Character U and Orientation
We are excited and honored for you to join the DeSales University community as you begin your Orientation program.
Instagram channels to follow right now:
- @desalesuniversity - DeSales University
- @dsucharacteru - DeSales Character U and Orientation
- @desales.university2029 - DeSales Class of 2029
- @desalesufrjim - Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, DeSales President
- @desalescab - CAB (Campus Activities Board)
- @desales_asc - ASC ( Academic Success Center)
If you have additional questions, please let us know at DSUOrientation@desales.edu and we will make sure to connect you to the right person. Welcome Bulldogs!
Important Information About Orientation
- Academics: advising@desales.edu
- Accommodations: accessibility@desales.edu
- Admissions: admiss@desales.edu
- Billing: treasurer@desales.edu
- Clery: clery@desales.edu
- Counseling Center: counseling@desales.edu
- Dining Services: dining@desales.edu
- Financial Aid: finaid@desales.edu
- Health Center: healthcenter@desales.edu
- Housing: housing@desales.edu
- Information Technology: helpdesk@desales.edu
- Office of Civil Rights Compliance: ocr@desales.edu
- Orientation: dsuorientation@desales.edu
- Parking: parking.authority@desales.edu
- Registrar Office : registrar@desales.edu
- University Police: universitypolice@desales.edu
Orientation for the Class of 2029 will be from Sunday, August 17, 2025, to Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and the first day of classes will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Opening Day for the Class of 2029 will be on Sunday, August 17, 2025, for all resident and commuter students. More information will be sent in the summer for specific check in times.
What is Orientation?
The Orientation program provides personal guidance to first year students in their transition to the DeSales University community. Students gain valuable information on the different academic, social, and spiritual opportunities on campus and are welcomed into the Character U program.
What is the Purpose of Orientation?
Orientation is a time for you, as a student, to build Character, a very important experience at DeSales in which you will be a part of the Character U program. This year long program is designed to help you in your transition into the DeSales community from the moment you step foot on campus with the help of our Captain and Mentors.
During Orientation you will be placed in 1 of 8 Pods and compete for the coveted Dog Bowl. During the academic year you compete for the Pup Cup!
DeSales University Bark Student Engagement Portal
Here are the instructions for you to use to login into Bark, DeSales University’s Student Engagement Portal. On Bark, you will find the academic survey, sign up for information sessions, and see what is happening on campus!
Instructions for logging into Bark
Academic Success Center First-Year Course Survey
All members of the Class of 2029 are required to complete the First-Year Course Survey by June 15, 2025.
All fall course schedules for the Class of 2029 will be created by the Academic Success Center (ASC) during the summer months. You will receive an email sometime in the beginning of August (at your MyDSU email account) to let you know your course schedule is ready to be viewed. Directions on how to find your schedule in your My DSU account will be provided in the email. Be sure that you can access your DSU account and check it regularly over the summer. Schedules will be released for viewing only on August 7th, 2025.
The information provided in this survey will assist the ASC staff in creating your fall class schedule. We try very hard to provide each student with a schedule based on the requirements of your major and the preferences you provide in the survey. The ASC staff has the final authority on course scheduling and will not be changing schedules for students during the summer months. Students will only be able to make adjustments to their schedule during the drop/add period (i.e., August 20th-29th), in consultation with their academic advisor. During this period, students are required to see their academic advisor for approval to make changes to a course schedule.
Your schedule cannot be processed until ASC receives your survey.
Included in this survey will be a Cultural Awareness questionnaire for placement into a language or Cultural Awareness course. If students choose to take Spanish as a language, they will be placed in a Spanish language course based on consideration of languages spoken in the home and the total number of years studying Spanish in high school. For students registered for a Spanish language course, additional evaluation will occur during the first week of class, with the potential for a schedule adjustment as needed. If a student believes they have been placed in a level of Spanish that does not match their current mastery of the language, please speak with the department chair, Dr. Angelica Silva, during the course drop/add period.
In addition, this survey will also include a questionnaire section for incoming Biology, Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or Neuroscience majors for placement into a Chemistry and a Calculus course. For students registered in these majors, additional evaluation will occur during the first week of class, with the potential for a schedule adjustment as needed. If a student believes they have been placed in a level of Chemistry or Calculus that does not match their current mastery of the subject, please speak with the department representative, Dr. Julie Himmelberger, during the course drop/add period.
AP and dual enrollment credits are processed during the month of July. Until we receive an official copy of your AP score sheet (sent by the College Board) and/or college transcript(s) (sent from the Registrar of the university where the credits were completed, not your high school), we cannot assume you have this college credit. Please make arrangements to have these documents sent to DeSales in a timely manner to avoid delaying the completion of your schedule. Credits awarded will be announced via your DeSales email account. At that time, we will adjust your fall semester schedule accordingly.
Based upon Verbal/Written SAT or ACT scores, you may be assigned to English 100, 103 or 104. The survey will ask that you complete a brief writing sample. During the first week of classes, first-year writing instructors will provide further assessment, and if faculty determine that a different English course is more appropriate for you, they will assist you with making this adjustment.
You will be assigned an academic advisor by August 7, 2025. Information will be sent with instructions for finding this person’s name, e-mail address and office location.
If you have questions along the way, we are always happy to help. Please contact the Academic Success Center at advising@desales.edu. At peak times, when we are receiving a high volume of phone calls and e-mails, it may be difficult for us to reply as quickly as we would like. Rest assured; we will always get back to you while working to make this the best experience possible for everyone.
Character U and Orientation Summer Information Sessions Registration
The Character U and Orientation Team encourages you to attend one of the four Character U and Orientation Summer Information Sessions. Sessions will be held on June 24, July 14, July 15, and July 17.
These sessions provide an opportunity for members of the Class of 2029, families, and supporters to visit campus and meet staff members from a variety of offices.
Academic Success Center Information Session
The Academic Success Center (ASC) will be hosting an information session on June 11, 2025, at 6PM on Zoom. Topics include course schedules, advising, AP and Dual Enrollment credit.
More info for transfer students coming soon.
Parents, family, and friends, thank you for supporting our Bulldogs as they venture into the next chapter of their lives. Below, you will find some important links. Know what's going on at DeSales through these groups designed specifically for parents. Check back regularly for updates, events, and important information. We look forward to you visiting us!
Important Links
- Career Development Center (CDC) - Learn how DeSales can help your student get a job
- DeSales University Bookstore
- DeSales Bulldogs Athletics Live Videos
- DeSales Act 1 Performing Arts Ticket Sales
- Discover Lehigh Valley
Hotels
See a list below of hotels near DeSales University. Rooms are subject to availability.
Hyatt Place Allentown - Lehigh Valley
621 Grange Road
Allentown, PA 18106
610-387-1000
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
3800 West Drive
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-709-9797
Homewood Suites by Hilton
3350 Center Valley Parkway
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-351-6400