Student Responsibilities for Orientation
Engage with their fellow students in their New Student Orientation course in Canvas
Follow TommieOrientation on Instagram
Complete online training
for Tommie Card (St. Thomas student ID) by January 15.
Families of New Students
Parents and families, welcome to the University of St. Thomas
We are thrilled to have you join the Tommie community. You play an important role in helping your student navigate the transition into the life of a scholar and the beginning of adulthood.
We look to you as partners in this journey. At St. Thomas, we take pride in our conviction of personal attention—we strive to foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member. We are an inclusive community of learners and educators who believe in creating an environment where all students feel welcome. We are here to support your student, and we are here to support you.
We look forward to meeting you and your student at orientation.
Please reach out with questions as we move through the weeks leading up to your student's time as a Tommie.
St. Thomas Family Portal
St. Thomas family members are encouraged to sign up for the St. Thomas Family Portal. This online portal generates content specific to you and your student.
Helping Your Student Get Started
Since the St. Thomas email account is our official method of communication with students, it's critical they have this set up and are checking it regularly. Make sure to ask every once in a while if they have anything new from us.
We asked your student to update parent/family emails with us so we can communicate directly with you. If you have not received an initial welcome email from us, be sure to work with your student to update that email, or reach out to us at orientation@stthomas.edu.
Nuts and Bolts for Students To Do
Students should start by claiming their St. Thomas account and setting up their email, along with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Next, log into our campus systems, including OneStThomas and Murphy Online, to confirm personal information (name, address). Then students are ready to start the New Student Orientation course in Canvas.
Students are the conduit to help ensure parent/family emails are updated in the St. Thomas system.
Orientation Day Family Schedule
Spring 2026 Start Orientation
All students new to St. Thomas are required to attend an Orientation session. Family members are welcome to participate in the Family Orientation sessions.
8:20-9:05 a.m. Check-In, Coffee & Pastries, and Welcome
9:05-9:35 a.m. Academic Expectations & Registration
9:35-10:15 a.m. Financial Aid, Business Office, & Bookstore
10:15-10:30 a.m. Campus Life
10:40-10:55 a.m. Orientation Leader Introductions
10:55-11:15 a.m. Supporting your Tommie
11:15-11:35 a.m. Family Transitions
11:40-11:50 a.m. Career Services
11:55 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Center for Well-Being
12:20-1:30 p.m. Information Fair and Lunch
1:30-2:15 p.m. Campus Tour (optional)
12:30-4:00 p.m. Student ID Pick-up (optional)
Family Orientations
You may still have questions after attending the Family Orientation sessions offered during your student's Orientation & Registration Session. Recordings of the Family Orientation sessions are available for you to review below:
- = Overview of the academic environment.
- = Learn about the different resources they can provide.
- = Discover insights on what families experience when a student starts college.
- = Learn about health and well-being resources available on campus.
- = Learn about how to find, buy, and ship textbooks.
- = Explore the many ways students can get involved on campus.
- = Discover faith-based opportunities for student spiritual growth.
- = Learn about resources supporting students' pursuit of internships and future careers.
- = Learn about financing a student's education, financial aid, and payments.
- = Explore various support and engagement opportunities for students whose parents did not attend college.
- = Discover how a study abroad experience can fit within your student's academic plan.
- = Learn how students will be engaged and supported in our residence hall community.
- = Learn about our Public Safety department, safety systems, and services provided.
Academics
Student's Responsibilities
Your student needs to do the following activities:
- Complete the Registration Readiness module in their New Student Orientation course in Canvas, which will teach them the curriculum and the registration process
- Take placement assessments if required
- Fill out and submit their Course Preference Form
- Submit AP scores or transcripts for college credit
Your student should first claim their St. Thomas account, then log into OneSt.Thomas, where they can find the Canvas app to begin or they can log into their St. Thomas application portal.
How You Can Support Your Student
Parents, family members and/or any other third party are encouraged to coach students about advising conversations, but they should not make phone calls or send communication on behalf of their students. Please partner with us to empower your student to take ownership of their college experience!
Read through the Guide to Course Registration and increase your understanding of the curriculum.
Orientation
How to Support Your Student Through Orientation
Help them make an action plan for this summer. The academic pieces noted earlier on this page are due in June, but we'll be connecting students with additional content, and fellow classmates, throughout the summer.
We know that after getting the class schedule, connecting with fellow students is the next thing students value most.
