Fall Orientation
August 20-22, 2025
The Department of Space Studies hosts an annual "Orientation Conference" during the week before the fall semester begins. This 2.5-day conference serves as an introduction to the program, faculty, and UND. It is open to all newly-admitted students, as well as those already enrolled in the program who have not previously attended the orientation.
During the conference, you will have the opportunity to meet professors and fellow students, and to tour the UND campus, Space Studies labs, Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat, and School of Aerospace facilities. There will be several informative sessions led by the Space Studies Graduate Director, along with representatives from various university services. These sessions will cover training on using Blackboard and Campus Connection, as well as guidance on understanding Graduate School forms.
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for your benefit. Please submit your registration form as early as possible. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses, which include lodging and most meals, although some meals will be provided. Please make your lodging arrangements early, as Saturday of this week is move-in weekend for students living on-campus. If you cannot attend, the sessions will be recorded and made available later on Blackboard. If you have any questions, please contact the Space Studies Department.
Travel Planning
The availability of housing in Grand Forks will be difficult to arrange if you do not reserve early. This is UND move-in week and many parents stay in local hotels while moving their children to campus. Book your room early!
Please visit the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitor's Bureau or a general hotel finder for area lodging and items of interest. We recommend asking for an available UND student/guest discount when booking your room directly at Grand Forks locations.
Flight and Travel Information
The first event of the orientation is on Wednesday and the last event is on Friday. Generally, students from out-of-town depart late Friday afternoon or Saturday.
The nearest airport is Grand Forks International (GFK) airport. It is about 5 miles from our building. It's a small airport, and Delta Airlines is the only major carrier that flies into Grand Forks. Allegiant may have seasonal flights from a few select cities in the U.S. Hector International Airport (FAR) in Fargo, ND is the next nearest airport and is served by Delta, American, United, Frontier, and Allegiant, and sometimes has less expensive flights than GFK. Fargo is about 80 miles south of Grand Forks. You can likely save money by flying into Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), but it's about a five-hour drive to Grand Forks.
A taxi/Uber/Lyft ride from the airport to the campus is $10-25. There are normally only about five or six Delta arrivals into Grand Forks daily; all flights are routed via Minneapolis, MN. Parking permits will be provided for those that will have their own vehicle.
Grand Forks is also on major bus and train routes.