2021 Orientation Schedule
Welcome to Hamilton! We look forward to welcoming new students and their families to campus this August, and to offering a robust orientation and welcome experience. Orientation for all new fall students is required, and runs from August 17-25, 2021. January Admission students are encouraged to participate in orientation adventure trips, and those who do should plan to arrive on campus on August 17 and depart on August 23.
The 2021 New Student Orientation schedule is below. Sessions highlighted in blue are required for all new students studying on-campus this fall, including new transfer students.
Please note that some details may be subject to change as state and local guidelines related to COVID-19 evolve. We will keep students and families informed of any changes via email. New students: please ensure you check your email regularly to stay on top of updates, arrival procedures, messages from faculty advisors, and other details.
If you have any questions about the orientation program or orientation adventure trips, please contact the New Student Orientation Team at nso@hamilton.edu.
| Tuesday, August 17 |
|---|
|
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. |
| 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. LITS Computer Assistance Help Desk, Burke Library First Floor |
| 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. One-Stop Shop An informational open house with campus representatives from Dining Services, Student Employment, Career Services, HillCard Services, Campus Safety, Residential Life, Business Office-Student Accounts, Financial Aid, the Health Center, Library & Information Technology Services, NBT Bank, Key Bank, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and Clinton Merchants. Location TBA |
| 11 a.m. – Noon Coffee and Conversation for January Admission Students and Families Join fellow January Admission students and families along with Hamilton administrators and returning Jan students at a welcome and informational coffee break. Beinecke Events Barn |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Picnic Lunch for New Students and Families Tent on the Dunham Green |
| 2 p.m. President and Deans' Welcome President David Wippman, Dean of Faculty Suzanne Keen, Dean of Admission Peaches Valdes, and Dean of Students Terry Martinez welcome new students and their families. Margaret Bundy Scott Field House (and via livestream) |
| 2:30–3:30 p.m. Welcome Reception Students and their families are invited to speak with the president, deans, administrators, faculty members and staff. Margaret Bundy Scott Field House |
| **Students and families should plan to say their goodbyes before the 3:45 p.m. opening ceremonies begin.** |
| 3:45–5:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies Head to the football field to meet your fellow new students, Orientation Adventure trip leaders and groups for games and introductions. Steuben Football Field |
|
4 –5 p.m. |
| 5 –6 p.m. Parent and Family Send-Off Reception Join representatives from the Division of Student Life, Parent Programs, and the Office of Alumni Relations for light refreshments and conversation before you head home! Location TBA |
| 5:30–7:30 p.m. Adventure Trip Preparation Russell Sage Hockey Rink |
| 5:30–7:30 p.m. First Night Dinner Commons Dining Hall |
| 7:30 p.m. Be Here Now Welcome to Hamilton! Meet the Orientation staff and student leaders and learn more about what to expect when your Orientation Adventure Trip begins tomorrow. Kennedy Center Amphitheater |
| 8:30 p.m. Adventure Trip Group Time Various Locations - See your Orientation Adventure Trip Leaders for details |
| Wednesday, August 18 |
|---|
| 7:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast See your orientation booklet for details on locations. |
| 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. Swim Test and overview of Physical Education Requirements Specific trip groups only. See your orientation trip leaders for details and timing. Meet at the Bristol Pool Stands |
| All day Adventure Trip Activities Various locations |
| 11:30 a.m.– 1 p.m. Lunch For trip groups still on campus Commons Dining Hall |
| 5 –7 p.m. Dinner For trip groups still on campus Commons Dining Hall |
| Thursday, August 19 |
|---|
| 7– 8 a.m. Breakfast For trip groups still on campus Commons Dining Hall |
| All day Adventure Trip Activities Various locations |
| Friday, August 20 - Saturday, August 21 |
|---|
| All day Adventure Trip Activities Various locations |
| sunday, August 22 |
|---|
| Morning-Afternoon Adventure Trip Activities Various locations |
| Afternoon Adventure Trips return to campus |
| 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Lunch Commons Dining Hall |
| 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Swim Test and overview of Physical Education Requirements Specific trip groups only. See your orientation trip leaders for details and timing. Meet at the Bristol Pool Stands |
|
5:30 p.m. |
| 7 p.m. Residence Hall Mixers Meet your RA 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 RA |
