Upcoming Events
December 10th
New Student Orientation
(For Freshmen enrolling in Spring 2010)
Registration Brochure
Registration Form
Registration Deadline is Friday, December 4th
January 5th
Transfer Student Orientation
(For transfer students
enrolling in Spring 2010)
Enrollment Confirmation Fees: click here to pay your fee online. You may pay with a check, money order, or a credit/debit card (VISA, Master Card, or Discover) through the online system.
Giving you the answers you need
Is there a fee to attend Orientation?
All new students must pay a $45.00 Orientation fee. In addition, there is a guest fee of $15.00 per guest. This fee covers all meals, activities, and resources given out during the Orientation program. A separate registration form will be sent with the student's assignment date and the Orientation registration booklet to allow students and guests to register and pay for the program. You can also print the forms by clicking on the Incoming Freshmen or Transfer Student link on the left side of the screen.
What if I can't afford to pay the $75 Confirmation Fee?
Please contact the Office of New Student Orientation and Parent Programs if you are having trouble coming up with the funds for the Enrollment Confirmation Fee. For your situation to be considered, two letters are required: one from the student explaining circumstances and the other from a person such as a social service agency or a guidance counselor speaking on behalf of the student's circumstances. Fax the request to Amy Arbino-Wylie at (859) 572-1960 or email to arbinoa1@nku.edu.
What if I can not attend Orientation?
Orientation is REQUIRED for ALL new students. Under certain and very limited circumstances, students may be exempted. If you can not attend Orientation, please contact the Office of New Student Orientation and Parent Programs. A written request by the student attending Northern will need to be sent either by fax to (859) 572-1960 or by email to arbinoa1@nku.edu in order for your situation to be considered. Your situation will be reveiwed and you will receive a response to your request from a staff member in the Office of New Student Orientation and Parent Programs. Keep in mind that if you do not attend an Orientation program, you will not be able to register for classes until Open Registration in late August.
What if I need special accommodations?
If you or your guest(s) have a disability or circumstances that require special accommodations during Orientation, please call our office at (859) 572-1967 or write your request on your registration form so that we can make arrangements to make your stay with us more comfortable.
In addition, students with disabilities who require accommodations at Northern Kentucky University must register with the Disability Services Office located in the University Center, Suite 320. Disability Services can be contacted at (859) 572-6373.
How do I register to attend an Orientation program?
Once you have been accepted and have paid your enrollment confirmation fee, you will receive an orientation registration form (beginning in late March) that must be filled out and returned with your registration fee of $45 to secure your program date. The date of your assigned program will be based on your academic major, as well as any obstacles that you may have identified. There are a limited number of spots for each program. Your orientation assignment will be made on a first come, first serve basis.
Please return you Orientation materials to:
Office of New Student Orientation and Parent Programs
Student Union 316, Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Do I register for classes at Orientation?
Advising and registration for classes is incorporated into the Orientation program during the two-day summer program.
Transfer students will be advised and registered through their academic department. You need to contact your academic department to schedule a time to be advised. If you need help identifying your department, please contact us at 859-572-1967.
Nontraditional Students will be advised at the two-day summer program they attend. However, if they choose to attend the Nontraditional/Transfer evening programs, the student will need to contact their academic department directly to be advised and registered prior to attending the evening program.
Are parents invited to attend?
Parents and family members are recommended to attend the Orientation program. Students are encouraged to bring family members and/or significant others in their lives to help develop a support network early in their college career.
Parent Orientation is a separate yet concurrent program designed specifically for parents, guardians, and spouses of new students. This program consists of special presentations designed to help family members assist with their student's transition to college and allows them to become familiar with University and its many resources.
Attendance for parents is optional. The first day of the program will include opportunities to meet with faculty, administrators, and students to discuss issues such as academic performance, student health care and counseling, campus safety, money management, student life, available support services, roommate and housing issues, homesickness, expected student behavior, and commuter-student concerns. We encourage questions and give you ample time to interact with these important offices throughout the day.
What overnight accommodations has NKU made for my parents/family?
If you will be traveling from a distance and need to make overnight accommodations, the University has established several relationships with local area hotels that have a special rate for NKU guests.
