Families and Friends Orientation

Session Recordings:

For those who were unable to join us in June, please check out the session recordings below:

Coaching your student through the transition (Dean of Students Office)

Student Wellness (Counseling Center and Health Services)

Living and Learning on Campus (Campus Safety and Residential Life)

The Compass Curriculum (Office of Advising)

Family and Friends registration is a part of your student’s orientation registration. Your student received a personalized link to register via their Wheaton email and the deadline to register is Monday, June 5, 2023. 

On the same day as the student summer orientation experience, the following program will be offered to the families and friends of our incoming students. Students are able to bring up to two guests to Orientation with them.

2023 Summer Orientation Schedule for Families and Friends
(June 12 or June 15)

8:30 a.m.  Check-in begins for Students
Parking is available in Lots 3 and 4. There will be staff and signs directing families from parking to the Check-in table by McIntire Hall.

9:00 a.m.  Continental Breakfast available in Chase Dining Hall

10:00 a.m.  Welcome (Cole Memorial Chapel)
Join us for Welcome remarks from the Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, Academic Provost, and Orientation Leaders.

10:30 a.m.  Curriculum & Advising (Weber Theatre)
Learn about the Compass Curriculum and the advising structures to support your student through the academic experience at Wheaton College.

For the next two time slots, attend the session based on the group indicated on your name tag (Group A (Name tags with a blue dot) or B (Name Tags with a yellow dot)):

11:15 a.m.   
Group A:  Coaching your student through the transition (Weber Theatre)
Join the Dean of Students Office as they highlight the collaborative experience to coach your student to succeed in the college experience.  The discussion will include recommendations on how to prepare your student and family for their arrival on campus, highlighting common challenges and support structures, and learning about how the role of the family will evolve during the transition.

Group B:  Lunch in  Emerson Dining Hall

12:15 p.m.
Group B:  Coaching your student through the transition(Weber Theatre)
Join the Dean of Students Office as they highlight the collaborative experience to coach your student to succeed in the college experience.  The discussion will include recommendations on how to prepare your student and family for their arrival on campus, highlighting common challenges and support structures, and learning about how the role of the family will evolve during the transition.

Group A:  Lunch in Emerson Dining Hall 

1:15 p.m.  Break
Take a few moments to enjoy the beautiful campus, get caught up on work emails, or relax in the shade on the Dimple

1:45 p.m.  Student Financial Services (Weber Theatre)
Learn from the Student Financial Services about the financial components of enrolling at Wheaton College, including scholarships, financial aid, and loans.

2:30 p.m.  Student Wellness (Weber Theatre)
The Wheaton College Counseling Center and Health Services through Norton Medical Center offer students integral services and programming for their physical and mental health and wellness. Associate Dean for Health and Wellness and Director of Counseling Kate Puopolo, LMHC will provide students and families with an overview of the Counseling Center, Health Services, and other wellness programming available for students on the Wheaton College Campus.

3:00 p.m.  Residential Life & Campus Safety (Weber Theatre)
As Wheaton’s on-call staff, Housing and Campus Safety will review different support resources available for students both during the day and after hours. This session will also discuss parking, housing assignments, safety policies, and what to expect during move-in.

3:30 p.m.  Campus Resource Reception on the Dimple
Learn about different resources and how they support your student’s experience on campus. This is an informal setting with light refreshments to allow family and friends to engage with campus resources and ask individual questions. Resources represented are Dining, Athletics, Health & Wellness/Counseling, Registrar, Advising, Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership, Accessibility, Student Employment/SFS, Campus Safety, Career Services, Global Education, Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning, and Center for Social Justice and Community Impact. Representatives from offices will be tabling on the Dimple to answer any questions you may have and educate families on how their area ties into promoting a holistic student experience here at Wheaton.

This concludes the Family Orientation schedule.  Students will be staying overnight on campus and will have a full schedule on Day 2.  There is no structured schedule during Day 2 for family and friends, but some offices around campus will be available for families to make individual appointments if they have specific questions about their student. If you would like to schedule a 15-minute appointment with a particular office – please contact that office directly.