero Serra Hall

 

  • 2:00 p.m.

FUS Theatre Program Showcase: The Actor Games

Anathan Theatre, Egan Hall

 

  • 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Lord’s Day Celebrations (Students and Families)

TBA

 

  • 4:30 p.m.

Vigil Mass Parents

Christ the King Chapel

  • 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Antonian Hall

 

  • 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Orientation Holy Hour with Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR

Finnegan Fieldhouse

 

  • 8:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

White Out (New Student Dance)

  • Popsicles with the President, dancing, games, and food. WEAR WHITE!

J.C. Williams Center

  • 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Brunch

Antonian Hall

 

  • 10:30 a.m.

Orientation Closing Mass

Finnegan Fieldhouse

 

  • 2:00 p.m.

FUS Theatre Program Showcase: The Actor Games

Anathan Theatre, Egan Hall

 

  • 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Antonian Hall

 

  • 6:00 p.m.

FUS Theatre Program Showcase: The Actor Games

Anathan Theatre, Egan Hall

 

  • 8:30 p.m.

Sundae for Your Sunday: Ice Cream with the Friars

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 (Ticket Required)

Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, Christ the Teacher

 

  • 3:00 p.m.

Convocation & Opening of the School Year Mass

Finnegan Fieldhouse

Arthur Brooks, Convocation Speaker

(3:00pm and 4:30pm classes cancelled)

 

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 740-283-3771

Otherwise, here are some local transportation services:

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.