- Hotel (859) 441-3707
- Reservations 1-888-201-1746
- Approximately. 1.5 miles to NKU
- **$89 per night**
- Ask for the NKU rate
- Hotel (859) 291-6700
- Reservations 1-877-424-6423
- Approximately six miles to NKU
Holiday Inn Cincinnati-Riverfront
- Hotel (859) 291-4300
- Reservations 1-888-465-4329
- Approximately nine miles to NKU
- **$89 per night**
- Ask for the NKU rate
Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront
- Hotel (859) 491-1200
- Reservations 1-800-333-3333
- Approximately nine miles to NKU
- **$99 per night**
- Ask for the NKU rate
Hyatt Regency - downtown Cincinnati
- Reservations 1-800-233-1234
- Approximately seven miles to NKU
- **$99 per night**
- Ask for the NKU rate or Code BOKC
- Hotel (859) 342-7111
- Reservations 1-800-329-7466
- Approximately nine miles to NKU
- Hotel (859) 371-4400
- Customer Support 1-800-HILTONS
- Approximately 12 miles to NKU
- Hotel (859) 371-2233
- Reservations 1-888-465-4329
- Approximately 12 miles to NKU
Sheraton Cincinnati Airport Hotel
- Hotel (859) 371-6166
- Reservations 1-800-325-3535
- Approximately 12 miles to NKU
- Hotel (859) 341-2800
- Reservations 1-800-354-9793
- Approximately 12.5 miles to NKU
- Ask for the NKU rate
Residence Inn by Marriott, Cincinnati Airport
- Hotel (859) 282-7400
- Approximately 12 miles to NKU
- Amenities
Courtyard by Marriott, Cincinnati Airport
- Hotel (859) 647-9900
- Reservations (800) 627-7468
- Approximately 12 miles to NKU
- Amenities
Courtyard by Marriott, Florence
- Hotel (859) 371-6464
- Reservations (800) 971-4741
- Approximately 13 miles to NKU
- Amenities
How do I get to NKU's Campus?
NKU's main campus is located along U. S. Highway 27 in Highland Heights, seven miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio. NKU is served by interstate highways 71, 74, 75, 275 and 471.
Driving to the main campus:
I-275 East only (use these directions if coming from the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Airport):
- Take Exit 76 (Three Mile Road/Northern Kentucky University)
- Turn right off of the exit on University Drive
- Turn right at the first traffic light onto Kenton
- Drive You may park in Lot F (first lot on the left) or in Lot M (on the right). There is additional parking available in Lot I (consult the campus map for location)
I-275 (East or West):
- Take Exit 74A (US Highway 27 - Alexandria)
- Continue straight on US 27 South
- Continue straight through the first light and turn right at the next traffic light onto Nunn Drive.
- Take first right off the round-a-bout onto University Drive
- Turn left at light onto Kenton Drive
- You may park in Lot F (first lot on the left) or in Lot M (on the right). There is additional parking available in Lot I (consult the campus map for location)
From downtown Cincinnati, OH:
- From US 50, take exit 1J onto I-471 South into Kentucky toward Newport, Kentucky
- Follow I-471 to US 27 towards Alexandria (do not take the Ft. Thomas/US 27 exit)
- I-471 ends at US 27 - continue straight on US 27 South
- Continue straight through the first light and turn right at the next traffic light onto Nunn Drive.
- Take first right off the round-a-bout onto University Drive
- Turn left at light onto Kenton Drive
From Louisville, KY:
- Take I-71 North
- Merge I-71/75 North
- Take Exit 185 onto 1-275 East
- Continue on I-275 East
- Follow directions for traveling I-275 East
From Lexington, KY:
- Take I-75 North
- Continue on I-75 North
- Take Exit 185 onto I-275 East
- Follow directions for traveling I-275 East
From Columbus, OH:
- Take I-71 South to downtown Cincinnati
- Exit onto I-471 South toward Kentucky
- Take I-471 South over the gold bridge into Kentucky
- Follow directions for traveling from downtown Cincinnati
From Dayton, OH:
- Take I-75 South to Cincinnati
- In Cincinnati, follow US 50 East to I-471
- Follow directions for traveling from downtown Cincinnati
From Indianapolis, IN:
- Take I-74 East to I-75 South
- Take Exit 1B and follow US 50 East to I-471
- Follow directions for traveling from downtown Cincinnati
NOTE: Students and parents will need to go to Greaves Hall to check-in. Please consult the map for location.
