Attention future Spalding students in the Class of 2022: The first official step for incoming freshmen to get set for college is to participate in beSU – the Begin Experiencing Spalding University program.

BeSU requires new traditional-age students who have been admitted to Spalding and paid their $100 enrollment deposit to visit campus for a spring or summer orientation – the first session is coming up soon – then return just before the fall semester for a two-night stay called Engage that includes additional college-readiness programming.

BeSU is mandatory – it’s how you register for classes and get answers about financial aid and housing – but it’s also fun. BeSU is packed with activities to learn how life at Spalding works, and it’s your first chance to meet your classmates and begin forging those bonds with your future college pals.

“It’s really their first step in their journey to becoming a college student,” said Katherine Walker-Payne, Spalding’s director of academic support.

New Spalding students are encouraged to use the hashtag #spaldingu2022 for all their posts on social media regarding their transition to college.

beSU Orientation

Things begin with a beSU Orientation session – the dates (with respective registration links) are Saturday, April 14; Wednesday, June 6; Tuesday, June 26; and Friday, July 13. (Conditionally admitted students must also participate in Spalding’s CONNECT week, July 9-12, in which they learn about the conditions of their admittance and begin mapping their academic plan.)

Walker-Payne said she considers beSU as the final touch in the recruiting process of new students and to “get them jazzed about their decision to attend Spalding.” There will be a Marketplace session with access to representatives from offices and departments all around campus.

“They’ll leave the orientation event with their schedule of classes for the fall and their student ID,” she said. “They’ll have some of the stuff squared away so that they’re ready to roll right in August and be ready for Engage.

“It gives them an opportunity to come on campus and really get a feel for what’s offered and what kind of support they can expect. We feed them lunch, tour them around campus. They’ll get to meet students in their sophomore and junior years who will serve as their peer mentors.”

There is also programming designed specifically for students’ parents, giving advice on helping their children transition to college.

About 50 incoming freshmen attend each of the four orientation sessions, and for students who may want to get to it right away, there are still spots open the April 14 session. Walker-Payne encourages students to register for the earliest beSU session they can because they’ll have more options for their fall class schedules.

Other beSU events

Here’s the gist of Engage and the related August beSU events:

beSU Move-in
Sunday, Aug. 12

Settle in to your new campus home and connect with your new community and your residence life staff.

beSU Engage
Sunday, Aug. 12 – Tuesday, Aug. 14

Kick-off your on-campus experience with this required 2-day, 2-night program. We’ll be providing you with everything you need to begin your college career. To register, please contact your Admissions Counselor.

beSU Welcome Week
Wednesday, Aug. 15 – Friday, Aug. 24

Start your first week of college off right with exciting events, friends, food, and fun.

Begin Experiencing Spalding University flyer - Orientation, Move-in, Engage, Welcome. Begin Experiencing Spalding University (beSU) through a series of programs that will connect you to your future #spaldingu2022 classmates and prepare you for your college journey.