January Orientation Schedule

January Orientation is required for all new students beginning their studies at Hamilton in spring 2024.

Saturday–Tuesday, January 13–16, 2024

Welcome to Hamilton! Orientation check-in and residence hall move-in for new students takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on January 13, and all new students should plan to arrive on campus within that time frame. The full schedule is below. Sessions highlighted in blue are required for all new students.

Students participating in International Student Orientation should check their email for additional information about arrival dates and required programming.

Schedule Who to Contact

Parents and family members are invited to join their student at all activities before 1:30 p.m., including the Welcome Remarks and Luncheon. Students and family members should plan to say their goodbyes by 1:30 p.m. and new students will begin required programming at that time. Following goodbyes, parents and family members are invited to attend the “Navigating the Road Ahead” panel, presented by Vice President and Dean of Students Chris Card and members of the division of Student Life.

Saturday, January 13
8:30 a.m. - Noon Orientation Check-In and Residence Hall Move-in Welcome to Hamilton! Start off by picking up your orientation packet and residence hall keys in the Sadove Student Center Lobby. Orientation Leaders (OLs) will be available to greet students and family members and answer questions. Location: Sadove Student Center Lobby
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks and Luncheon Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Dean of Admission John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Chris Card will welcome new students and families to Hamilton College. Enjoy lunch with our orientation leaders and Division of Student Life staff, and with fellow new students and families Location: First Floor Commons, Kirner-Johnson
Students and family members are asked to say their goodbyes at the conclusion of the luncheon. New students will begin required programming at 1:45 p.m.
1:45-2:45 p.m. Orientation Group Meetings Meet your orientation group! Your Orientation Leader (OL) will give you an overview of orientation activities and events, and discuss important guidelines for the days ahead. Location: Various locations. Your OL will provide more detail.
1:45-2:45 p.m. Parent and Family Session Dean of Students Chris Card and members of the division of Student Life will share information about the student experience and resources at Hamilton. Location: Events Barn
3-4:30 p.m. Matriculation Visit Buttrick Hall to sign the historic College Register. Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Dean of Admission John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Chris Card will greet new students as a part of this annual and historic tradition. Students will attend in their orientation groups to sign the College Register. Please see your OL for details. Location: Trustee Room, Buttrick Hall
4:30-5 p.m. Orientation Group Time Location: See your OL for more info.
5:30-7 p.m. Welcome Dinner in Orientation groups Get to know your orientation group and leaders over dinner. Location: Commons. See your orientation leader for details.
8 p.m. First Night Fun You're finally here! Settle in and meet your fellow Jans. Orientation Leaders will host some small-group welcome activities to kick off the next four days. Location: Sadove Student Center

Saturday, January 13

8:30 a.m. - Noon
Orientation Check-In and Residence Hall Move-in

Welcome to Hamilton! Start off by picking up your orientation packet and residence hall keys in the Sadove Student Center Lobby. Orientation Leaders (OLs) will be available to greet students and family members and answer questions.
Location: Sadove Student Center Lobby

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Welcome Remarks and Luncheon

Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Dean of Admission John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Chris Card will welcome new students and families to Hamilton College. Enjoy lunch with our orientation leaders and Division of Student Life staff, and with fellow new students and families
Location: First Floor Commons, Kirner-Johnson

Students and family members are asked to say their goodbyes at the conclusion of the luncheon. New students will begin required programming at 1:45 p.m.

1:45-2:45 p.m.
Orientation Group Meetings

Meet your orientation group! Your Orientation Leader (OL) will give you an overview of orientation activities and events, and discuss important guidelines for the days ahead.
Location: Various locations. Your OL will provide more detail.

1:45-2:45 p.m.
Parent and Family Session

Dean of Students Chris Card and members of the division of Student Life will share information about the student experience and resources at Hamilton.
Location: Events Barn

3-4:30 p.m.
Matriculation

Visit Buttrick Hall to sign the historic College Register. Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Dean of Admission John McLaughlin, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Chris Card will greet new students as a part of this annual and historic tradition. Students will attend in their orientation groups to sign the College Register. Please see your OL for details.
Location: Trustee Room, Buttrick Hall

4:30-5 p.m.
Orientation Group Time

Location: See your OL for more info.

