Orientation Schedule

Breakfast

7 a.m.
Hodson Dining Hall

Pre-Orientation Move in

9 a.m. to Noon
Residential Life Office, Caroline Hall

Fall Athletes, Washington Scholars, International Students, and select student leaders move in on Monday for Pre-orientation programs

Lunch

Join us for a complimentary lunch 

Fall Athletes with Athletic Trainers

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cain Gymnasium

Washington Scholars Family Meeting

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Egg

Washington Scholars Advisors Flavio Hickel and Nicolle Moaney, along with Director of Financial Aid, Jennifer Gallagher, will welcome Washington Scholars and their families to campus in this special session. Note: this session is for Washington Scholars and their families only.

1st Year Fall Athletes Honor Code & Community Standards 

3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Norman James Theatre

Meet Dean Krikorian for an overview of the Washington College Honor Code and your role in creating a positive community on campus.

NCAA Meeting for all Fall Athletes

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Norman James Theatre

All fall athletes are required to attend this session that covers compliance and clearances for participation.

Dinner

Hodson Dining Hall

Breakfast

7 a.m.
Hodson Dining Hall

New Student Residence Hall Check -in & Move in

8 a.m. to Noon
Residence Halls

It's the BIG Washington Welcome  - a festive move-in experience for first-year students. Student check-in locations are based on  Fall Semester housing assignment. 

Open House & Meet & Greets

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Various Locations

A number of special offices will be open for students and their families to visit to learn more about what they offer the campus community. Feel free to stop by any of these locations to meet fellow students, faculty, and staff members who support the wonderful contributions these offices make to our campus: Intercultural  Center, Lower Level, Minta Martin Hall, Hillel House (Jewish Student Union), 313 Washington Avenue (next to Minta Martin Hall), Johnson Fitness Center, Miller Library

Commuter Check-in

11 a.m. to Noon
Hodson Hall

If you plan to commute to campus for the Fall semester, check-in between 11:00am and 12:00pm in the lobby area of Hodson Hall Commons (first floor) to receive your welcome packet. Please join us for lunch before the rest of the Orientation activities get underway in the afternoon, including programming specific for commuter students. 

Lunch

Hodson Dining Hall

Join us for a complimentary lunch 

Athlete Family Meeting

Noon to 1 p.m.
Cain Gymnasium

This meeting is for students who play a Winter or Spring sport ONLY. Those students and their parents should plan to attend this important session. 

President's Welcome

1 p.m.  to 1:45 p.m.
Cain Gymnasium

New students and their families will be welcomed by President Bryan Matthews, Vice President for Student Affairs Sarah Feyerherm, Provost Kiho Kim, and Mayor of Chestertown Meghan Efland. 

Class Photo 

1:45 p.m.
Cain Gymnasium

Capture the moment! New students take a class picture. (Students Only)

Peer Mentor Groups 

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cain Gymnasium

Meet the students who will guide you through orientation and support your first year at Washington College. (Students Only)

Parent & Family Mixer

2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Underwood Lobby
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

Enjoy some light refreshments and get to know your Washington College family community.  

Ready for Take Off

2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m
Decker Theatre
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

While students are meeting in their Peer Mentor Groups, parents and family members have their own session. Presented by Dean of Students Greg Krikorian and Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Success Tricia Biles, Ready for Takeoff will focus on supporting your student as they go through the transitional process of becoming successful students at Washington College. Students will rejoin you here for goodbyes after their Peer Mentor Meeting. 

Reunite for Goodbye Time

3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Martha Washington Square

This is a time for parents and families to say goodbye to their students, make promises to stay in touch, and get on the road! 

Settle into your Residence Hall 

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Take some time to relax and enjoy your new home

Hall Meetings with your RA

4:15 p.m. 

Meet your RA and your hallmates for this informative session on Residential Living

Commuter Orientation

3:30 p.m.
Hodson Commons 

Commuter students meet with Director of Intercultural Affairs, Nicolle Moaney, to discuss the Orientation schedule, how to access Commuter Hubs across campus, and best practice for success during the semester.

Dinner

Hodson Dining Hall

Enjoy Dinner with your RA, Roommates, and Hallmates

Breakfast

Hodson Dining Hall

Meet your Peer Mentor Group for breakfast

Keynote

8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Decker Theatre
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

The Washington College Honor Code

9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Decker Theatre
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

Honor Board Chair, Tiyaba Jamil, and Dean of Students, Greg Krikorian, will give a brief overview of Community Standards at Washington College

Peer Mentor Meetings

9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In Peer Mentor Classrooms

In this session you will sign your honor code and prepare for the Resource Fair

Career Center Open House

9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Career Center

Career prep starts right now! Tour the career center and meet our friendly career services professionals - doughnuts and coffee will be served.

Resource Fair and Spotlight Sessions

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hodson Commons

So many resources under one roof! Meet key professionals who will guide and support your personal college journey. 

Pre-Professional Lunch Meetings

Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Hodson Dining Hall

All new students interested in pursuing Education, Medicine, Law, or Engineering should plan to have lunch with faculty and staff members from each area. Learn about these programs and how they might impact your educational path while at WAC.  Meet at the reserved tables in Hodson Dining Hall.

Lunch

Hodson Dining Hall

Meet your Peer Mentor Group or dine with a new friend

First Year Seminar

1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
In Peer Mentor Classrooms

Your first class! This session serves as an introduction to you to your First Year Seminar. Meet your professor and learn about FYS expectations.

So You're in College Now...

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In Peer Mentor Classrooms

 In this Peer Mentor – led session, we will explore and dialogue around topics of self-autonomy, personal agency, free expression, academic freedom, and diversity as an introduction to the paradigm shift students experience  adjusting from home life to college life. 

Consent

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Decker Theatre
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

Attendees will be provided with key information related to healthy relationships and sexual violence. This will include a nationally recognized program focused on understanding consent, along with a review of college resources and policy.

Dinner

Hodson Dining Hall

Join your Peer Mentor Group for Dinner

Explore! Meet up

7 p.m.
Miller Library, Owings Terrace

Meet your Explore! group, review your itinerary and prepare for your upcoming program

Making the Transition

7:30 p.m.
Decker Theatre
Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts

 This popular program features Peer Mentors in an amusing but thought-provoking dramatic interpretation of the academic and social differences between high school and college. You won’t want to miss this time-honored favorite Orientation event!

Breakfast

Hodson Dining Hall

Academic Resources

9 a.m. to Noon
Various Locations

Rotate through different stops throughout the morning where you will be introduced to the many resources and people on campus that your academic experience. Stop by the Library to see all the resources and hear from the Starr Center for the American Experience about opportunities to get involved and branch out. Learn from our Writing Center, Office of Academic Skills, and Quantitative Skills Center about the tutoring resources that over half of our students use every single year. Learn from our advising staff more about the distribution requirements you will fulfill over the next four years, and all about navigating the administrative side of college. Finally, you will get a chance to meet with our Global Education Office to learn about study abroad, as well as opportunities for funded research and faculty led short-term trips.

Pre-Professional Lunch Meetings

Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Hodson Dining Hall

New students interested in pursuing Education, Medicine, Law, or Engineering should plan to have lunch with faculty and staff members from each area. Learn about these programs and how they might impact your educational path while at WAC.  Meet at the reserved tables in Hodson Dining Hall.

Lunch

Noon to 2 p.m.
Hodson DIning Hall

Lunch at your own pace

Get ready for Explore!

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Orientation Explore! Day One

2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Various Locations

Orientation Explore! is a refreshing change of pace where you engage in small groups focusing on a special interest area. Each Explore! experience is unique and operates on it's own schedule.  

Orientation Explore! Day Two

8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Various Locations

Orientation Explore! Day Three

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Various Locations

Swim Tests

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Casey Swim Center

Get your swim test out of the way so that you can take full advantage of Fall at the Waterfront.

Orientation Afterparty in the Pub

8 p.m. to Midnight
Golden Goose Pub

The Golden Goose is open to welcome first year students for Mocktails, Music, and Menu Sampling. 

Self Care Sunday

All day
Various Locations

Take this day to relax and reset for the week ahead. Tune into what you need and prioritize that. This is a great day to sleep in, walk your schedule, decorate your room, meander into town, exercise, and make a plan your first week of classes.

Swim Tests

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Casey Swim Center

Get your swim test out of the way so that you can take full advantage of Fall at the Waterfront.

Waterfront Open

Noon to 4 p.m.

Head down to the waterfront to enjoy all the boathouse has to offer. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards will be available for students to use. Swim test needed to sign out watercraft.

Peer Mentor Meetings

4 p.m.
Peer Mentor Classrooms

Wrap up orientation with your Peer Mentor Group. Swap Explore! stories, write your "Letter to Self" that will be delivered to you at graduation, and further connect with this team that will support your college journey.

Welcome Back Dinner

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Hodson DIning Hall

An annual WAC tradition. Hang out with old friends, meet new classmates, and enjoy a special dinner as we close Orientation Week and prepare for a new school year.