Dog Days

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Ken Ternate, Coordinator

DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation

California State University, Fresno
5150 North Maple Avenue M/S JA62
Fresno, CA 93740-8026
559.278.4885

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the university "expect" me to attend orientation?
What will I get by attending DOG DAYS?
I am in a program that has its own orientation. Should I attend DOG DAYS also?
I am an International Student, do I attend DOG DAYS?
I have special vision, mobility or communications needs, what can I do?
I live out-of-state and can't make it to campus for DOG DAYS. What should I do?
Why is there a fee for DOG DAYS?
How long is a DOG DAYS session?
Where do I park for DOG DAYS?
Is childcare available at DOG DAYS?
I want to be a teacher. What's my major?
I want to work in a forensic crime lab when I graduate. What should I major in?
How do I make a reservation for DOG DAYS?
How do I pay the orientation fee for DOG DAYS?
What if I still have questions about DOG DAYS?
Who is eligible for a fee waiver and how long before I know if my fee waiver was approved?
Refund policy
Reschedule policy
Cancellation policy

Q. Why does the university "expect" me to attend orientation?

A . DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming freshmen. Freshmen who do not attend orientation are subject to have their admission to the university rescinded.

Transfer students are encouraged to attend orientation. Research indicates that new students who attend an orientation session stay in school, get better grades, graduate sooner and are more satisfied with their college experience. California State University, Fresno wants each entering student to have the tools necessary in order to succeed. Attending an orientation program is the best way to obtain these tools.

Q. What will I get by attending DOG DAYS?

A. By attending DOG DAYS, you will receive many different tools and benefits to help you succeed in your stay at Fresno State. Some of these include:

General education advising
Major academic advising
- Students will meet with a major advisor and receive an academic roadmap. This is your opportunity to connect with an advisor within your department and make an appointment for one-on-one advising.
Campus tours
Chance to get your Fresno State BulldogCard (Photo I.D.)
Chance to meet other students in your major
Early registration (as long as there are no holds on your student account)
And much more!

Q. I am in a program that has its own orientation. Should I attend DOG DAYS also?

A. That depends. Some programs offer orientation to just their specific program. DOG DAYS orients you to the university as a whole, covering such areas as academic requirements, registration procedures, campus life and student resources. In addition, DOG DAYS offers an early registration appointment to all eligible students who attend the entire orientation day.

If you are a part of any of the following programs you may not need to attend our program.

Smittcamp Honors College: They hold their own orientation and provide students with a priority registration date. You're welcome to still attend DOG DAYS, but it is not required.
International Students : You are not required to attend orientation. Your program will be going over a lot of the same things ours will but in more depth and length.
Athletics: They hold their own orientation and provide students with a priority registration date. You're welcome to still attend DOG DAYS, but it is not required.
MESA program
CAMP program
EOP Summerbridge students

For more information, we recommend you speak with someone in your program regarding whether or not you should attend DOG DAYS in addition to your program's orientation.

Q. I am an International Student, do I attend DOG DAYS?

A. DOG DAYS is not designed for International Students. Please contact the ISSP (International Student Services and Programs) Office at 559.278.2782 for your orientation details.

Q. I have special vision, mobility or communications needs, what can I do?

A. Please notify our office within one week before your session date to inform us if you have any special needs. In cooperation with Services for Students with Disabilities we will be able to make the arrangements necessary to accommodate you and your trip to Fresno State.

Q. I live out-of-state and can't make it to campus for DOG DAYS. What should I do?

A. A time intensive on-line version of DOG DAYS is available for students who, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to make it to an on-campus DOG DAYS session. Please call or email us for further information regarding DOG DAYS: Online Orientation.

Q. Why is there a fee for DOG DAYS?

A. DOG DAYS is a self-funded, year-round program. The orientation fee covers not only the cost of the food and materials provided to you, but also the cost of facility rentals, student staff salaries, professional staff salaries, and more.

Q. How long is a DOG DAYS session?

A. DOG DAYS check-in starts at 7:15 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. The day ends at approximately 3:30 p.m. If you would like to view a sample agenda, please visit our Orientation Schedule link.

Q. Where do I park for DOG DAYS?

A. Parking is limited to Lot C in the green student parking locations only. This is important since there are also yellow parking slots, yet those are strictly for faculty only. You will need to make sure you have your parking permit visible in your window with the correct DOG DAYS date on it. To print your parking permit, get driving directions and view a campus map please visit our Directions and Parking link.

Q. Is childcare available at DOG DAYS?

A. No, unfortunately DOG DAYS does not provide childcare services for students attending orientation. We encourage you to make alternate childcare arrangements, as your DOG DAYS session is a full day of activities and often too long for young children.

