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New Student Orientation

August 20-28, 2024

  • Sessions highlighted in blue are required for all new students studying on-campus this fall, including new transfer students.
  • Sessions highlighted in yellow are parent and family sessions.
Wednesday, August 21
7–10 a.m.
Breakfast
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
All Day
Adventure Trip Activities
Various locations
Thursday, August 22
7–8 a.m.
Breakfast
For trip groups still on campus
Commons Dining Hall
All Day
Adventure Trip Activities
Various locations
Friday, August 23 - Saturday, August 24
All day
Adventure Trip Activities
Various locations
Sunday, August 25
Morning-Afternoon
Adventure Trip Activities
Various locations
Afternoon
Adventure Trips return to campus
11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Lunch
Commons Dining Hall
5:30 p.m.
Dinner under the Tent
Tent on the Dunham Green
7 p.m.
Residence Hall Mixers
Meet your CA and fellow hall-mates, and learn more about living on campus at Hamilton.
Residence Halls – various locations. Please wait for instructions at the end of dinner regarding where to meet your CA
7 p.m.
Jan Mixer
Spend some time getting to know your fellow January Admission students before you embark on your fall experiences!
The Little Pub
Monday, August 26
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Tent on the Dunham Green
8:45–10 a.m.
Orientation Lecture
Dr. Sharon Rivera, Sidney Wertimer Professor for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring, Associate Chair of the Government Department, and Director of Russian Studies, delivers this year's Orientation Lecture.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
10–11 a.m.
Brunch  and Info Session for January Admission Students and Families
Jans and their families are invited to an optional continental brunch and info session before you depart campus. Please bring along your temporary room key and meal card! During this event, Jans who are interested in information about Hamilton’s curriculum, advising, and spring course registration are invited to chat with representatives from the Registrar’s Office, Associate Dean of Students for Academics, and Pre- Health Professions Advising.
Fillius Events Barn
10–11 a.m.
Group Advising Sessions
Meet with your faculty advisor
See your orientation booklet sticker for your advisor's name and office location
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lunch with your Orientation Group
Students wishing to attend the Jewish Community Bagel Brunch may do so.
Commons Dining Hall
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Individual Advising Meetings
Faculty Advisor Offices
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Jewish Community Bagel Brunch
Come by for delicious bagels with spreads and meet members of our on-campus Jewish community! Everyone is welcome. Questions? Email hillel@hamilton.edu.
Azel Backus House, Center for Jewish Life
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Lawn Games and Lemonade
Stop by for some friendly competition, snacks, music, and fresh-squeezed lemonade from the Squeezers Lemonade truck!
Babbitt Pavilion
12 –1 p.m.
Informal Sciences Advising
Mingle with faculty and ask questions about majors and courses in the sciences.
Taylor Science Center Atrium
12– 1 p.m.
Intro to the Economics Major
The Economics Department will be offering a 20-minute introduction to the major with a Q&A beginning at noon and 12:30 p.m.
Kirner-Johnson 101
1-3 p.m.
Academic Info Sessions
Each session is offered twice, at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Health Professions Advising Sessions (SCCT G041)
  • Law Interest Sessions (SCCT 3021)
  • Finance Interest Sessions (SCCT G042)
  • Pre-Engineering Advising Sessions (SCCT G047)
  •  Semester Abroad & US Off-Campus Advising Sessions (SCCT G027)
  • Internships and Career-Related Experiences Sessions (SCCT 2048)
All sessions take place in the Taylor Science Center. Individual rooms are listed in parentheses by each session.
3–5 p.m.
The Hamilton Honor Code
Introduction to the Hamilton Honor Code. This 30-minute session is offered 4 times. Please see your orientation booklet for your group name and assigned time.
Bradford Auditorium, Kirner-Johnson
 Group One @ 3 p.m.:  Teams Coffee, Pistachio, and Raspberry Sorbet
Group Two @ 3:30 p.m.:  Teams Mint Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, and Cookies & Cream
Group Three @ 4 p.m.: Teams Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, and Salted Caramel
Group Four @ 4:30 p.m.: Teams Butter Pecan, Moosetracks, and Neapolitan
3–5 p.m.
Wellness at Hamilton
College is a holistic experience, and you will have a lot to balance over the next four years. Come learn about how you can take care of yourself while at Hamilton, how we take care of each other in our community, and what services are offered in the Counseling Center and Dean of Students Office. This 30-minute session is offered 4 times. Please see your orientation booklet for your group name and assigned time.
Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center

Group One @ 3 p.m.: Teams Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, and Salted Caramel
Group Two @ 3:30 p.m.: Teams Butter Pecan, Moose Tracks, and Neapolitan
Group Three @ 4 p.m.: Teams Coffee, Pistachio, and Raspberry Sorbet
Group Four @ 4:30 p.m.: Teams Mint Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, and Cookies & Cream
 
5–6:45 p.m.
Dinner
Commons Dining Hall
7 –8 p.m.
Community and Allyship
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
10 p.m.–Midnight
Open Mic Night
Show off your talents or just come to watch your friends and orientation trip leaders perform!
Fillius Events Barn
10 p.m.–Midnight
New Student Block Party
Food Trucks, DIY dorm decs, crafts, games, fire pits, and giveaways. Need we say more? Come relax, connect, and grab a bite!
Sadove Terrace
Tuesday, August 27
7:30-9 a.m.
Breakfast
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
9 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration Follow-up
Check-in at the Registrar’s office if you need to make changes to your course schedule. See below for your group’s assigned time.
Registrar’s Office, Elihu Root House

