Embedded Files
Sunday, September 6 - Tuesday, September 8
All students who are new to RISD are expected to attend New Student Orientation (this includes international students, graduate students, first year students and transfer students).
Attendance raffles will be held throughout New Student Orientation. When you attend and check in with your Involved Event Pass to any sessions marked with a ⭐ you will be added to a raffle to win lego sets, an Instax Polaroid camera, a Nintendo Switch 2 and more!
Sunday, September 6: Move-in & New Student Orientation Day 1
Sunday, September 6: Move-in & New Student Orientation Day 1
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Available to all students (undergraduate and graduate) and their families.
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Move-in & Orientation Check-in
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Move-in & Orientation Check-in
Welcome to RISD! Check in with the Residence Life team to get settled in your new dorm. Then check in with the Orientation team to get your schedule, name tag, and free swag!
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
RISD Resource Fair
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
RISD Resource Fair
Meet the individuals and resources that will support you on your RISD journey! Visit tables, ask questions, gather resources, and enjoy free giveaways. Representatives from various bank and phone vendors will be available to help set up accounts if you need a US bank account or cell phone plan.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome & President's Address
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome & President's Address
Receive your first official welcome to the College from President Crystal Williams, alongside Associate Dean of Students, Sara Rothenberger, and your orientation Director.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Family & Supporters Farewell
Family & Supporters Farewell
Enjoy time with your families before parting. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
2:45 PM – 4:30 PM
2:45 PM – 4:30 PM
Orientation Leader Group Time & EFS Kit Pick-up
Orientation Leader Group Time & EFS Kit Pick-up
Once you see your Orientation Leaders holding up their letter signs it's time to get in your orientation group! Your assigned group letter was written on your nametag when you checked in. Orientation Leaders (OLs) will guide students in small groups from the First Baptist Lawn to GD Commons to pick up EFS supply toolkits.
❗Only first year undergraduate students in the EFS program receive supply toolkits. If you are not a first year student in EFS you can skip this session❗
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
6:30 PM – 8:15 PM
6:30 PM – 8:15 PM
First Year Building Meetings
First Year Building Meetings
Join the Residence Life team to learn about living and dining on campus, community standards, and ways to get connected as first-year students!
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Residence Hall Floor Meetings
Residence Hall Floor Meetings
Meet your neighbors and peers on your specific Residence Hall floor and connect with the Resident Assistants (RAs) and/or Advocates for Inclusion in Residence (AIRs) who will support your residential journey at RISD!
Assigned Residence Halls
Monday, September 7: New Student Orientation Day 2
Monday, September 7: New Student Orientation Day 2
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Late Check-In
Late Check-In
Did you miss Orientation check in yesterday? Are you looking for the cool lanyards and tote bags? Come check-in for Orientation in the upper quad.
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
10 Dimensions of Wellness & Counseling and Psychological Services ⭐
10 Dimensions of Wellness & Counseling and Psychological Services ⭐
Identifying what makes us feel unwell is easy, but can you name all the practices you use to feel well? Led by Health Education and Promotion, this session will explore the 10 dimensions of wellness and how you can get involved in building your own wellness practices at RISD.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Group Time with your Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Group Time with your Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Join your Orientation Leaders (OLs) in meeting the rest of your orientation group. Check your Orientation Name Tag for your assigned Group Letter. Once you know your letter you can look up the location of your group here. This location will be your group time meeting spot (unless your OL tells you otherwise). If you are lost or confused feel free to connect with your OL in your google group chats!
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Campus Tours
Campus Tours
Explore RISD’s urban campus with your orientation groups and your Orientation Leaders to guide the way. Meet your group at your Tour Starting Location to start your tour. If you are lost or confused message your group in your google group chat.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Welcome to Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE) ⭐
Welcome to Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE) ⭐
Join us for an introduction to Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE) and learn about the resources, programs, and opportunities available to help you feel welcomed, connected, and supported. This session will explore the importance of belonging and celebrating the diverse perspectives that make our campus community stronger.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Building Community with your OLs
Building Community with your OLs
After the Welcome session with ISE you will join your OL group to continue the conversation about belonging at RISD and how we can celebrate our diverse community.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Wellness Carnival 🎪
Wellness Carnival 🎪
Hosted at the Upper Quad and in collaboration with RISD’s Health and Wellness Ambassadors (HAWAs), the Wellness Carnival celebrates the different facets of dimensional wellness. From getting to know the Public Safety Department through fun games to sampling refreshments at the Met’s mocktail bar, there are plenty of activities to do, games to play, and prizes to win!
Tuesday, September 8: New Student Orientation Day 3
Tuesday, September 8: New Student Orientation Day 3
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
HAWA Pop-Ins
HAWA Pop-Ins
Have a question you’re not sure who to ask? Want to complete your WellSort Action Plan, or learn about time management? Pop-in to the Health and Wellness Ambassador (HAWAs) Office Hours during Orientation. HAWA’s are student leaders trained to help with all of your wellness questions.
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
HAWA Pop-Outs
HAWA Pop-Outs
Not sure where to start when it comes to wellbeing at RISD? In need of some free self-care or wellness supplies? Drop by the HAWA Wellness Wagon to meet the Health and Wellness Ambassador (HAWAs) and grab some free goodies.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Convocation
Convocation
Join President Crystal Williams, Provost Touba Ghadessi, Academic Deans and Department Heads for the official opening of the academic year.
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Your 1st Year: EFS & Liberal Arts
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Your 1st Year: EFS & Liberal Arts
The first day of classes is right around the corner. This session overviews important information about first year academics, including what to expect and what is expected of students.
‼️ Required for all First Year Undergraduate Students in Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) ‼️
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Advisor Lunch
Advisor Lunch
Grab lunch and join your academic section to connect with peers who you will work alongside in your first year and your advisor who will support you throughout EFS. You will be released from the RISD Auditorium with your Academic Section and an Orientation Leader.
Click here for instructions on how to find your Advisor in workday!
Various Locations led by Orientation Leaders
Various Locations led by Orientation Leaders
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
EFS Faculty Panel ⭐
EFS Faculty Panel ⭐
Return to the auditorium for a panel led by Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) faculty and learn the answers to common questions from first-year students about the EFS experience.
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Student Leader Fair
Student Leader Fair
Meet the various Student Leaders who can support you during your time at RISD. Have questions about starting classes tomorrow? Ask your Student Leaders! Looking for ways to get involved on campus? Ask your Student Leaders! Nervous about living with a roommate? Ask your Student Leaders!
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Available for all first year undergraduate students living on campus. Swipe your ID at the front desk when you arrive to the Met.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
End of Orientation Celebration 🥳
End of Orientation Celebration 🥳
During this time-honored RISD tradition, we welcome the upcoming academic year and close of orientation with a special celebration, newly hosted at the Woods Gerry Gallery. Enjoy a party in the garden with refreshments and ice cream, music, friends, photobooth van, and a sunset view of Providence to commemorate this milestone with the rest of your class.
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