Orientation and Transition Programs

Transfer Students

transfer orientation

Orientation and Transition Programs

Join us for Transfer Lumberjack Orientation!

As an important part of our university community, we want transfer students to feel at home. You are encouraged to take part in Transfer Lumberjack Orientation as your first step to connecting to SFA!

This Orientation is available for students transferring from another college or university, and is not intended for dual-credit students. Dual-credit students must attend the Incoming First-Year Orientation.

Attending Transfer Lumberjack Orientation allows you to:

  • become familiar with campus
  • meet your academic dean, academic advisor, faculty and administration
  • and create your fall class schedule.

Note: Transfer students who choose to not attend are responsible for contacting their respective academic departments for times and dates that academic advisors are available.

Transfer Lumberjack Orientation Guide

2022-23 dates and session format

  • Spring 2023 Start
    • Nov. 11 virtual
    • Jan. 10 in-person
  • Apr. 28 virtual
  • May 19 in-person
  • June 9 virtual
  • July 14 in-person
  • Aug. 4 in-person

Session schedules:

Registration details

Registration for Transfer Lumberjack Orientation and Transfer Parent/Family Member Orientation occurs through the Orientation tab on your mySFA account. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email through mySFA. Additional details regarding Orientation will be emailed, so check your student email regularly.

Virtual session cost: $25/student
Included: access to the Orientation Zoom link, publications and materials and administrative costs.

In-person session cost: $35/student
Included: lunch, T-shirt, publications and materials and administrative costs.

Registration Deadlines

To register:

Log in to mySFA and locate the Orientation tab. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email to your student email account with details of your Orientation reservation. Additional details will be emailed, so check your student email regularly.

Guest registration

When your student registers for Lumberjack Orientation, they will be given the opportunity to complete your registration as well. This helps ensure a smooth registration process for the proper session.

Registering at a later date?

Visit our Transfer Lumberjack Orientation - guest registration page to check the availability for your student's session and reserve your spot. Session registration will close one week prior to the session or once the session reaches capacity, whichever occurs first.

Changing Your Session

To change your session:

Requests to change your orientation session must be received at least two weeks prior to the preferred session.

You will receive a confirmation email through mySFA once availability has been confirmed and your request has been granted.

To request a change in orientation session, complete the online form.

Canceling Your Registration

To cancel your registration:

Submit an Online Reservation Cancellation form no later than one week prior to the scheduled session to receive a credit on the student's account. Note: Students who do not notify the Orientation Programs office by the applicable cancellation date will forfeit their Orientation fees.

  Deadline to
Change or Cancel
Session 1 Oct. 29
Session 2 April 14
Session 3 May 5
Session 4 May 26
Session 5 June 30
Session 6 July 21

Transfer Orientation Schedule Overview

Orientation Check-in
Receive your materials for the day.
8:30 to 8:45 a.m. in the Baker Pattillo Student Center, second floor

University Welcome
Welcome to Stephen F. Austin State University! Staff members from our Orientation and Transition Programs office will present information on the Division of Student Affairs, as well as services and programs offered at SFA
9 to 9:35 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Transfer Lumberjack Experience
Learn more about various resources and what to expect as a transfer student at SFA. We will discuss what it's like to be a Lumberjack by sharing SFA's spirit and traditions.
9:45 to 10 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Academic Overview
Orientation staff members will introduce representatives from respective academic colleges to provide information about advising, college-specific programs, degree maps, etc.
10 to 10:40 a.m. at Various campus locations

College Dean Location
Nelson Rusche College of Business Dr. Timothy Bisping BPSC President's Suite
James I. Perkins College of Education Dr. Judy Abbott BPSC Grand Ballroom
Mickey Elliott College of Fine Arts Dr. Gary Wurtz BPSC Tiered Classroom
Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Dr. Hans Williams BPSC Multimedia Room
College of Liberal and Applied Arts Dr. Mark Sanders BPSC Movie Theater
College of Sciences and Mathematics Dr. Kimberly Childs BPSC Twilight Ballroom
Undecided Majors Raquel Skidmore BPSC TV Lounge

Course Modality Types
Learn about the variety of course modalities SFA offers, including face to face, livestream, online and more.
10:45 to 11 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Axe Handle
Staff members from our Axe Handle one-stop shop will share general information concerning payment of tuition and fess, financial aid processes and deadlines.
11 to 11:10 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Student Conduct and Outreach
Representatives from SFA's Title IX office as well as the Office of Student Conduct and Outreach will discuss their respective areas.
11:10 to 11:25 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Campus Safety
Learn about how the University Police Department is dedicated to provide a safe environment to all students, staff, faculty and guests through respectful, fair and equitable policing and community engagement.
11:25 to 11:35 a.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Representatives from SFA's Division of Student Affairs and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will share information about resources provided through both areas.
11:35 a.m. to noon

Lunch with Nacogdoches Community Members
Noon to 1 p.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Elective Programs
Choose one presentation per session based on your areas of interest.

