About New Student Orientation
Main content start
NSO Mission
New Student Orientation (NSO) strives to acclimate each entering first-year and transfer class to life at Stanford by introducing them to the University’s diverse educational opportunities and resources, acquainting them with other students and University staff, helping them feel at home in the campus community, and creating in them a sense of belonging as contributing members of the Stanford community. NSO also establishes the relationship between families and the University by introducing them to Stanford culture and resources, providing opportunities to interact with other families, and offering support as their students enter college.
New Undergraduate Student & NSO Policies
- New Student Orientation is required for all new undergraduate students at Stanford. Students must fully participate in the required programs. For first-year students, NSO attendance is required in order to enroll in Autumn courses.
- The New Student Orientation (NSO) period is from Move-In, until 8:00 a.m. of the first day of Autumn Quarter.
- NSO is a private event intended only for new undergraduate students. While parents and families of new students are invited on the first day of NSO to programs and events welcoming them, including Convocation, the remainder of NSO is restricted to new undergraduate students at Stanford.
- Non-university vendors and companies are not allowed at Move-In Day, nor at any other NSO programs, unless specifically invited by the NSO Team. Posting flyers at the residences on Move-In Day is not allowed.
- Unapproved video and photography of NSO events are not allowed, except for the Opening Convocation Ceremony.
- NSO Alcohol Policy: New undergraduate students should not consume any alcohol during the week of NSO. Upperclass students are expected to support this policy. At no time should any Stanford student provide, serve or in any way make alcohol available to any new undergraduate student (first-year or transfer). This specifically means that no alcohol is to be present, served, or consumed at any student organization and/or dorm during NSO. Violators can be subject to housing revocation and/or Office of Community Standards proceedings.
- Events Policy: During NSO, student organizations and groups are not allowed to host events or parties for new undergraduate students. Any programming during NSO must be coordinated with the NSO team.
- Organization Membership: No incoming undergraduate student should be offered organization membership or asked to represent a student organization until the conclusion of the New Student Orientation period.
- Recruiting Student Organization Members: Student organizations are not permitted to recruit new members for their organization before the second day of New Student Orientation (eg added to listervs).
- Student Organization Advertising and Flyering:
- During New Student Move-In and the first day of NSO, student organization recruitment, flyering, chalking, or tabling anywhere is not permitted.
- During the New Student Orientation period, dorm and/or dining hall recruitment is permitted only with specific permission from the residence staff (RFs and/or RAs).
- Student organizations wishing to conduct normal advertising and flyering beginning the second day of New Student Orientation, may do so provided that they follow university policy for such activities.