5:30-7 p.m.
Welcome Dinner in Orientation groups

Get to know your orientation group and leaders over dinner.
Location: Commons. See your orientation leader for details.

8 p.m.
First Night Fun

You're finally here! Settle in and meet your fellow Jans. Orientation Leaders will host some small-group welcome activities to kick off the next four days.
Location: Sadove Student Center

Sunday, January 14
8-10 a.m. Breakfast Location: Commons Dining Hall
10-11 a.m. Health Matters: Hangnails to Hot Messes This is an informative and interactive presentation that highlights your Hamilton College Student Health Center Resources and best practices for utilization. Presented by Health Center Practitioner Dr. Jeffrey Bailey DNP/FNP-BC Location: Filius Events Barn
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet the DEI team Get to know the staff and resources within the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Presentations by Koboul Mansour, Director of the Days-Massolo Center, Allen Harrison, Assistant Dean of Accessibility Services, and Catherine Berryman, Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Location: Filius Events Barn
12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch Location: Commons Dining Hall
1:30 - 3 p.m. Living in Community From your residence hall to student organizations, at Hamilton you’ll meet and have opportunities to engage with people who are different from or similar to you. Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion Maria Genao-Homs will lead a discussion and activities on understanding your own identities, difference, and being an active and supportive community member. Location: Fillius Events Barn
3-5 p.m. Community Connection: Get to know the Glen House Stop by the Glen House, Hamilton's outdoor leadership hub, to relax or try out an outdoor activity. We'll have a movie and hot cocoa in the Glen House great room, or the option to borrow snowshoes or join a guided wintry walk through the Root Glen. Location: Glen House
5-6 p.m. Community Living Hall Meetings An introduction to life in Hamilton's Residence Halls, facilitated by Community Advisors (CAs). Meet in the Dunham First Floor Lounge
6-7 p.m. Dinner Location: Commons Dining Hall
8-9:30 p.m. Bingo Night! Feeling lucky? Ready to fill your room with some great prizes? This event is always an orientation highlight. Location: Filius Events Barn

Sunday, January 14

8-10 a.m.
Breakfast

Location: Commons Dining Hall

10-11 a.m.
Health Matters: Hangnails to Hot Messes

This is an informative and interactive presentation that highlights your Hamilton College Student Health Center Resources and best practices for utilization. Presented by Health Center Practitioner Dr. Jeffrey Bailey DNP/FNP-BC
Location: Filius Events Barn

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Meet the DEI team

Get to know the staff and resources within the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Presentations by Koboul Mansour, Director of the Days-Massolo Center, Allen Harrison, Assistant Dean of Accessibility Services, and Catherine Berryman, Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance.
Location: Filius Events Barn

12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

Location: Commons Dining Hall

1:30 - 3 p.m.
Living in Community

From your residence hall to student organizations, at Hamilton you’ll meet and have opportunities to engage with people who are different from or similar to you. Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion Maria Genao-Homs will lead a discussion and activities on understanding your own identities, difference, and being an active and supportive community member.
Location: Fillius Events Barn

3-5 p.m.
Community Connection: Get to know the Glen House

Stop by the Glen House, Hamilton's outdoor leadership hub, to relax or try out an outdoor activity. We'll have a movie and hot cocoa in the Glen House great room, or the option to borrow snowshoes or join a guided wintry walk through the Root Glen.
Location: Glen House

5-6 p.m.
Community Living Hall Meetings

An introduction to life in Hamilton's Residence Halls, facilitated by Community Advisors (CAs).
Meet in the Dunham First Floor Lounge

6-7 p.m.
Dinner

Location: Commons Dining Hall

8-9:30 p.m.
Bingo Night!

