Frequently Asked Questions

New Student Orientation Questions

After reviewing our frequently asked questions below, please reach out to the Student Transition Services team at orientation@hiram.edu or 330.569.5321 if we can be of further assistance to you.

New students and their supporters are provided two convenient options to complete Orientation:

  • A one day, in-person experience on campus (recommended)
  • An entirely virtual experience. Our online program is intended for international students, out-of-state students, and students who have difficulties traveling to campus.

Please note: Students who plan to attend an in-person session are still required to complete several online pre-Orientation modules two weeks prior to Orientation day.

In-person Orientation is offered monthly on Hiram’s campus from April through August. Five dates are available for your convenience:

  • Saturday, April 22
  • Friday, May 19
  • Saturday, June 10
  • Saturday, July 15
  • Monday, August 7

Registration for Orientation begins February 15. To register, please visit our Orientation homepage. Dates that are at capacity are no longer available during the registration process.

Yes. In order for the College to be best prepared for serve you, new students are asked to register at least one month in advance of each in-person Orientation session. To ensure a personable experience, each session is capped at approximately 50 new students and their supporters.

Registration for Orientation begins February 15. To register, please visit our Orientation homepage.

All new students must complete either an in-person or virtual Orientation experience.

While not required, we recognize the important role that parents, family, friends, and loved ones play in a student’s journey to graduation. Hiram collectively calls this group of people student supporters. Orientation is open to all those who support students. Several sessions are geared directly toward conversations that address the roles of these key individuals in a student’s transition to college.

For those attending the in-person experience (with the exception of May), Orientation begins just after 8:00 a.m. and the day ends around 2:30 p.m. During the morning, you will be welcomed with a complementary continental breakfast, you’ll take your student ID photo, and meet representatives from offices across campus who are here to support your success. After scoring lots of free giveaways, you’ll attend the welcome session. You will learn about our rich history and values, the core of the academic program, tips to register for classes, and you’ll meet key members of the College’s administrative team. Following the welcome, students will split from their supporters and schedule their courses during a personalized advising appointment with a member of our faculty in the student’s area of academic interest. Supporters will join the Dean of Students and Dean of the College for a conversation around transition and success. The morning will round out with sessions on financial aid, residence life and housing, getting involved, dining services. The day wraps up with complementary all-you-care to eat lunch in our dining hall. Optional tours of the first year residence halls, the Coleman Athletic Center, or the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station and optional drop-in appointments conclude the day.

The May session is held on a Friday and begins with lunch and ends with dinner, following a similar schedule as above.

Throughout the day, you will interact with a group of current students called Orientation Leaders. Students and their supporters will be assigned to specific color group and a letter (A or B) which dictates the schedule you will follow for the day. Know that you are never alone and there will be lots of helpful folks to guide you around campus!

The full schedule for each Orientation session is posted on our Orientation webpage and is subject to change.

Hiram is located equidistant from Cleveland, Canton, and Youngstown. To learn more about overnight accommodations in our area, visit our Lodging webpage. The Hiram Inn fills quickly so be sure to schedule your travel in advance. Unfortunately, on-campus housing is not available to Orientation attendees.

Our small, square-mile village is highly walkable. Free parking is available on all village streets (unless marked otherwise), and in the following campus parking lots.

  • Lot 1 – Kennedy Center
  • Lot 8 – Gelbke Lot
  • Lot 13 – East Hall [by Tennis Court]
  • Lot 16 – Coleman Center – [Visitor sign ONLY]
  • Lot 17 – 305 Lot

Complementary shuttle service will be provided to and from the lower campus parking areas via golf cart or campus van. Look for the shuttle stop signs near the following locations:

  • Kennedy Center
  • Garfield Rd. & Hinsdale St. Intersection
  • Hiram Dining Hall
  • Lot 13 – Tennis Court Lot

Please contact our office should students or supporters have a physical accommodation request.

Don’t forget that students should complete their pre-Orientation modules on Moodle at least two weeks prior to their in-person Orientation date. Students must bring one form of a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID). An ID is required to verify your identity and process your student ID card.

We will provide you with a folder, pen, notepad, and a reusable bag to store all of the informational materials and giveaways you will receive throughout the day.

Students who attend in-person Orientation will have their photo taken by our campus photographer. Your student ID card will be printed and provided during your arrival in August.

Students completing the virtual Orientation should follow the instructions in Moodle to submit an acceptable photo through the ID photo form. Your ID card will also be available during your arrival in August as long as your photo is submitted by the published deadline.

Online students are not provided a photo ID card. Further questions may be directed to the Office of Campus Safety.

