http://orientation.studentaffairs.miami.edu
The Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement (OCSI) is located on the second floor of the Shalala Student Center, suite 203. OCSI offers a variety of services and programs for new students, families, and first-year commuter and transfer students. For more information, please visit the department's website.
’Cane Kickoff
'Cane Kickoff is a mandatory transition program that takes place immediately before the start of classes that assists first-year undergraduate and transfer students with their academic, personal, social, and cultural transition to the University of Miami. By participating in 'Cane Kickoff, students begin to understand their academic requirements and expectations and develop a connection to the UM community through interactions with fellow incoming students, current students, faculty, and staff. For more information, please visit the program’s page.
Great Start Pre-Orientation Program for Incoming Commuter Students
Designed with the specific needs of commuter students in mind, Great Start helps new commuter students prepare for a smooth start to their time at the University of Miami and to be successful throughout their college experience. Great Start gives new commuter students (first-year, transfer, and spring-admitted students) the opportunity to meet fellow new commuters, hear from current commuters about their experience, learn how to navigate campus, and get connected to campus resources—all while in small groups led by experienced student staff. Taking place before the ’Cane Kickoff orientation program, Great Start gives incoming commuter students a preview of daily life on campus and helps to make the most of their time as a Miami Hurricane.
Registration for the program is available via Canelink for incoming commuter students with a Miami-Dade or Broward County home address. For more information, please visit the program’s page.
Commuter and Transfer Assistant Program
Commuter and Transfer Assistants are high-impact student leaders who provide mentorship, leadership, and programming opportunities for first-year commuter students and new off-campus transfer students. First-year commuter students are assigned a Commuter Assistant and new off-campus transfer students are assigned a Transfer Assistant when they first arrive to campus during their fall or spring orientation experience. A student’s CA or TA serves as their mentor for their entire first year at the University of Miami. Commuter and Transfer Assistants specialize in helping new students transition to academic and student life at the University of Miami, as well as creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all commuters.
Association of Commuter Students
The Association of Commuter Students (ACS) is a second home for its members. ACS, a student organization, provides social support, service opportunities, school spirit involvement, and a physical space through which commuters bond with fellow students and participate in all that the University has to offer. ACS provides its members with a working knowledge of UM that gives them the opportunity to become fully involved in campus life. Brought together by a simple fact of life, commuting to campus, ACS members have forged bonds that extend beyond this commonality. For more information on ACS, please visit the organization’s page.
Tau Sigma
Tau Sigma is an academic honor society designed specifically to "recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students." By establishing chapters at four-year institutions across the country, Tau Sigma is able to recognize the academic achievement of the most outstanding transfers nationwide and, in the process, help universities better serve their transfer populations.
