At Southeast, we are committed to making the transition to college life easier. We encourage students and their family members to ask lots of questions, actively participate in sessions, develop friendships and learn everything you can about Southeast.
First STEP Orientation introduces you to the personal support systems in place to set you up for amazing achievements in your time on campus. We give you the time and place to meet with your academic advisor in one of our groundbreaking academic areas that will help you launch an extraordinary career. We can't wait to see what you do!
If you need to reschedule or update your information, please call 573-651-5166.
Orientation is a full day event; please make sure to select a date where you can be on campus from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Dates for students planning to enroll in Summer and Fall 2019
If you'd like to attend a date that is listed as full, please register online for an alternate date, then call New Student Programs at 573-651-5166 to inquire about availability.
Are you looking for Transfer Orientation? Click here!
Please note: Students cannot complete FirstSTEP Orientation and auditions or tryouts for an academic department, scholarship, or team on the same day.
Orientation Fee
All students will be charged a $100 nonrefundable orientation fee, which covers all Southeast orientation events including meals for the student and their family members at First STEP, materials, and staffing as well as meals, materials, and staffing for Opening Week activities. This fee will be charged to your student account after you attend First STEP orientation, and a bill will be mailed.
The First STEP programs are held in the University Center on the corner of Henderson Street and Normal Street. Please park in the lot on Broadway next to Imo's Pizza, the lot across from Vandiver Hall on Henderson or the visitor lot across from the University Center. A parking permit, along with a schedule of the day's events, will be mailed to you approximately two weeks before your reserved First STEP date. If using a GPS device for directions, the following address will set your destination to our visitor parking lot: 373 N. Henderson, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
All students will be charged a nonrefundable orientation fee, which covers all Southeast orientation events including meals for the student and their family members at First STEP, materials, and staffing as well as meals, materials, and staffing for Opening Week activities for students. This fee will be charged to your student account after you attend First STEP orientation, and a bill will be mailed.
First STEP will provide highly trained faculty and staff to advise and assist in constructing your first semester schedule. You and a small group of students with similar majors will work with an advisor in your anticipated field of study. If you are undecided (which we refer to as "Exploratory"), you will be advised by a professional advisor who is skilled in assisting students who have not yet determined their major.
As entering Southeast students, information about all the university resources can become overwhelming. To help you along, we have created an Orientation Handbook which lists information on classes, advising and enrollment, campus living, financial aid, and other institutional resources. All students (and their parents or guests!) will receive their handbook when they check in at First STEP Orientation.
Click here to view the 2018 Orientation Handbook.
Prior to arrival at First STEP, some students will take the Writing Placement Exam. The exam is taken online, and instructions on how to take the exam will be provided in your confirmation materials. All students must take the Writing Placement Exam unless they meet one of the below conditions:
For more details on the Writing Placement process, click here.
If you are looking for a place to stay while you are here for First STEP Orientation, look no farther than the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitor's Bureau or the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for a listing of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging options.
www.visitcape.com (Select "Stay")
www.jacksonmochamber.org (Select "Directory" and "Hotels")
Please note that the Drury Suites – Cape & Jackson, Drury Lodge, or Pear Tree Inn all offer a Southeast family discount. Please provide the following promotional code if you will be staying with one of these hotels: 317573
Make sure your most current and highest test scores are on file with Admissions. You may wish to bring a copy of your most recent scores in case of any discrepancies.
Be sure to check the deadline for all tuition fees, residence hall room and meal plan charges, and general fees, to be paid in full or to be enrolled in the installment payment plan. If the University does not receive payment by the deadline, you risk having your class schedule, residence hall room assignment, and meal plan cancelled.
If you achieve at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) high school cumulative GPA and a composite ACT score of 27, you are eligible for Southeast's Jane Stephens Honors Program and should attend the Honors Breakfast held in the morning during First STEP.
Every student must return their Residence Life Agreement (with $150 deposit) or a request for release from the on-campus residency requirement to the Office of Residence Life.
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