We are thrilled to have you join us as part of our incoming class. During ENVD Orientation, you will learn more about our resources, faculty and staff, your coursework, and the pathway to your individual degree completion.
The information on this page will serve as a primary resource for you from orientation through your first year as a design student. We look forward to connecting with you more during your first year.
This team will serve as your primary first-year advisors, however, you have a full advising and coaching team to support you throughout your academic journey. Get connected with advising early so you can learn about the resources offered and the opportunities you can gain as you complete your Environmental Design degree.
Orientation is a comprehensive, multi-month experience designed to help you jump right into the Program in Environmental Design.
Once you have confirmed your offer of admission, New Student & Family Programs will begin your CU onboarding process. During this time, you will be asked to complete an Online Orientation Course through Canvas.
Once the online experience ends, ENVD hosts a College Orientation Day each semester for both our fall and spring incoming students. As you prepare for these festivities, please note the following information:
Complete your Online Experience
The New Student & Family Programs office will be your guide to starting your undergraduate experience at CU Boulder. Be sure to complete your online experience by the required deadline.
Enrollment Webinar Series
Participate in our summer webinar series to familiarize yourself with ENVD before the fall semester begins. This webinar series will provide you with information about technology, tools, and the campus platforms needed to successfully navigate CU Boulder as an ENVD student.
Register for Your Classes
Before the semester begins and we host you at College Orientation Day, you will be asked to enroll in your classes through the Buff Portal. Prior to your registration date, you will be provided the courses you will need to enroll in.
Please be sure to monitor your email and meet with your advisor prior to your registration window. Once you have completed your registration, check out the design faculty who will be part of your first semester.
Supplies & Equipment
Environmental Design requires a specific set of studio supplies as you move through your design studio experience. First-year students will receive a toolkit of supplies during orientation.
All incoming Environmental Design students are required to have a personal laptop computer loaded with essential software for studios and classes. Review our computer recommendations to ensure that you start your first day with the appropriate computer and software.
First-Year Experience Program
All first-year students will participate in our in-house, two-semester First-Year Experience Program. During this experience, students will create meaningful connections with their cohort, engage in social and academic events, and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and allyship.
Living Learning Community
The Environmental Design Living Learning Community (LLC), housed in Willard Hall, is a residential community for first-year ENVD students to engage in regular programming that will supplement the academic rigor of their design education.
Join a Student Organization
Environmental Design student groups are a great way to get involved, meet new people and network with professionals in your field of interest.
As a first-year ENVD student, you are automatically enrolled in the Environmental Design First-Year Experience Program and invited to live in our Living Learning Community. This program is designed to bridge experiences in the classroom to opportunities for further intellectual, social and cultural enhancement as a design student and community member of the CU Boulder campus.
You will take part in co-curricular programming that promotes active engagement in your academics, community organization through student groups and DEI & allyship events that promote growth in understanding the diverse talent that exists in design spaces today. As you prepare for key pathways within our program, we offer ways to engage early in what it means to be a part of the Environmental Design community, as well as within your major.
Our mission is to provide academic and social engagement between faculty, staff and students to ensure you find the right community and experience to be successful here as a design student.
Each month, you will find programming linked to key assignments and skills every design student needs to know on your studio drafting desk. For each event you attend, you will earn three points. The more events you attend the more points you will accumulate.
At the end of your first academic year, you can submit your points to be eligible for one of our First-Year Engagement Scholarships.
First-Year Mentor
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