Q. I want to be a teacher. What's my major?

A. It depends on what area of teaching you want to pursue. If you wish to teach in an elementary school setting, then you should declare your major as Liberal Studies. If you want to teach at the junior high or high school level, then your major is dependent upon what subject you wish to teach. For example, to teach high school English you should declare yourself an English major; whereas, if you want to teach physical education, you should be a Kinesiology major.

Q. I want to work in a forensic crime lab when I graduate. What should I major in?

A. Typically, crime labs such as the California Department of Justice forensic laboratory, located on the Fresno State campus, employ scientists. If you are interested in working in this field, a degree in chemistry is a great educational foundation. For further information, please contact the Chemistry Department to speak with an advisor.

Q. How do I make a reservation for DOG DAYS?

A. Click on the "RESERVATIONS" button in the red menu on the left side of this page. Fill out all requested information.

Q. How do I pay the orientation fee for DOG DAYS?

A. DOG DAYS accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards (Visa or MasterCard). Personal checks are also accepted. Payments are to be made at the Cashier's Office in the Joyal Administration building. Payment options are as follows:

To pay on-line: a credit card is required.

To mail in your payment: please send a money order (payable to "CSUF DOG DAYS") to:

California State University , Fresno
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation
5150 North Maple Avenue M/S JA62
Fresno , CA 93740-8026

To pay over the phone: a credit card is required.

To pay in-person: cash , money order, check , and credit cards are accepted at the cashiers office in the Joyal Administration Building.

Q. What if I still have questions about DOG DAYS?

A. Feel free to call our office at 559.278.4885 or email us with any questions you may have. We're here for you!! You can also contact us through AOL Instant Messenger: CSUF DOG DAYS.

Q. Who is eligible for the fee waiver and how long before I know if my fee waiver was approved?

A. The DOG DAYS fee waiver is intended to help students who need assistance paying for DOG DAYS. The fee waiver applications are sent to the Financial Aid office for approval. Students who are approved for the fee waiver must have a current FAFSA on file with FInancial Aid.

Applications generally take two weeks to process. Your reservation will be held until the fee waiver has been processed. If you are not approved you will be contacted for payment before further action is taken. In order to receive a fee waiver you MUST fill out the additional fee waiver application. The fee waiver application will only be accepted when submitted WITH a DOG DAYS reservation. *

Fee waiver applications will begin to be accepted on March 16, 2009. The deadlines are as follows: For all Freshmen the fee waiver deadline is April 24, 2009. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Transfer Students - For a June orientation, applications must be completed by May 22 . For a July orientation, applications must be completed by June 26 .

Q. Refund policy

A. Sorry, no refunds will be granted once you attend DOG DAYS. Guest fees are also not refundable. If your guest is unable to attend you may bring another in their place. Students who wish to cancel their reservation must do so 10 days prior to your orientation to receive a partial refund. *

Q. Reschedule policy

A. We understand that sometimes, “things come up,” and you may need to reschedule your orientation date. If you call the DOG DAYS office (559.278.4885) no later than 10 days prior to your scheduled session date, you may reschedule with no additional fee. If you call the DOG DAYS office less than 10 days prior to your scheduled DOG DAYS session date, you will be assessed a small reschedule fee.

Be aware that students who do not make a reservation prior to orientation and attempt to "walk-in" will be accepted only if there is room available and will be assessed an additional $10 walk-in fee.

Q. Cancellation policy

A. Students who make a reservation (and submit payment) but need to cancel must do so no later than 10 days prior to their scheduled session date. If we receive 10 or more days notice we can refund your fees paid, minus a 20% cancellation fee. Refunds will be processed after all the orientation sessions are complete. Cancellations made with less than 10 days notice are not entitled to a refund.

Please call the DOG DAYS office (559.278.4885) for more information. You can also contact us through email at FresnoStateDogDays@gmail.com.

DOG DAYS Mission Statement :

DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation facilitates the transition of new undergraduate students and their families to the university and prepares them for a successful educational experience.

Facilitate initial academic advising, course selection and registration for new undergraduates
Introduce new undergraduate students to their college/school administration
Provide information about degree and major requirements through intentionally structured workshops involving faculty and staff advisors
Introduce incoming students to the variety of on-campus resources and services available
Motivate new students to get involved in the Fresno State community
Provide information concerning policies, procedures, requirements and programs
Help students identify and evaluate housing options
Explain the processes for class scheduling and registration and provide trained supportive assistance to accomplish these tasks