Common Questions
We get asked a lot of questions before Orientation starts. Below are some of those that are frequently asked by new students.
- Is New Student Orientation required?
- Will I receive my residence hall assignment before I get to Orientation?
- Where can I find an on-campus job?
- How and when do I get my books for class?
- How do I get involved on campus?
- When will I get my mailbox number and on-campus address?
- Is there an ATM on campus?
- What banks are close to campus?
- What shopping is available in Thousand Oaks, just in case we forget something?
- How do I schedule my classes?
- Can I change my schedule during Orientation?
- How long can my parents stay during Orientation?
- Is there a cost for Orientation?
- What will we do during Orientation?
- How much is parking?
- I am a commuter student. Do I need to attend Orientation?
1. Is New Student Orientation required?
Yes. It is mandatory for all students to experience New Student Orientation so that you can become better acclimated to the campus. If for any reason you will not be able to attend, you must contact the Student Life Office at 805-493-3197.
2. If I requested to live on campus, will I receive my residence hall assignment and the name of my roommate(s) before I get to Orientation?
Yes. Residence Life completes the residence hall room/roommate assignment process in August. You will receive your assignment, the names of your roommates, and their contact information on the MyCLU portal. You can access this information by going to www.callutheran.edu/myclu. Once you log in, housing information is posted on the home page. If you have any questions regarding your housing assignment, contact Residence Life at Office at 805-493-3220. We recommend that you contact your roommates before you arrive to introduce yourself and to talk about who is bringing what.
3. Where can I find an on-campus job?
You can go directly to the Student Employment website for on-campus jobs. You may apply to these jobs over the summer before school starts or throughout the school year. Do not forget to bring your Social Security Card (original) with you to campus. You will need this to process your paper work to get a job.
4. How and when do I get my books for class?
Starting Fall 2024, all traditional undergraduate students will be automatically enrolled in the Cal Lutheran BookPass program. This program provides students with all their required course materials, easily accessible through Canvas on or before the first day of class.
5. How do I get involved on campus and sign up for clubs and other involvement opportunities?
Our Involvement Fair will take place during the first few weeks of school and will allow you to meet with and learn about the different clubs offered on campus. Club Officers will be present to tell you about how to join their organizations. To stay up to date with the Involvement Fair, follow Student Life on Instagram (@clustudentlife). In addition, you can get information about all the clubs and organizations by going to the directory on the website.
For other ways to get involved, check Student Life's website Getting Involved, or the HUB.
6. When will I get my mailbox number and on-campus address? What if I want to mail items to campus prior to my arrival?
Please visit the Mail Center (located near Starbucks) to request a box number. Your address on campus will be:
101 Memorial Parkway
Campus Box #____
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
7. Is there an ATM on campus?
Yes, there are ATM locations at the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center and Starbucks.
8. What banks are close to campus?
Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank. We suggest you Google Search to find all the different banks and their locations.
9. What shopping is available in Thousand Oaks, just in case we forget something?
Thousand Oaks has a variety of shopping options from Target to Wal-Mart to Best Buy. Many shopping areas are close to Cal Lutheran. Additional information regarding local resources can be found on our Virtual Pre-Orientation.
10. How do I schedule my classes?
New student schedules are built by the Center for Student Success, and classes are pre-selected for new students - so there is no need to schedule anything yourself for the first year! Students will receive their academic year schedules in the summer, following the completion of a required online learning module. All classes are chosen to fit a general education and/or Major requirement (the major indicated on the student's application or registration preferences form is used).
11. Can I change my schedule during Orientation?
Students will be able to change their schedule after completing online modules provided by the Center for Student Success.
12. How long can my family members stay during Orientation?
Families and Guests are welcome to attend New Student Orientation on Friday, Aug. 23.
13. Is there a cost for Orientation?
Yes, there is a $150 student fee for New Student Orientation.
The registration fee of $150 covers incoming students for both orientation days, including meals, entertainment, and lots of fun swag! Additional guest tickets can be purchased for the Family Orientation on Friday, Aug. 23, including the President’s Dinner. Guest tickets may be purchased for $35 each. All guests 10 years and older will require a ticket.
14. What will we do during Orientation?
Orientation is a great opportunity to get acquainted with campus and meet other students. Orientation will also provide helpful information about campus resources, ways to get involved, and important campus policies.
15. How much is parking?
Parking is free for all students on campus!
All students with cars will have to get a parking permit from Campus Safety. Students will get a parking sticker (either an R for Resident student or a C for Commuter student) to put on the back of their car and park where the permits are allowed. Be sure to register your car online to sign up for a parking permit.
During Orientation move-in, there is a grace period to allow students to obtain their parking permit. Campus Safety will not be ticketing vehicles without a parking pass during Orientation days. However, beginning the 2nd week of class all cars will be required to have parking permits.
16. I am a commuter student. Do I need to attend Orientation?
Yes! Orientation is required for all new students.
Orientation is all about getting acquainted with the Cal Lutheran community, and commuter students are an important part of our community. Orientation will provide opportunities for our commuter students to learn about activities on campus, how to get involved, and numerous resources available to help you succeed at Cal Lutheran.