New Student Orientation, Fall
Welcome to PLNU!
We deeply desire that you grow as a whole person during your years here. We trust you will experience an extra measure of God’s grace as you participate in our community. Opportunities to learn, grow, and serve are abundant here. The entire PLNU community is preparing for your arrival.
NSO Fall 2021 is on Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28
At New Student Orientation (NSO), you will meet key people, get your ID card, learn about the culture of PLNU, move into your room, purchase your textbooks, and much more. You are welcome to bring up to two guests, complimentary, to attend NSO with you.
COVID-19 Information
All new unvaccinated students will be required to do an onboard COVID-19 test to move into their residence hall. Proof of vaccination is required to bypass testing. If you have already been vaccinated, please remember to submit your vaccine records to the PLNU Wellness Center either through the QuickBase app or by email at covid19wellness@pointloma.edu. Vaccinated students who have not yet submitted documentation to the Wellness Center can bring their vaccination documentation to NSO to be taken out of onboard testing as well as ongoing surveillance testing.
In accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines, effective August 4th, PLNU's masking and face coverings policy will be the following:
- Individuals on the Point Loma campus regardless of vaccination status must be masked indoors.
- Individuals on the Point Loma campus who are unvaccinated should remain masked outdoors when a 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained.
- Individuals on the Point Loma campus who are vaccinated may remain unmasked outdoors.
Schedule of Events
| Check-In | Friday, August 27: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
| Move-In | Friday, August 27: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Students & Parents General Session I | Friday, August 27: 4 – 4:30 p.m. |
| Chapel | Friday, August 27: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
| Welcome Home Party (Students Only) | Friday, August 27: 9 – 10:30 p.m. |
| Students & Parents General Session II | Saturday, August 28: 9 – 10:30 a.m. |
| Parent Transitions Workshop | Saturday, August 28: 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. |
| Resource Fair | Saturday, August 28: 12 – 2:30 p.m. |
| Ice Cream Social | Saturday, August 28: 6 – 6:30 p.m. |
| Covenant Service & Closing Session | Saturday, August 28: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
Check-In Day
To avoid congestion on Friday and make the process as smooth as possible, each new student is assigned a time to check in inside Nicholson Commons. Following check-in, residential students will move their belongings into their residential hall rooms. Your assigned check-in time will be available July 1 in your Student Workday. You will receive a color-coded check-in ticket in the mail with an assigned time about two weeks prior to NSO. This ticket will allow you access to campus on Friday, August 27.
Parents and Guests
All parents and guests must register to attend NSO. Students are allowed to bring two parents/guests at no charge. Parents and guests are invited to join us for the check-in/move-in process on Friday, August 27, in addition to events on Saturday, August 28, and are welcome to leave Saturday evening.
Point Loma Nazarene University App
Stay up-to-date with the schedule, event locations, and important information throughout your NSO experience by downloading the PLNU app through your iOS or Android App Store. Search for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Hotel Accommodations
PLNU is pleased to offer a specially reduced rate at a variety of Bartell Hotels in the San Diego area. Rates are based on availability and all appropriate taxes and hotel fees apply. To guarantee a special rate, please book early and ask for the "PLNU rate" at the time the reservation is made. In return, Bartell will donate a percentage of the total room cost to PLNU's university fund benefiting student scholarships. Book online and find additional information about PLNU's partnership with Bartell hotels.
Transfer Student Orientation
Transfer students new to PLNU will attend both Friday and Saturday of NSO. Many of the sessions you attend will address information pertinent to your needs as a transfer student, even though first-time freshmen may also be in attendance. Please see the Transfer Student Track in the New Student Guide.
Disability Accommodations
PLNU is dedicated to providing students with disabilities access to the programs, services, and activities of the university, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and Amendment (2008), and by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973). The Educational Access Center (EAC) provides reasonable accommodations so otherwise qualified students with disabilities may, as independently as possible, meet the demands of university life.
For accommodation requests, contact the EAC at eac@pointloma.edu. Please send requests at least four weeks in advance of NSO.
Your New Student Guides to PLNU
The NSO Guide provides students and parents with more details about the weekend’s events, campus resources, department information, frequently asked questions, and more.
Download the PLNU App
Don't forget to download the app! It can help you stay up-to-date with the schedule, event locations, and important information throughout your NSO experience.
Contact Us
New Student Orientation
nso@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2644