Getting Started
First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience is a collection of programs with a common goal helping you navigate your first year at WVU. We want you to succeed, and the First-Year Experience makes your journey easier by supporting you in all facets of your educational experience. First-Year Experience programs increase your interaction with faculty and other students and create a positive living and learning environment.
Only West Virginia University offers you this unique combination of fun and educational events and programs.
Resident Faculty Leaders
RFLs are WVU faculty members who have volunteered to live in homes next to the residence halls. The RFLs understand what you are experiencing because they are right there with you, sharing your meals, planning special activities and trips, and keeping up-to-date on your academic progress. RFLs are your advocates, mentors, and friends.
Freshman Interest Groups
Would you like to live in a residence hall with others who share your hobbies, goals, and classes? Whether you want to become a teacher, nurse, opera singer, successful executive, aerospace engineer, landscape architect, or politician, there are other students who are facing the same challenges. Freshman Interest Groups are arranged around a specific major or special enthusiasm to join, simply sign up for the residence hall that supports the Group in which you are interested (also open to transfer students).
Academic Support
No matter what your academic question or concern, there is always someone to help you. The Academic Resource Center in the residence halls provide help with study skills and teach time management. Tutors are available, and peer study groups for specific classes are common. Mathematics, chemistry, and English learning center can help you master these topics, and a personal academic advisor helps you choose the right classes and makes sure that all requirements are met.
WVUp All Night
WVU students never have to wonder what they are doing on weekends. Hundreds gather nearly every weekend in the Mountainlair to enjoy concerts, movies, comedians, dancing, and free food.
University 101
This required one-credit course teaches basic academic and social survival skills and guides you through the transition from high school to WVU. Transfer students with fewer than 29 hours also will take this class.
Festival of Ideas
People who are making a difference in the world come to campus to share their ideas with you. Past speakers have included Maya Angelou, an entire panel of Pulitzer Prize winners, director John Singleton, and Jerry Greenfield (the “Jerry” of “Ben and …” ice cream fame).
Student Recreation Center
Swimmers do laps in a six-lane pool while others relax in a leisure pool. Runners jog on a three-lane elevated track, while others sip fruit drinks and smoothies at a café. Sound like a spa? Well it is, and this facility is all for you! Basketball, racquetball, squash, and volleyball courts, 17,000 square feet of weight/fitness area, and a whirlpool that seats 20 are just a few of the other amenities. Did we mention the 50-foot climbing wall?
New Student Convocation
President Mike Garrison welcomes new students and their families to WVU with an official ceremony.
FallFest
The University welcomes students back to campus with a celebration on the first night of classes. Festivities include a free concert by a headliner band, a film festival, comedy club, and free food.
Campus Transportation
Besides the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), our award-winning electric people-mover, we provide ways to get around campus and town. University buses run between our campuses until late at night, and WVU students, faculty, and staff can ride the local bus service for free by showing their ID. Our goal is to safely get you where you want to go.
Student Organization
If you’re looking for a place to meet Mountaineers with similar interests, WVU Student Organization Services is your link to just about everything there is to do on campus. Whether you’re looking for an athletic club, a political organization, or social interest group, we probably have one. There are over 300 student-run clubs, but if your interest isn’t represented, you can start your own!
Mountaineer Parents Club
Thousands of families are connected by this club, which is chaired by former President Hardesty’s wife, Susan B Hardesty. A toll-free helpline (800-WVU-0096) makes sure that someone is always there to answer parents’ questions. Over 14,000 families support each other.
Adventure WV
Freshmen can make friends, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and learn about the outdoor opportunities in our state by participating in Adventure WV. No prior experience is necessary.