Chat Notes from the Preparing Your Student for Orientation Webinar

The transcript below is from the May 19, 2026 chat.  It has been edited to put the answers to  questions directly below them and in categories for easier reading. If you have questions after reading the chat, please email parents@charleston.edu

Housing/Move In

00:43:37       Mindy Miley: Most move in August 14-15 but we have early move in

00:44:52       Kathy Vezina: What’s the early move in fee?

00:45:00       Addison DiDonato: Do you know how much that fee is?

The early move in fee is determined by the residence hall they select.  Last year the cost was between $125 and $250 for the two nights of early move in.  The cost is added to the students fall bill.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:45:38       Karen Chandler Cain: My son is confirmed for orientation session 13.  Can he move in on Aug 12 w/a fee then?

00:45:57       Mindy Miley: Yes, August 12 with a fee

00:47:33       leefranzek1:           So if we have orientation on the 13th and 14th, we can either move in on the 12th or after orientation on the 14th?

If your student is participating in sorority recruitment, your students has to move-in August 12.

You can move in on August 12 for an additional move in fee or wait until the 14th or 15th for no additional fee.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:31:36       Am Bredeson: Is there a waiting list for housing for transfer students?

Please contact the campus housing department about any wait lists at housing@cofc.edu.   (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:43:13       Karen Chandler Cain:     can you talk about how many students choose/try to find a roommate in advance vs random sign up?  (Like, what percent of incoming do random?)

Please contact the campus housing department for the answer to this question at housing@cofc.edu.   (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:45:52       Courtney:    Omg  my daughter is doing sorority recruitment and we aren't flying in until the 12th is that incorrect ugh

In early July when she selects her move in time, she just needs to set it for after you have arrived.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:48:38       Jessica:        what time is move in on the 12th if they are rushing?

Students select their move in time in early July. 

(answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:47:49       Stephanie Kinney:            If my son has orientation on the 13-15, should I have him  move in early or stay at our air bnb until move in?

It is up to what is the best plan for your family.  If he is doing the University Honors orientation, I would have him move in early as they will be busy with programming the other days.  If he is not in university honors, you can do whatever is best for your family in terms of timing and budget.   (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:49:42       Karen Chandler Cain:     Do you need to have a roommate selection in order to do room selection? Or you can select your choices for housing, and then get matched with a roommate?

They don’t need to have a roommate in order to do room selection.  If they want to live with specific people, they do have to put roommate groups together before housing selection. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:51:26       1029jennifer:          on campus housing is closed for transfer students.  is the college affiliated with any apartments or housing off campus?  Do you have recommendations?

You can view off campus housing tips and resources at https://charleston.edu/housing/apply/off-campus.php .   (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:57:04       Jennifer Lugar:       do all roommates have to be registered for an orientation in order to chose a dorm and room selection?

Yes.  All roommates have to be registered for orientation. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:58:50       Katie Wiseman:    Are freshman given any type of priority for housing if they are on the housing waitlist?

The campus housing office would be able to answer that question.  You can contact them at housing@cofc.edu (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:58:48       Denise &Marshall Johnson:      So you have a date for Room Selection yet?

It will occur over a number of days.  Students will be sent information regarding the date and time period they can select.  More information may be covered in the upcoming housing selection webinar (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:55:26       Heather Salerno:  For families who are moving students in on 8/12 for the 8/13-14 orientation, how long do those parents usually stay? Full day on 8/14? 8/15?

You can leave when it best for you and your student.  Students will be busy starting late morning on August 13 so I would suggest leaving at the latest on the 14th. answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:02:53       Jennifer DeLuca:  Can you speak to the roommate situation? There are a lot of groups of 3…what is the minimum? 4? 6?

01:03:53       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Roommate groups depend on the hall the room they are looking at

01:06:59       Williams Family:   Whom should CofC athletes expect housing details from?

Students should contact the athletic department (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:03:57       Robyn Toppall: Is it best for the student to move in on the 12th (if we are doing Aug 13 orientation), even if they aren’t doing sorority recruitment?

