Why is Lobo Orientation mandatory?
I know a lot of people at UNM already, why do I need to attend?
I’ve already gone on a campus tour, do I still need to attend?
Do I have to stay overnight?
How do I register for Lobo Orientation?
Do I need to mail in the Lobo Orientation fee?
What is the Cancellation/Rescheduling policy for Lobo Orientation?
What is a Compass exam?
Why should I take a Placement exam before orientation?
What do I need to bring with me to orientation?
Where do I park?
Where can I find a map?

Why is Lobo Orientation mandatory?
Lobo Orientation is mandatory because we want you to succeed. Research strongly suggests that if you attend orientation, you are more likely to achieve success in college and graduate. The University of New Mexico is committed to helping you succeed - both in and out of the classroom.
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I know a lot of people at UNM already, why do I need to attend?
While it is great that you know people on campus already, Lobo Orientation will give you a more comprehensive overview of the resources and services that are available to you as a new UNM student. You will receive extensive guidance through the processes you must complete to register for your classes from professionals and currently enrolled UNM students who will have the time to give you individualized attention.
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I’ve already gone on a campus tour; do I still need to attend?
Yes. A campus tour is just a brief introduction to UNM. Lobo Orientation gives you in-depth information and covers a lot more than just building locations.
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Do I have to stay overnight?
Yes. You will stay in the residence halls even if you live nearby. Lobo Orientation ends late the first night and begins very early the second morning. You will need to stay over to fully benefit from the program. The only exceptions are sessions 11 and 12 which still last two days but do not include an on-campus overnight stay since the residence halls will not be available on those dates.
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How do I register for Lobo Orientation?
Fill out the online reservation form. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may contact our office for an alternate form. Our office cannot accept phone reservations for Lobo Orientation at this time. [back to top]
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Do I need to mail in the Lobo Orientation fee?
You will pay the Lobo Orientation fee by credit card when you fill out the online reservation form.
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What is the Cancellation/Rescheduling policy for Lobo Orientation?
If you must change your plans (example: you are not attending UNM this semester, you are unable to attend the session and need to reschedule your orientation dates, etc.), call us immediately at 505/277-3361. We must receive a phone call or email (nso@unm.edu) for changes/cancellations by 3 business days prior to the start of your orientation session.

A non-refundable "NO SHOW" fee of the total orientation amount will be charged to students who do not show up on their reserved Orientation date, and do not contact us before the deadline.

Please see the Cancellation Policy for more information.

Lobo Orientation works with a number of departments that require us to guarantee your space prior to your arrival to Lobo Orientation. Proper notice allows us sufficient time to contact these departments and notify them of any changes, thus allowing you not to be charged. [back to top]
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What is a Compass exam?
Placement into courses will be based on your ACT or SAT scores or transfer credit. If your placement is lower than you expected or you place into I-S 100 level courses, you may challenge the placement by taking a Compass exam at the UNM Testing Center. Students who qualify to take calculus for engineering, physics, computer science or math majors should take a compass exam for trigonometry before registering for the course. To get directions to the Testing Center or more information about the Compass exams, call (505) 277-8290, or visit their web site.

Students taking Spanish are required to take the Spanish Evaluation with the Spanish and Portuguese department (you may be exempt if you transfer Spanish credit).Due to limited time at Lobo Orientation, you may not be able to take the exams during orientation, so you need to take placement exams before orientation and bring your test scores with you.
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Why should I take a Placement exam before orientation?
Your Academic Advisor will tell you to register for classes based on your ACT or SAT score if that is the only placement information we have during orientation. There will not be time to take exams during Lobo Orientation. If you want to take placement exams, take them before orientation so your advisor will be able to place you properly.
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What do I need to bring with me to orientation?
Here is what you will need:

• NetID and password
• UNM ID number (9-digit number that came in your Admissions Letter—sometimes referred to as Banner ID)
• Photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
• Backpack to carry materials
• Parking permit (mailed to you after reserve space for orientation)
• Financial aid and scholarship award letters
• Placement test scores
• Print out of My Course Placement result
• Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
• An alarm clock (oversleeping on day two will result in having to attend another orientation session. Don’t rely on your cell phone as an alarm.) (Sessions 1-10)
• Personal toiletries and other items needed for overnight stay (Sessions 1-10)
• A sweater or light jacket--You will be in air-conditioned buildings
• Questions about UNM
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Where do I park?
You must have a parking permit to park on the UNM campus. You will receive a temporary parking permit and map in the mail with your confirmation letter after we process your online reservation for orientation.

The map shows the Parking Zones where you will be allowed to park:
Zones D, E and R.

Vehicles parked in other areas or without a permit are subject to fines and/or towing.

You will not have any parking tickets forgiven due to parking violations incurred during orientation. If for some reason you did not get a parking permit in the mail before Lobo Orientation, get one when you check in.
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Where can I find a map?
Click here for a UNM map.
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