Check out information below for Student Orientation, Housing Move-In, Maps and more!
Student Orientation
Hey, future Cougar! Welcome! Remember to explore everything Barton has to offer. Be involved in a club or organization, participate in student activities, attend educational and athletic events. Discover YOUR Barton!
Fall 2026 New Student Orientation
- New Student Orientation is for the traditional freshman student or the transfer student with <24 credit hours that will be attending classes in person at the Great Bend campus.
- Sessions on Advising, Rights & Responsibilities, Library/Learning Resources, Student Life, Title IX, Academic Development, etc.
- Monday, August 18th (Non-athletes and select teams) and Tuesday, August 19th (Remaining teams)
- For more information and to register for New Student Orientation, SIGN-UP WILL BE POSTED IN THE SUMMER! (Registration will end at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12th.)
Friday, August 14, 2026 Housing Check-In Day 1
- Housing Check-In - 1-6 p.m. Check-in at the Student Union. (Speed up your check-in by following the instructions to sign up for Cougar Text Messaging)
- Student Life will be providing a bus from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) on Friday, August 15th. The bus will depart the airport at 4:00 pm and head to campus. SIGN-UP WILL BE POSTED IN THE SUMMER!
Saturday, August 15, 2026 Housing Check-In Day 2
- Housing Check-In - 1-5 p.m. Check-In at the Student Union.
- Food Service starts for housing residents in the Student Union. Weekend Schedule: Brunch 12-12:45 p.m. Dinner 5-5:30 p.m.
Monday, August 17, 2026
- New Student Orientation for non-athletes and select teams: 8:15 a.m. meet in the Kirkman gym. Sessions will run from 8:30-12:00 p.m.
- Housing Meeting 4-5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. All Housing Residents should plan to attend.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- Student Orientation for remaining teams: 8:15 a.m. meet in the Kirkman gym. Sessions will run from 8:30-12:00 p.m.
- Campus-Wide Open House: Tuesday, August 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Open to all students. Come meet your instructors, find your classrooms, and learn about student groups on campus. Snack and goodies provided!
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Food Service Regular Hours begin
Classes begin
View more student activities on the Student Life webpage!
It’s impossible to cover all topics at student orientation. This additional information covers topics that will help students get a better start with college and making good decisions.
- Alcohol & Drugs
- Balance Your Life
- Campus Phone Directory
- Computers & Living in Housing
- Copyrighted Material and File Sharing
- Courtesy Emergency Phones
- Cyber Security Education (password: homecourse)
- Finding Your Place at College
- Identity Theft
- Important Topics to Discuss with Your Roommate
- Staying Safe on Campus
- Streaming Movies - CATv
- Use of Computers/College Computing and Information Systems
Maps and Directions
Student Housing/Commons Map | Campus Map with directions to Admissions Office
View all Campus Maps.