Welcome to Miami University

Dear New Miamians,

Welcome to college! We are thrilled that you chose to attend Miami, the tenth-oldest public university in the nation with a long history of excellence in undergraduate liberal arts education. Since 1809, Miami has made an abiding commitment to student learning and academic success.

It is my sincere hope that you will find college a stimulating experience, full of opportunities for growth and intellectual discovery. The academic advising community has prepared this guidebook to provide you with useful information. I encourage you to reference this during the new student orientation process and to continue to regard it as a helpful tool.

The guidebook has answers to many of your academic questions, including curricular matters (“Which courses should I complete by the end of my first year?”) as well as practical matters (“How will I learn my advisor’s name and contact information?” and “Where should I go if I need support to succeed in my classes?).

This book is meant as a guide in the true sense of that term and not as a substitute for other University publications such as the course catalog (called the Miami General Bulletin) or the policy handbook (which is available in an online policy library). It is also intended to supplement, rather than replace, the many conversations we hope you will have with your academic advisor, residence hall director, and other academic support staff-persons with whom you will form a special relationship and about whom you will read more later in these pages.

You will find that there are many mentors available for you at Miami. I encourage you to seek them out so that your experience can be as enriching and meaningful as possible.

Best wishes as you begin your Miami University adventure,