NSO Handbook

The Hoosier Handbook

Welcome!

We are excited to help you start your IU journey. Throughout your orientation experience, we will set you up for a great start. We will share expectations and opportunities, and coach you on ways to connect with the people, places, resources, and services that are here for you. You will also be introduced to many IU traditions, campus culture, and what it means to live The Indiana Promise as you truly become a Hoosier.

Your year has much in store for you—embrace it all. You will find amazing academic opportunities and preparation for your future. You will make new friendships and learn with people from all over the world. Your experiences, successes, adjustments, and even stumbles will help you learn more about yourself, build your community, and become who you are meant to be. We're here to help you do all of that and more.

Welcome to your Indiana University home!

Office lockup

Welcome to Indiana University, and congratulations on beginning your Hoosier journey!

At IU Bloomington, you'll discover world-class academic programs, vibrant campus life, and a supportive community of faculty, staff, and peers dedicated to helping you achieve your college aspirations. With more than 790,000 alumni, you're stepping into a legacy of excellence and opportunity. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the milestones, and take advantage of the countless resources available to make this experience truly transformative. We are thrilled to welcome you home to IU Bloomington and can't wait to see all you will accomplish. Go Hoosiers!

Pamela Whitten
President, Indiana University

Campus map

Find everything you're looking for on campus on the IU Mobile app or on our interactive campus map.

The Indiana Promise

At Indiana University, students make a promise to themselves and to the university.

I promise that:

  • I will be ethical in my academic work.
  • I will take personal responsibility for what I say and what I do.
  • I will respect the dignity of others, treating them with civility and understanding.

Act ethically: Honesty matters. Whether you're writing a paper, taking a test, or working on a project, ensure your work reflects your own effort and ideas.

Take responsibility: College is a time to make your own decisions—and take ownership of their outcomes. Made a mistake? It's okay—acknowledge it, apologize if needed, and learn from the experience. Your words and actions define your character.

Respect others: IU is a diverse community filled with people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. Learn from and engage with those who are different from you. Treat everyone with kindness, civility, and understanding—even when you disagree. Stand up against disrespect, injustice, or harm.

Tips for living the Promise

Your promise as a Hoosier goes beyond words—it's about your daily actions.

Engage and get involved: Attend cultural events, try new experiences, and connect with people from different backgrounds. Find ways to give back to the IU community.

Know the expectations: Familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct at studentcode.iu.edu. Understand your rights and responsibilities as a member of the IU community.

IU’s Culture of Care

Having the courage to care means taking action—big or small—to make a difference. Culture of Care is a student-led, staff-supported initiative that fosters Hoosier-to-Hoosier care in sexual well-being; drug and alcohol awareness; mental health; and respect and inclusion.

How do you live the Culture of Care?

It’s not about meetings or events—it’s about everyday actions that spread kindness, challenge the bystander effect, and promote courage. Holding a door, standing up for a friend, or making sure someone gets home safely—each act helps create a community of care.

Take action

  • Step up when you see someone in need. Stand up against disrespect, injustice, or harm.
  • Support friends struggling with stress, mental health, or other challenges.
  • Educate yourself and others about IU’s safety and wellness resources.

Get help for yourself or someone else by submitting a Care Referral.

Headshot of Harper

"At IU, there is truly a culture of care. Professors, faculty, and students create a welcoming community that prioritizes each other’s well-being. Whether through academic support, mental health resources, or simply being there for one another, IU fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and supported."

HarperOrientation Leader

Academic success resources

Canvas

You’ll use Canvas—IU’s learning management system—to access syllabi, assignments, readings, and other content for both in-person and online classes.

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Centers offers free math and writing tutoring, spaces for learning, technology, peer coaching, workshops, and more—in cultural centers, three campus residence halls, and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Student Academic Center

The Student Academic Center is here to help you develop powerful learning strategies to transform your education and your future. They offer resources such as academic coaching, peer tutoring, and college success classes to help you succeed.

Writing Tutorial Services

Writing Tutorial Services offers free, one-on-one help with any phase of the writing process. Get help with any type of academic or professional writing.

Academic Advising

Your academic advisor helps you explore academic interests, schedule classes, and know what credits are required to graduate. Meet with your advisor at least once per semester.

Career resources

Career Exploration and Student Employment

Career Exploration and Student Employment provides career coaching for select majors and hosts job fairs and workshops for all students. Students can also work with their school’s career service office for specific career support.

Handshake

Handshake is IU Bloomington's one-stop job and career event resource for students and employers. Explore opportunities, find jobs, and jump-start your career.

Office of Undergraduate Research

Get involved in research at IU, whether you're experienced or just starting out. Connect with faculty, join research labs, and gain hands-on experience. The office helps reduce barriers to research so you can find opportunities that fit your interests.

Health Professions and Prelaw Advising

Planning a career in health or law? HPPLA advisors help you choose classes, gain field experience, and prepare for admission tests. Get personalized guidance to navigate your path to professional programs in medicine, law, and other health professions.

