Schedule at a Glance

The mission of New Student Orientation is to prepare first-year and transfer students for a successful transition to Westminster College. The program works to ensure that new students have an awareness of campus resources relating to academic success, student engagement, and wellness support. Further, we are deliberate in our integration of dialogues around inclusivity, justice, and shared responsibility for upholding an affirming and respectful campus community.

Students Only

Students and Families

Mandatory

Thursday, August 24

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

First-Year & Transfer Student Move-In

Resident students only

Residence Halls

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Mailbox Key Pick-Up

There will tables on the first floor of McKelvey, in the TUB, where you will pick up your mailbox key.

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Parking Pass Pick-Up

If you have completed your vehicle registration application, you will pick up your parking pass from the Public Safety Office on the 2nd Floor of the McKelvey Campus Center, room 252 (across from the Berlin Lounge).

McKelvey Campus Center, Public Safety Office

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Orientation Check-In

Resident and Commuter students

IMPORTANT: You will pick up your Orientation folder, name tag, and receive additional instructions for the weekend’s events. Here is where you will also find out which Orientation group you will be in!

Orr Auditorium Tents

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Campus and Community Resources

If you have remaining questions about financial aid, student account and payment plans, meal plans, academics, family engagement, or if you need community resources that support your health and well-being, visit the following campus and community partners.

Adagio Health
Business Office
Financial Aid
Parent and Family Engagement
Physical Plant
Registrar's Office
Rite Aid Pharmacy
Sodexo Dining Services
TRIO Program

McKelvey Campus Center, Berlin Lounge

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Titans over Time

Capture memories from past and present with this special blast from the past photo area. New students and their families are welcome to stop into the Alumni Association welcome tent. Once inside, peruse our extensive collection of yearbooks sharing campus over time or identify a past photo of mom, dad, grandma or grandpa and pose with them on our photo screen. No previous Titans in your family, no problem — we’ll have lots of other photo ops including a Titan cutout and signage to capture perfect snapshot.

Campus Quad

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Welcome Lunch

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Opening Convocation

The traditional Opening Convocation is a time of academic celebration that signals the start of the new academic year. All new students will sit as a class in the first few rows on the left and right sections near the stage and families may fill in the back rows.

Orr Auditorium

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Family Farewell

We ask you to take a few minutes following Opening Convocation to say farewell before we begin the sessions dedicated to new students. Students will be called to follow orientation leaders to their afternoon sessions.

Campus Quad

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Orientation Group Meeting

Your Orientation group number is located in your Orientation folder. Orientation Leaders will help direct you to your group’s weekend meeting location.

Various Locations

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Transfer Student Social

Meet fellow transfer students and mingle with members of the College leadership.

McKelvey Campus Center, Cultural Center

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

First-Year Residence Hall Meetings

Meet your Resident Assistant and fellow first-year students on your floor while relaxing in your home away from home.

Residence Halls

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Commuter Student Meeting

McKelvey Campus Center, Mueller Theater

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Dinner with the President

President Kathy B. Richardson will host new students for dinner at the Manse. Instructions for departure will be communicated by your Orientation Leader.

President's Manse

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Kona Ice Social

Shaved ice, music, and community bonding!

Campus Quad

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Midnight Madness

You’ll engage in high-impact group activities with your fellow classmates and Orientation Leaders. This time will be filled fun, laughter, and community building.

Memorial Field House

Friday, August 25

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Orientation Group Meetings

Various Campus Locations

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Academic Advising

Various Campus Locations

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Westminster 101

This is your very first Westminster class where you will meet your WST101 instructor and Peer Success Coach. Materials for the class will provided.

Various Campus Locations

12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Lunch

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Orientation Group Meeting

Various Campus Locations

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitanTalks: Navigating Academic Life

During the TitanTalks, you will hear from staff, faculty, and students on how to navigate the various components of academic life. You will be given tools to promote academic success that can be tailored to fit your individual needs. You will select 3 of the 4 following sessions to attend. OLs will guide you to each session (see TitanTalks schedule in your Orientation folder).

