Orientation
As you make your transition to University of the Ozarks this Fall, we want you to be prepared for your college journey. New Student Orientation will provide you with many different resources, connections, memories, and more that will set you up for a successful start to your college career.
Please feel free to contact to the Office of Student Life at 479-979-1322 or studentlife@ozarks.edu if you have any questions regarding new student orientation. Check down below for details related to Freshman New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, and the Orientation & Move-In Schedules.
Freshman New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is a special part of your transition to University of the Ozarks. Taking place the weekend prior to the beginning of classes, Friday, August 21st – Monday, August 24th, new freshman students are required to attend days filled with very special events tailored to assist you in beginning your journey as a college student at Ozarks! During New Student Orientation, we hope you will gain valuable knowledge, friendships, connections, and more that will benefit you during your college career. Below you will find the summarized version of our New Student Orientation.
All first-year students, both commuters and students living on campus, are required to participate in New Student Orientation. These activities cover a wide range of topics and information to ensure that you are set up for success at Ozarks.
Friday, august 21st
WELCOME HOME – check out the schedule overview for fall 2026. more details coming soon!
| TIME | EVENT |
| 7:30 – 11 AM | New Student Move-In |
| 11 AM – 1 PM | Lunch |
| 1 – 6 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 6 – 8 PM | Dinner |
| 8 – 11 PM | Late Night Programming |
saturday, august 22nd
| TIME | EVENT |
| 9 AM – 12 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 12 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2 – 5 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 10 PM | Late Night Programming |
sunday, august 23rd
| TIME | EVENT |
| 9 AM – 12 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 12 – 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2 – 5 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 10 PM | Late Night Programming |
MONDAY, AUGUST 24TH
| TIME | EVENT |
| 7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 9 AM – 12 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 12 – 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2 – 5 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 10 PM | Late Night Programming |
Transfer New Student Orientation
Transfer students planning to live on campus in the residential halls will need to move in on Sunday, August 23rd from 2 – 4 PM. Transfer Student Orientation is not required but is highly encouraged and beneficial and will take place on January 19th at various times. Check your email for more details!
Transfer students living off campus will need to check-in with us on Monday, August 24th.
Transfer Student Orientation is designed to provide students with information on campus resources, connect with faculty and staff members, and learn what it means to be an Ozarks Eagle. Attendance to Transfer Student Orientation is highly encouraged for our new transfer students. All Transfer Students are encouraged and welcome to attend all Freshmen New Student Orientation Session on August 23rd & 24th. Make sure you have registered for this event by following the link sent to your email.
Please check your email for more information regarding your move-in/commuter check-in date and timeframe and orientation information. You can also refer to the Get Prepared for Orientation & Move-In section below for more details on preparing for your journey at Ozarks.
Sunday, august 23
WELCOME HOME – check out the schedule overview for fall 2026. more details coming soon!
| TIME | EVENT |
| 2 – 4 PM | Transfer Move-In |
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 10:30 PM | Late Night Programming |
Monday, august 24
| TIME | EVENT |
| 7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 9 AM – 12 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2 – 5 PM | Orientation Sessions |
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 10 PM | Late Night Programming |
Getting Prepared for Orientation & Move-In
As a new student at University of the Ozarks, we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared as much as possible for Orientation and Move-In. Please review the Orientation & Move-In checklist below, as it lists important steps you should take to ensure you are ready to start your journey at Ozarks.
Register for Orientation.
New Student Orientation is a requirement for all incoming freshmen students. Make sure you have registered for this event by following the link sent to your email. Go sign up and verify with us your attendance! Search your inbox for subject line: ‘Ozarks Move-In & Orientation’
Complete the remaining items in your Ozarks Self-Service
It is important that you complete all of the items listed in your Ozarks Self-Service to ensure all important documents and procedures are completed prior to your attendance at orientation.
Prepare for Move-in on Friday, August 21.
- All freshman students will move into their assigned residence halls 7:30 – 11 AM.
- If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 479-979-1322 for assistance.
Be ready to engage and connect with fellow Ozarks Eagles!
Orientation is going to be beneficial to you in a number of ways, and being fully engaged in your orientation sessions will help you get the most out of your experience during New Student Orientation and Transfer Student Orientation. Make sure you are on time for each session and you are prepared with questions and/or comments beforehand. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and fully participate in the orientation sessions.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the New Student Orientation, please send your request to Vanessa Hollowell, Director of Student Success Center, at 479-979-1404 or email vjhollow@ozarks.edu
FALL 2026
Shuttles – Little Rock International Airport to Ozarks
The Little Rock Airport shuttle service established to help transport new students from the Little Rock International Airport to University of the Ozarks campus will take place August 22nd. If you would like to use this service, please complete the Shuttle Request Form. The Little Rock airport shuttle service is available to domestic and international students.
Please note the times listed for each airport shuttle trip are the arrival times to the Little Rock Airport. This means you must plan your arrival to the Little Rock Airport prior to this time to ensure your ride on the university shuttle. More details on the shuttle service from the Little Rock International Airport to Ozarks campus will be provided to those students who sign up using the travel itinerary form.
**Please make sure you are aware of your assigned move-in and orientation start date and time-frame before booking your flight to Arkansas and filling out the Shuttle Request Form to utilize the Little Rock airport shuttle service.
FOLLOW US!
Looking for additional important dates?
Contact the Office of Student Life at 479-979-1322 or studentlife@ozarks.edu if you have any questions.
![Ozarks Love Story: Jerry & Dorothy Duncan 💕
Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy (Boyd) Duncan ’58 met in the mid-1950s at The College of the Ozarks during required Chapel services—and Jerry couldn’t help but notice her at the grand piano.
In true college mischief fashion, he tested her composure. “I discovered I could blow on the pages of the music book and make them stand up while she was playing,” he said. “She was chasing those pages, never missed a lick, and never changed her expression. I thought to myself, when this is over, I’m going to be in trouble.”
His admiration grew when Dorothy earned one of the top grades on Dr. [Erwin] Bohm's notoriously difficult Humanities exam. “I thought, I want to know her,” Jerry said. Around Valentine’s Day, he asked her out.
After their first kiss, Jerry knew. “I’m going to marry her,” he thought—and told her. Dorothy remembers lots of dancing—“jitter-buggin”—and said she liked Jerry because he was such a good dancer. They dated several years and were engaged about three years after they began seeing one another.
One weekend, Jerry won money at a calf-roping but returned late and missed taking Dorothy to class. He called to explain he’d been late because he won the jackpot. Dorothy replied, “Well, what does that make me… a ham sandwich?” Jerry knew then that she liked him.
While Jerry worked at a ranch in Nebraska, Dorothy planned an early August wedding. He finally said, “If you want to get married on August 20th, I’ll be there.” She told him to check his mail. Waiting at the post office was their wedding announcement—already printed with the August 20 date.
They married in 1959. Today, they live in Van Buren, Ark., celebrating 67 years of marriage--proof that love, music, patience, and a little determination create lifelong harmony.](https://ozarks.edu/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)