Frequently Asked Questions
The Guidebook app is an interactive app that will prepare you for your orientation session and your first year at Columbus State!
This guide will help you navigate and personalize your experience during our fall in person orientation sessions.
Traditional First Year Students Fall In-Person ROAR Orientation is the program that will introduce all new incoming students to Columbus State University. At your session, you will learn how to navigate around campus, information about the variety of student organizations and array of student services that CSU provides, and how to select and register for courses.
This session begins with check-in at 7:30 a.m. and will last until approximately 3:30–4:30 p.m. depending on your advising session. Please see the guidebook for session schedules.
- Traditional Freshman Students are required to:
- Complete the Advising Survey
- Attend the In-Person Orientation Session
- Complete the “‘ROAR Pre-Orientation Traditional 2023” Course through CougarVIEW
- Click Here to Register!
Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours: These students are required to attend a ROAR Virtual Orientation Session. These particular sessions are geared towards specific needs of these students and last approximately 1.5 hours, via Zoom. You will learn about Advising and Registration and Career Preparedness.
- Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours students are required to:
- Complete the Advising Survey.
- Complete the "ROAR Orientation 2023" modules.
- Attend your scheduled Non-Traditional ROAR Virtual Orientation Session.
- Click Here to Register!
Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours: These students are required to complete the Asynchronous ROAR Online Orientation Modules. You will be required to sign up for a date, and have the opportunity to attend the virtual session, but you are not required to. After completing the asynchronous ROAR Online Orientation Modules. Your hold will be removed, and you can register for classes!
- Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours Students are required to:
- Complete the "ROAR Orientation 2023" modules
- Complete the survey at the end of the last module.
- Register for classes.
- Click Here to Register!
ROAR is a self-sustaining program. The funds earned are used to purchase supplies and materials, provide for meals throughout the session, and for CSU swag.
ROAR orientation registration for the Summer and Fall Admit Students will open Monday, February 3.
The Pre-Orientation CougarView Modules will open Friday, March 14, and you must complete them at least a week prior to your scheduled orientation session.
Registration is a two-step process; first you select your session and then submit payment at that time to secure your session.
All aspects of the ROAR orientation program are mandatory for all incoming students. Students who leave early will not be allowed to register for courses at the end of your session.
- When the student registers for ROAR, up to two guests can be registered. The guest
fee is $25 per guest. If you need to register a guest prior to your scheduled session,
please email Orientation@columbusstate.edu and provide your Name, Student ID Number, and Guest Name.
- Reminder: Students can only bring 2 guests per student.
Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours: are required to attend a ROAR Virtual Orientation Session. These particular sessions are geared towards the specific needs of these students and last approximately 1 hour via Zoom. You will learn about Advising and Registration and Career Preparedness.
- Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours students are required to:
- Complete the Advising Survey.
- Complete the “ROAR Pre-Orientation 2025” Course through CougarView.
- Attend your scheduled Non-Traditional ROAR Virtual Orientation Session.
- Click Here to Register!
Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours: are required to complete the Asynchronous ROAR Online Orientation Modules. You will be required to sign up for a date, and have the opportunity to attend the virtual session, but you are not required to. After completing the asynchronous ROAR Online Orientation Modules, your hold will be removed, and you can register for classes!
- Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours Students are required to:
- Complete the "ROAR Orientation 2023" modules
- Complete the survey at the end of the last module.
- Register for classes.
- Click Here to Register! **Please remember that although you complete the online orientation, you must still see your academic advisor before you can register for courses.**
A transient student (aka "guest student") is a student who is enrolled at one University but taking classes at another that will count towards their degree at their home University. Generally, this happens when students don't live near their home University over the summer but want to take a class or two to speed up the obtainment of their degree, or if for some reason they can't take a class at their home University that they need to graduate.
Students that fall into the above category DO NOT have to attend a ROAR orientation session.
If we have a record that you have attended a ROAR session in the past year, then you are not required to attend another session. Contact the Orientation Office at 706-507-8593 or email orientation@columbusstate.edu to verify that you attended an earlier ROAR session.
The ROAR program bases your advising and registration sessions off of the major that is listed on your academic record. If you would like to change your major after you apply to the university, please contact the Admissions Office at 706-507-8800 and request a change of major on your record.
The Advising Survey assists the advisors of your department in making a readymade schedule for you when you attend orientation. This survey is only for Traditional, Non-Traditional, and Transfer Under 30 credit hour students.
This survey asks for the preference of the student in class times, intended major, core class preference, and possible credit hours (half or full time) to name a few.
