Thousands of new students, families and guests are descending on the main campus of Clemson University over 11 sessions in June and July for Ready, Set, Roar!, a two-day in-person Orientation experience. Ready, Set, Roar! supplements a student’s virtual orientation, which includes academic advising and course registration.
“This feels more like a traditional Orientation experience for students,” says Glenn Spurlin, director of student transitions in the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement. “Our three goals are for students to make a connection with their academic program, with our campus and with each other. If they do that, they’ll be set up for success when we reach August.”
Ready, Set, Roar! intentionally pairs students together from the same academic college. The experience includes a welcome from University administration, academic identity session, “Tiger Talks” with Orientation Ambassadors and parent volunteers, small group time, introduction to campus partners and social activities.
Ready, Set, Roar! saw 1,760 students and nearly 2,000 guests opt for an in-person experience in 2022. Spurlin anticipates a significant jump in attendance this summer.
The data shows Clemson students and guests enjoy the experience. In 2022, 96.8 percent of students who responded to a post-event survey indicated they felt prepared to invest in the Clemson Experience and the same percentage of respondents felt a sense of belonging.
Students who sign up for Ready, Set, Roar! take part in an evening social to conclude the first day. Parents and guests who sign up are invited to a social in the Masters Club, located on the fourth floor of the west endzone in Memorial Stadium. Additionally, Spurlin estimates between 35-40 campus representatives and off-campus partners plan to take part in the community showcase — an organizational fair in Hendrix Student Center designed to answer questions in advance of the Fall semester.
“It’s a full day and a half of connecting with students you’ll be in classes with,” Spurlin says. “For parents and guests, it’s a taste of what students can expect and an introduction to key resources.”
Ready, Set, Roar! 2023 Summer Dates
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences – June 15-16; July 6-7
College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities – June 15-16; July 6-7
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences – June 28-29; July 27-28
Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business – June 12-13; July 24-25
College of Education – June 15-16; July 6-7
College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences – June 5-6; July 13-14
College of Science – June 8-9; July 10-11
Summer Start – June 26