Student & Spiritual Life

New Students

There is much to do before classes even start!  The resources on this page are here to help you make sure you're ready for the beginning of your first quarter at PUC.  Instructions are simple: make sure you do all this stuff.  And if you need any help, don't be afraid to ask!

New Student Orientation

Attending New Student Orientation is a great way to get acclimated to campus, meet your academic department, learn about the campus resources and services that will support your success, and make new friends. For new students starting at PUC in the Fall quarter, there are separate orientations for first-year freshmen and transfer students.

Fusion Orientation for First-Year Freshmen: September 20-23, 2023
All first-year freshmen will be enrolled in GNST 101- Frontiers during the fall quarter and this course begins at Fusion Orientation. Attending the entire Fusion Orientation event is mandatory for all first-year freshmen.

Transfer Orientation: September 24, 2023
Transfer Orientation begins with a general session for all students in the Dining Commons Side Room from 1:00 - 2:20 p.m., followed by academic department orientations in the departments from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Attendance is encouraged but not required.

Things To Do - Before You Get Here

You may not be on campus yet, but there are still things you need to do to get ready for college. Use this handy checklist to make sure you've got your bases covered before you get here.

Housing

  • Housing Information Form: All students must fill out this form at puc.edu/housingform. Residence hall students, this is where you can tell us about your hall and roommate preferences so we can make the perfect match.
  • Off-Campus Housing: If you plan to live off campus, see puc.edu/housing to check eligibility and to fill out the required forms, which you'll need to submit to Student & Spiritual Life.

Academic

  • Class Registration: If you haven't registered for classes yet, now is the time to put together the perfect schedule! Call Enrollment Services to register at 800-862-7080.
  • Flashlight Student Planning: Create your account at accounts.puc.edu. Flashlight is the program you'll use to register for classes, check grades, and communicate with your advisor.
  • Webmail: Create and confirm your PUC e-mail account at webmail.puc.edu. From information about school events to important messages from your professors, this is the account the campus uses to get in touch. Log-in and password are the same as Flashlight.
  • ACT/SAT Scores: If you haven't yet, make sure you take the ACT or SAT test and send your score to PUC.

Other

  • Health Information Form: See your doctor before you get to campus. Download the form at puc.edu/healthservices. Documents can be faxed to 707-965-6243. Contact Health Services at 707-965-6339 or email healthservices@puc.edu for more information.
  • Health Insurance: All students are required to carry their own primary insurance plan which must provide access to a provider network in the Napa area. Any student with an existing medical insurance plan must go to the Aetna waiver site at puc.edu/student-insurance. Waiver/enrollment period is August 28 through October 7, so students wouldn’t be charged until after the period closes.
  • Financial Clearance: Get all your financial paperwork finished up by working with Student Financial Services. Don't wait too long—if this isn't completed by 4:30 p.m. on the second day of class, your registration will be cancelled. Call 800-862-7080 for more information.
  • Vehicle Registration: Got wheels? Get them registered to avoid parking tickets. Online vehicle registration is available at puc.edu/publicsafety. Once you get on campus, stop at Campus Security to pick up your parking sticker.
  • Cell Phones: While the college does not provide cell phone service, you may find local cell providers at http://www.cellreception.com. Verizon Wireless has a tower on campus and therefore provides the best coverage. Cell coverage can be limited in some areas of campus due to the campus environment, and location, topology. The college's wireless network supports wi-fi enabled smartphones and tablets.

After You Get Here

You made it to PUC! After you've unloaded your boxes and suitcases, run through this checklist of things you need to do on campus. If you haven't yet finished your list of Things To Do Before You Get Here, you still have some time to check things off the list before classes start on Monday. Hop to it!

  • ID Card: Complete the online application before you get here so your card is ready to pick up from Student & Spiritual Life when you arrive for orientation.
  • Parking Sticker: You can always recognize a PUC car by a small rectangular sticker in the bottom left-hand corner of the rear window. Avoid parking tickets by picking up your parking sticker at Campus Security during orientation. Your vehicle must first be registered to receive a sticker; go to puc.edu/publicsafety.
  • Academic Advisor: For the smoothest ride through college, meet with your academic advisor often. If you are a registered freshman but want to make a change in your schedule, you will need to do so through your advisor. If your first-quarter schedule is set and no changes are required, you don't need to meet with your advisor during orientation.

Residence Hall 101

First time away from home? Here are a few tips and crucial pieces of information that will help in a smooth transition from home to residence hall.

General Information

Each residence hall room is fully equipped with the following items:

  • Twin beds/bunk beds
  • Closets and dressers
  • Desks and chairs
  • Window coverings (except Newton and Grainger)
  • Carpet (except for portions of Andre Hall and the north wing of Winning Hall)
  • Two 10/100 MB Ethernet connections. Network card not provided. Wireless Internet is available throughout each residence hall and most academic buildings. See itss.puc.edu for more information.

Each residence hall has the following facilities:

  • Coin-operated laundry (save those quarters!)
  • Ironing boards
  • Kitchens or cooking areas
  • Lobbies, study rooms
  • Outdoor bike racks

What to Pack

Can't fit your entire room into the minivan? Put down the packing tape and take a moment to read over our recommended packing list. Once you know the essentials for survival and what's not allowed, you might think twice about hauling your grandma's floral couch up Howell Mountain Road.

On some of these items, you might check in with your roommate so that you don't end up with two microwaves or rugs! For more details on residence life, check out the Student Handbook.

Must Haves

  • Desk lamp
  • Bedding, including mattress cover
  • Wastebasket
  • Cleaning supplies for the room and bathroom
  • Small vacuum (not supplied by residence hall)
  • Telephone (optional)
  • Iron
  • Appropriate decorations
  • Circuit breaker power strip
  • Computer and network card
  • Ear buds or headphones
  • Air-tight food storage containers

Kinda Must Haves

  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge (four cubic feet or less)
  • Cell phone (Verizon offers strongest signal)
  • Photos of family and friends

Cannot Haves

  • Your own furniture
  • Pets (only exception are fish)
  • Halogen lamps
  • Extension cords
  • Large speaker systems
  • Monitors or TV screens larger than 24 inches
  • Cooking appliances which have a visible coil and as indicated by the Student Handbook.

Parent Information

You are welcome to help your student move in to the residence hall. If you are bringing your student to campus and need a place to stay, see Area Lodging for information. Additional information may be found at the Parent & Families page.

Need More Help?

We are here to be your guide to PUC. Give us a call at 1-800-862-7080 or email us and we will provide you with all the information that you need!