Join a vibrant community of first-year students and build connections beyond the classroom through the Freshman Experience program. Participate in weekly events, meet other freshmen, and learn from peer mentors, all at your housing complex.
The Freshman Experience program is available for all qualifying first-year students who live at one of our UVU Partner Complexes in Orem, Utah. Opt in by filling out our interest form.
Supportive Freshman Community Mentors: Freshman Community Mentors (FCMs) are UVU students who live on site at our partner complexes. These peer mentors host activities and workshops to get you involved in campus life through social, educational, service, leadership, and recreational opportunities.
Regular Events & Workshops: There’s always something to do at our events and workshops. Meet other freshmen and build your community at activities designed for first-year students.
Better Academic Performance: Students who live near campus are more likely to earn higher grades and complete their degree on time. Set yourself up for success — spend less time commuting and more time studying.
Modern Student Apartments: Our UVU partner complexes have spacious layouts and on-site amenities so you can love where you live.
Free and Convenient Transportation: UVU offers free UTA transportation for all students, making it easy to get around town and access shopping, food, and entertainment options.
All UVU students who live in one of our partner complexes and meet the criteria for the Freshman Experience program can participate. You must opt in if you want to participate in mentoring and community events hosted by our Freshman Community Mentors.
Freshman Experience Program Requirements:
Fill out the Freshman Housing Experience Opt In Form. After you submit your interest form, UVU will verify your remaining eligibility for the program.
Freshman Community Mentors (FCMs) are UVU students who live in your partner complex and host engaging events and activities. They encourage student involvement and foster a true campus life experience in off-campus housing. The peer mentoring framework puts first-year students who participate on a solid path to success.
The Freshman Experience program, events, and mentoring are free, but you must live in one of our partner complexes to participate. Housing costs vary by floor plan, room size, and complex. For specific pricing information, visit the websites for our partner complexes.
Leases are between the student and the housing complex. Students do not enter a contract with UVU for this program. All matters regarding the contract will be handled through Complex Management.
Yes. To qualify for the Freshman Housing program, you must be a currently enrolled UVU student taking at least one course. Please note that LDS Institute classes are not UVU courses and do not fulfill this requirement.
We recommend living with other first-year students to have the full experience. If you have a specific roommate in mind, coordinate with your partner complex’s management to be placed together.
If you don’t have a preferred roommate, you can opt for the roommate matching process. Your complex management team will match you with a roommate based on your lifestyle preferences and interests. Please note that while every effort is made to accommodate all roommate requests, not all requests can be fulfilled due to availability and other factors.
No. All apartments have a full kitchen in-unit to allow students to prepare their own meals according to their preferences and dietary needs.
If you need to sell your lease in the Freshman Housing Program, you will need to post your lease online to find a qualified student to transfer your lease to.
Students must be between the ages of 18 and 24 to participate in the Freshman Experience program. Prospective students who are still minors must turn 18 before the program begins. (For example, you may sign your housing contract and opt into the program in June, turn 18 in July, and move into your housing in August.)
Non-freshman and non-UVU students will live at your chosen complex. Management will make every effort to accommodate freshmen living together in the same apartment, floor, and building. Depending on housing demand, there is a possibility that other individuals may be living in the building or unit.
