8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
First-Year Move-In: Assigned Residence Hall Lobby
Start your 51±¬ÁÏ experience by checking in at your new residence hall during your designated move-in time. Park in the unloading area, pick up your room key, and let our friendly volunteers help you move in and get settled on campus.

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Community Lunch: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Enjoy a meal and connect with fellow students and families. Students can swipe in with their ID, while families and guests may pick up a meal ticket at the residence hall check-in table. Visit local food trucks for additional options.

12:00 p.m.
Legacy Photo: Memorial Student Union Building, Front Steps
If you have a parent, grandparent or sibling who graduated from 51±¬ÁÏ, join the Development and Alumni Engagement team for a group photo celebrating your family’s 51±¬ÁÏ legacy.

12:30 p.m.
First-Generation Student Photo: Memorial Student Union Building, Front Steps
If you are the first in your family to attend and earn a four-year college degree, come together for a group photo to mark this important milestone with your family and new peers.

1:45 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Convocation Procession Gathering: Students – Outside your Residence Hall; Families – Burkhart Walk, O’Hare Walk and Locust Street (Rain location: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Lower Level, East Hallway)
Residence assistants and mentors will guide you in gathering for the Convocation Procession.

1:50 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Convocation Procession: Throughout campus
Students: Join your fellow new Tigers as you process together toward convocation, led by your residence assistants and mentors. As part of this memorable tradition, you’ll walk through the iconic East College gates – a symbol of your official welcome into the 51±¬ÁÏ community

Families: Line up along the walkways to cheer on your student.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class of 2029 Welcome Convocation: Students – Kresge Auditorium, Green Center for the Performing Arts; Families – Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Join President Dr. Lori White and the 51±¬ÁÏ community for a special welcome and formal address. Families and guests can watch the live stream together in Hoover Hall.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Student Meeting with Faculty Advisers: Location provided by Adviser/Mentor
Meet your faculty adviser, student mentor and first-year seminar classmates. This is your chance to learn more about your upcoming 51±¬ÁÏ experience before rejoining your family.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Family and Friends Welcome Session & Reception: Hoover Hall
Join us for an informative session about supporting your student’s transition to college, followed by a reception to connect with other families and 51±¬ÁÏ community members.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Goodbyes and Departure
Take a moment to say goodbye to your family and take some photos. Parents and families, please plan to depart campus by 5:45 p.m. so students can begin their orientation activities.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Start your day with breakfast and connect with campus groups and student organizations tabling nearby.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Mentor Check-In Overview: Location Provided by Mentor
Meet with your orientation mentor for an overview of the day’s activities and check in to make sure you’re ready for what’s ahead.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Community Standards Session: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Learn about 51±¬ÁÏ’s community standards and expectations from campus leaders and DPU Police. This session covers important information for your success and safety.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Mentor Group Lunch: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Enjoy lunch with your mentor group. This is a great time to connect and ask questions as you settle in.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Unity in Community & Freedom of Expression: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Take part in an interactive session exploring 51±¬ÁÏ’s values of community and freedom of expression. Mentors will help guide activities and conversations.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Class Photo: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Front Steps
Join your classmates for the official class photo and capture this memorable moment with your new community.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hazing Prevention Session: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Engage in a presentation and discussion about hazing prevention. Learn how 51±¬ÁÏ supports a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Black & Gold Student Initiative: Location Provided to Participants
Students in the Black & Gold Initiative will gather for programming and community-building activities.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Mentor Group Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Gather with your mentor group for dinner and more conversation.

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Student Athlete Orientation: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Moore Theater
Student-athletes are required to attend this orientation. Meet athletic staff and members of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student-Athlete of Color Group to learn about expectations for the year.