Feeling lucky? Ready to fill your room with some great prizes? This event is always an orientation highlight.
Location: Filius Events Barn

Monday, January 15
8-10 a.m. Breakfast Location: Commons Dining Hall
10a.m. - Noon Campus Scavenger Hunt and Explorations Get to know your new campus and friends in this fun, active, and challenging mini-adventure. Location: See your Orientation Leader for information about where to meet.
12-1:30 p.m. Lunch Location: Commons Dining Hall
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Coffee with Carly: Meet your ALEX Advisor! Join ALEX Advisor Carly Martin for an overview of ALEX advising and academic resources and support at Hamilton. Kirner-Johnson Room 102
2:30-3:30 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. Location: Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center
5-7 p.m. Dinner Location: Commons Dining Hall
7:30 - 9: p.m. Trivia Night Test your knowledge and win prizes! The First-Year Experience (FYE) leaders host trivia night. Location: Filius Events Barn

Monday, January 15

8-10 a.m.
Breakfast

Location: Commons Dining Hall

10a.m. - Noon
Campus Scavenger Hunt and Explorations

Get to know your new campus and friends in this fun, active, and challenging mini-adventure.
Location: See your Orientation Leader for information about where to meet.

12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

Location: Commons Dining Hall

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Coffee with Carly: Meet your ALEX Advisor!

Join ALEX Advisor Carly Martin for an overview of ALEX advising and academic resources and support at Hamilton.
Kirner-Johnson Room 102

2:30-3:30 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.
Location: Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center

5-7 p.m.
Dinner

Location: Commons Dining Hall

7:30 - 9: p.m.
Trivia Night

Test your knowledge and win prizes! The First-Year Experience (FYE) leaders host trivia night.
Location: Filius Events Barn

Tuesday, January 16
8 - 9:15 a.m. Breakfast Location: Commons Dining Hall
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Curriculum, Advising, and the Honor Code Adam Van Wynsberghe, Associate Dean of Students for Academics and Associate Professor of Chemistry, will discuss Hamilton's Honor Code, academic integrity at Hamilton, and the advising process. Location: Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center
10:30 a.m.-Noon Individual Meetings with Faculty Advisors This is your first opportunity to get to know your advisor and talk about your educational goals at Hamilton. Be sure to check your Hamilton email in advance for information about this meeting. Locations: Faculty Advisor Offices. See your email for more information
12-1:30 p.m. Lunch Location: Commons Dining Hall
1:30-2:30 p.m. Introduction to Library and Research Tools Location: Burke Library first floor
2:30-4:30 p.m. Final Schedule Changes Stop by the Registrar’s Office to make final changes to your course schedule, if needed. Location: Registrar's Office, Elihu Root House
3-5 p.m. Chapel Open Hours Drop into the chapel, meet the staff in spiritual and religious life and get warm with some hot cocoa. Location: Chapel first floor
5 - 7 p.m. Dinner Location: Commons and McEwen Dining Halls
7 - 8 p.m. Jan and Transfer Mixer Meet returning January Admission and Transfer students and enjoy sweet treats to wrap up your orientation experience! Location: Little Pub

Tuesday, January 16

8 - 9:15 a.m.
Breakfast

Location: Commons Dining Hall

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Curriculum, Advising, and the Honor Code

Adam Van Wynsberghe, Associate Dean of Students for Academics and Associate Professor of Chemistry, will discuss Hamilton's Honor Code, academic integrity at Hamilton, and the advising process.
Location: Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center

10:30 a.m.-Noon
Individual Meetings with Faculty Advisors

This is your first opportunity to get to know your advisor and talk about your educational goals at Hamilton. Be sure to check your Hamilton email in advance for information about this meeting.
Locations: Faculty Advisor Offices. See your email for more information

12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

Location: Commons Dining Hall

1:30-2:30 p.m.
Introduction to Library and Research Tools

Location: Burke Library first floor

2:30-4:30 p.m.
Final Schedule Changes

Stop by the Registrar’s Office to make final changes to your course schedule, if needed.
Location: Registrar's Office, Elihu Root House

3-5 p.m.
Chapel Open Hours

Drop into the chapel, meet the staff in spiritual and religious life and get warm with some hot cocoa.
Location: Chapel first floor

5 - 7 p.m.
Dinner

Location: Commons and McEwen Dining Halls

7 - 8 p.m.
Jan and Transfer Mixer

Meet returning January Admission and Transfer students and enjoy sweet treats to wrap up your orientation experience!
Location: Little Pub

Questions?