If you are completing in-person Orientation, you’ll register for courses during your in-person experience at Orientation. Be sure to complete your pre-advising form in Moodle at least two weeks prior to your Orientation day. Fear not! This form is simply a guide to convey your academic interests to your Orientation advisor and is not intended to mimic your final fall schedule.

If you are completing virtual Orientation, registering for classes will be the final step. An advisor will reach out to you after you complete your pre-advising form to schedule a virtual appointment.

Hiram requires students to submit their final transcripts from previous institutions attended. The Registrar’s Office will assess transfer credit which will be discussed with you during your academic advising appointment. Official transcripts are those that are sent by the institution awarding the credit, even if you earned that credit from your local high school.

Students who are required to take a math course in their semester of college should plan to take the math placement exam. Further directions are included within Moodle.

Within roughly two business days of depositing at Hiram, you will receive an email from helpdesk@hiram.edu. This email, known as your account creation email, will contain your Hiram username and temporary password. The email will contain further instructions on setting up your account. Don’t forget to save your password. For your safety, it is the College’s policy to require a password reset every 90 days. Therefore, we encourage you to check your email at least weekly prior to your fall arrival and you will receive a reminder if your password is set to expire.

Once you have set up your account, you may log into your email by visiting mail.hiram.edu.

If you are having issues with activating or accessing your Hiram email address, please contact the Dray Technology Center IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@hiram.edu, or 330.569.5313 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Moodle is Hiram’s online learning management system. All Orientation participants (in-person and virtual) will utilize Moodle for portions of Orientation. While many modules are required, others are strongly encouraged so that you are aware of the tools available to support you prior to your arrival.

To log-in, visit online.hiram.edu. Approximately two business days after you register for Orientation, you will receive a confirmation email directing you to Moodle and further instructions on how to access the corresponding course assigned to you.

Before logging into Moodle (Hiram’s online learning management system), you must activate your Hiram email.

To log into Moodle, use your hiram.edu email and password. If you are having issues logging into Moodle or don’t remember your password, reset your password through the hiram.edu password manager. You can also contact the Dray Technology Center IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@hiram.edu, or 330.569.5313 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

STUDENTS: Once a student deposits, it is critical to check one’s Hiram email at least weekly prior to arrival. Certain offices exclusively communicate with a student’s Hiram email address, while many important Orientation reminders will be sent to the student’s personal email account provided during Orientation registration. The College will also send timely text message reminders to students via their cell phone number on file.

SUPPORTERS: We encourage continued involvement in your student’s educational journey while supporting their transition to independence. We will communicate with supporters in various ways prior to their arrival to Hiram.

  • In the Orientation registration process, student’s have the option to list the email addresses of up to two supporters. The first supporter listed with receive email communication from the Orientation office prior to Orientation day.
  • Visit our webpage dedicated to parents, families, and supporters like you!
  • Review our Supporter Guide, an all-encompassing resource helpful both pre and post-Orientation.
  • Join our virtual community on Facebook called “Hiram College – 2023 New Students Parents & Families” for important announcements throughout the summer. Be sure to answer the membership question when requesting to join.
  • Join our families mailing list to stay up to date on Hiram post-Orientation.

Finally, we encourage you to visit the Orientation homepage for additional updates.

The Fall 2023 arrival dates have been posted on our Residence Life webpage. First Days begins on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

Once you submit your housing contract, you will be invited to participate in room selection during a specified window in either June or July. During this process, you may pick your specific room and designate preferred roommates. Once your room is selected, you may review your housing assignment at any time via eRezLife.

Using your Hiram credentials without the @hiram.edu, students will log-in using their username and password. Once logged in, click “Profile.” Under Profile, users will see a drop down menu with a tab called “Housing Applications.” Clicking this tab allows students to see their residence hall name, room number, and roommate information.

Tentative housing assignments are completed by August 1. Comprehensive arrival information will be shared the week of July 31, 2023 to both student and supporter email accounts.

We have videos for each of our residence halls on our Residence Life page. Select each of the residence halls to watch a short video that provides an overview, amenities, and virtual tour.

Because our halls are utilized for camps and conferences throughout the summer and because assignments are not finalized until early August, it is unlikely that a student will be able to preview their specific room at Orientation. Those who do attend in-person Orientation will be able to tour up to two of our first-year residence halls.

For information about what you should pack when coming to Hiram as a residential student, check out our Suggested Packing List.

To request academic accommodations, you’ll need to contact our Disability Services Office. Typical classroom accommodations include extended time for in-class work and exams, texts in alternative formats, lower distraction testing area, and note takers.