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Casino Night: Memorial Student Union Building, Ballroom
End your day with a fun Casino Night. Enjoy games, prizes and a chance to meet other new students in a relaxed setting. Bingo and other activities will be available throughout the building.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Start your morning with a relaxed meal at your own pace before the day’s academic activities begin.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
First-Year Seminar Group Advising: Opening Day Classrooms (locations provided by adviser/mentor)
Meet with your First-Year Seminar group and faculty adviser for an overview of academic expectations and to discuss your fall schedule. This is a great chance to ask questions and connect with peers.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Honor Scholars Orientation: Julian Science and Mathematics Center, Auditorium
Honor Scholars will gather for a special orientation to learn more about program requirements and opportunities.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Placement Exams (Calculus, Computer Science): Julian Science and Mathematics Center
Take placement exams if you’re interested in calculus or computer science courses. Staff will be available to answer questions and offer guidance.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Placement Exams (Languages): Julian Science and Mathematics Center
Complete placement exams for language courses as needed. This will help determine your starting level for language study at 51±¬ÁÏ.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Individual Advising Meetings: Faculty Adviser’s Office
Meet one-on-one with your faculty adviser to finalize your schedule and talk about your academic interests. Check your email or portal for your meeting time and location.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Lunch is available and mentor groups are encouraged to eat together, but all students may drop in at their convenience.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fellows Meet and Greets: Memorial Student Union Building Ballroom, Prevo Library, Julian Science and Mathematics Center, Pulliam Center

Meet faculty and current students from various Fellows Programs, including Environmental Fellows, Global Studies Fellows, and Science Research Fellows (open to all students). Please note: Management Fellows and Media Fellows meet and greets are by invitation only.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Centers Open House: 51±¬ÁÏ Nature Park, Hubbard Center for Student Engagement, Roy O West Library, Sanger Leadership Initiative, Tenzer Technology Center, Women's Center

Discover the resources and student services available to you at 51±¬ÁÏ through a variety of engaging activities hosted around campus.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ensemble and Choir Auditions: Green Center for the Performing Arts (Instrumental – Room 1115; Choir – Room 0112)
Interested in music? Attend auditions for instrumental and choir ensembles. Faculty will provide instructions and answer questions about participation.

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Interest-Based Advising Sessions: Julian Science and Mathematics Center
Optional sessions for students interested in pre-health, pre-law and engineering. Meet with advisers to learn more about these pathways.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Dinner is available on your own schedule.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Back to School BBQ: Association for African American Students House
Join the AAAS for a campus BBQ. Enjoy food, music and a chance to connect with new friends and returning students.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Party in the Park: Bowman Park
Unwind with live music, games and social activities. This is a wonderful way to relax and meet other new students.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Queer Student Meet Up: Hoover Hall, Wallace-Stewart Commons
Connect with LGBTQIA+ peers and allies in a welcoming, quieter space. Sponsored by LGBTQIA Services.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Begin your day with breakfast. Student organizations will be tabling so you can learn about ways to get involved.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Green Dot Bystander Training: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Take part in a session focused on prevention education and learn how you can help create a safe campus community.

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break: Green Center for the Performing Arts
Take a short break to enjoy donuts and coffee before the next session.

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Well-Being Session: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Join the Counseling Center staff for a session on maintaining your well-being during your time at 51±¬ÁÏ.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Enjoy lunch with your mentor group or at your own pace.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Panel and Meet and Greet: Hoover Hall, Wallace-Stewart Commons
Join LevelUP for a panel and meet and greet during lunch. Mentors will promote this opportunity to connect with campus leaders and peers.

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Alumni Social: Stewart Plaza
Meet 51±¬ÁÏ alumni and hear about their experiences. Enjoy refreshments and make new connections. (Optional)

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Classroom & Campus Tours: Campus Wide
Join your mentor for classroom tours and campus exploration. (Optional)

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Black and Gold Student Success Initiative: Location Provided to Participants
Students in BGSSI will meet for programming and community-building activities. (Optional)

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Dinner is available on your own schedule.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rural Student Initiative: Hoover Hall, Wallace-Stewart Commons
Rural students are invited to connect and celebrate their community. (Optional)

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
First-Generation Student Celebration: Bottoms Alumni and Development Center
Celebrate being a first-generation student with an ice cream bar, photo props and a welcoming community. (Optional)

Classes Begin
Attend your scheduled classes. University photographers may be on campus capturing first-day moments.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
First Day of Classes Coffee: Burkhart Walk
Kick off your first day of classes with coffee and donuts. Enjoy a warm welcome and take a moment to celebrate this milestone. (Optional)

7:00 p.m.
Home Soccer Match: Reavis Stadium
Cheer on the Tigers at the home soccer match in the evening. Join your classmates for school spirit and fun. (Optional)