Ä¢¹½´«Ã½

New Student Orientation Schedule

New Student Orientation 2026

Friday, Aug. 21, to Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Aug. 21 is largely a move-in day with a welcome ceremony and farewells in the late afternoon. Family and friends are invited to participate in events on Aug. 21.

Class of 2030

Times and locations are subject to change.  

Students will receive information on how to access the finalized schedule, their NSO group numbers, etc. upon completion of online pre-orientation.

New Student Orientation (NSO) is a time for new students to begin building relationships and networks that are essential to assisting in a sense of belonging in the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ community (College and surrounding community). All sessions will provide information that will assist you in many ways during your experience at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½. All are strongly encouraged and expected to attend and engage in all sessions. A variety of fun events planned for you while you build lasting friendships. We look forwarding to hosting you during your first week at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½!

 

*Events and activities denoted with an asterisk (*) are open to family and family friends.

  • Students moving in with the help of alumni

    Friday, Aug. 21

    8 a.m.–noon *Check-In,  Harris Center, Concert Hall

    Late arrivals go to Student Affairs, Rosenfield Center, Third Floor

    8 a.m.–noon *Student Health and Wellness: Discussion of Outstanding Health Requirements, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    8 a.m.–noon *New Student Orientation Info Desk, Harris Center, Atrium

    8 a.m.–2 p.m. *Residence Hall Move-In, various locations

    8 a.m.–3 p.m. *Family and Guest Lounge, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    8 a.m.–3 p.m. Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research Table, Harris Center, Atrium

    9 –11 a.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    9–11 a.m. *Dining Information Table, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    9 a.m.–Noon *Technology Services Desk, Rosenfield Center, First-Floor Lobby

    9 a.m.–2 p.m. *Student Employment Paperwork, Rosenfield Center, Room 203

    10 a.m.–noon *First-Generation and Low-Income, Rosenfield Center, First-Floor Lobby

    11–11:30 a.m. *Dietary Tour of Dining Services,  Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    A tour of dining services facilities for students and guests with specific dietary needs and requests.

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. *Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    2 p.m. *Jumaa: Muslim Prayer, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice (CRSSJ), Muslim Prayer Room

    2–3 p.m. NSO Energizer, Mac Field

    Rain Location: Harris Center, Concert Hall

    3 p.m. *Families and Guests Seated for Welcome Ceremony, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, Darby Gym

    3:30–4 p.m. *Welcome Ceremony, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, Darby Gym

    4–4:30 p.m. Class photo, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, Darby Gym

    4–5 p.m. *President’s Reception for Families and Guests, Athletic Knoll, grass field between Bear Recreation and Athletic Center and Natatorium

    Rain Location: Natatorium Lobby

    5–5:30 p.m. *Farewells and Goodbyes, Athletic Knoll, grass field between Bear Recreation and Athletic Center and Natatorium

    Rain Location: Natatorium Lobby

    5:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner with NSO Group, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace 

    5:30–6:30 p.m. *Shabbat Service, Rosenfield Center, Room 209

    6:30 p.m. *Shabbat Table Dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat, Rosenfield Center, Room 209
    Please RSVP to Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay by Aug.14 with the number of guests and any dietary needs to ensure your meal for this event.

    7:30–8:15 p.m. First Floor Meeting,  Residence Hall Lounges

    8:15–10 p.m. Illumination Ceremony,  Mac Field

    Rain Location: Harris Center, Concert Hall

    *Events/Activities denoted with an asterisk (*) are open to family and family friends

  • Night on Mac Field with students playing a glow in the dark game

    Saturday, Aug. 22

    6–8 a.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    8–9 a.m. Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8:30 a.m. Invitation Only - Disability Services Breakfast, East Side Lawn in Front of Steiner

    9:30 a.m.–noon. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Farmers Market, Central Park

    The  is a 100% producer-grown or made market, meaning that all items for sale must be entirely grown or made by the vendor or immediate family members in the state of Iowa. 

