Onboarding & Orientation

Welcome to Tulane University!

Congratulations on your new role at Tulane! We’re thrilled to have you join our dynamic community, where collaboration, growth, and excellence shape our work environment. This page is your go-to resource for essential information to help you navigate your first days, Orientation, and Onboarding.

Orientation & Onboarding: Your Path to Success

Starting a new role is more than just paperwork—it’s about building connections, understanding Tulane’s culture, and feeling confident in your journey. Our Orientation and Onboarding programs are designed to ensure a smooth transition, equipping you with the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive in our university community.

Before You Start

You will receive an email in advance from TUcareers@tulane.edu with the subject line "New Hire Invitation," which will contain new hire documents. These should be completed before your New Employee Orientation.

Before you begin to complete the documents, you may want to gather the following information:

  • Social Security Number
  • Bank's routing number and your account number for direct deposit
  • Emergency contact phone numbers and email addresses

Find information about the Federal I-9 form by visiting this link.

For any questions regarding your New Hire documents, or if you will work outside the state of Louisiana, please contact HR Talent Acquisition at (504) 865-HR4U or email TUcareers@tulane.edu. If you are an international staff or faculty member, please reach out to the Office of International Students and Scholars at (504) 865-5208 or OISS@tulane.edu
 

Orientation

Orientation is the first step of your Tulane experience, designed to provide essential information about the university, including:

  • Tulane's mission, vision, and values.
  • An overview of our organizational structure.
  • HR essentials, benefits, and key perks of working at Tulane.

Schedule: Held every Friday from January to December (excluding university holidays), Orientation runs from 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM at the Reily Student Recreation Center. Click here or on the link below to view the full Orientation schedule, which includes dates where Orientation will be virtual and dates where we won't be holding Orientation. 

2025 New Hire Orientation Schedule .png

What to Expect:

  • Warm welcomes, introductions, and a complimentary lunch.
  • Insight into Tulane’s history and future goals.
  • Interactive activities, like an optional campus scavenger hunt.
  • Resources such as your Splash Card and parking voucher.

Preparing for Orientation:

  • Parking: Register your vehicle upon receiving an email from aimsparking@tulane.edu.
  • Attire: Dressy casual.
  • Bring: A notebook for notes.
  • Meals: Complimentary breakfast and lunch provided.
     

Onboarding

Onboarding extends beyond the one-day Orientation, offering a comprehensive, personalized experience during your first 12 months at Tulane. This program is designed to:

  • Deepen your integration into your role and department.
  • Foster connections with colleagues and university culture.
  • Provide tools, training, and mentorship to ensure your long-term success.

Key Features of Onboarding:

  • Role-Specific Training: Tailored guidance for your job functions.
  • Mentorship: Pairing new hires with a TU Teammate for personalized support.
  • Career Development: Opportunities to align your goals with Tulane’s vision.
  • Feedback & Support: Regular check-ins to address questions and assess progress.

Explore Onboarding Resources:

Introductory Period

Your first six (6) months of employment at Tulane are considered an introductory period, during which your work performance and suitability for the role are evaluated. This period will conclude after six (6) months of continuous service without a break. Time spent on leave, whether paid or unpaid, does not count toward completing the introductory period. All new and rehired employees are subject to this evaluation phase.

Employment is not guaranteed during the introductory period, and an employee may be terminated at any time during or after this period without notice. Such termination is not subject to the University’s disciplinary or grievance procedures.

Successfully completing the introductory period does not guarantee continued or permanent employment. In certain circumstances—such as a change in supervision—your department, in consultation with the Office of Human Resources, may extend the introductory period for up to ninety (90) days.

For more details, please review the Staff Handbook, or contact the Employee Relations team in the Office of Human Resources at 504-865-4748 with any questions.
 

TU Teammates Program

To support new employees in their transition, the TU Teammate program pairs them with seasoned team members who provide guidance, answer questions, and foster a sense of belonging. Through this program, new hires benefit from:

  • Personalized Support: Weekly 30-minute meetings and ongoing availability for questions and advice.
  • Cultural Ambassador: An introduction to Tulane’s values, workplace culture, and best practices.
  • Social Integration: Encouragement to participate in team activities, networking opportunities, and workplace gatherings.

This initiative helps ensure a smooth and engaging onboarding experience, setting employees up for long-term success at Tulane. 

Click to here learn more about TU Teammates
 

Resources for Managers

Managers play a vital role in welcoming and integrating new hires. Tulane’s onboarding program includes tools and guides to help managers:

  • Facilitate mentorship and networking opportunities.
  • Provide role-specific training and set clear performance goals.
  • Offer regular feedback and adjust support based on new hires’ progress.

Key Manager Resources:

Questions? We're Here to Help!

If you have any questions or need assistance, we’re here to support you every step of the way:

  • For Orientation: Reach out to the Talent Development team at talentdev@tulane.edu for any inquiries or additional information.
  • For Onboarding: Contact your supervisor for role-specific onboarding guidance, or connect with the Talent Acquisition team at tucareers@tulane.edu for broader questions about the onboarding process.