9 – 10:15 a.m.: Teams Moose Tracks, Neapolitan, and Salted Caramel
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Teams Cookies & Cream, Raspberry Sorbet, and Pistachio
10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Matriculation
Visit the Kirkland Cottage to sign the historic College Register. President Steven Tepper, Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Vice President for Enrollment Management John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Christopher Card will greet new students during this annual and historic Hamilton tradition. (Please see your orientation booklet label for the name of your sandwich group, and arrive at Kirkland Cottage at your assigned time).
Kirkland Cottage

10 a.m.: Coffee
10:30 a.m.: Mint Chocolate Chip
11 a.m.: Rocky Road
11:30 a.m.: Cookie Dough
12:30 p.m.: Cherry Garcia
1 p.m.: Butter Pecan
1:30 p.m.: Moose Tracks
2 p.m.: Neapolitan

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Navigating Your Support Network
Hosted by the ALEX Advisors, this interactive session (offered twice – at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) will give an overview of the Advising Network at Hamilton. Our goal is to help you understand how to utilize and identify your network of support and introduce you to the Compass platform that we will use to make appointments and referrals to supports and resources on campus.  (Please find your ALEX Advisor's name on your orientation booklet label, and their session location below).

  • Kevin Alexander: Taylor Science Center G041
  • Hannah Stubley: Taylor Science Center G042
  • Carly Martin: Taylor Science Center 2048
  • Logan Lyons: Taylor Science Center 3021
  • Melissa Law-Penrose: Taylor Science Center 3024
  • Noelle Niznik: Taylor Science Center 3039
10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Individual Advising Meetings
By appointment.
Faculty Advisor Offices
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lunch
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
2-4:30 p.m.
Wellin Museum of Art Poster Giveaway
Stop in to the Wellin Museum to look at art, make a personalized postcard to send to a friend, and pick up a poster to decorate your room.
Wellin Museum of Art
12:30-3 p.m.
Registration Follow-up
Check-in at the Registrar’s office if you need to make changes to your course schedule. See below for your group’s assigned time.
Registrar’s Office, Elihu Root House
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.: Teams Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Rocky Road
 1:45 – 3 p.m.: Teams Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, and Butter Pecan
 
2:30–4:30 p.m.
Hamilton's Sexual Misconduct Policy
This presentation will provide an introduction to the Hamilton Sexual Misconduct Policy. Presentation by Rachel Koegel, Title IX Coordinator. This 30-minute session is offered 4 times. Please see your below for your group’s assigned time.
Bradford Auditorium, Kirner-Johnson

G
roup One @ 2:30 p.m.:  Teams Moose Tracks, Neapolitan, and Salted Caramel
Group Two @ 3 p.m:  Teams Cookies & Cream, Raspberry Sorbet, and Pistachio
Group Three @ 3:30 p.m.: Teams Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Rocky Road
Group Four @ 4 p.m.: Teams Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, and Butter Pecan
5-7:30 p.m.
Dinner
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
7:30–9 p.m.
MP2 (Multicultural Peer Mentoring Project) Welcome Reception and Dinner
Tolles Pavilion
7:30–9 p.m.
Safety and Health at Hamilton
This presentation will highlight health and safety resources at Hamilton, and provide a detailed overview of fire safety on a residential campus.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
9 p.m.
Mentalist Al Snyder
Dr. Al Snyder blends traditional stage hypnosis and creative new material to keep audience members on the edge of their seats. One of the highlights of the week!
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
10 p.m.
Trivia Night
Come test out your knowledge of Hamilton (and minutiae) at trivia night, hosted by the First-Year Experience (FYE) Leaders! Bring along your own group, or just show up and we’ll match you with a group. Snacks for all, and prizes for the winners!
Fillius Events Barn
Wednesday, August 28
7-10 a.m.
Breakfast
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
11 a.m.-Noon
Hamilton 101
Being a member of the Hamilton community is an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and develop deep and meaningful relationships. With that privilege comes responsibility to our community. This session, hosted by the Dean of Students’ Office, will focus on your rights and responsibilities as a student, and will introduce staff members from the Divisions of Student Life and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion who will be resources to you as you navigate your campus experience.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
12-2 p.m.
Lunch
Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
12 - 2 p.m.
Matriculation
Visit Kirkland Cottage to sign the historic College Register. President Steven Tepper, Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Vice President for Enrollment Management John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Christopher Card will greet new students during this annual and historic Hamilton tradition. (Please see your orientation booklet for your group's assigned time).
Kirkland Cottage
12 p.m.: Salted Caramel
12:30pm: Cookies & Cream
1 p.m.: Raspberry Sorbet
1:30 p.m.: Pistachio
2-4 p.m.
Registration Follow-Up
Visit the Registrar’s Office if you’d like to make changes to your fall course schedule.
Registrar's Office, Elihu Root House
4:15 p.m.
Convocation
President Steven Tepper will preside over the ceremony that officially opens the 213th year of Hamilton College.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
5:30-7 p.m. 
All-Campus Picnic
Tent on the Dunham Green
6:30-7:30 p.m. 
Music Department Open House
Interested in Choir, Orchestra, or Jazz Ensemble?  Thinking about taking private music lessons?  Wondering about music classes and perhaps the concentration?  Come to the Open House to meet faculty and have all your questions answered!
2nd Floor Lounge of List Art Center
7:30-9 p.m.
A Cappella Concert
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center

Contact

Contact Name

Tessa Chefalo

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement

Help us provide an accessible education, offer innovative resources and programs, and foster intellectual exploration.

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