Fall Orientation - Welcome Weekend

View our Early Arrival Programs

Fall varsity athletes typically arrive ahead of these programs to participate in pre-season (a student’s coach will provide those details).

On this page

• Friday August 25, 2023
• Saturday, August 26, 2023
• Sunday, August 27, 2023
• Monday, August 28, 2023
• Tuesday, August 29, 2023
• Extended Fall Orientation Programs

Friday, August 25 

Note: Mandatory events are noted with an asterisk *

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *Check-in and Move-in

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tours of Campus, Library, and Balfour-Hood Campus Center Ι Various Locations
Campus Tours meet outside of Admissions (10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.)
Library Tours meet in Library lobby
Balfour-Hood Campus Center Tours meet in Hood Cafe (10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.)

2:00 p.m.:  *President’s Welcome Ceremony Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
Please note that due to the anticipated rain in the forecast, we have moved this event into Cole Memorial Chapel and limited attendance to new students only.
New students are invited to attend the Welcome Ceremony to hear from Campus Leadership and Student Leaders welcome you and your classmates to campus. Due to the change in venue and program, families will leave prior the welcome ceremony as students officially begin the orientation schedule.

3:15  –  4:15 p.m. *Residential Students – Community Meeting with Resident Advisor Ι Your residence hall
Meet with your Resident Advisor in your residence hall to discuss building a residential community at Wheaton.

3:15  – 4:15 p.m. *Commuter and Off Campus Students – Commuter Student Mixer Ι Commuter Lounge, 1st floor of Balfour Hood Campus Center
Meet other commuter and off-campus students as well as get to know some resources on campus to discuss building community at Wheaton.

5:00 – 6:20 p.m.  Dinner Ι Chase Dining Hall

5:00 – 6:20 p.m. Transfer Student Dinner Ι Chase Dining Hall, Small Dining Room

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  *Community Expectations Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
Meet with the Assistant Dean for Residential Life and other staff from Student Affairs as they review community expectations for living and learning on campus.

7:45 – 8:45 p.m. Let’s Get Real: A Q&A with your Orientation Leaders Ι Lyons Den

7:45 – 8:45 p.m. Make Your Own Bamboo Ι Balfour-Hood Atrium

9:00 – 11:00 p.m. Ice Cream Truck | Library Green

9:00 -11:00 p.m  Monsters University Movie Screening | Hindle Auditorium

Saturday, August 26 

Note: Mandatory events are noted with an asterisk *

8:00 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast Ι Chase Dining Hall

10:00 – 12:00 p.m. *Saturday Mandatory Orientation Sessions (see info below)

Last Names A – M: Weber Theater

Last Names N – Z: Emerson Dining Hall (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) and Hindle Auditorium (11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch Ι Chase Dining Hall

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. *Saturday Mandatory Orientation Sessions (see info below)

Last Names A – F: Emerson Dining Hall (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and Weber Theater (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Last Names G – M: Weber Theater (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and Emerson Dining Hall (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Last Names N – Z: Hindle Auditorium (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Saturday Mandatory Sessions (Between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.)

*Bystander Intervention and Response to Sexual & Gender-based Misconduct
This session will be presented by our Title IX Coordinator and SMART Program Coordinator. Students will learn key elements of bystander intervention, how to access reporting and resources as well as details of the College’s Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct Policies.

Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise topics and discussion of sensitive topics relating to these policies, including but not limited to sexual assault, 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 important information from the session.

*You Are Here: Finding an Entry Point into Your Wheaton Experience
This session will be presented by the Provost’s Office and Academic Advising.  Students will reflect on the arrival to college and their goals for their academic experience.

*The Compass Code: Unlocking Academic Success at College
This session will be presented by the Dean of Advising and the Student Success Advisors.  Students will learn about the academic supports and how to navigate their experience on campus.

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Lyon Search with Aroma Joe’s and Yard Games Ι Dimple and Around Campus

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Dinner Ι Chase Dining Hall

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Back to School Bingo Ι Emerson Dining Hall

8:30 – 10:00 p.m. Paint Night with Residential Life Ι Pine Hall | Conger Commons

8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Late Night Snacks Ι Dimple outside Emerson Dining Hall

Sunday, August 27 

Note: Mandatory events are noted with an asterisk *

8:00 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast Ι Chase Dining Hall

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. *Sunday Mandatory Orientation Sessions (see info below)

Last Names A – M: Weber Theater

Last Names N – Z: Hindle Auditorium

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch Ι Chase Dining Hall

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. *Sunday Mandatory Orientation Sessions (see info below)

Last Names A – M: Weber Theater

Last Names N – Z: Hindle Auditorium

Sunday Mandatory Sessions (Between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.)

