Welcome, new Chaparrals! Kick off the Spring 2026 semester at New Student Orientation on Thursday, Jan. 15.
You'll have the chance to connect with fellow students, explore campus resources and get a glimpse of life as a Chaparral. Sign up early to receive an extra gift in your welcome bag!
Agenda
New students can choose between two NSO sessions on Thursday, Jan. 15: afternoon or evening.
- 1:30 to 2 p.m.: Check-in at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) Lobby
- 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Main session presentations
- 3:30 to 4 p.m.: Department Tabling and Ice Cream Social
- 6 to 6:30 p.m.: Check-in at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) Lobby
- 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Main session presentations
- 8 to 8:30 p.m.: Department Tabling and Ice Cream Social

What You'll Do
- Learn about the services and resources available to you on our campus
- Mingle with new and returning students
- Get tips on how to succeed in college
- Feel confident about starting your first day at College of DuPage

How to Sign Up
- Access the sign-up form
- Log in with your dupage.edu credentials
- Complete and submit the sign-up form

Stay Connected
Follow @CODStudentLife on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to get updates on NSO and all things Student Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re preparing for your first day on campus or exploring what’s ahead, this section covers the most common questions about NSO. Let’s help you start your college journey with confidence.
At New Student Orientation, you’ll discover everything COD has to offer. You’ll also meet representatives from key departments who are here to support your success. Explore COD departments by clicking the links below.
Please note that in some cases, the departments present at NSO may differ from those listed here. For more information on any particular department, please contact them directly.
Access and Accommodations
College of DuPage is committed to the equitable access of educational opportunities
for eligible students with a disability, illness, injury, or medical condition. Reasonable
accommodations are determined through an interactive and individualized process with
the student.
Advising and Transfer Services
Academic advising is an essential part of student success at College of DuPage. Our
full-time advisors offer personalized, proactive support guiding students throughout
their academic journey.
Athletics and Physical Education
Find out about the 15 intercollegiate sports that COD sponsors in the National Junior
College Athletic Association and the course offerings within our Physical Education
department.
Bookstore
The College of DuPage Bookstore is located on the first floor of the Student Resource
Center. The Bookstore offers new, used and rental books as well as a price match program.
Additional items and services include course materials, supplies, COD apparel, fax
service, small copy services and free gift wrapping for any items purchased within
the store.
Campus Police
The COD Police Department is a professional 24-hour law enforcement agency. Whether
it is providing emergency first aid, responding to a criminal act or providing escort
service to your vehicle or class, the department is always ready to help you.
Career Services
Students, alumni, community members and local employers can find help with career
goals by connecting with the Career Services Center. From resumes, cover letters to
interview prep, Career Services can help you build your professional brand and #BeCareerReady!
COD Centers
With locations in Addison, Carol Stream, Naperville, and Westmont, the COD Centers
are close to your home! They offer morning, afternoon, and evening classes on weekdays,
and morning and afternoon classes on Saturdays. Adult non-credit courses are also
available.
Counseling
Counseling Services help students with academic advising, career counseling, personal
counseling and transfer services. Our team is here to support engage, educate, and
empower you at College of DuPage. Appointments are available virtually, in-person,
and over the phone.
Community Engagement
The Community Engagement Department believes in the transformative nature of education
and strive to positively impact the communities and organizations in District 502.
Dean of Students
The Dean of Students Office serves as a central resource for students requiring support
as well as anyone concerned about a student who may be struggling with a crisis, conflict,
or a need for greater connection with community life.
Dining Services
College of DuPage Dining Services provides an exciting and innovative dining services
program for the entire College of DuPage community.
Field and Experiential Learning, Study Abroad and Global Education
Leave campus to learn another language, experience another culture, explore the world,
engage with others, and challenge yourself. Expand your perspective, develop new skills
and earn credit through Field Studies and Study Abroad. Dig, climb, paint, research,
write, paddle, read and journey your way through college, collecting memories and
experiences.
Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Assistance can help you understand your financial
aid options, direct you to the steps to apply for financial aid, inform you about
deadlines and award and process your financial aid. Free financial aid workshops are
also available.
Fuel Pantry
The Fuel Pantry provides free food and personal care items to all currently enrolled
(full or part time) COD students, staff, and faculty with a self-identified need.
Great Read Series
The Great Read Series is designed with the goal of providing students the chance to
see themselves within literature, highlighting contemporary voices, and encouraging
everyone to learn from and listen to a new perspective.
Institutional Advancement and Alumni Engagement
The Office of Institutional Advancement strives to generate grant and philanthropic
funding in support of College of DuPage’s mission, vision and values with an emphasis
on developing relationships with students, employees, alumni, and the community.
InterCultural Student Initiatives
InterCultural Student Initiatives seeks to reflect and meet the educational needs
of the residents of our large, multicultural district. We recognize the importance
of embracing individual differences and cultures and values the contributions made
to the College by people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Learning Technologies
Learning Technologies is dedicated to the use of educational technologies in order
to create the student-centered learning environment necessary to deliver high-quality
education.
Library
The Library serves on- and off-campus programs at College of DuPage, providing teaching
and learning materials to support and enrich students’ educational experience. The
100,000-square-foot facility in the Student Resource Center on the Glen Ellyn campus
provides comfortable seating, individual study space, group study rooms, public computers
and AV equipment for use by students.
McAninch Arts Center
The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is exploding with great ways to get involved with Music,
Theater, Dance, and Visual Art departments. Learn how you can join a choir, jazz band,
concert band, or orchestra. Discover how you can take center stage as an actor or
make a feature movie. Learn how you can work backstage for a theater production and
course options for creating jewelry, pottery, 2D or 3D art.
Student Life
Find out how to get involved in our 90+ clubs, learn about leadership development,
and get the inside scoop on other development opportunities across campus. The Office
of Student Life provides a supportive, values-based environment that helps students
get the most out of their College of DuPage experience and prepares them to be active
leaders.
Student Support Help Desk
The Information Technology Services Department can assist students, faculty and staff
during regular hours during the week. The Help Desk and Academic Computer Lab also
hold weekend hours. The Help Desk provides a single point of contact for student,
faculty, and staff technology support needs.
Tutoring and Academic Support Center
The Tutoring and Academic Support Center offers COD students free academic support
through course-based tutoring, math, writing, reading and speech assistance, placement
test review, general education development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL)
support and help navigating myACCESS and Blackboard.
Veterans Services
The Veterans Services office at College of DuPage assists veterans and military personnel
with their studies at the college level by helping with:
- Veterans and Military Personnel educational benefits
- Information on Veteran scholarships, emergency loans and the VA work study program
- Referrals to student resources, local Veteran assistance organizations, counseling, employment and internship opportunities
- Library Services including textbook loans
There is no fee to attend NSO.
We encourage you to register for classes prior to attending NSO, but registering for classes in advance is not required. Note: Advising and registration do not take place at NSO.
For additional assistance, please contact Student Life at (630) 942-2243 or studentlife@cod.edu.
For Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD).