New Student Orientation – Welcome Weekend
- New Student Orientation: Thursday, August 27, 2026 through Sunday, August 30, 2026.
- Move-in for first year residential students: Thursday, August 27, 2026.
- Transfer Student Orientation: Monday, August 31, 2026.
- Move-in for transfer residential students: Sunday, August 30, 2026.
- First day of classes: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Fall Varsity Athletes
Fall varsity athletes typically arrive ahead of these programs to participate in pre-season. (A student’s coach will provide those details).
Helpful Information for New Students
Fall 2026 Orientation Schedule
On this page:
New Student Orientation – Welcome Weekend is a required program for all new students. Transfer students (both residential and commuting) will participate in a one-day Orientation program on Monday, August 31st (see ‘Transfer Student Orientation’ for detailed schedule).
Items marked (M) indicate Mandatory Participation.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | New Residential Student Check-in and Move-in (M)
Location: Balfour-Hood Atrium
Pick up your room keys, parking pass, and your class t-shirt. Be sure to visit the photo booth and grab more freebies!
(All new residential students received a move-in time from Residential Life to their Wheaton email address.)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. | New Commuting Student Check-in (M)
Location: Balfour-Hood Atrium
New commuting students will check in for Orientation and pick up their parking pass.
Program Note: Commuting transfer students will check-in and participate in Orientation sessions on Monday, August 31st.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Orientation Kick-Off! (M)
Location: Chapel Field
New students will attend the Orientation Kick-Off to hear from campus leadership, meet the Orientation Leaders, and break out into their Orientation small groups.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | ‘Connecting the Dots’: New Student Family & Supporter Reception
Location: Weber Theatre | Watson Fine Arts
While new students attend the Orientation Kick-Off, families and supporters are invited to learn more about what your student will experience during their first year through the Life and Career Design Institute, and hear from Wheaton alumni who have benefited from all that Wheaton has to offer.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. | ‘Downtime Destinations’: New Commuting Student Tour (M)
Orientation Leaders will take new commuting students on a tour of study and common spaces that they can use while on-campus.
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Marshall Center Open House & Welcome
Location: Chapel Base
New students are invited to the Chapel Base to meet the Marshall Center staff and learn more about upcoming Intercultural, First-Gen, and Open Pride Orientation sessions.
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Accessibility Services Welcome & Workshop
Location: Filene Advising Center
This workshop is open to new students who have registered with Accessibility Services as well as any new students who have accessibility-related questions.
4:00 p.m. | Men’s Soccer Scrimmage vs UMass Dartmouth
Location: Keefe Field
Cheer on your Wheaton Lyons!
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Chase Open for Dinner
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | “Floor-ientation”: Community Meetings with Resident Advisors (M)
Location: Your Residence Hall
New residential students will meet with your Resident Advisor (RA) to discuss building a residential community at Wheaton.
8:15 p.m. | Chapel Night Parade
Location: Meet outside of Chase Commons Dining
New students will assemble outside of Chase Commons Dining Hall and process as a group to the night’s traditional festivities.
8:30 – 9:00 p.m. | Chapel Night and Candle Lighting
Location: Chapel and Dimple
A time-honored Wheaton tradition. You will be welcomed with campus ghost stories and lore, presented by members of the Student Government Association, followed by the traditional lighting of candles around the Dimple to commemorate the start of your Wheaton journey!
Sensory Notice: This event will include loud cheering, noises, and music.
9:15 – 10:30 p.m. | First Night Bonfire
Location: Meadows Firepit (Near Volleyball Court)
Gather with your new classmates and enjoy s’mores around the fire!
Friday August 28, 2026
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Chase Open for Breakfast
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Friday Mandatory Orientation Sessions (M)
New students will be divided according to their residence halls or commuting status and will rotate between three Friday morning sessions.
Rotation 1: Meadows Residents
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Livin’ Like a Lyon: Meadows Center
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | Rights, Resources and Protections*: Title IX and the College Response to Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct: Hindle Auditorium (Discovery Center)
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Wheaton Lore Campus Tour with your Orientation Group (Tour departs from Hindle Auditorium)
Rotation 2: Young, McIntire, Clark, Gebbie Residents & Commuters
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Rights, Resources and Protections*: Title IX and the College Response to Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct: Hindle Auditorium (Discovery Center)
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | Wheaton Lore Campus Tour with your Orientation Group (Tour departs from Hindle Auditorium )
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Livin’ Like a Lyon: Meadows Center
Rotation 3: Pine Residents
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Wheaton Lore Campus Tour with your Orientation Group
(Meet your Orientation Leader on Chapel Field)
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | Livin’ Like a Lyon: Meadows Center
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Rights, Resources and Protections*: Title IX and the College Response to Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct: Hindle Auditorium (Discovery Center)
*Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise and discuss sensitive topics relating to sexual and gender-based misconduct, including but not limited to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment and stalking. Students are encouraged to attend and step out if time or space are needed during the presentation. If a student feels they are not able to attend the session due to the topic area, they should contact [email protected] to discuss alternative options for receiving the required information from the session.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Chase Open for Lunch
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
1:00 p.m. | Class of 2030 Photo (M)
Location: Library Steps
Be sure to wear your class t-shirt that you picked up at check-in!
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. | ‘Let’s Go Wheat!’ Pep Rally (immediately following Class Photo)
Location: Haas Athletic Center
You’re a Lyon now! Head over to Haas Athletic Center for a healthy dose of school spirit with Wheaton Athletics staff and student leaders. Following the pep rally, various recreational games will be available for your enjoyment until 3:00 p.m.
Sensory Notice: This event will include loud cheering and music.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Open Recreation: Haas Athletic Center
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Open Pool Swim: Balfour Natatorium
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Shopping Shuttle to Target
Location: Pick-up/Drop Off Parking Lot 4 (near Meadows)
Forget to pack anything? Hop on the shuttle to Target! Buses will be shuttling students from Wheaton campus between 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and returning to campus from Target 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Chase Open for Dinner
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | Glow Night
Location: Dimple | Emerson Dining Hall
Choose your vibe. Enjoy glow-in-the-dark inflatables, games, and giveaways on the Dimple as well as low-key glow-themed crafts inside Emerson Dining.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Chase Open for Breakfast
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
Saturday morning is choice-based programming. New students should choose between sessions on the following tracks: Pick Your Path, Open Pride, or Brave, Bold & First (First-Gen)/Intercultural.
Track One: ‘Pick Your Path’:
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. ‘Pick Your Path’ Tours
Location: All tours meet on the Dimple
New students may choose between several informative tours:
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- Navigating Campus Dining Locations
- Discover Hidden Gems
- Brush Up on Campus Art
- Move Your Way (Physical Wellness on Campus)
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10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | ‘Pick Your Path’ Tours
Location: all tours meet on the Dimple
New students may choose between several informative tours. The tour offerings listed above will repeat.
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Meet Your Crowd
Location: Dimple
Orientation Leaders will facilitate casual group convos around shared interests and hobbies. This is a low stakes opportunity to discover common ground with new peers!
Track Two: Open Pride:
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Craftin’ & Chattin’
Location: Chapel Base
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Utilizing Wheaton’s Name Change Policy
Location: Chapel Base
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Meet The Network for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Support, & Advocacy
Location: Beard & Weil Galleries, Watson Fine Arts Center
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Mother’s Garden Service Project
Location: President’s House Backyard
Track Three: Brave Bold & First (First-Gen) & Intercultural:
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Team Building
Location: Chapel Field
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | College 101 & Leaving Your Imprint
Location: Chapel Base
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Chase Open for Lunch
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
Students will be divided into two groups based on residence halls or commuting status for Saturday afternoon mandatory sessions.
Group 1: Meadows, Commuters, all Fall Student-Athletes
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. “Sex Signals” Performance (M)
Location: Weber Theatre | Watson Fine Arts
An interactive, comedic theater program exploring dating, gender roles, communication, and sexual consent on campus. This is required for all new students. Attendance will be taken.
Group 2: Young, McIntire, Clark, Gebbie, Pine
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | “Sex Signals” Performance (M)
Location: Weber Theatre | Watson Fine Arts
An interactive, comedic theater program exploring dating, gender roles, communication, and sexual consent on campus. This is required for all new students. Attendance will be taken.
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | WheaDecompress
Choose from a number of activities designed to help you relax and reset:
- Calming Crafts | Diana Davis Spencer Cafe
- Wheaton Woods Walk | Diana Davis Spencer Cafe (meeting point)
- Basketball, Pickleball & Volleyball | Clark Recreation Center
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Chase Open for Dinner
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | Outdoor Movie: “Legally Blonde”
Location: Dimple
Bring a blanket, grab a snack, and enjoy this college classic on the Dimple. What, like it’s hard?
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Chase Open for Breakfast (Normal Hours)
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
Sunday Mandatory Orientation Sessions:
Students will be divided into two groups based on residence halls or commuting status for Sunday mandatory sessions.
Group 1: Meadows & Commuters
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Wheaton Honor Code & Community Expectations (M)
Location: Chapel
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Campus Resource Trivia (M)
Location: Meneely Classrooms | Mars Arts and Humanities
Group 2: Young, McIntire, Clark, Gebbie, Pine
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Campus Resource Trivia (M)
Location: Meneely Classrooms | Mars Arts and Humanities
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Wheaton Honor Code & Community Expectations (M)
Location: Chapel
2:00 p.m. | Orientation Small Group Checkpoint: Unanswered Questions (M)
Location: Dimple
Meet up with your Orientation group for the final time on the Dimple. Look for your OL holding your group sign! This is a chance to ask your OL any unanswered questions that you still have after participating in Orientation. Following the checkpoint, Orientation Leaders will be available to help new students find their classroom locations.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Chase Open for Dinner
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | WheaPerform
Location: Chapel Field
The talents of Wheaton’s many student performance groups come alive on stage!
Monday, August 31, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Class of 2030 Nursing Student Orientation
Location: Hindle Auditorium (Discovery Center)
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Brave, Bold & First, Intercultural, & Open Pride Closing
Location: Chapel Base
New students who participated in the Brave, Bold & First Intercultural and Open Pride tracks are welcome to join this student panel and closing session.
4:00 p.m. | Convocation
Location: Chapel Field
President Whelan is excited for the new and transfer students to join her and the faculty in this Wheaton tradition to kickstart the new academic year. The senior class will be in their regalia to kick off their senior year. You will hear from peers, campus leadership and faculty.
Transfer Student Orientation
Sunday, August 30, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Transfer Residential Student Check-in and Move-in (M)
Location: Balfour-Hood Atrium
Pick up your room keys, parking pass, and your class t-shirt.
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | WheaPerform
Location: Chapel Field
The talents of Wheaton’s many student performance groups come alive on stage!
Monday, August 31, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Transfer Nursing Student Orientation (M)
Location: Discovery Center Room 3327
Program Note: Any transfer students entering the Nursing Program should plan to attend Nursing Orientation.
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. | Transfer Student Orientation Check-In (M)
Location: Emerson Dining Hall | Faculty Dining Room
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Welcome and Honor Code (M)
Location: Emerson Dining Hall | Faculty Dining Room
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Academic Advising & Curriculum Overview (M)
Location: Emerson Dining Hall | Faculty Dining Room
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch
Location: Chase Commons Dining Hall
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Wheaton Lore Campus Tour
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Campus Resource Trivia (M)
Location: Emerson Dining Hall | Faculty Dining Room
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Rights, Resources and Protections: Title IX and the College Response to Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct* (M)
Location: Emerson Dining Hall | Faculty Dining Room
Students will learn about College policies in response to incidents of sexual and gender-based misconduct, including but not limited to student resources and details of the College’s Title IX policy.
*Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise and discuss sensitive topics relating to sexual and gender-based misconduct, including but not limited to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment and stalking. Students are encouraged to attend and step out if time or space are needed during the presentation. If a student feels they are not able to attend the session due to the topic area, they should contact [email protected] to discuss alternative options for receiving the required information from the session.
2:30 p.m. | Candle Lighting Ceremony
Location: Chapel
The traditional lighting of candles to commemorate the start of your Wheaton journey!
4:00 p.m. | Convocation
Location: Chapel Field
President Whelan is excited for the new and transfer students to join her and the faculty in this Wheaton tradition to kickstart the new academic year. The senior class will be in their regalia to kick off their senior year. You will hear from peers, campus leadership and faculty.