ORIENTATION Information

Welcome to Graceland University!

Get help using 'Welcome to Graceland University!'
We are delighted you have chosen Graceland University. You may wish to mark My Graceland as your home page as you will return here often during your student days. Everything you need to know is included – an enrollment checklist to make sure you have taken care of all the details, how to select (or change) a meal plan, when to arrive, what to bring and many, many other topics.
 
Please check this checklist regularly for updates!

 Once you have paid your deposit, logging into My Graceland will allow you to see your grades and your student account. This site is to give you access to personalized and general information. Much of the information you will need can be found under the Resources Tab.
 
It is my desire to help you fulfill your dreams. Please feel free to contact the Student Life Office if you have questions or if there are any other ways we can assist you as you transition to the university. Hopefully soon this will feel like your home away from home.
 
Welcome to Graceland!
 
Student Life Team
641-784-5140
studentlife@graceland.edu
 
 

Meet Your Student Government

Please click here for information about Graceland Student Government.

Belonging to something significant and worthwhile is a key component to satisfaction in college.  Your house council leaders will keep you informed of various ways that you can choose to become involved.  In addition, check out  Student Activities , Campus Ministries and a wide range of clubs and organizations !

Clubs and Organizations are primarily student initiated and student driven. It is very possible that if you have a special interest, there is already a club or organization devoted to that area.

YOU can start a group! Simply find a sponsor and contact the Student Activities Office to complete a charter form. The Council on Student Life meets weekly to approve charters.

Anyone interested in joining a club or organization can contact the sponsor or president of that group. Please call the Student Activities Office at 5230 click here  to obtain advisor information.

Meet Your Residence Life Staff

 
Community Director
Graybill / Gunsolley
Caleb LaMastres 
641-784-5382
 
Walker Community Director
Logan Miller
641-784-5358
logan14@graceland.edu
   
Tess Morgan / Walker
Paris Anderson
641-784-5350
  

Contact Us

866.GRACELAND
Pat Hoffman
Academic Advising Specialist for Transfer Students
 
OR
 
866.GRACELAND 
Ext. 5196
866-GRACELAND (866-472-2352)
Ext. 5466
Mike Hoffman, Campus Minister
866.GRACELAND   
Ext. 5104
Dave Schaal, Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students


Jolene Frost, Administrative Assistant

   
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5083
 
Diana Jones, Disability Services Director
 
 
OR
 
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5237
  
 
 
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5083
 
Diana Jones, Director of the Intercultural Office
  
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5167
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5235
 
Angie  Ranney
 

866.GRACELAND

Ext. 5224

Peggy Mothershead, Registrar
 
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5107
 
Dr. Morgan Bradford, Residence Life Director
 
 
Teresa Graham, Administrative Assistant
 
866.GRACELAND
Ext. 5230
 
Melinda Graham, Director of Student Activities
 
866.GRACELAND
   
Reta George, Director of Student Financial Services
   
Pat Hoffman, Transfer Student Advising, Special Programs
866-GRACELAND  
Ext. 5219
Roger Powell, Writing Center Director
866-GRACELAND
Ext. 5206

Handouts

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While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.

Things You Need To Do Now!

Complete your Enrollment Checklist by August 1, 2026!
Check your Graceland email account for housing placement and roommate information after July 15.
Have you filled out the Housing Request Form to request a specific house, or roommate? 
Purchase renters insurance (recommended)
Do you require special housing accommodations?  
Student Employment forms are REQUIRED if you plan to work anywhere on campus.  Each form must be completed and submitted prior to being assigned a work study position.

Please click on the following links to complete the necessary forms:
Please click here for additional information regarding student employment.

Thank you!
Human Resources Director 
Click here to learn about who is required to purchase a meal plan.
 
Click here for information regarding your meal plan options.  Then complete the Meal Plan Selection Form The deadline to change your meal plan choice is 4pm Friday, September 1st
 Please note: You will be assigned the same meal plan that you had last semester/year, unless you submit another request. If you did not have a meal plan last semester/year, you will be assigned the 14-meal plan unless you submit a request indicating otherwise.
 
Follett Bookstore                                      
GU Alert is an emergency notification system that will send a text message to a cell phone or to an email address when there is an emergency that needs to be quickly announced to campus.  
 
Messages are sent only in the event of a crisis.  Graceland encourages all employees, students and faculty to enter their cell phone number or email address to receive these notices.
 
To register your cell phone number, correct or change your GU Alert registration, please be sure you are logged into My Graceland and click here.
Do you have a computer but you don't have Microsoft Office?  Download it for free - see Full Office for FREE for Office 365 on your PC, Mac, iPad or Android tablet.
Please click here to request a quote and/or apply for College Student Property Insurance.
Click HERE to view the Suggesting University Housing Shopping List.

