Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement

Starting college is a big deal. Camp will help you feel ready! You’ll explore campus, find out where your classes are, meet other students, and connect with student leaders who’ve been in your shoes. Plus, you’ll learn about resources like tutoring, advising, and career services that’ll help you succeed. 

You will be able to familiarize yourself with the campus, find out where your classes will be located, meet your freshmen peers as well as current students, staff, and faculty, and find out about our campus resources free for students to use, such as Tutoring, Advising, Career Services, Counseling, etc.

Since you’ll be staying overnight, bring comfy clothes, a pillow, blanket, bed sheets, toiletries, and some towels (we have a pool!). Pack snacks, chargers, sunscreen, and bug spray since we’ll be outside for parts of the day and most importantly, wear your TAMIU shirt on the first day— (the one you got when registering!)

You’ll experience what student life feels like during the year at TAMIU, from organizations, to activities, to the Rec sports center, a pool party, food, music, games, and resident life.

You’ll also experience what academic life at the university looks like. You’ll get a feel for what it will be like to attend your classes, walk around campus, ask questions, and explore the numerous learning opportunities that TAMIU offers.

Orientation is required for all incoming freshmen at institutions across Texas. Failure to attend orientation will result in a “Hold” being placed on your student account that will prevent you from registering for your Spring semester courses.

Plus, we will miss you at Dusty Camp!

Orientation is an opportunity to learn about TAMIU’s free resources for students. It is also a time to experience university student life. Above all, orientation is an opportunity to meet new people, some of which you may take classes with. It is an opportunity to meet new friends, future research partners, future business partners, or your future employers. Orientation is full of opportunities, and approaching it with an open mind and willingness to learn and grow will give you one of the best experiences of your university life.

Dusty Camp is designed specifically for incoming students. However, TAMIU offers a separate orientation session where parents and guardians can learn more about the university, available resources, and how to support their students' transition to college life.

TAMIU Dining Services offers a variety of meal options to accommodate dietary needs. If you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, inform the Orientation team by Filling out the dietary restrictions tab in the registration section. Additionally, you can also request any accommodation by calling 956.326.2951 or emailing orientation@tamiu.edu.

No. Orientation is a structured overnight program that requires full participation. Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the event, failure to complete orientation will result in Hold being placed on the students' account.

Yes! Switching to another orientation date is always possible if the preferred session has room.

The New Student Orientation fee, as listed in the Catalog, is $150.00 for all incoming freshman and transfer students. Students will pay nothing out of pocket at Dusty Camp and will be charged directly through tuition.

Yes! Students will receive an email before Dusty Camp with instructions to submit a photo online for their ID. Students will receive their IDs towards the end of Dusty camp if all photos are received. If photos aren't received students can contact the office of Card services about receiving their cards. Students can contact Card services via phone at 956.326.2877 or via email at onecard@tamiu.edu.