Transitioning you into the Ringling College Community
New Student Orientation is a multi-faceted program that helps prepare students for their transition into the Ringling College Community. This program is a cross-campus collaborative event organized and sponsored by Student Life and involves nearly every office and department on campus.
New Student Orientation aims to help new students transition to the Ringling College culture and understand the academic requirements. Throughout the phases of New Student Orientation, students receive information about different offices and resources available on campus and have opportunities to meet and connect with peers.
New Student Orientation 2024
New Student Orientation is comprised of several different components.
*The information published here is from NSO 2023 and will be updated in July 2024 for NSO 2024.
The Road to Orientation
Before You Arrive
All new students must complete the following steps before arriving on campus.
Complete Housing Application
In order to request housing, you must have completed enrollment by setting up your Ringling email account and submitting the confirmation fee.
To complete the housing application, you first need to confirm your enrollment. One business day after you have confirmed:
- Visit ringling.erezlife.com
- Log in with your Ringling College email, but omit the “c.” after the @
- For example, use “newstudent@ringling.edu” instead of “newstudent@c.ringling.edu”.
- The password is the same as the one you created for your College email.
- Microsoft may request a secondary authentication via text/call to complete the login.
- On the home page, look for “apply for housing” under “recommended actions.”
- Click “apply now” and complete the new student housing application.
- Once you have completed the housing application, you will be able to build a roommate profile under the “housing” tab on the left side and begin searching for a roommate.
- For more information, email Residence Life at reslife@ringling.edu.
Submit Photo for Student ID Card
Please follow the instructions below and then complete the NEW Student ID Photo Submission form on ringling.erezlife.com.
The photo should be a head and shoulders color photo against a solid, light-colored background. Please use ample lighting and do not alter the photo, or add photo effects, or filters. Hats and sunglasses should not be worn in the photo. Students may wear prescription glasses. If you have a professional school or passport photo, you may use that. Files must be saved in .JPG saved as “last name_first name”.
Submit Immunization Packet
The Immunization Packet must be turned in before July 26. The packet must be signed by a licensed medical provider or include an official copy of your immunization record. Failure to submit your immunization records could result in being unable to register for classes.
Submit Insurance Waiver or Enrollment Form
All degree-seeking students at Ringling College are required to have continuous health insurance. All students must submit a waiver or enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan each year. Students who have comparable U.S. based insurance must submit the online waiver. The deadline to submit a 2024-25 health insurance waiver is Friday, August 23.
Next Steps for Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities can begin the interactive process with Student Access Services during the summer months. For any student with questions regarding disability accommodations or to begin the interactive process, contact Student Access Services by email at sas@ringling.edu.
Next Steps for International Students
New international students should:
- Review the testing and paperwork requirements.
- Submit and prepare immigration forms and documents. Students will need an up-to-date I-20AB form, passport, and visa.
For more information contact Amy Pettengill, director of International Affairs, at apetteng@ringling.edu or at +1-941-893-2051.
Sign Up for Service Projects
When students arrive on campus for New Student Orientation each fall, they experience various educational and social activities designed to help them successfully transition to Ringling College and become actively involved in the Sarasota community.
The Community Engaged Learning staff strives to develop and broaden these types of learning opportunities to help students enhance their leadership skills, build friendships, and facilitate teamwork. As part of the orientation experience, students participate in a half-day, self-selected community service project on the morning of Saturday, August 17. Look out for an email with all the details in early August. Recent years have included the following service site options:
- InStride Equestrian Therapy Riding Program Site Beautification
- Orange Blossom Community Garden
- All Faiths Food Bank
- Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point Butterfly Garden and Beautification
- The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Playground Makeover
- Pinecraft Park Trail Clean Up and Painting, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
- Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources
- Siesta Beach Clean Up, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
For more information contact Community Engaged Learning staff at volunteerism@ringling.edu
Next Steps
Get Involved
Learn about how new students can get involved on campus.
Online Orientation
Students will receive an email sent to their Ringling College account (@c.ringling.edu) on July 15 with a web link to complete the online orientation before arrival. This is a mandatory prerequisite for attending fall classes. If you do not receive an email to your Ringling College account, please email us at nso@ringling.edu.