When To Arrive On Campus


                 ALL NEW STUDENTS (not arriving for preseason)
 
               Friday, August 21 NEW STUDENT MOVE-IN
 
                  Sessions in Red are Mandatory Attendance
 

      9:00AM - 11:00AM    NEW STUDENT Arrival and Check-In,

                                                       Newcom Student Union, Great Room
 
                   11:00 - 1:00PM           Lunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons 
 
                   2:00PM - 2:30PM       Community Living at Graceland (students)
                                                       Shaw Center Auditorium
                                                        
                   2:00PM - 2:30PM       Graceland Parent/Family Orientation (families)
                                                                          Shaw Center, Carol Hall
 
                    3:00PM - 5:00PM     Late Arrivals - complete check-in w/Admissions Advisor
                                                                          travel to various office locations  (After 5pm, Residence Life Staff will be On Call to assist late arriving students.)
 
                    4:00PM - 5:00PM      Matriculation - Students begin at the Morden Center. Parents &  Families in Shaw Center Auditorium. 
 
                     5:00PM - 5:30PM      Meet the Faculty  - Shaw Center Lobby 
 
                     5:00PM - 7:00PM     Dinner in the Floyd McDowell Commons (with Your House)            
 
                     8:00PM                      Playfair - Newcom Student Union, Great Room 


ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES!


What To Expect When You Arrive

Friday, August 7 – FOOTBALL, M & W Soccer, Women's Volleyball
 
Sessions in Red are Mandatory Attendance
                                                      
9:00AM - 11:00AM      New Student Arrival and Check-In
                                      Newcom Student Union, Great Room
 
11:00AM - 1:00PM       Lunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons
 
2:00PM - 2:30PM         Community Living at Graceland (students)
                                      Shaw Center Auditorium
 
2:00PM -  2:30PM        Graceland Parent/Family Orientation 
                                      Shaw Center, Carol Hall
 
12:00PM - 5:00PM     Late Arrivals - Complete check-in with Admissions Advisor.  Travel to various office locations.   After 5:00pm, Residence Life Staff will be ON CALL to assist late arriving students in the dorms. 

ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES!

 
 
Friday, August 14 - M & W Cross Country, Dance, and Cheer
 
Sessions in Red are Mandatory Attendance
 
9:00AM - 11:00AM      New Student Arrival and Check-In
                                               Newcom Student Union, Great Room
 
11:00AM - 1:00PM       Lunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons
 
2:00PM - 2:30PM          Community Living at Graceland (students)
                                       Shaw Center Auditorium
 
2:00PM - 2:30PM          Graceland Parent/Family Orientation
                                       Shaw Center, Carol Hall
 
12:00PM - 5:00PM Late Arrivals - Complete check-in with Admissions Advisor. Travel to various office locations. After 5:00pm, Residence Life Staff will be ON CALL to assist late arriving students in the dorms.
 

ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES

 
Friday, August 21 - New Students 
 
Sessions in Red are Mandatory Attendance
                                                        
9:00AM - 11:00AM      New Student Arrival and Check-In
                                               Newcom Student Union, Great Room
 
11:00AM - 1:00PM        Lunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons
 
3:00PM - 3:30PM           Community Living at Graceland (students)
                                        Shaw Center Auditorium
 
3:00PM - 3:30PM           Graceland Parent/Family Orientation
                                        Shaw Center, Carol Hall
 
4:00PM - 5:00PM           Matriculation - Students begin at the Morden Center. Parents & Families in the Shaw Center Auditorium.
 
5:00PM - 5:30PM           Meet the Faculty - Shaw Lobby
 
11:00AM - 5:00PM Late Arrivals - Complete check-in with Admissions Advisor. Travel to various office locations. After 5:00pm, Residence Life Staff will be ON CALL to assist late arriving students in the dorms.
 
5:00PM - 7:00PM            Dinner in the Floyd McDowell Commons (with Your House)
 
 

ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES

 
  
Sunday, August 23 - Returning Students 
 
Sessions in Red are Mandatory Attendance
                                                       
9:00AM - 11:00AM     Returning Student Move-In
                                             De-centralized - check-in by University Housing Building
 
9:00AM - 11:00AM     Returning Student Assistance
                                     Student Help Desk, Newcom Student Union, West Entrance 
 
10:30AM - 1:00PM       Brunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons
 
4:30PM - 6:30PM         Dinner in the Floyd McDowell Commons
 
                                                                                 



 




 


 
Wednesday, August 19 International Students 
 
 
 9:00AM - 11:00AM - NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT Arrival and Check-In 
                                         Newcom Student Union, Great Room
  
* More updates to come from Diana Jones 
 
11:00AM - 1:00PM     Lunch in the Floyd McDowell Commons 


ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES!