Before You Arrive on Campus
Once you've registered for your session, you'll need to do a few things before you arrive for orientation. This section will give you all of the details you need to prepare.
Please Note: If you require any special services (interpreters, untimed exams, etc.) while you are attending orientation, please indicate your needs on the orientation registration form or contact the New Students Orientation office at (413) 545-2621 or email newstudent@acad.umass.edu as soon as possible.
Activate Your OIT Account
OIT accounts are provided to all new undergraduate students. Your NetID and initial password for this account will be sent to you shortly after you're admitted. Follow the instructions provided to activate your OIT account.
Do not forget to bring your NetID and password with you when you come to orientation.
Familiarize Yourself with SPIRE
Your NetID and password will give you access to SPIRE, the campus student information and registration system. SPIRE will be a major part of your life here! During orientation, you will use SPIRE to register for classes.
Once you activate your OIT account, you should logon to SPIRE and spend some time learning to use it. You should also use SPIRE to explore the courses offered at UMass Amherst, so that you can jump right into the registration process during orientation
Go to the SPIRE for Students section on the OIT website to learn more.
UMail
Shortly after your enrollment fee is processed, OIT will send you information about your official university email account, UMail. UMail is the official mode of communication between the university and its students. It's a good idea to get in the habit of checking your UMail, because we will be writing to you before orientation.
Take the Math Placement Exam
All incoming students must take the Math Placement Exam online before attending orientation. This exam will make sure that you choose the right math courses. Go to Placement Tests for more information about the Math Placement Test.
Submit New Student Immunization Form
Massachusetts law requires college students to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B.
Full-time residential students must be immunized against meningitis or complete a waiver; full-time and part-time non-residential students, and part-time residential students, are exempt from this requirement.
You can download and print the Massachusetts State Required Immunization History Form from the University Health Services website at www.umass.edu/uhs/immunizations. The form should be completed and signed by your health care provider. Immunization records from previous schools, military records and records from health care providers are also acceptable in lieu of this form.
Please Note: The Immunization Form does not have to be submitted at orientation, but needs to be in before the first day of classes.
Take the MyStudentBody Alcohol Education Course
All first-year UMass Amherst students are required to complete and pass MyStudentBody – an online alcohol education program, before the start of the spring semester.** If you don’t complete this requirement, you won’t be able to register for fall classes.
Go to MyStudentBody instructions.
MyStudentBody offers lots of interesting, useful information just for students.
Once you’ve finished the course, bookmark the site and visit anytime!
** If you have any questions or concerns about passing the course by the deadline,
e-mail the MSB Coordinator, MSB@uhs.umass.edu, to set up a time to take and pass the course on campus in the spring.