    9:20–10:20 a.m. Sexual Respect Session Harris Center, Cinema 

    9:20–10:20 a.m. Substance Use Session Harris Center, Concert Hall 

    10:20–10:30 a.m. Break 

    10:30–11:30 a.m. Sexual Respect Session Harris Center, Cinema 

    10:30–11:30 a.m. Substance Use Session Harris Center, Concert Hall 

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    1–3 p.m. First Tutorial Meeting, Tutorial Classrooms

    3–5 p.m. Languages and Cultures at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, Kington Plaza

    Rain Location: HSSC Multipurpose Room, Room A1231

    4–6 p.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    7:30–9 p.m. All Campus Jamboree, Cleveland Beach

    9–11 p.m. Arcade Night,  Harris Center, Concert Hall 

     

  • Skateboards in holder inside of building

    Sunday, Aug. 23

    8–9 a.m. Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8 a.m.–noon Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial faculty offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty)

    9–11 a.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. NSO Group Campus Resource Tour, various locations

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    12:30–1:30 p.m. First-Generation and Low-Income College Student Lunch and Student Panel, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace, Whale Room

    1:30–2:30 p.m. The Importance of Your Safety While at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    1:30–2:30 p.m. Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) Exploratory Adviser Meetings, Harris Center, Cinema

    2:30–2:40 p.m. Break

    2:40–3:40 p.m.  The Importance of Your Safety While at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    2:40–3:40 p.m.  Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) Exploratory Adviser Meetings, Harris Center, Cinema

    4–6 p.m. Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial faculty offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty)

    4–6 p.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    6:15–7:30 p.m. Sunday Dinner with Rev. Cassandra, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace, Room 224A

    Come learn about opportunities to engage with diverse Christian communities on campus and in town. We will have dinner together, do a brief study, and Rev. Cassandra will share opportunities to connect with the community during your time at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½. Grab your dinner and join us at JRC 224A (upstairs). There will be a sign-in sheet for students not on the meal plan. 

    7:30 p.m. Roommate Contracts Meeting, Residence Hall Lounges

    9 p.m. Ahmed Al-Kadri (Comedian), Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Students laughing and walking around outside carrying plates of food

    Monday, Aug. 24

    8–9 a.m. Breakfast,  Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8 a.m.–5 p.m. Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial faculty offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty)

    8 a.m.–5 p.m. Registrar open consultation for registration questions, John Crystal Center (JCC)

    9–11 a.m. Student Health and Wellness: Discuss Outstanding Health Requirements, Student Health and Wellness (SHAW), Forum, Lower Level

    9–11 a.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    9–11 a.m. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Singers Auditions, Bucksbaum Arts Center, Room 152

    9–11 a.m. Student Employment Paperwork, Rosenfield Center, Room 209

    9 a.m.–noon Placement Consultation with Math Department, Faculty offices, Noyce, 2500 hallway, southeast corner

    9 a.m.–noon Placement Consultation with Statistics Department, Faculty offices, Noyce, Rooms 2515, 2218, 2249, or 2042

    9 a.m.–noon Placement Consultation with Computer Science Department, Faculty offices, Noyce, Room 2811

    9 a.m.–noon Placement Consultation with Physics Department, Faculty offices, Noyce, Rooms 1030–1037, southwest area

    10–11 a.m. 3-2 Engineering Information Session, Noyce, Room 1023

    10:45–11:30 a.m. Becoming Global Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ians, HSSC, Multipurpose Room, Room A1231

    11 a.m.–noon YGB (Young, Gifted and Black) Choir Information Session, Herrick Chapel

    The YGB Choir is a music ensemble with its roots in the African American gospel tradition and is open to all students. The choir sings a range of traditional and contemporary gospel hymns and songs. We invite you to become a part of a Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ tradition since its humble beginnings in 1967. 

    11 a.m.–noon Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies Information Session, Bucksbaum Arts Center, Roberts Theatre

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    1:30–2:30 p.m. Dining Employment Training, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    2–3 p.m. Music Department Information Session, Bucksbaum Arts Center, Sebring-Lewis Hall

    2–3:30 p.m. The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Social Justice Walking Tour, John Crystal Center (JCC), Front Steps

    Rain Location: John Crystal Center, Room 010

    3–5 p.m. Cultural Centers and Identity Spaces Open Houses

    • Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center, 1003 10th Avenue 
    • Stonewall Resource Center, Younker Hall, Lower Level 
    • Disability Cultural Center, Steiner Hall, First Floor, Room 205 
    • Latinx/e Cultural Center, 1026 Park Street 
    • First-Generation and Low-Income Lounge Rosenfield Center, Third Floor 
    • Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice, 913 Eighth Avenue  
    • Office of International Student Affairs,  HSSC 

    4–6 p.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner,  Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    6:15–9 p.m. Sunset paddle with campfire and s’mores at Jacob Krumm,  Rosenfield Center to Jacob Krumm

    Preregistration in Guidebook Required - Available in Mid-August

    Participation Max: Nine students

    6:15–9 p.m. Sunset hike with campfire and s’mores at Jacob Krumm, Rosenfield Center to Jacob Krumm

    Preregistration in Guidebook Required - Available in Mid-August

    Participation Max: Ten students

    6:15–9 p.m. Sunset hike with campfire and s’mores at Rock Creek, Rosenfield Center to Rock Creek