Understanding Academic Engagement at Westminster

In this session, faculty members will define academic engagement for the Westminster College student — what it looks like inside and outside of the classroom, how to effectively communicate with your course instructors and advisors, and how to bring your authentic selves into a learning community. Come with questions!

Wallace Memorial Chapel

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitanTalks: Navigating Academic Life

Reimaging Home: Transitions and Boundaries

Transitioning away from home can be challenging. This session will introduce you to topics that help you navigate the reality of living and learning in a new environment. Get the inside scoop from peers on how they managed first-year fears and expectations and also from staff members who support students in their transition. *This workshop can benefit both residential and commuter students.

McKelvey Campus Center, Berlin Lounge

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitanTalks: Navigating Academic Life

Stress Management for College Students

You will have the opportunity to meet with the college counselors, learn to identify signs of stress in your life, learn skills to manage your emotions, and identify resources on campus to support you and your well-being at Westminster College.

McKelvey Campus Center, Lakeview Room

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitanTalks: Navigating Academic Life

The (Im)Possible Schedule: Organizing and Planning Your College Life

Whether you’ve been diligent with calendar-keeping throughout high school, or if you left all of your commitments to chance (or to the adults in your life), it’s guaranteed you will experience a big shift in the way you manage your time and responsibilities in college. You’ll be in class for fewer hours, have more studying to do on your own, and you’ll have to keep track of things like laundry, meals, jobs, athletic schedules, appointments, and social events. So how can you manage it all? This orientation session will introduce you to strategies and resources that will help you regularly organize, plan, and prioritize your college life. Every participant will leave with a framework that will guide their weekly college schedule.

McKelvey Campus Center, Maple Room

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Dinner

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sundae Fun Day

Make your own customized ice cream sundae!

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

New Titan Rally

Dancing, mocktails, and giveaways!

McKelvey Campus Center, Berlin Lounge

Saturday, August 26

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Orientation Group Meeting

Various Campus Locations

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community

During the TitansTogether sessions in the morning and afternoon, you will engage important topics that bring you into conversation about what it means to live and learn in community. You will also meet campus leaders and learn where your classes will be!

Note: In the morning, please bring your laptop!

Campus Policies

Wallace Memorial Chapel & Hoyt Science Center, Dietz-Sullivan Lecture Hall

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community

Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Bystander Intervention

McKelvey Campus Center, Berlin Lounge & Mueller Theater

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community

Introduction to Westminster’s Resource Platforms

McKelvey Campus Center, Witherspoon Rooms

12:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Lunch

After lunch, bring a copy of your class schedule or be sure to pull it up on your phone!

McKelvey Campus Center

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community II

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

McKelvey Campus Center, Maple Room

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community II

Alcohol and Other Drugs Education

McKelvey Campus Center, Lakeview Room

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TitansTogether: Living and Learning in Community II

Campus and Classroom Tours

Various Campus Locations

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Dinner

McKelvey Campus Center

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Waffle Night

Meet members of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and enjoy free waffles and leave with a free t-shirt!

McKelvey Campus Center, Club Room

10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Late Night

Orientation Leaders present their annual comedy skit.

Amphitheatre

Sunday, August 27

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship Services

Meet with Office of Faith and Spirituality staff members, and transportation will be provided to worship locations.

Wallace Memorial Chapel

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Brunch

McKelvey Campus Center, First Floor

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

TitanTakeoff: Orientation Closing

McKelvey Campus Center, Witherspoon Rooms

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Athlete Physicals

Memorial Field House

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Dinner at Galbreath (Meal plans begin)

Galbreath Dining Hall

5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Dinner at TUB Food Court (Meal plans begin)

McKelvey Campus Center

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

"Come to the Wall" Worship Service

Sunday evenings are set aside for the Westminster community to gather for a non-denominational worship service in Wallace Memorial Chapel.

Wallace Memorial Chapel

8:00 p.m.

Activities Fair

Welcome Week Kickoff! Come out to the Quad to the Activities Fair to learn how to get involved on campus, meet student organizations, campus resources, and more!

Campus Quad

This concludes your orientation schedule. Please check out advertising and be sure to take advantage of Welcome Week activities.

Schedule is subject to change. Stay connected to your WC email.