You will be invited via email to sign up online for Transfer & Adult Student Orientation (TASO) after you have completed the following items:

Step 1: Are admitted to UW-Milwaukee — review your Admissions Portal for the most up to date status of your application.

Step 2: Complete the “Pre-Orientation” To Do List item in your PAWS account. This Pre-Orientation is required for all new students.

Step 3 (Freshmen only): Satisfy Course Placement requirement by submitting SAT/ACT scores or following steps found here. Please email NFTest@uwm.edu with questions.

Step 4: Register for Orientation! See directions in the next dropdown item.

How to Register:

Register for Orientation by logging into your admissions portal.

To satisfy the orientation requirement, you can participate in one of two options:

1. Complete the TASO Course only. This option allows you to complete the self-paced Orientation course with no program component.  To participate in this option, select “TASO Course Only” during registration.
2. Complete the TASO Course and join for an in-person TASO Program on January 12. In addition to the online information, this option allows you to review Orientation information and come to campus to wrap up your experience. Note that completion of the TASO course is still required.

After you register, you’ll immediately receive a confirmation with limited program details via email. If you choose to attend an in-person TASO program, you’ll receive extensive directions via mail and email about one week prior to the program.

Note: It it not required to attend the in-person course and students will not enroll in courses at that program. To enroll/register for courses, students must first complete the online TASO course. Then, new freshman are required to meet with their advisor and new transfers are recommended to meet with their advisors. After that point, students may register for courses at any time after their enrollment date.

For students attending in-person TASO:

Schedule

TASO Schedule: coming soon!

The in-person TASO program will be held on campus on January 12. Students attending the in-person program still must complete the online course so we recommend completing that course before the program.

If you’re joining for an in-person program, consider bringing something to write with, a phone charger, a sweater, and some spending money if you’d like (the PantherShop will be open!). We will also offer campus tours so if you would like to take one, please come dressed to explore campus in mid-January.

COVID-19 Guidelines

If you have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days of your Orientation, please do not come to campus. Email us at orientation@uwm.edu and we can share options to make up your Orientation experience. If you are symptom-free, please follow the most up-to-date campus guidelines.

All new Transfers/21+ Freshmen:

Regardless of if you are meeting your orientation requirement by completing the online course only or completing the online course and attending the in-person program, all students need to complete the following steps:

Submit Your ID Photo [Required]

Prior to Orientation, you need to submit the photo you would like to appear on your PantherCard. All you have to do is take a photo of yourself and upload it through the GET UWM app, PantherCard’s online management system. Go here to the PantherCard Office website for detailed instructions and requirements for your photo.

Credit Agreement [Required]

Before being able to register for classes, you must complete your credit agreement. You can complete it through your PAWS account, by clicking “Credit Agreement” on your To Do List items.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) [Required]

Enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA). Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of security that keeps your account safe. With MFA, you will be using something you know (your password) with something you have (your device/smartphone) to confirm your identity. For more details on how to enroll, sign in, and manage your devices please review instructions: https://kb.uwm.edu/54768

UWM Email [Required]

You can access and set up your UWM email 1-2 days after you are admitted. Your email account is through Outlook and you can log in to the Microsoft suite here. Your email address is your ePantherID followed by @uwm.edu (ppanther@uwm.edu). Login with your full email address and your ePanther ID password.

Financial Aid [Optional]

We highly recommend that you schedule a 1-1 appointment to discuss financial aid questions, including how to complete the FAFSA and apply for financial aid if you have not already. You can schedule that appointment here. At in-person TASO, there will be limited opportunity for students and guests to discuss Financial Aid-related questions during Orientation.

All New Transfer/21+ Freshman:

All students must complete the online orientation course in order to enroll in courses. Students will gain access to the Online Orientation courses, hosted on Canvas, as soon as they register for a program. After enrolling in the Orientation course, students will complete all modules including the program evaluation to receive full credit, which will take between 1-2 hours total.

For students attending in-person TASO:

Schedule

TASO Schedule: TASO Agenda Spring 2023

Parking Details

Parking details will be available as the event approaches. Selected covered parking will be provided at no cost to the student for students who arrive between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Due to limited space, we can only accommodate 1 car per family.

What to bring

• ePanther ID and password (you will need this to enroll in classes) 
• Comfortable walking shoes 
• Jacket – it tends to be cold in Milwaukee in January!

See Below For Details on Enrolling for Courses

New Adult Freshman and Transfer students are required to complete the Orientation Course before they can register for courses. To prepare to enroll in class, students may look at the schedule of classes for some ideas of what you might want to enroll in. We HIGHLY recommend transfers to meet with their advisors before enrolling in courses and REQUIRE new adult freshman to meet with their advisor.