During the two-day program, is staying overnight mandatory for all students?
All students who will be attending the two day programs in June, July and August will be required to stay on campus for the duration of the program, regardless if they will be a resident or commuter in the fall.
The overnight portion of the program gives students the following opportunities:
- Meet and begin to form lasting relationships with other new students.
- Get exposed to student organizations and Student Life opportunities through events like Freshman Fued.
- Engage in activities planned specifically for new students to build a community amongst the fall class.
- Begin to build the relationships and connections with other NKU Student leaders, Faculty and Staff to allow the student to be successful as they begin their college career.
- Experience campus life through the eyes of a residence hall student.
What should I bring?
You will be staying one night in the University Suites residence hall on NKU's campus for orientation. We suggest that you bring the following:
- linens for bed or a sleeping bag
- a pillow
- towels
- informal clothing that is appropriate for outdoor activities and comfortable shoes (tennis shoes and sandals)
- alarm clock
- toiletries (i.e. soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)
- money for vending machines
Can I change my Orientation Date?
Yes you can, but you must request your change at least ten days prior to the date of your assignment. Date changes are based on availability of your requested date. Please contact the Office of New Student Orientation and Parent Programs at (859) 572-1967.
What offices will be represented during the orientation program?
- Financial Aid (859) 572-5143
- Bursar's Office (859) 572-6426
- Registrar's Office (859) 572-5556
- Admissions Office (859) 572-5220
- Department of Public Safety (859) 572-5500
- Parking Office (859) 572-5505
All of these offices will all be represented at Orientation. Their offices will be open regular hours (8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) during Orientation for you to visit or direct questions.
What is Placement Testing and who should take these tests?
The Placement Test is now required for incoming new students whose ACT/SAT scores do not meet NKU and/or state standards. First time freshman who need to take a Placement Test must pre-register prior to attending Orientation. We recommend students take placement tests prior to attending Orientation to avoid long lines. However, placement tests will be available during Orientation for students who pre-register. Please note that students who do not test prior to registering for classes forfeit their right to testing and must take the appropriate development course(s).
The test covers English, Reading, and Math (determining whether developmental classes are necessary). Another option is to re-take the ACT. Please check the Testing Services website for more information at testing.nku.edu
The dates of the Placement Test for summer and fall enrollment:
January 7, 2009 at 5 pm
February 19, 2009 at 5 pm
March 5, 2009 at 5 pm
April 2, 2009 at 5 pm
April 16, 2009 at 5 pm
May 14, 2009 at 5 pm
May 28, 2009 at 5 pm
June 9, 2009 at 5 pm
June 24, 2009 at 5 pm
July 9, 2009 at 5 pm
July 23, 2009 at 5 pm
August 5, 2009 at 5 pm
(All tests are offered in Founders Hall Building, room 421)
To register for a Placement Test click here.
Note: Academy students are not required to take Placement Testing.
How do I obtain a parking pass?
Contact Parking Services (859) 572-5505 or visit their website at parking.nku.edu for more information on campus parking and pass rates.
What is the Honors Program?
Faculty from disciplines across the University teach courses at the Honors House, a unique campus facility which features seminar-style classrooms, student kitchen and lounge, computer room, and acres of lawn and woods for study and relaxation opportunities.
The Honors Program offers:
- Small classes taught by outstanding faculty
- Scholarships and study abroad fellowships
- Research opportunities one-on-one with professors
- Opportunities to live on-campus in an honors living community
- If you have any questions about the Honors program, please email Tom Zaniello, Director of the Honors Program at tzaniello@nku.edu or call the Honors office at 859-572-5400.
What is the NKU Book Connection for 2009?
Book Connection information for 2009-2010 is coming soon. For more information, contact Jennie LaMothe, or the NKU Office of First Year Programs at (859) 572-5913.
What do I do If I am attending NKU on the GI Bill or I need to speak to a representative from the Veteran's Affairs Office?
Student can find information regarding the GI Bill and other services here. Please contact Maria Reverman at 859.572.7609 or rieblingm@nku.edu if you have any questions about the GI Bill or other Veteran's Affairs services.