The following campus contacts can assist you as you prepare for your arrival on campus:

Orientation: Contact Tessa Chefalo at tchefalo @hamilton.edu

New Student Checklist and transition questions: Contact the ALEX Advisors at alexadv@hamilton.edu (or see your email for your individual assigned ALEX Advisor)

Advising Tour and spring course schedules: Contact the Registrar’s Office at regofc@hamilton.edu or call the New Student Info line at 315-859-4037

Community Living and Housing: Contact the Office of Community Living at living @hamilton.edu or by phone at 315-859-4023

Health paperwork and student health insurance: Contact the Health Center at healthcenter@hamilton.edu or by phone at 315-859-4111

Contact

Contact Name

Tessa Chefalo

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement

Phone

315-859-4894

nso@hamilton.edu

January Orientation Schedule

Saturday–Tuesday, January 13–16, 2024

8:30 a.m. - Noon Orientation Check-In and Residence Hall Move-in

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks and Luncheon

Students and family members are asked to say their goodbyes at the conclusion of the luncheon. New students will begin required programming at 1:45 p.m.

1:45-2:45 p.m. Orientation Group Meetings

1:45-2:45 p.m. Parent and Family Session

3-4:30 p.m. Matriculation

4:30-5 p.m. Orientation Group Time

5:30-7 p.m. Welcome Dinner in Orientation groups

8 p.m. First Night Fun

8-10 a.m. Breakfast

10-11 a.m. Health Matters: Hangnails to Hot Messes

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet the DEI team

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 - 3 p.m. Living in Community

3-5 p.m. Community Connection: Get to know the Glen House

5-6 p.m. Community Living Hall Meetings

6-7 p.m. Dinner

8-9:30 p.m. Bingo Night!

8-10 a.m. Breakfast

10a.m. - Noon Campus Scavenger Hunt and Explorations

12-1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Coffee with Carly: Meet your ALEX Advisor!

2:30-3:30 p.m. Wellness at Hamilton

5-7 p.m. Dinner

7:30 - 9: p.m. Trivia Night

8 - 9:15 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Curriculum, Advising, and the Honor Code

10:30 a.m.-Noon Individual Meetings with Faculty Advisors

12-1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30-2:30 p.m. Introduction to Library and Research Tools

2:30-4:30 p.m. Final Schedule Changes

3-5 p.m. Chapel Open Hours

5 - 7 p.m. Dinner

7 - 8 p.m. Jan and Transfer Mixer

Questions?

Contact

Site Menu

Site Search

8:30 a.m. - Noon
Orientation Check-In and Residence Hall Move-in

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Welcome Remarks and Luncheon

1:45-2:45 p.m.
Orientation Group Meetings

1:45-2:45 p.m.
Parent and Family Session

3-4:30 p.m.
Matriculation

4:30-5 p.m.
Orientation Group Time

5:30-7 p.m.
Welcome Dinner in Orientation groups

8 p.m.
First Night Fun

8-10 a.m.
Breakfast

10-11 a.m.
Health Matters: Hangnails to Hot Messes

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Meet the DEI team

12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 - 3 p.m.
Living in Community

3-5 p.m.
Community Connection: Get to know the Glen House

5-6 p.m.
Community Living Hall Meetings

6-7 p.m.
Dinner

8-9:30 p.m.
Bingo Night!

8-10 a.m.
Breakfast

10a.m. - Noon
Campus Scavenger Hunt and Explorations

12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Coffee with Carly: Meet your ALEX Advisor!

2:30-3:30 p.m.
Wellness at Hamilton

5-7 p.m.
Dinner

7:30 - 9: p.m.
Trivia Night

8 - 9:15 a.m.
Breakfast

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Curriculum, Advising, and the Honor Code

10:30 a.m.-Noon
Individual Meetings with Faculty Advisors

12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30-2:30 p.m.
Introduction to Library and Research Tools

2:30-4:30 p.m.
Final Schedule Changes

3-5 p.m.
Chapel Open Hours

5 - 7 p.m.
Dinner

7 - 8 p.m.
Jan and Transfer Mixer