    Preregistration in Guidebook Required - Available in Mid-August

    Participation Max: Ten students

    9 p.m. Madame Mystery (Hypnotist), Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Students in a color powder paint cloud

    Tuesday, Aug. 25

    8–9 a.m. Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8–10 a.m. Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial faculty offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty)

    9–11 a.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    10 a.m.–noon Register for first course (4 credits), Tutorial advisors in their offices and/or online to assist

    10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Department Resource Fair, Rosenfield Center, First Floor

    11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Social Justice Walking Tour, John Crystal Center, Front Steps

    Rain Location:  John Crystal Center, Room 010

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    1–2 p.m. Getting Grounded: Awareness, Engagement, & Action, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    2 p.m. Register for remaining schedule (up to 18 credits total), Tutorial advisors in their offices and/or online to assist

    4–6 p.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8–11 p.m. Night at the Bear, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center

    9–11 p.m. Grant O. Observatory

    Located on the north end of campus to the east of the baseball field.  Sidewalk is located on the west side of the Darren Young ’93 Track and Field Complex. Access to the telescope involves several sets of steps, but visitors with mobility restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. 

  • Students sitting on the floor in small groups talking and laughing

    Wednesday, Aug. 26

    8–9 a.m. Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    8 a.m.–5 p.m. Registrar Office Hours,  John Crystal Center, First Floor

    9–11 a.m. Varsity Practice,  various locations

    9 a.m. Canoe at Rock Creek State Park, Rosenfield Center to Rock Creek

    Preregistration Required - Available Mid-August

    Participant Max: Nine students

    Spend the afternoon paddling at Rock Creek State Park! You will learn about canoeing safety and basic paddle strokes before heading out to paddle on Rock Creek Lake. No previous canoeing experience is necessary. 

    Driving Time: Approximately 10 minutes one way 

    Amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water available near boat ramp 

    9 a.m. Hike at Uhlenhopp Arboretum, Rosenfield Center to Uhlenhopp Arboretum

    Preregistration Required - Available Mid-August

    Participant Max: Ten students

    Explore a natural area just outside Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ on foot. Uhlenhopp Arboretum spans 250 acres with thousands of trees and seven ponds named for the days of the week. On this trip, we will hike a 3.1-mile loop around the arboretum. 

    Driving distance: Approximately 10 minutes one way 

    Amenities: Pit toilets and potable water available at parking lot 

    9 a.m. Hike at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve, Rosenfield Center to Krumm Nature Preserve

    Preregistration Required - Available Mid-August

    Participant Max: Ten students

    Spend the afternoon hiking at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve, a 450-acre natural area just five miles southwest of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½. We will hike a series of two loops through woodlands, around a lake, and through a prairie covering approximately 5 miles. No previous hiking experience is necessary. 

    Driving Time: Approximately 15 minutes one way 

    Amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water available at trailhead 

    9 a.m. Bike to Rock Creek State Park, Rosenfield Center to Rock Creek

    Preregistration Required - Available Mid-August

    Participant Max: Nine students

    Check out one of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s local trails by bike! The Rock Creek Recreation Trail begins near Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ High School and travels through rolling hills and farmland for 5.8 miles to Rock Creek State Park. On this adventure, we will bike from campus to Rock Creek State Park, where we will take a break before biking back to campus. We’ll bike approximately 14 miles in total. Bikes and helmets will be provided. You must have previous experience riding a bike. 

    Amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water available at Rock Creek State Park 

    11 a.m.–noon Colloquium Topic 1, HSSC Auditorium

    Noon–1:30 p.m. Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    1–2 p.m. Colloquium Topic 2, HSSC Auditorium

    1–1:45 p.m. Get Ready for your Fall Semester to Begin,  Harris Center, Cinema

    2–3 p.m. Colloquium Topic 3, HSSC Auditorium

    2:30 p.m. NSO Group Check-In, various locations

    3 p.m. First-Year Student Add/Drop, Colleague Self Service and adviser offices

    If needed First year students who want to make changes to their schedule will have the opportunity to add, drop, and waitlist for classes using Colleague Self-Service starting at 3pm. Add/Drop/Waitlist opens to all students at 4:00PM 

    3:30–7:30 p.m. All Campus Welcome Festival, Central Campus

    Rain Plan: Rescheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2–6 p.m.

    4–6 p.m. Varsity Practice, various locations

    5–7:30 p.m. All Campus Welcome Dinner, Eighth Avenue

    Rain Location: Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    6:30 p.m.  A Shared Table Dinner and Discussion with Rev. Cassandra, CRSSJ Prayer Garage

     

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