We ask that you complete the Advising Survey once you complete your ROAR registration. This will ensure that your advisor will be able to prepare a schedule for you by the time you attend the advising and registration portion of the orientation program.
To complete the Advising Survey, follow the directions below:
- Sign on to MyCSU
- Choose the Students menu (left side of screen)
- Click the Student Records tab/link (top area of screen)
- Scroll down to Applications, Forms and Surveys
- Click Advising Survey (under Surveys)
- Complete the Survey
- You will receive your schedule at Orientation and can make changes if necessary
For questions or assistance regarding advising, please email the Academic Center for Excellence at academic_advising@columbusstate.edu
ROAR is required for all incoming students. Students who do not attend a ROAR session may be subject to enroll during course schedule change.
Please contact ROAR Orientation at 706-507-8593 or email directly at Orientation@columbusstate.edu. You will need to find a different time or alternative to complete your Orientation requirement.
We must plan for meals and supplies in advance based on the number of students registered. Therefore, we are unable to give refunds. Your payment will roll over to another date if you change your session date.
For Traditional First Year students starting classes in the fall, we have planned out several orientation sessions to make it more convenient. If you are unable to attend the original date you have registered for, please refer to the other dates or call us at 706-507-8593 or email at orientation@columbusstate.edu to change your session date.
Family members and guests are encouraged to stay throughout the entire ROAR program, but it is not mandatory. You will be separated from your student for the majority of the day. We have created a separate experience, tailored to provide in-depth information pertinent to your transition. You will have the opportunity to meet with various campus administrators and learn about the various services and organizations available to students. You will also become acquainted with the academic and financial processes and procedures.
The family ROAR sessions are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of your students' collegiate experience. While we hope that you will attend all components, it is not required to stay for every aspect. However, if you register as a guest you will be required to pay the guest fee of $25 per guest.
Traditional First Year Students In-Person ROAR Orientation: Students entering in the summer and fall semesters have the opportunity to choose from a selection of different orientation sessions. We have two sessions on our RiverPark campus geared towards students who are of the College of the Arts, College of Education and Health Professions, or living on our RiverPark campus. There are also multiple one-day sessions for transfer students with under 30 credits and non-traditional students.
Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours: Students entering in the summer and fall semesters have the opportunity to choose from a selection of different orientation sessions.
Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours: Students entering in the summer and fall semesters have the opportunity to choose from a selection of different orientation sessions.
For any and all orientation sessions, please make sure that you have turned in all required paperwork such as final high school transcript, immunizations, and lawful presence verification to the Admissions Office.
Traditional First Year In-Person ROAR Orientation:
- Students: Check out our "What to bring" tab on our Guidebook app (Available June 1) for ROAR orientation at Columbus State!
- Please plan on bringing a jacket in the event that it rains during our sessions. We will provide you with a pen and writing utensils as well as a bag.
- Please wear walking shoes, there is a lot of walking during the day and we want to make sure that you are comfortable.
- Parents: Please bring a smiling face! You will be provided with a schedule and something to
write with. Bring anything else pertaining to your child you deem necessary.
- Please plan on bringing a jacket in the event that it rains during our sessions. We will provide you with a pen and writing utensils as well as a bag.
- Please wear walking shoes, there is a lot of walking during the day and we want to make sure that you are comfortable.
Main Campus Sessions: Check-in will be at the Parking Lot 14 next to the Parking Deck.
RiverPark Campus Session: Check-in will take place at the RiverCenter Lobby. Please park at the CSU garage on Front Avenue (between 10th and 11th Street).
Located on the Guidebook app (available June 1), there is a map tool that will assist and direct you in parking for orientation.
Traditional First Year Students In-Person ROAR Orientation: ROAR registration will close 3 days before the session begins. Register early in order to secure your orientation session attendance.
Non-traditional & Transfer Under 30 credit hours: ROAR registration will close 24 hours before the session begins. Register early in order to secure your orientation session attendance.
Transfer Over 30 Credit Hours: ROAR registration will close 24 hours before the session begins. Register early in order to secure your orientation session attendance.
If you have questions regarding ROAR reservations, you can email us at orientation@columbusstate.edu or call the Orientation Office at 706-507-8593. If you happen to get an answering machine, please leave your name, number and questions. We will return your call as soon as possible.
Download the Guidebook app (available June 1) on your smartphone or tablet. This app will provide you with not only a schedule for orientation but a pre-orientation checklist of things to do before you arrive on campus.
Complete the “ROAR Pre-Orientation 2025” Course through CougarView.