New Adult Freshman Only:

After you complete the course, you are required to meet with an advisor before you register for courses. Your Academic Advising team will email you regarding setting up your course enrollment appointment. Appointment dates, times, and format (phone or Teams Video Conference-download here) will vary between each school/college/unit, please follow their instructions carefully. 

Transfers Only:

It is highly encouraged you make an advising appointment before you register for courses. You can make an appointment with your advisor by logging into Navigate and select “New Transfer” for the appointment type (if applicable), or call your school/college advising office, contact info found here. You will be able to register for courses anytime after your enrollment appointment.

Branch Campus Student transferring to Main Campus:

To connect with your Milwaukee campus academic advisor login to Navigate to schedule an advising appointment before you register for your courses. You will be able to register for courses any time after your enrollment appointment.

• Complete any To Do Items on your PAWS To Do List to ensure a smooth start of the semester.
• Review all of your Orientation materials from your folder and the Student Handbook link provided
• Review the PRIDE Message to set yourself up for success
• Begin your On Campus Job search
• Join Presence to browse student organization
• Check out our Campus Events calendar
• Check your UWM email regularly
• Get excited for Winter Welcome!
• After you enroll in courses, visit the schedule of classes (uwm.edu/schedule) and course catalog (uwm.edu/catalog) to view the major requirements and courses available prior to attending orientation.

FAQs

What are the Fees I’m paying?

• The $150 Orientation Fee you will see on your account is not due until the first day of classes. The Orientation Fee is not refundable if you complete the required Orientation course and/or participate in a TASO program. This Fee covers the costs related to your Orientation experience.
• [Freshman Only] You will also see a $100 New Freshman Fee which is also not due until the first day of classes. This Fee covers many costs related to the first-year programming that will be available to you this year! If you cancel enrollment prior to the start of the term, you will not owe this fee to UWM.

What do I need to do before I come to orientation? 

• Meet with your academic advisor prior to attending orientation. Your Academic Advisor’s name is listed on the right-hand side of your PAWS homepage, you can contact the advising office to schedule an appointment. There may be an opportunity to meet with your advisor at TASO, but it is not guaranteed. Please select “Yes” in your registration to request an advising appointment.
• See Step 2 Above for more information and steps!   

Can family and guests attend TASO with me? 

• Families and guests (limit 2) are welcome to attend but they are not required. If family or guests attend TASO with you, there will be portions of the day where you are separated.

Will meals be provided for me? 

• Yes! We will provide lunch for students and their guests.

I want to change my major. How do I do that? 

• If you have already registered for a Transfer & Adult Student Orientation program and you have not enrolled in courses: Please (1) Sign in to the Orientation Website and cancel your orientation registration, (2) Click “Change Major” at the top of the page and fill out the form, (3) Wait 3-5 business days for major change request to process, and (4) Re-register for the program.  
• If you are enrolled in courses and want to change your major: Contact the advising office of the school/college in which your new major is housed. You work directly with the school/college to get your major changed.

I’m considering waiting to start at UWM until next semester. How do I do that, and should I do it?

• It’s your choice to start classes in the Fall or Spring. If you’ve been admitted for Spring and want to start classes in Fall, you must submit a Term Change Request here.
• If you Term Change and have paid your $150 Orientation Fee for Spring, you will NOT get a refund. Your Spring Orientation Fee charge will be canceled and you’ll get a Fall Orientation Fee charge. The Spring payment you already submitted will then automatically cover the Fall Orientation Fee charge.
• There are many implications to changing terms. To get more information about Term Changes and ask questions, email undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu.

When will I be able to sign up for classes? 

See Step 5!

Student Policies

Changing Your Major

Part of your orientation experience is based on the major that you selected when you applied to UWM. You have the ability to change your major up to 10 days prior to your Orientation program in the registration site. We will not accommodate major changes at the Orientation program.

Disability, Mobility, and Dietary Restrictions

We want to accommodate any mobility, disability, or dietary restrictions that you may have in order to provide you with the best orientation experience. If you need an accommodation, please indicate this when you register in the space provided. If you need additional follow up, please email us at Orientation@uwm.edu.

Guest Policy

You are not required to bring a guest, but if you would like to bring family members with you, you are allowed up to 2 guests. We do not recommend bringing small children to this event.

Spanish Language Accommodations

If your parents/guests need Spanish language translation, please visit our Family Spanish Language Orientation website for more information.