4th Edition: July 31, 2026 - Being a Bronco Series
Hello,
We are excited to meet many of you in August for your Orientation session!
In this fourth edition of our Bronco Prep Guide, you’ll find details about the next phase of your Orientation experience, specifically online modules focusing on a variety of topics that keep you safe and supported.
Missed a previous edition of our Bronco Prep Guides? Catch up on our website!
💻 Being a Bronco Series
As a new Bronco, you are required to complete the Being a Bronco Series. This six-part series helps incoming students transition to the Santa Clara University (SCU) community. All modules are due by September 7.
- Modules 1-4: Santa Clara University has partnered with Vector Solutions to offer online course modules that educate our community on topics essential to maintaining a safe and healthy campus, while exploring what it means to be a responsible and caring member of the SCU community. All incoming students will receive an email from Vector Solutions at their SCU email address with a login link to get started on the four modules.
- AlcoholEdu for College - launches on August 10
- RespectEdu for College - launches on August 10
- Hazing Awareness and Prevention - launches on August 10
- Mental Well-Being - launches on August 10
- Module 5: This module introduces concepts essential to respectfully and compassionately engaging with members of the SCU community. The asynchronous Camino course, titled the Bronco Belonging Module (BBM), explores concepts of community, values, social identity, and belonging. You will receive an invitation, sent to your SCU email address, to join the Bronco Belonging Module 2026 Camino course.
- Bronco Belonging Module (BBM) - launches after August 10
- Module 6: This module introduces concepts and practices for living sustainably and contributing to SCU's goals and initiatives related to sustainability. The asynchronous course is titled the Sustainability Module. You will receive instructions via email in August on how to complete this module.
- Sustainability Module - launches after August 10
📝 New Student Survey by SCU Institutional Research
All new students received an email invitation from SCU Institutional Research to complete the New Student Survey - it takes less than 5 minutes. Your responses help us connect you with the resources, programs, and support that can make your transition to SCU smoother and more successful. Keep an eye out for the survey invitation in a separate email and complete it as soon as it arrives.
💵 Student Money Matters, Part II
Choosing the right dining plan is an important part of preparing for life on campus. Learn how SCU dining plans work, where you can use your dining points, and how to make the most of your plan throughout the quarter.
- Dining points operate on a declining balance system; 1 point = $1. Dining Services posts a points pacing chart to help you plan your usage through each quarter.
- Read the FAQs to understand what happens to unused dining points at the end of the quarter.
- The deadline for Fall Quarter meal plan changes is August 3 by 5:00 PM (PDT). Changes can be requested through the housing portal.
- If you're living off campus or commuting, a standard meal plan won't be available to you. However, the Dining Plus Plan through the ACCESS Office is a great option. It allows you to dine at all campus venues tax-free, saving you 9% on every food purchase. Any unspent balance carries over from quarter to quarter and year to year through graduation. Please note that Dining Plus points are non-refundable and non-transferable.
College textbooks and course materials are an important part of preparing for a successful quarter, but they don't have to break the bank. Before classes begin, explore the SCU Campus Store to compare new, used, rental, and digital textbook options so you can find the format that best fits your budget and learning preferences.
👉 ICYMI: Student Immunization Records Due August 1
As part of Santa Clara's commitment to caring for the whole person, we offer a variety of campus resources for student health, counseling, and well-being. One important onboarding step is submitting your immunization records.
- New students are required to submit their immunization information through the My Student Health Portal.
- Please review all of the immunization requirements for incoming students.
- If you have received the first dose of the Meningococcal B vaccine, you may request an extension for the second dose by emailing cowellcenter@scu.edu.
- The deadline for submitting immunization records is August 1. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a hold being placed on your registration, which will prevent you from making changes to your class schedule.
Jesuit Values - Discernment and Reflection
The heart of Ignatian Spirituality is discernment and reflection. Discernment is the spiritual practice of noticing the movements within your heart and soul, identifying the thoughts, desires, and emotions that motivate them, and using these insights to decide where you are being led. Ignatian reflection is pausing in the midst of our daily lives to look back in and reflect on where we have been, what we have learned, and how that can inform our next actions. When these foundational habits can be built, we can become our best selves and best leave our mark on this world and in our communities.
👀 Looking Ahead: Key Dates and Deadlines
There are lots of important deadlines coming up - we recommend you start working on them now!
- ASAP: Set up your ACCESS Credential.
- ASAP: Complete all Workday onboarding tasks.
- ASAP: Accept financial aid/student loans and complete any outstanding financial action items in Workday.
- ASAP: If a parent or family member will be paying your bill, you must set them up as an authorized payer in Workday.
- By August 1: Immunization records due.
- August 1: Fall tuition bill available in Workday and the Authorized Payer portal.
- By August 21: Fall payment due. Since your Orientation Session is scheduled for late August and you will not be enrolled in classes at the time of billing, your billing statement will show estimated tuition charges.
- By September 7: Recommended deadline to submit a health insurance waiver. The waiver becomes available five days after enrolling in 6+ units.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact the Orientation staff in the Center for Student Involvement at orientation@scu.edu
You can keep up with all things onboarding and orientation on our website: www.scu.edu/orientation
Missed an edition of the Bronco Prep Guide? Visit our Orientation website to catch up.