Engage with their fellow students in their New Student Orientation course in Canvas
Follow TommieOrientation on Instagram
Complete online training
for Tommie Card (St. Thomas student ID) by January 15.
Help them make an action plan for this summer. The academic pieces noted earlier on this page are due in June, but we'll be connecting students with additional content, and fellow classmates, throughout the summer.
We know that after getting the class schedule, connecting with fellow students is the next thing students value most.
The Money Stuff
Finances and Your Student
We know many of our students are blessed to have you involved in managing the financial aspects of college.
That being said, the law requires us to treat the student as an adult and work directly with them. Your student can grant you access to some items (via Proxy Access), but in the end much of this is their responsibility.
You can be a tremendous support by coaching them on that responsibility, helping them know what to pay attention to and having clear conversations with them about how you want to work with them on all of these aspects.
And, be sure to get good information for yourself. You can do this by:
- Watching the videos that make up the Billing & Financial Aid training your student is required to complete. (In their New Student Orientation course in Canvas.)
- Reviewing the Financial Aid Checklist and help them in completing these items.
Student's Financial Tasks
Students need to review the Financial Aid Checklist and complete all items. It includes items such as:
- Accepting or declining Financial Aid
- Reporting outside scholarships
- Consider assigning Proxy and/or Authorized User access
- Look into Tuition Insurance
- Complete the Student Payment Agreement form.
Complete the online Billing & Financial Aid training (found in the New Student Orientation course in Canvas).
Regularly check their St. Thomas email for communications from the Business Office, including future tuition bills.
Finances and Your Student
Finances and Your Student
We know many of our students are blessed to have you involved in managing the financial aspects of college.
That being said, the law requires us to treat the student as an adult and work directly with them. Your student can grant you access to some items (via Proxy Access), but in the end much of this is their responsibility.
You can be a tremendous support by coaching them on that responsibility, helping them know what to pay attention to and having clear conversations with them about how you want to work with them on all of these aspects.
And, be sure to get good information for yourself. You can do this by:
- Watching the videos that make up the Billing & Financial Aid training your student is required to complete. (In their New Student Orientation course in Canvas.)
- Reviewing the Financial Aid Checklist and help them in completing these items.
Student's Financial Tasks
Student's Financial Tasks
Students need to review the Financial Aid Checklist and complete all items. It includes items such as:
- Accepting or declining Financial Aid
- Reporting outside scholarships
- Consider assigning Proxy and/or Authorized User access
- Look into Tuition Insurance
- Complete the Student Payment Agreement form.
Complete the online Billing & Financial Aid training (found in the New Student Orientation course in Canvas).
Regularly check their St. Thomas email for communications from the Business Office, including future tuition bills.
Care and Support
You are absolutely our partners in caring for and supporting your student, and we want to work with you. Your student isn't the only one experiencing change this summer and fall—you are as well!
We have designed programming for you to attend during your student's Orientation & Registration (O&R) session. During the parent/ family sessions you will:
- Attend a panel discussion hosted by the Dean of Students office to learn more about how our values as an institution inform how we support your student.
- Engage in content around Family Transitions prepared by our Personal Counseling team.
- Discover the resources in place through Academic Counseling to aid your student in registering for their courses and supporting them throughout their time at St. Thomas.
You are encouraged to review the Family Handbook and start conversations with your student about the topics it raises. Follow up with your questions during your O&R session or orientation@stthomas.edu.
Check back on this site for updated information, and make sure your student has submitted updated email addresses for you and others who will be supporting your student so we can be in touch.In the meantime, your student needs to prepare to take care of themselves more and manage their own physical and mental care, which includes:
- Making decisions about Housing and Dining
- Reviewing the Residence Life Move-In website
- Transferring their Immunization Records
- Making arrangements for continuity if they need ongoing care, transferring prescriptions and medical records to the Center for Well-Being
- Arranging for accommodations such as note-takers, audio texts, and assistive technology with Disability Services
You can assist your student by asking if they have questions about their tasks and empowering them with information such as phone numbers for their doctors, details on the college budget, and documentation on past accommodations for disabilities.
| Key Dates for New Fall 2025 Students | Date / Date Span |
|---|---|
| Placement Assessments Open | May 5 |
| Submit Housing Preference Form | June 2 |
| Complete Registration Readiness module and submit Course Preference Form | June 2 |
| Attend Orientation & Registration (O&R) Session | July 9-30 |
| Welcome Days for new students (Required) | Begins August 26 |