*Building Community with Reverend Dr. Jamie Washington
Learn more about yourself and your part in creating an inclusive community, on the Wheaton campus and beyond.

Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise topics and discussion of sensitive topics relating to identity and past experiences.  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 important information from the session.

*The Honor Code as a Wheaton Community Member
Learn more about the Wheaton Honor Code and how it resonates throughout the community and student experience

*Sturdy Health Norton – Primary Care
Learn more about the support and care available to you as a Wheaton college student at Sturdy Health Norton – Primary Care.

*Building Resiliency
Learn more about yourself, the resources available to you, and the strategies on how to cope with the normal challenges of being a college student.

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.  *Class of 2027 Photo Ι Library Steps
Be sure to wear your Class shirt or something in your class color which is YELLOW!

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.  Choose own adventure
Use this time to explore campus, set up your room, connect with your peers.

• Various activities will be available around campus, including the crafts in the Balfour-Hood Atrium, Lawn Games on the Dimple, and Switch games in the Commuter Lounge.
• Students can take advantage of a shuttle to Target.  The shuttle will pick up from in front of the Haas Athletic Center at 3:15pm and 3:45pm. The last shuttle will leave Target at 4:45pm.
• Students are also invited to visit the Norton Schoolhouse Museum (18 West Main Street) from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to view Eliza Wheaton’s carriage, which was just restored in 2021.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Dinner Ι Chase Dining Hall

7:30  –  9:30 p.m.  Whea Perform Ι Dimple (Rain location: Weber Theater)
Watch the talents of Wheaton’s many performance groups come alive on stage.

Monday, August 28 

Note: Mandatory events are noted with an asterisk *

8:00 – 9:45 a.m.  Breakfast Ι Chase Dining Hall

9:30 -11:00 a.m.  *MAP Advisor Breakfast Ι Dimple
 Students will meet with their MAP Advisors over breakfast.

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eliza Wheaton’s Carriage Viewing Ι Norton Schoolhouse Museum (18 West Main Street)
Students are invited to visit the Norton Schoolhouse Museum when not in other sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to view Eliza Wheaton’s carriage, which was just restored in 2021.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch Ι Chase Dining Hall

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Resource Fair Ι Library Green (Dimple)
Have a chance to meet and greet with representatives from Arts at Wheaton, Aramark, Athletics/Rec, Campus Safety, Career Services, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Global Ed, Information Technology, Library, Mail Services, Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning, Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership (SAIL), the Center for Social Justice and Community Impact (SJCI), Title IX and Bias Response Officer.

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Find Your Classrooms Session 1: Watson (WATS), Mars Arts and Humanities (MENE), and Knapton (KNAP) Ι Meet outside Cole Memorial Chapel

3:00 – 3:50 p.m. Find Your Classrooms Session 2: Discovery Center (DC) and Mars Science Center (SCMA) Ι  Meet outside Cole Memorial Chapel

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Dinner Ι Chase Dining Hall

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  *Community Meeting in your residence hall Ι Your residence hall
Meet with your RA and after the meeting your RA will lead you to Chapel Night.

7:30 – 9:00 p.m.  *Chapel Night and Candle lighting Ι Dimple
A time-honored Wheaton tradition. You will be welcomed with campus ghost stories and traditions presented by the Student Government Association, followed by the lighting of candles around the Dimple. Be sure to wear your Class shirt or something in your class color of yellow!

Tuesday, August 29 (First Day of Classes)

5:00 p.m.  *Convocation Ι Dimple
President Whelan is excited for the new 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 at this exciting Wheaton tradition.

Extended Fall Orientation Programs

We have also developed orientation experiences to continue throughout the Fall semester. Listed below are events that you are required and strongly encourage to attend. Our goal is to engage you in the community by connecting you with the culture and traditions at a variety of campus events. We hope this ongoing engagement will continue to acclimate you to Wheaton and help you learn about the variety of campus resources.

Note: Mandatory events are noted with an asterisk *

Thursday, August 31 – Student Employment Fair
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ι Dimple

Tuesday, September 5 – *Speak About It!
6:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Ι Weber Theater
We are excited to bring back Speak About It! for another year.  This is a mandatory event for all new students.  Student with last names A – L are scheduled for the 6pm showing and students with the last names M – Z are scheduled for the 8pm showing. There is some flexibility to account for schedule conflicts.  Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise discussion around consent, especially as it pertains to sexual violence.  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 important information from the session.

Friday, September 8 – Student Activities Fair
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ι Dimple

Friday, September 29 – Fresh Check Day
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ι Dimple
A resource fair of campus, community, and student resources for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Thursday, October 12 – *MAP Day
This includes attendance at MAP Day and completion of the reflection.

Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21 – Family Fall Fest
Schedule will be available in September.