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New Student Orientation

August 20-28, 2024

Below is the tentative orientation schedule for all new students entering in fall 2024. Please note that some details may change between now and August. If you have questions, please contact Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement Tessa Chefalo at tchefalo@hamilton.edu.
  • 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.
  • Parents and family members are also encouraged to participate in all activities prior to 3 p.m.

Note: International Student Orientation (ISO) takes place from August 17-19, 2024. Students participating in ISO should plan to arrive on campus by August 17. Please contact Director of International Student Services Bonike Odegbami at oodegbam@hamilton.edu with any questions.

Tuesday, August 20
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Orientation Check-in and Residence Hall Move-In
Welcome to Hamilton!  Start off by picking up your Orientation information and residence hall keys.  Orientation Trip Leaders and Community Advisors (CAs) will be available to greet students and family members and answer your questions.
Residence Hall Lobbies/Lounges
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cram and Scram Sale
Still need something for your room?  Stop by Hamilton's annual cram and scram sale - happening for the first time during orientation!  Browse this nearly-new dorm essentials resale event to put the finishing touches on your new residence hall space.
Molly Root House Parking Lot
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
One-Stop Shop
An informational open house with campus representatives from dining services, community living, student accounts, financial aid, the health center, library & information technology services, and local banks.
Atrium, Taylor Science Center
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Coffee and Conversation for January Admission Students and Families
Join fellow January Admission students, families, faculty and administrators at a welcome session and coffee break.
Filius Events Barn
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Meeting for Student Athletes and their Families
Director of Athletics Jon Hind and Associate Director Deirdre Pierson will provide information specific to Hamilton student-athletes.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Picnic Lunch for New Students and Families
Tent on the Dunham Green
1 p.m.
President and Deans Welcome
President David Wippman, Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Dean of Admission John McLaughlin, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sean Bennett, and Dean of Students Chris Card welcome new students and their families.
Margaret Scott Bundy Field House
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Students and their families are invited to speak with the president, deans, administrators, faculty members, and staff. Light refreshments will be served.
Margaret Scott Bundy Field House
3 - 4 p.m.
Parent and Family Session: Navigating the Road Ahead: Challenges and Resources
The Dean of Students and members of the Division of Student Life will share information about the student experience and resources at Hamilton.
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center
3 - 4:30 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
4:30 - 7 p.m.
Adventure Trip Preparation
Russell Sage Hockey Rink
5 -7 p.m.
First Night Dinner
Commons Dining Hall
7 - 8 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 p.m.
Adventure Trip Group Activities
Various locations - see your orientation trip leader for more information.
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
Upson Chair for Public Discourse and Professor of Theater Craig Latrell and Dean of Students at Francis W. Parker Chater School Carter Cox '03 deliver 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 grab a bite to eat and meet the Jewish Chaplains and student leaders from our on-campus Jewish community!
Center for Jewish Life, Azel Backus House
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.
Informal Social Sciences Advising
Mingle with faculty and ask questions about majors and courses in the social sciences.  Faculty members from Government, History, Russian Studies, Sociology, and Women's Studies will be present.  In addition, the Economics Department will be offering a 20-minute introduction to the major with a Q&A beginning at 12:00 and 12:30 in KJ 101.
First-Floor Commons, Kirner-Johnson
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 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 @ 3pm:  Teams English Breakfast, Thai, and Lemon Ginger
        Group Two @ 3:30pm:  Teams Earl Grey, Chai, and Hibiscus
        Group Three @ 4pm: Teams Matcha, Oolong, and Jasmine
        Group Four @ 4:30pm: Teams Peppermint, Chamomile, and Yerba Mate
 
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 @ 3pm:  Teams Matcha, Oolong, and Jasmine
        
Group Two @ 3:30pm:  Teams Peppermint, Chamomile, and Yerba Mate
        
Group Three @ 4pm: Teams English Breakfast, Thai, and Lemon Ginger
        
Group Four @ 4:30pm: Teams Earl Grey, Chai, and Hibiscus
 
5–6:45 p.m.
Dinner
Commons Dining Hall
7 –8 p.m.
Community and Allyship
Wellin Hall, Schabach Center
8:30–10 p.m.
Transfer Student Mixer
Get to know fellow transfer students over snacks and games.
The Little Pub
10 p.m.–Midnight
Open Mic Night
Show off your talents or just come to watch your friends and orientation trip leaders perform!
Filius 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
10 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 - 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 Chamomile, Yerba Mate and Jasmine
        10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Teams Hibiscus, Lemon Ginger and Thai
  

10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Matriculation
Visit the Kirkland Cottage to sign the historic College Register. President David Wippman, Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo, Vice President for Enrollment Management Monica Inzer, 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
            10:00 a.m.: English Breakfast
            
10:30 a.m.: Earl Grey
            11:00 a.m.: Chai
            11:30 a.m.: Matcha
            12:30 p.m.: Oolong
            1:00 p.m.: Peppermint
            1:30pm: Chamomile
            2:00 p.m.: Yerba Mate
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.
Kennedy Auditorium, Taylor Science Center
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 English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Chai
        1:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Teams Matcha, Oolong, and Peppermint
 
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 below for your group's assigned time.
Bradford Auditorium, Kirner-Johnson
             G
roup One @ 2:30pm:  Teams Chamomile, Yerba Mate, and Jasmine
            
Group Two @ 3:00pm:  Teams Hibiscus, Lemon Ginger, and Thai
            Group Three @ 3:30pm: Teams English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Chai
            Group Four @ 4:00pm: Teams Matcha, Oolong, and Peppermint
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
9 - 10 p.m.
Fire & Ice...Cream
Come meet our chaplaincy staff and student leaders in our spiritual life groups: Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, InterVarsity, Meditation & Mindfulness communities plus Indigenous spirituality and awareness group.
Lawn in front of the Chapel
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

Contact

Contact Name

Tessa Chefalo

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement

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