Tennessee Tech expanding on-campus housing for its Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration sessions in July following a surge in freshman registrations.
Tennessee Tech said more than 2,000 incoming freshmen have already registered for the two-day orientation program. Students attending the July sessions who choose on-campus lodging will stay in South Hall.
“At Tennessee Tech, we put students first in everything we do, and this is another example of that commitment,” Director of New Student and Family Programs Courtney Brehm said. “We know hotel costs can add up for families traveling to campus, and many students also want the experience of staying overnight in a residence hall before beginning their university journey in the fall. Our goal is to ease barriers for prospective students and make their SOAR experience the best it can be.”
The orientation provides an immersive look at the campus before students enroll for the fall semester. Tennessee Tech said space in the upcoming sessions is limited and encouraged admitted students to register early to secure preferred dates.
“SOAR is about more than just signing up for classes—it’s about setting students up for success from day one,” Brehm said. “We’re excited to see increased enthusiasm for orientation this year, and we’re pleased to be able to extend on-campus lodging availability for students and families attending our July sessions.”
The sessions include information on financial aid, first-year advising, campus dining, and student organizations. Tennessee Tech said the program allows students to meet classmates and finalize their fall class schedules.
“Local students sometimes feel like they already know Tech, but SOAR offers experiences you simply can’t get from a campus visit or prior exposure,” Brehm said. “You’ll meet the classmates you may spend the next four years with, connect directly with your academic advisor and leave with a finalized fall class schedule. Those are foundational steps that help students start strong.”
The 2026 registration numbers follow a 2025 enrollment year that saw the highest total enrollment at the university in a decade. Tennessee Tech said the previous year also included the fourth-largest freshman class in the history of the school.
The press release said the 2026 SOAR schedule consists of 11 sessions beginning May 27–28 and ending July 29–30.