It is up to you and your family.  The advantage is that you have it done before orientation but there is an additional fee.  If you don’t want to deal with the fee, you can do it on the afternoon of August 14 or August 15.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

If the student and family are doing orientation on the 13th, when do they move in? Do they move in on the 12th? (Even if not doing sorority recruitment?)

They can move in on August 12 for an additional early move in fee or wait and do it on the afternoon of August 14 or August 15 for no addition fee. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:57:19       Kim Lindsey:          Can you give a sample schedule for those moving in Aug. 12?

 Students will select their move in time in early to mid July.  If you would like details regarding when it will start and how long it goes to, please contact campus housing at housing@cofc.edu (. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:49:51       Steve: Room selection webinar on Thursday, right?

I believe there is one but we don’t have the details at this time.  Please email campus housing at housing@cofc.edu.   (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

 

00:28:40       Lorraine:      We noticed it asks for a local address and home address. We are out of state so we were not sure what to put for a local one.

If this is in the section where you need to confirm your mailing address, please contact the Registrar’s office for the work around for that.  I can’t remember what they have you put in until the student is assigned a campus mailing address.  Their email is registar@cofc.edu. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Dining

00:45:17       Danielle:      Are dining halls open if you move in early?

Dining Halls will open on August 13 at dinner time (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Orientation Program

00:58:33       Lisa Vilnonis:          How large is the freshman class?

The numbers are moving around as students make decisions regarding attending.  The final numbers are announced at the start of the semester.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:25:37       Michelle Vale: I was told second day of orientation no parents

For the June and July sessions, we do have programming for families on the second day.  For the August session, the family programming is just one day (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:27:55       Shanie Gundy: How important is it for a parent to attend orientation?

Orientation is optional for family members.  We have about 85% of freshman students have one or more family members attend.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:28:30       Malika :         We are signed up for orientation during move in time frame. Based on this can we switch to an earlier date?

If you want to change your orientation date, please email orientation@charleston.edu with dates you are available.  Some dates may appear closed on our website, but we have had a few spots open up across the summer.  You can view the dates at https://charleston.edu/orientation/orientation-dates.php .  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:47:42       WILLIAM MOSS:   Is the dining hall open for lunch during orientation

00:48:10       Mindy Miley:we feed you lunch for one day of orientation in the dining hall

Orientation Overnight

00:52:20       geers: Is it assumed they stay in the dorm during orientation or do they need to sign up for that somewhere?

00:52:50       Stephanie Auwaerter: Students are NOT required to stay on campus for orientation

00:53:11       Jack Serano: Replying to "Is it assumed they..."

They said to do this at the Housing website but I don't see a separate sign up for staying in the dorms for orientation

00:53:20       geers: Replying to "Students are NOT req..."

but if they want to, do they need to sign up anywhere?

00:53:21       Stephanie Auwaerter: They can sign up at https://charleston.edu/housing/apply/orientation.php

00:34:16       Robyn Toppall: Question - what percentage stays on campus for orientation vs staying overnight with their parents in a hotel?

00:35:17       Stephanie Auwaerter: We have about 40-50 students stay on campus at each session and we have about 300 students at each session

00:48:43       Emily Nash: If your student is staying on campus for orientation, do they need to bring anything specific for the room/beds?

00:49:17       Mindy Miley: if staying on campus during orientation you don't need to bring anything but ear plugs would be nice

01:05:33       Stephanie Kinney:            If my student wants to stay on campus during orientation, do I still need to pay the fee

Yes. You do have to pay an additional fee to stay on campus during orientation.  The fee is due when the student registers. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:07:41       Karen Chandler Cain:     Orientation website says you can only do orientation housing if Jun-Jul session - is that right? So Aug 13-14, can’t stay in dorm?