  • Session I - 1 to 1:15 p.m.
  • Session II - 1:20 to 1:35 p.m.

See the back of your schedule for elective program options and locations.

Academic Success
This presentation will provide information related to academic terminology, academic advising and course registration.
1:35 to 2 p.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Lumberjack Life and "Axe 'em"
Meet current and incoming SFA students. Hear about their experiences, involvement and tips on what it's like to be a Lumberjack.
2 to 2:30 p.m. in the BPSC Grand Ballroom

Purple Haze Student T-shirt Giveaway
Students may complete the Orientation survey and grab their shirt at the Purple Haze table.
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the BPSC, first floor atrium

Breakout Sessions

Academic Advising
See the purple handout in your Orientation folder for locations
2:30 to 4 p.m. at Various campus locations

Campus Tour
Tour campus and receive insight into life at SFA from some of our Office of Admissions' Jack Walkers.
2:30 p.m. at the Rusk Building, room 206

Transfer Reception
Stop by and meet Student Success Center staff members. Refreshment will be provided
2:30 to 3 p.m. at the Steen Library, AARC and second floor

Campus IDs
Strike a pose and have your student ID made before you leave campus.
2:30 to 4 p.m. at BPSC, room 1.208

Organization and Resource Fair
Learn about various programs and services offered by the university and ways you can get involved.
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the BPSC, first-floor atrium

Course Registration Assistance
2:45 to 4 p.m. at the Steen Library, Info Lab 1

Residence Hall Tours
Various residence halls will be opened for tours so you can get a sneak peek at where you will soon call home.
3 to 4 p.m. at Various locations

Orientation programs for family members

Available to parents and family members of incoming transfer students attending our in-person sessions, this one-day Orientation takes place in tandem with Transfer Orientation dates. This program allows us a wonderful opportunity to be sure all your questions are answered; we highly encourage you to join us!

Visit our Resources for Family page for more information!

FAQ

How do I charge my orientation fee to my eBill?

Only the student orientation fee is eligible to be charged to your eBill. Destination SFA and Parent/Family Member orientation fees are not eligible.

  1. Log into your mySFA account
  2. Select the Orientation tab
  3. Scroll to "Lumberjack Orientation Information"
  4. Select "eBill agreement for Freshman" or "eBill agreement for Transfer" link
  5. Follow instructions to complete and submit.

You will receive a confirmation email in your mySFA account once your registration is complete, so check your student email regularly.

If I haven’t taken the TSI test, what should I do?

Contact the TSI coordinator in the Student Success Center to verify your TSI testing requirements. If you are required to take the TSI Assessment, you must submit scores prior to being eligible to register for classes. TSI testing is available online, and limited in-person testing is available on the SFA campus. Contact Testing Services for in-person testing availability at 936.468.3958 or sfatesting@sfasu.edu.

Go to the Student Success Center's TSI Testing page for more information.

If you have any questions about exemptions, online testing and/or coursework substitutions for TSI, call 936.468.5803 or email tsi@sfasu.edu.

I took the TSI. Where do I send my scores?

Email TSI scores or other TSI documentation to tsi@sfasu.edu. If you do not have access to your scores, call the Student Success Center.

If you have tested more than once, check that SFA has your highest scores on file. Scores may be viewed on your mySFA account. Select the Advising tab and click on “View Test Scores.” Call 936.468.5803 to speak with the TSI coordinator.

How do I take care of the holds on my account?

  1. View holds on your mySFA account under the Registration tab.
  2. Click each specific hold for contact information, and contact the department for further instructions on how to remove the hold.

When can I register for classes?

First-Year Students

You can register for classes once you have been advised. Class registration will be available via mySFA once advised. Registering prior to attending Orientation is highly encouraged.

Transfer students

You can register for classes once you have met with your advisor via Zoom or phone to discuss which classes to take. Class registration will be available via mySFA once advised. Registering prior to attending Orientation is highly encouraged.

When do new students move in?

Visit Residence Life’s New Resident Information page and view their key dates for details on move-in.

How can I change my major?

  1. Log into your mySFA account
  2. Select the Orientation tab
  3. Scroll to New Student or Transfer Orientation
  4. Select "Major Change Form"
  5. Follow instructions to complete and submit

Contact

Orientation and Transition Programs
936.468.6641
orientation@sfasu.edu

Physical Address:
Baker Pattillo Student Center, Room 3.301

Mailing Address:
PO Box 6074, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962