FAQs
Admitted students who have signed up for Southbound Orientation will be added to an online course that should be completed before their scheduled orientation session. Students will be given access to the online course, via USAonline (powered by Canvas), 7-10 days before their orientation session. USAonline is the university鈥檚 Learning Management System and is vital to student success at USA.
Incoming students should check their JagMail (student email account) regularly, as they will need to accept the invitation to the online orientation course in order to participate.
Please note that orientation offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner a student registers, the more options they will have. Spring 2026 Southbound Orientation sessions will be offered virtually. Students should plan to complete the online modules, participate in a 90-minute virtual orientation session, and join us in-person for our Spring Southbound Open House.
Starting November 11, students who have signed up for spring orientation will be contacted by their academic advisor via JagMail to schedule an appointment to register for classes. Students will receive an invitation to join the AATS Advising course via USAonline (powered by Canvas). This course must be completed before the advising appointment and all students must attend their appointment in order to register for the upcoming semester. For most students, this advising appointment will take place prior to the student's scheduled orientation session, but depending on availability, it could also take place after.
Students that do not have ACT/SAT scores and are pursuing a STEM or business major will need to take the math placement exam before they meet with their advisor. Instructions on signing up for the math placement exam can be found here:/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementinfo.html
At our Spring 2026 Southbound Orientation Open House, new students will have the opportunity to:
- Connect with student organizations and current Jags
- Secure their Jag ID
- Visit the USA Bookstore to purchase textbooks and supplies
- Connect with other new students
- Chat with Orientation Leaders and ask questions
- Pick up their Jaguar Welcome Pack...and more.
There will be a few virtual orientation options available for new students. Regardless of the selected orientation session, students will still be required to complete the online course pre-orientation and meet with their academic advisor. All students must report to their orientation session at their scheduled start time (see confirmation email) to check in, as orientation attendance for the duration of the program is required.
Students who attend a virtual orientation will meet with their Orientation Leader via Zoom on their scheduled orientation day to learn more about South and ask questions. Additionally, all students will have the option to attend our Southbound Open House during the Week of Welcome when they arrive on campus for in-person guidance.
Please check the For 秘密研究所 tab for more information.
- Double-check reservation and confirmation for their scheduled orientation session.
- Check both personal email and JagMail accounts for communications from the university regarding advising, orientation, and next steps for successful enrollment and transition to USA.
- Complete the Admitted Student Checklist, located in the Pre-Orientation course that students will have access to prior to their scheduled orientation session.
Orientation is a requirement for all new undergraduate students and the orientation fee is a university fee that should be paid prior to orientation registration, or the student must agree to pay upon billing. Formal requests for refunds must be emailed to southbound@southalabama.edu. No refund requests will be accepted after December 15, 2025 for Spring 2026.
Visit southalabama.edu/orientation and click the Engagement tab for a list of events and to view recordings from previous orientation seasons.
Get Connected: