Undergraduate Welcome Week

Welcome Week is the mandatory in-person programming for undergraduate and transfer students that occurs once all students have had the opportunity to move into their assigned residence halls. These programs will be led by your Orientation Leader. Your Orientation Leader will be in touch with you via your SAIC email just prior to the beginning of Welcome Week.

Saturday, August 24

9:00am – 5:00pm

New Student Move-In | Assigned Residence Hall

Visit the SAIC Housing Portal to sign up for a 1-hour move-in time slot. Residence Life staff will be on site to ensure you are in the correct location and to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, specific move-in information for each of our buildings may be found on our website here.

10:00am – 5:00pm

Welcome Week Check-In | LeRoy Neiman Center, 1st Floor, 37 S. Wabash

Visit the Welcome Week check-in to receive your Orientation Leader information, Welcome Week materials, and other important details for the start of the school year. The check-in process will take approximately 20 minutes and students and families can visit the check-in at their leisure during the open check-in hours. Families will also be able to check-in for their programming. 

10:00am – 2:00pm

SAIC Pop-Up Store | LeRoy Neiman Center, 2nd Floor, 37 S. Wabash

The SAIC Store pop-up will be on site on Saturday, August 24, with a selection of School merchandise available for purchase. It will be open from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in the LeRoy Neiman Center. Please note that the shop will be credit card only. 

11:00am – 4:00pm

Immunization Clinic | Sharp Building, 2nd floor, 37 S. Wabash

SAIC requires MMR, DTP/Td/Tdap, and meningococcal conjugate vaccines as required by the Illinois College Immunization Code. Instructions for submitting records to the SAIC Health and Services Patient Portal and information about requirements can be found here. Students can visit the clinic, speak with Health Services, and/or receive updated vaccinations. 

11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm

Campus Tours | Sharp Building, 1st floor, 37 S. Wabash

Take a tour around SAIC's campus! Each tour runs for approximately 50 minutes. Tours depart from and return to the Sharp building. Visit campus locations such as the Neiman Center, MacLean Building, Lakeview Building, and Sullivan Building. 

Sunday, August 25

9:00am – 5:00pm

New Student Move-In | Assigned Residence Hall

Visit the SAIC Housing Portal to sign up for a 1-hour move-in time slot. Residence Life staff will be on site to ensure you are in the correct location and to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, specific move-in information for each of our buildings may be found on our website here.

9:00am – 3:00pm

Welcome Week Check-In | LeRoy Neiman Center, 1st Floor, 37 S. Wabash

Visit the Welcome Week check-in to receive your Orientation Leader information, Welcome Week materials, and other important details for the start of the school year. The check-in process will take approximately 20 minutes and students and families can visit the check-in at their leisure during the open check-in hours. Families will also be able to check-in for their programming. 

10:00am – 2:00pm

Immunization Clinic | Sharp Building, 2nd floor, 37 S. Wabash

SAIC requires MMR, DTP/Td/Tdap, and meningococcal conjugate vaccines as required by the Illinois College Immunization Code. Instructions for submitting records to the SAIC Health and Services Patient Portal and information about requirements can be found here. Students can visit the clinic, speak with Health Services, and/or receive updated vaccinations. 

10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm

Campus Tours | Sharp Building, 1st floor, 37 S. Wabash

Take a tour around SAIC's campus! Each tour runs for approximately 50 minutes. Tours depart from and return to the Sharp building. Visit campus locations such as the Neiman Center, MacLean Building, Lakeview Building, and Sullivan Building. 

F-1 Visa: 101 (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY) | SAIC Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave

Two sessions (only need to attend one): 12:30pm – 1:45pm - OR - 2:00pm – 3:15pm

All international students are required by the U.S. government to to complete a check-in with the International Affairs office and provide updated contact information as part of maintaining your F-1 student visa status. Attend one of the two sessions. Check your SAIC email for registration information.

4:00pm – 5:30pm

Meet Your Orientation Leaders | Various Locations
At this first meeting of our Welcome Week group, you will meet with your Orientation Leader along with the rest of your small group. Head to your designated building to learn more about what you can expect during Welcome Week. Staff will be in all academic buildings to assist you. 

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Welcome BBQ | 280 Building, 280 S. Columbus Dr.

Enjoy a sampling of some of Chicago’s most famous foods and along with desserts provided by local food trucks.

Monday, August 26

10:00am – 11:15am

Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color Social | 280 Building, 280 S. Columbus Drive
SAIC extends a special welcome to students who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color arriving to our campus this fall. This event is meant to be an inclusive space for students of color to introduce themselves, celebrate their identities, and learn more about different student organizations on campus. Breakfast snacks will be available. All students are welcome to attend. 

11:30am – 1:30pm

Lunch with Orientation Leaders and Academic Advisors | Various locations

Your Orientation Leaders will meet you in your assigned classroom for lunch. You’ll also meet your Academic Advisor during your lunch session, and they will provide a short description of how you will work together during the year. 

1:30pm – 4:30pm       

Getting to Know Chicago: Loop and Neighborhood Trips*| Various Locations
Learn more about Chicago! Your Orientation Leader will guide you on using the CTA bus/train and will go with you to a neighborhood in the city. Don’t forget your Ventra U-PASS** aka your train and bus pass. 

*Neighborhood trips require travel of a mile or more and/or use of public transportation. If you have questions surrounding this trip or would like to request an accommodation, please reach out to orientation@saic.edu for more information. 

**A Ventra pass will be required for this session. If you have opted in to the U-PASS, make sure to activate your card prior to the event. If you have opted out of the U-PASS, your Orientation Leader will be able to assist you with purchasing a Ventra Pass before getting on the bus or train. If you have your own Ventra card, you can use it for this trip.

4:30 – 6:00pm

Resource Fair and Dinner | 280 Building, 280 S. Columbus Drive

Use this program to learn even more about SAIC resources. Representatives from offices across campus will be available to provide information and to answer your questions. Dinner will be provided.

6:00pm – 7:00pm

Preview the Modern | Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) Modern Wing Entrance, 159 E. Monroe St. 

Take advantage of your own private night at the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing. The galleries will be open for SAIC's private viewing.

Tuesday, August 27

9:00am            

Meet Your Orientation Group | Rubloff Auditorium, 230 S. Columbus Drive (near the corner of Monroe and Columbus)

Meet your Orientation Leader outside before heading into the auditorium for the morning sessions. 

9:30am – 12:00pm            

Your Guide to Being Healthy and Safety Savvy at SAIC| Rubloff Auditorium, 230 S. Columbus Dr.

Chicago is our campus and we hope you will enjoy exploring both SAIC and the city. In this session you will learn tips on staying safe while you are on campus, online, and while you are out and about in Chicago. Even if you are already safety savvy, this session will help you learn ways to enhance your skills and to increase your awareness. 

12:15pm – 1:30pm   

Lunch with Orientation Leaders | Various Locations
Grab lunch in your classroom building location, joined by your Orientation Leader for lunch. 

1:30pm – 3:00pm

Research Studio Class Sessions | Various Locations*

Join your Research Studio instructor and class for your introductory class session. This will be a valuable experience for you to connect with your classmates and faculty prior to the first day of class.

*This event may require travel of a mile or more and/or public transportation, depending on the plans of the instructor. If you have questions surrounding this trip, or if you would like to request an accommodation, please reach out to orientation@saic.edu for more information.

3:15pm – 4:30pm

CAPX (Career and Professional Experience) and Academic Advising Reception | 280 Building, 280 S. Columbus Drive
Start your career journey at SAIC at this reception hosted by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) team! This event will feature your opportunity to screenprint your own SAIC swag and take home a potted plant to decorate your living space.

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Floor Meetings (see specific start time posted on individual floors) | Various locations in Residence Halls
Every resident is required to attend mandatory building and floor meetings. These meetings help new residents meet their neighbors, begin building community, as well as learn resources and residence hall policies and procedures. Times and locations vary depending on where you live. If you have questions about your floor meeting, please ask your Resident Advisor (RA).

8:30pm – 10:00pm

ouRArt Exhibition Opening | 162 N. State Street Residences, Siragusa Gallery, 16th floor
ouRArt is a gallery show comprised of RA artwork and will be displayed in the Siragusa Gallery in the 162 N State Residence Hall. Your RA will walk you to the gallery space after your floor meeting. 

When food is provided, all events will include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. If you have accommodation needs, including food accommodations, please contact orientation@saic.edu so we can make the appropriate arrangements. If the event requires unusual amount of physical activity, it will be noted in the description.