If students are attending the August 13 and 14 session, they can move into their selected residence hall room for the school year on August 12 for an additional early move in fee or wait until the afternoon of August 14 or August 15 during regular move in for no additional fee (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Holds on Student Accounts

00:29:21       Ava Braddock: Under library tab we have a ! On overdue and can’t login

00:36:33       Stephanie Auwaerter:    No new student has a real library hold - the system has a ghost hold issue

Academics

00:32:38       Jennifer Lugar:       are you allowed to speak with an academic advisor ahead of orientation?

00:33:11       Mindy Miley:           You are allowed to speak with staff before orientation. We love parents! :)

00:44:16       megan mirchandani: how do i see who my advisor is?

00:44:33       Mindy Miley: advisors are not assigned yet until after orientation

00:28:32       Lisa Ricci:   What is the process for apply for accommodations in needed (for example if have IEP now) 

You can view information about accommodations and directions on how to apply on the Center for Disability Services website at https://charleston.edu/disability-services/  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:02:35       monicascandlen: Do Honors College students register for classes in June before orientation in August? Or am I confused about this?🤣

Students in the University Honors Program register for classes virtually the week of June 15 and attend orientation in August.  The General Honors Program students register for classes at their orientation session in June, July or August.  There will be a General Honors Program information session for students at each freshman orientation session.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Placement Testing

00:49:40       Jenn Trunk:  What about placement tests? Should students be taking those now, during the summer?

00:54:20       Lisa Ricci: Are placement tests required for class placements or anything like that?

00:58:42       Jen’s iPhone: Are there placement tests needed to be taken?

01:03:01       Alicia Cohen: Are there any placement tests for incoming freshman? Foreign language?  Math?

01:03:09       Lisa Ricci: Who do we ask about placement tests

01:03:33       Stephanie Auwaerter: No placement testing required

Majors

00:22:39       colag: during orientation can students change their major?

00:23:30       Mindy Miley: They don't have to declare a major at orientation. There is time to do that after...

Class Registration and FYE

00:30:22       Addison DiDonato: I remember seeing something about FYE-what does that mean?

00:30:57       Mindy Miley: FYE = first year experience - freshmen take one their first fall semester

00:31:55       Addison DiDonato: Does FYE get done at orientation or we need to do that before?

00:32:33       Mindy Miley: You can register for FYE before or during...we will be emailing your student.

00:38:40       Mark Clifton: If our orientation is on August 12th right before school begins. Is this a disadvantage for getting the classes what you want or in any other way?

00:38:55       Stephanie Auwaerter: Course registration occurs at orientation, and class openings are spread out so students get a chance to register

00:24:14       Christopher Frenz: If their orientation is in July, is there a chance they’ll be shut out of classes (from June Orientations)?

00:24:44       Mindy Miley: classes are available during all sessions June-August

 

00:26:52       Mark Clifton: If our orientation is on August 12th right before school begins. I know there is a virtual meeting to sign up for classes in mid-July. Is this too close to the start? Is this a disadvantage for getting the classes what you want or in any other way?

00:37:26       Am Bredeson: Is it possible to register for any classes ahead of orientation? Will they fill up before our July orientation?

Course registration occurs at orientation, and class openings are spread out so students get a chance to register (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:06:12       Malika :         If we are doing orientation in August when do we pick classes? Isn’t it too late to pick classes?

If you are attending the August 13 and 14 session, you will have a virtual advising and registration appointment on July 21 or 22 and you will be sent your date and time on July 9. 

Class openings are spread out so students get a chance to register (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Billing Questions

00:37:04       Lisa Ricci:   How do we access billing information and pay?

Students can access their bill via Ebill in MyPortal.  They can set families members up as authorized users to get updates when there are changes in the bill. https://charleston.edu/treasurer/billing/index.php#accordion-0633fd50-1190-427e-98e3-4e7b1b4ebe48-1

Bills will start to be created in early July.  For students in the June and July orientation sessions, their bill is due on August 12.  For students attending the August sessions, their bill is due on August 13. 

Check out the Treasurer’s office website for more information https://charleston.edu/treasurer/index.php

(answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Bringing a Car

00:56:22       Cheri Belski (LPL):            Can students bring car?