| 7 p.m. Jan Mixer Spend some time getting to know your fellow January Admission students before you embark on your fall experiences! Babbitt Pavilion |
| monday, August 23 |
|---|
| 7:30–8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Tent on the Dunham Green |
| 8:45–10 a.m. Orientation Lecture Dean of Engaged Education Kathy Wolfe delivers this year's Orientation Lecture. Wellin Hall |
| 10–11 a.m. Brunch for January Admission Students and Families Jans and their families are invited to a continental brunch before you depart campus. Please bring along your temporary room key and meal card! 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.–12 p.m. Advising and Curriculum Info Session for January Admission Students 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. Filius Events Barn |
| 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Individual Advising Meetings Faculty Advisor Offices |
| 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch with your Orientation Group Commons Dining Hall |
| 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Hamilton Hillel Meet & Greet Come grab a bite and meet our new Campus Rabbi Ethan Bair and the student leadership of the on-campus Jewish community. Azel Backus House |
| 12:30–2:30 p.m. Lawn Games Steuben Football Field |
| 12 –1 p.m. Informal Sciences Advising Taylor Science Center Atrium |
| 12– 1 p.m. Informal Social Sciences Advising First-Floor Commons, Kirner-Johnson |
| 12–1 p.m. Academic Info Sessions Each session is offered twice, at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Health Professions Advising Sessions Law Interest Sessions Finance Interest Sessions Pre-Engineering Advising Sessions Off-Campus Study Advising Sessions See your orientation booklet for locations. |
| 2–5 p.m. Drop-in Snacks & Relax Stop by Sadove for games, snacks, crafts, and a chance to unwind. Orientation leaders will be around to chat and answer any lingering questions! Sadove Student Center Living Room and Sun Porch |
| 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's assigned time. Bradford Auditorium, Kirner-Johnson |
| 5–6:45 p.m. Dinner Commons Dining Hall |
| 7 –8 p.m. Living in Community Wellin Hall, Schabach Center |
| 8:45–10:30 p.m. MP2 (Multicultural Peer Mentoring Project) Welcome Reception Margaret Bundy Scott Field House |
| 8:45–10:15 p.m. Transfer Student Mixer The Little Pub |
| 10 p.m.–Midnight Open Mic Night Beinecke Events Barn |
| 10 p.m.–Midnight New Student Block Party Sadove Terrace |
| Tuesday, August 24 |
|---|
| 7:30-9 a.m. Breakfast Commons Dining Hall |
| 9–10 a.m. Yoga and Meditation Blood Fitness Studio |
| 9:30 a.m. Guided Glen Walk Take a deep breath and explore some of Hamilton’s best trails on this guided walk through the Kirkland and Root Glens. Meet at the Gazebo, located near the entrance to the Root Glen – right next to the Anderson-Connell Alumni Center. Gazebo at the entrance to the Root Glen |
| 9 a.m.–Noon Registration Follow-up Check-in at the Registrar’s office if you need to make changes to your course schedule. See your Orientation Booklet for your group's assigned time. Registrar's Office, Elihu Root House |
| 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Matriculation Visit the Kirkland Cottage to sign the historic College Register. President David Wippman, Dean of Faculty Suzanne Keen, Vice President for Enrollment Management Monica Inzer, and Dean of Students Terry Martinez will greet new students during this annual and historic Hamilton tradition. (Please see your orientation booklet for your group's assigned time). Kirkland Cottage |
| 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 |
| 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Drop-in Snacks & Relax Stop by Sadove for games, snacks, crafts, and a chance to unwind. Orientation leaders will be around to chat and answer any lingering questions! Sadove Student Center Living Room and Sun Porch |
| 12:30–3:30 p.m. Registration Follow-up Check-in at the Registrar’s office if you need to make changes to your course schedule. See your Orientation Booklet for your group's assigned time. Registrar's Office, Elihu Root House |
| 2:30–4:30 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. This 30-minute session is offered 4 times. Please see your orientation booklet for your group's assigned time. Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center |
| 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 Catherine Berryman, Director of Community Standards. This 30-minute session is offered 4 times. Please see your orientation booklet for your group's assigned time. Bradford Auditorium, Kirner-Johnson |
| 4:45–5:45 p.m. 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 members of the Dean’s staff who will be resources to you as you navigate your campus experience. Wellin Hall, Schambach Center |
| 6–7:30 p.m. Dinner Commons and McEwen Dining Halls |
| 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 25 |
|---|
| ADDITIONAL SCHEDULE INFORMATION FOR AUGUST 25 WILL BE ADDED IN JULY. PROGRAMMING ON THESE DATES IS REQUIRED FOR ALL FALL ADMISSION STUDENTS. |