Health and wellness resources

IU Student Health Center

The Student Health Center provides on-campus medical services with online scheduling and virtual and in-person consultations. The pharmacy also provides prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services is a confidential resource that provides mental health services and support to students. Services are provided at no charge to students who have paid the student health fee. As a student you also get access to TimelyCare’s 24/7 virtual mental health support and well-being tools.

Sexual violence resources

The free, 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Service has counselors who specialize in working with those who have experienced sexual violence. Services include crisis consultation, counseling, referrals for medical care, and more.

Student Recreational Sports Center

The Student Recreational Sports Center is a great place for IU students to stay active with sports and fitness activities. Free to all students, they offer strength and cardio gyms, exercise classes, various sports courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and more.

IU Notify

IU Notify is Indiana University’s tool for alerting students and employees to immediate dangers, such as severe weather or hostile intruders, and ongoing threats, such as unsolved robberies and sexual assaults.

On-campus living resources

IU Housing

Discover campus neighborhoods, room types, housing costs, and other important details for moving on campus. You will receive move-in details via email, but you can also find information on their website.

IU Dining

IU Dining provides healthy and nutritious foods to meet the preferences and dietary restrictions of each student. On-campus residents may select one of three IU seven-day meal plans with varying ranges of Meal Exchanges and Dining Dollars.

CrimsonCard

Your CrimsonCard is your student ID. You will use it daily to access campus services and resources such as meal plans, printing, and your residence hall. You can also load funds to your CrimsonCard account and use it to make purchases both on and off campus.

Indiana Daily Student

The Indiana Daily Student is the award-winning, student-run newspaper here at IU. Providing access to stories about the community, sports, campus, and more, the IDS is a great way to stay up to date on news about and surrounding IU.

Residence Halls

Get involved in your residence hall community through the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). RHA helps you to shape your residential experience through leadership opportunities, planning events, and advocating for students in your community. NRHH recognizes and develops outstanding leaders dedicated to service and positive change. Both offer meaningful ways to give back and make an impact.

IU community resources

Cultural centers and institutes

IU is home to the Asian Culture Center, the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, the Jewish Culture Center, La Casa/Latino Cultural Center, the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, and the African American Arts Institute. Be sure to explore these amazing cultural centers.

Sorority and fraternity life

Sorority and Fraternity life is a huge part of student involvement, with more than 8,000 students within the Greek community. IU Greek life is held to the highest standards of student safety, academic achievement, and diversity.

beINvolved

Getting involved helps you make friends and develop your skills. Use beINvolved to explore IU’s 750+ clubs and organizations and find events like the Student Involvement Fair.

ZeeMee

Use the ZeeMee app to meet other incoming Hoosiers and start building your community. Download the app to your device and search for IU Bloomington.

Mentors

IU has many programs that pair you with an alumni, faculty, or peer mentor to help you adjust to college life. Watch your IU email for info about opportunities or ask your advisor.

Next steps

Office of Student Life

The Office of Student Life works to keep Hoosiers safe, healthy, and prepared for whatever comes next. Learn about support, care, staying healthy, getting involved, and being a responsible, active Hoosier on their website.

Student Central

College costs, financial aid, paying your bills, registering for courses, and the academic calendar—find it all and more at Student Central, your one-stop shop for resources and information about the business of being a student. You can even get your questions answered 24/7 using the Ask Student Central chatbot.

University Information Technology Services

University Information Technology Services (UITS) offers students tools and services such as tech support, cloud storage, printing, and much more. The UITS Support Center is available via phone, email, and chat 24/7. In-person support is available at Wells Library.

IU Events Calendar

The IU Events Calendar allows students to access hundreds of events—academic, social, entertainment, and more. Find ways to get involved and have fun on campus or host your own events by submitting them to the University Event Registration Committee.

One.IU and IU Mobile App

One.IU is your hub for essential IU tasks, accessible via browser or the IU Mobile App. The app helps you navigate campus, access class details, check your Crimson Card balance, track advising appointments and more—all in one place.

Families and supporters

Living on campus

Supporting your student in their transition to Indiana University can be exciting—and nerve wracking. Indiana University has resources and people to support you while you support your student.

Consider these tips to support your student in their transition to Indiana University.

  • Be patient. During difficult times, have patience and allow your student to learn from their mistakes.
  • Reach out. Help your student’s transition to college by supporting them through regular communication. Setting a time to talk or text once a week can help them feel less alone.
  • Set boundaries. Even though you’re keeping in touch, it is also important to give them space to learn and grow. Set boundaries to help your student embrace this new adult phase.
  • Encourage healthy habits. When adjusting to busy routines, it is easy for new college students to fall into unhealthy routines. Remind your student to prioritize sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress-relief techniques to encourage them to stay healthy.
  • Celebrate milestones. Whether your student joined an extracurricular group or passed a difficult class, celebrating these milestones can help remind them that their hard work is paying off.
  • Trust the process. Even if your student’s college path does not reflect exactly what you had in mind, it is important to trust the process. Understanding that college looks different for every student can help you offer support to your student.

The Office of Student Life is your home as a parent, family member, or supporter of Hoosiers. Visit their site to stay connected with Family Weekend and the Parents Advisory Board.

Thank you to our sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of New Student Orientation. We appreciate your commitment to our newest Hoosiers!