00:57:02       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Freshman students can bring a car, but they may have to look at offsite locations  https://charleston.edu/parking-transportation/students.php

August Orientation Session

00:26:30       Mindy Miley: We have programming on day two of orientation unless you are coming in August. On August 13 there is one day of programming for families.

00:36:30       Shari Berke:            What is the timing of the virtual advising on 22 July for those of us attending orientation in Aug right before school starts?

00:37:28       Stephanie Auwaerter:    The timing of the virtual sessions for the August freshman students is 9-12 or 1:30 to 3:30 and students will learn their date and time on July 9 via email

IT

00:21:41       dobbi: Who can I reach out to about difficulties on the portal.  TouchNet email received as I am parent getting access to billing.  I got an error when trying to get into that website. Also finding the cofc portal in general a bit confusing.  Any info session for parents or students to explain...

00:22:11       Mindy Miley: Reach out to our IT department with any technical issues. We will have a session about technology at orientation.

00:29:27       Dana’s Deluxe: What kind of computer is best for students to come to school with? Brand?  And Apple discount code your IT department saw it was not working do you have new discount link?

00:31:21       Mindy Miley: The best laptop is one your student is comfortable using. Dell or Mac.

00:59:53       Courtney:    Should my daughter have a cofc email now or at orientation

01:00:12       Mindy Miley: all students have a CofC email assigned to them once they deposit

01:01:06       D Parker: What kind of laptop are they expected to use for school work

01:01:23       Mindy Miley: use a laptop they are comfortable with

01:01:23       Stephanie Kinney: Dell or Mac is best

01:01:27       Jamie: Since it is a Microsoft university, do you suggest them getting a PC

It is up to the students and what they are comfortable with.

Students and families can view suggested laptops on the new student technology checklist website at https://help.charleston.edu/technology-resources/  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:01:45       Lisa Ricci: is there supposed to be a g in the email like @g.cofc.edu

01:02:18       Stephanie Auwaerter: Yes. The g is in the student accounts

00:54:23       iPhone:         Where does my son check his Charleston email?

He accesses it through his MyPortal and then he should add outlook to his phone to be able to check it there easily.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:55:24       Christina Miller she/her:            who should my daughter contact if they are having trouble accessing their Charleston email?

The IT service desk can assist her.  https://help.charleston.edu/ (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

01:07:29       Stephanie:  My daughter did not change her password on the initial sign in. How does she change her password?

Our IT security folks advise students to change their password.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter) 

Financial Aid

01:08:07       monicascandlen: For final financial aid package questions, should we contact the Office or Treasurer?

01:08:20       Mindy Miley:           Office of Financial Assistance

Greek Life

00:49:52       scottybrewington: The upcoming Rush webinar is just for sororities, right? Will there be one for fraternities?

00:51:06       Mindy Miley: the rush webinar is just for the sororities for now

00:49:15       Cheri Belski (LPL): Rush webinar is next Wednesday

00:54:33       Michelle Vale: What about the business fraternities?

00:54:56       Michelle Vale: When do they rush

00:55:18       Stephanie Auwaerter: Business Fraternities do their recruitment during the school year

00:43:41       Lisa Ricci: Is move in different if rushing?

00:44:11       Mindy Miley: move in is different if rushing

For more information about Fraternity and Sorority life

00:54:30       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Fraternity Life https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/interfraternity-council-ifc-fraternity-recruitment.php

00:54:49       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Sorority Life https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/panhellenic-sorority.php

00:55:04       Stephanie Auwaerter:    NPHC https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/national-pan-hellenic-council-nphc.php

Proxy Access

00:23:02       Gabriella Sellmann: can a parent have access to the portal as well? if so, how do we get it?

Families can get access to the parts of MyPortal that the students give them through Proxy Access Management.  Your student can set that up once they are registered for classes.  (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:25:00       Veronica Coley - CMB: Hello, what is the form the student & parent has to fill out and students give access to parents view grades attendance? 

