PTV: Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints

An orientation leader and incoming freshmen hold up a Detroit Mercy banner during PTV.

August 20 - 23, 2024

Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV) is the final part of freshman orientation.

Prologues is a unique program focusing on academics and emphasizing interaction, integration and connection with faculty. You will be introduced to Detroit Mercy professors from various disciplines who will discuss academic success in college. Next, you will attend special sessions to hear from faculty in your specific major. The time spent alongside members of the University's faculty will help prepare you for the rigors of academic work.

Participation in Transitions will give you a good foundation to begin collegiate life by developing a personal identity and interpersonal relationships with current Detroit Mercy students and the campus community. You will participate in activities to create awareness of personal value and a sense of connectedness. We want our students to be successful, and this starts with a solid transition to college.

Viewpoints is an introduction to Detroit's remarkable social and cultural environments. The program will help you begin to understand the needs of the city and its residents, and ways you can develop the leadership skills necessary to address those needs. You will spend a few hours engaged in service learning at one of the several social service agencies in Detroit, such as Focus: HOPE, Crossroads, the Catholic Worker or Habitat for Humanity. Then, you will take a guided walking tour of Detroit's downtown area and its landmarks. You will learn how the city has begun a residential and commercial revitalization process that will take Detroit into the future.

Reservations are not necessary, as all freshmen will participate.

Details about PTV 2024 will become available in the spring.

Check-In

Commuter Students

Students planning to commute to campus during the school year will check-in for PTV on Tuesday, August 20 and will remain on campus for the day to participate in the scheduled activities. Check-in will be located on the first floor of the Student Union.

Temporary Housing for Commuter Students

A limited number of residence hall rooms are available for commuter students who are interested in staying on campus during PTV (at no additional cost). Students interested in staying on campus for the week will need to complete the PTV Commuter Housing Request Form, which will become available in the summer. Students granted temporary housing will check-in with their belongings at Shiple Hall on Tuesday, August 20.

Residential Students

Students planning to live on campus during the school year will check-in for PTV during their assigned move-in time on Tuesday, August 20 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Residential students will receive move-in details via their Detroit Mercy student email account.   

First-Year Convocation

Tuesday, August 20

Families of incoming freshmen are invited to attend First-Year Convocation. This event formally marks the beginning of the college experience. The program features a student processional, introduction to key administrators and a keynote speaker. Dinner for all guests will be served following the ceremony. Reservations are not required.  Students should plan to dress casually.

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    Red Schedule

    For students in the following schools/colleges:
    • College of Engineering & Science
    • School of Architecture & Community Development

    The red schedule will become available in the summer.

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    Blue Schedule

    For students in the following schools/colleges/departments:
    • College of Business Administration
    • College of Health Professions
    • College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Department of Dental Hygiene
    • McAuley School of Nursing
    • Student Success Center

    The blue schedule will become available in the summer.

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    Find My School/College

    Use the list below to find your major and the associated school/college. 

    College of Business Administration
    Accounting
    Business Administration
    5-Year Accounting
    5-Year Business Administration
    6-Year Law — Business Administration

    College of Engineering & Science
    Architectural Engineering
    Biochemistry
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Civil Engineering
    Computer Science
    Electrical Engineering
    Engineering — Undeclared
    Mathematics
    Mechanical Engineering
    Pre-Dental
    Pre-Medical
    Pre-Occupational Therapy
    Pre-Optometry
    Pre-Pharmacy
    Pre-Physical Therapy
    Pre-Physician Assistant
    Pre-Podiatry
    Pre-Science
    Pre-Veterinary
    Robotics & Mechatronic Systems Engineering
    Science — Undeclared
    5-Year Biochemistry to Environmental Engineering
    5-Year Biology to Environmental Engineering
    5-Year Chemistry to Environmental Engineering
    5-Year Civil Engineering
    5-Year Computer Science to Software Engineering
    5-Year Electrical Engineering
    5-Year Mechanical Engineering
    5-Year Physician Assistant
    5-Year Robotics & Mechatronic Systems Engineering
    6-Year Architectural Engineering
    6-Year Law — Biology
    6-Year Law — Chemistry
    6-Year Law — Mathematics
    6-Year Pharmacy
    7-Year Dental
    7-Year Pharmacy

    College of Health Professions
    Health Services Administration
    5-Year Health Services Administration

    College of Liberal Arts & Education
    Addiction Studies
    Communication Studies
    Criminal Justice
    Cybersecurity
    Developmental Psychology
    Economics
    English
    Financial Economics
    History
    Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    Philosophy
    Political Science
    Pre-Law
    Pre-Social Work
    Psychology
    Religious Studies
    Theatre
    5-Year Criminal Justice
    5-Year Criminal Justice to Intelligence Analysis
    5-Year Cybersecurity
    5-Year Economics
    5-Year Financial Economics
    5-Year Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    6-Year Law — Economics
    6-Year Law — English
    6-Year Law — Political Science

    Department of Dental Hygiene
    Pre-Dental Hygiene

    McAuley School of Nursing
    Nursing

    School of Architecture & Community Development
    Architecture

    Student Success Center
    Academic Interest & Major Exploration
    Health Exploration

Attire

First-Year Convocation Attire

Students may dress casually.

Service Project Attire

Students will live out the Detroit Mercy mission by spending a morning at a social service agency committed to doing positive things in Detroit. Since the service projects often involve gardening, clean-up work or even painting, students will need to wear clothes that can get dirty, along with gym shoes. Students may not wear open-toed shoes, sandals or flip-flops. Additionally, some of the sites do not allow tank tops, so please bring a shirt with sleeves.

Packing List for Commuters Staying in the Residence Halls

  • Sleeping bag / bedding
  • Pillow
  • Towel
  • Bathrobe (optional)
  • Shower shoes / flip-flops
  • Personal toiletries
  • Casual attire (including service project clothes)
  • Small fan

Contact Us

Orientation Questions

PTV Office
Email: or@udmercy.edu
Facebook: Detroit Mercy Orientation
Instagram: @detroit_mercy_orientation
Twitter: @DetMercy1stYear

Enrollment Questions

Admissions Office
Phone: 313-993-1245
Email: 
admissions@udmercy.edu 

Residence Life Questions

Residence Life Office
Phone: 313-993-1230
Email: reslife@udmercy.edu