Webinar Series
The What You Need to Know webinar series helps students and their families get familiar with Ringling College before arriving on campus. Details are sent to each student’s Ringling College email account (@c.ringling.edu) and can be found on the Orientation Schedule. Recordings will be posted for each webinar session approximately one week after the live session. You are able to join each webinar at https://ringling-edu.zoom.us/j/4778284228.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 7-8 pm
Pre-Orientation Workshops What You Need to Know: Living on Campus
This session provides helpful information for those students who are going to be living in a residence hall in the fall. Staff will discuss move-in day processes, items that are needed, and important information about living in campus housing, and provide time for questions and answers.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 7-9 pm
What You Need to Know: Student Life and Connecting on Campus
Tune in as our SGA (Student Government Association) and various staff members answer your questions on topics such as living in Florida, life on campus, finding community, and more.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 7-8 pm
What You Need to Know: Accessing College, a Workshop for Students Requiring Disability Accommodations
This session is for students who would like more information on disability accommodations, the formal request process, and the difference in disability services in high school vs. college. Students and parents are welcome to attend to learn more about Student Access Services at Ringling College.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 7-8 pm
What You Need to Know: Tips for Academic Success
Are you excited to begin your classes at Ringling? Are you wondering what to bring on your first day of class? How should you communicate with your faculty if you need to miss class? This session is for all new students who are curious about transitioning to college-level coursework. This workshop will provide an overview of course-based policies and expectations that enable faculty to deliver high-quality curriculum to our students.
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
What You Need to Know: AI at Ringling College
Have you ever used generative AI to brainstorm various solutions to a project brief? Are you wondering whether you can use AI tools such as ChatGPT to complete assignments? Do you want to learn more about ethical ways to utilize AI and maintain creative integrity? This session is for all new students curious to learn more about the new AI Undergraduate Certificate and how it might amplify their future career prospects. The workshop will also cover AI policies developed in each department.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
What You Need to Know: Being an Art Student Parent
This session is specifically for parents! We will cover what you can expect as a parent of a student attending Ringling College of Art and Design. The session will provide specific details about family sessions at Orientation and beyond, as well as opportunities to partner with the College.
International Students Pre-Orientation
Due to travel time and additional paperwork requirements, new international students will arrive early and attend a pre-orientation. Details about this can be found on the New Student Orientation schedule.
On-Campus New Student Orientation
An in-depth, in-person New Student Orientation program is provided on campus for both new students and their families. Orientation at Ringling College is mandatory for all new students. For information and details about this program, review the New Student Orientation schedule.
Download the Corq App
Stay in the know on the go.
You can also find the entire schedule, broken down day by day, on our events website and app: Ringlink (via the Corq app). Ringlink and the Corq app also provide information on all campus events, clubs, and news, beginning with New Student Orientation.
To download Corq, please follow this link on your phone, then search for Ringling College: https://ringling.campuslabs.com/corq/launch
Visit Ringlink
To access Ringlink, go to https://ringling.campuslabs.com. Then log in with your Ringling credentials. Or, you can download the Corq app (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Windows 7, and Blackberry). If you log in with your Ringling College credentials, you’ll see you’re already a member of Ringlink!
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with what’s happening on campus by following the College on all of our official social media channels. Follow us on social media and tag #RinglingCollege in your posts.
2023-24 School Year
This year, 2023-24, we welcomed more than 500 new students and 1,200 returning students back to campus. That’s 1,700 of the world’s best and brightest students preparing for successful art and design careers right here in Sarasota, Florida. New students spent the week before classes getting comfortable on campus, learning about our traditions, preparing for academic success, and meeting new friends. Returning students moved back in and experienced first-hand much of the work done across campus this summer to ensure this academic year is better than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a commuter/transfer/non-traditional student. Do I need to attend Orientation?
Yes, definitely. This is the time for you to ask questions pertaining to your unique arrangement and meet your fellow students and faculty. Come and find out what services are available to you!
How much is parking during Orientation?
Parking at Ringling College is free. Fill out a Parking Pass Request Form with Public Safety or on the website and apply the parking sticker to your vehicle.
Note: First-year residential students may not bring a vehicle to campus unless an exception for extenuating circumstances has been approved. To request an exception, contact studentlife@ringling.edu.
First-year commuter students may certainly bring a vehicle to campus.
What will we do during Orientation?
You will attend information sessions, activities, and events designed to familiarize you with campus life and introduce you to your new surroundings. You will meet other new students, as well as current students, faculty, and staff. We will answer your questions and connect you to the right people and places to make your transition as seamless as possible.
Will I get my living assignment prior to Orientation?
Check your account on ringling.erezlife.com beginning August 1 for your housing assignment.
How long can my family stay during Orientation?
After move-in on August 14, we have sessions scheduled for family members on August 15 and 16. Family Farewells are scheduled for 6:30 pm on Friday, August 16. Although most family members depart on the evening of August 17 or the morning of August 18, Sarasota is a great community to stay in for an extended period of time. Please note that your student will be very busy during the weekend with activities on campus.
Where can I find Ringling College’s hurricane plans?
Ringling College has a robust and comprehensive plan for hurricane preparedness and evacuations, if necessary.
explore
Visiting Sarasota
Discounts at local hotels are available for Ringling College families to help you with your travel plans.
And, while you’re in town be sure to check out Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College as well as some of the local hotspots.
Your guide to nearby accommodations.
Experience thought-provoking exhibitions.
Your guide to navigating Ringling College.