The form is the FERPA form.  We find it easier for students to set up proxy access management for their parents and if there is a situation that the school needs a FERPA form to talk to a family member that office will ask the student to fill it out. ( answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

00:36:27       S-73255-RLytle (2): What tile do you click on for proxy access?

It is under the Personal Information Tile in MyPortal but students need to be registered for classes before they can set it up. (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

 

Misc. File Uploads

00:29:39       Cheri Belski (LPL): Are medical forms something you have to fill out or does copy from Dr suffice

00:30:08       Mindy Miley: Health forms can be uploaded

00:31:14       leefranzek1: Where do we send dual enrollment transcripts?

00:31:32       Mindy Miley: Send transcripts to the Office of Admissions

00:32:27       Lisa Vilnonis: I know we have to electronically send transcripts, but should our student also bring a hard copy with them?

00:32:49       Mindy Miley: They should not have to bring a hard copy of their transcripts

00:48:07       Gennu: We have filled out the lawful presence and approved for instate tuition, however on my daughter’s portal it says lawful presence not verified.

00:48:33       Mindy Miley: lawful presence takes a little time to verify but likely done before you attend orientation.

Student Involvement

01:07:44       Jennifer Hethcox - Carolinas: If my student is interested in restarting a club, who would be the best person to reach out to? It was a club on campus in 2019ish...

01:08:04       Mindy Miley: Student Life for club information

00:34:40       Thomas’s iPhone: Is there an opportunity for students to look for campus jobs when they are there for orientation?

00:35:46       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Students can stop by the Career Center at orientation to get added to the online job board - Handshake

Webinar Questions

00:50:57       Lauren's iPhone: When is the next webinar for registration?

On June 9, 6-6:45 pm EST.  The link will be sent out between June 1 and June 3 (answered in chat notes by Stephanie Auwaerter)

Website References

00:22:24       Mindy Miley:          
Orientation Website: https://charleston.edu/orientation

00:23:57       Mindy Miley:           what to bring: https://charleston.edu/orientation/checklist/what-to-bring.php

00:25:01       Mindy Miley:           here is the checklist: https://charleston.edu/orientation/checklist/index.php

01:03:21       Stephanie Auwaerter:    If you need IT help   https://help.charleston.edu/

00:39:36       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Treasurer’s Office Billing Schedule https://charleston.edu/treasurer/payment/billing-schedule.php

00:39:58       Stephanie Auwaerter:    College of Charleston Parents and Family Website: https://charleston.edu/parents/

00:40:20       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Payment Plan:

https://charleston.edu/treasurer/payment/payment-plan.php

00:40:50       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Parent Information Portal - CampusESP:

https://cofc.campusesp.com

00:41:45       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Recordings of the webinars we are hosting will be on the orientation YouTube page within two days of the webinar https://www.youtube.com/user/orientationcofc

00:54:30       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Fraternity Life https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/interfraternity-council-ifc-fraternity-recruitment.php

00:54:49       Stephanie Auwaerter:    Sorority Life https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/panhellenic-sorority.php

00:55:04       Stephanie Auwaerter:    NPHC https://charleston.edu/higdon-center/fraternity-sorority-life/national-pan-hellenic-council-nphc.php

0:44:00         Mindy Miley: Academic Calendars per semester https://charleston.edu/registrar/calendar/index.php

00:47:22       Mindy Miley: Summer 2026 Webinar Calendar https://charleston.edu/orientation/resources/webinar-calendar.php

01:01:58       Stephanie Auwaerter:    New Student Technology Checklist (laptop recommendations) https://help.charleston.edu/technology-resources/

Email References

CofC Parents Email:  parents@charleston.edu

00:31:59       Mindy Miley: housing@charleston.edu for questions about transfer student wait list

00:57:27       Stephanie Auwaerter: Orientation@charleston.edu for questions about orientation

00:59:48       Mindy Miley: housing@charleston.edu for questions about
move-in and early move in fee costs

01:06:27       Mindy Miley: honors@charleston.edu for questions about University Honors and General Honors program