New Student Orientation Schedule

New Student Orientation 2024

Friday, Aug. 23, to Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

Aug. 23 is largely a move-in day with a welcome ceremony and farewells in the late afternoon. Family and friends are invited to participate in events on Aug. 23.

Class of 2028

Times and locations are subject to change.  

Students will receive information on how to access the finalized schedule, their NSO group numbers, etc. upon completion of online pre-orientation.

New Student Orientation (NSO) is a time for new students to begin building relationships and networks that are essential to assisting in a sense of belonging in the Grinnell community (College and surrounding community). All sessions will provide information that will assist you in many ways during your experience at Grinnell College. All are strongly encouraged and expected to attend and engage in all sessions. A variety of fun events planned for you while you build lasting friendships. We look forwarding to hosting you during your first week at Grinnell College!

 

*Events and activities denoted with an asterisk (*) are open to family and family friends.

  • Students moving in with the help of alumni

    Friday, Aug. 23

    8 a.m.–1 p.m.

    *Check-in/Residence Hall Move-in, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    Student Health and Wellness — Discuss Outstanding Health Requirements, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

    *New Student Orientation Info Desk, Harris Center, Atrium & Rosenfield Center Lobby

    8 a.m.–3 p.m.

    *Family and Guest Lounge, Harris Center, Lounge

    9–11 a.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    9–11 a.m.

    *Dining Information Table, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace

    9 a.m.–2 p.m.

    *Student Employment Paperwork, Rosenfield Center, Room 209

    *Technology Services Desk, Rosenfield Center, First-Floor Lobby

    10 a.m.–noon

    *First-Generation & Low-Income Table, Rosenfield Center, First-Floor Lobby

    11–11:30 a.m.

    *Dietary Tour of Dining Services, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining
    A tour of dining services facility specifically for students and guests with specific dietary needs and requests.

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

    *Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    1:30 p.m.

    *Jumaa: Muslim Prayer, CRSSJ Muslim Prayer Room

    2–3 p.m.

    Energizer with NSO Group, Mac Field

    Rain Location: Harris Concert Hall

    3:30–4 p.m.

    *Welcome Ceremony, Bear Athletic Center, Darby Gym

    4–4:30 p.m.

    Class photo, Bear Athletic Center, Darby Gym

    4–4:45 p.m.

    *President’s Reception for Families and Guests, grass field between Bear & Natatorium

    Rain Location: Natatorium Lobby

    4:45–5:30 p.m.

    *Farewell Goodbyes, grass field between Bear & Natatorium

    Raining Location: Natatorium Lobby

    5:30–6:15 p.m.

    *Shabbat Service, Rosenfield Center, Room 209, Second-Floor Balcony

    6:15–7:15 p.m.

    *Shabbat Table Dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat, Rosenfield Center, Room 209, Second-Floor Balcony 
    Please RSVP to Rabbi Sarah by Monday, August 19 with the number of guests and dietary needs to ensure your meal for the event.

    5:30–7:30 p.m.

    Dinner with NSO Group, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    7:30–8:15 p.m.

    First Floor Meeting, Residence Halls Lounges

    8:30–9:30 p.m.

    Miss Uchawi (Hypnotist), Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Night on Mac Field with students playing a glow in the dark game

    Saturday, Aug. 24

    8–9 a.m.

    Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8:30 a.m.

    Invitation Only — Disability Services Breakfast, East Side Lawn in Front of Steiner.

    9–11 a.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    11 a.m.–noon

    NSO Group Campus Resource Tour, Various Locations

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

    ITS Service Desk, Rosenfield Center, Lobby

    Noon–1:30 p.m.

    Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    1:30–2:30 p.m.

    Sexual Respect Session Harris Center, Cinema / Alcohol Awareness Harris Center, Concert Hall

    2:30–2:40 p.m.

    Break

    2:40–3:40 p.m.

    Sexual Respect Session Harris Center, Cinema / Alcohol Awareness Harris Center, Concert Hall

    4–6 p.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    6–7:30 p.m.

    Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    7:30–9 p.m. All Campus Jamboree, Mac Field

    9–11 p.m. Choose Your Own Game Show, Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Skateboards in holder inside of building

    Sunday, Aug. 25

    6–8 a.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    8–9 a.m.

    Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    9:10 a.m.–9:55 a.m.

    The Importance of Your Safety While at Grinnell, Harris Center, Concert Hall
    CLS (Careers, Life, and Service) Exploratory Adviser Meetings, Harris Center, Cinema

    9:55 a.m.–10:05 a.m.

    Break

    10:05 a.m.–10:50 a.m.

    The Importance of Your Safety While at Grinnell, Harris Center, Concert Hall
    CLS (Careers, Life, and Service) Exploratory Adviser Meetings, Harris Center, Cinema

    11 a.m.–noon

    Interdenominational Christian Worship, Herrick Chapel

    11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

    Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    Noon–1 p.m.

    First-Generation and Low-Income College Student Lunch and Student Panel, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining Whale Room

    1–3 p.m.

    First Tutorial Meeting, Tutorial Classroom

    3–5 p.m.

    Languages and Cultures at Grinnell, Kington Plaza

    Rain Location: Humanities and Social Studies Center, A1231 Multipurpose Room

    4–6 p.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m.

    Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    9–11 p.m.

    Silent Disco, Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Students laughing and walking around outside carrying plates of food

    Monday, Aug. 26

    8–9 a.m.

    Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8 a.m.–5 p.m.

    Registrar Office Hours for submitting completed Course Registration Cards, Chrystal Center

    9–11 a.m.

    Student Health and Wellness – Discuss Outstanding Health Requirements, SHAW Office, Lower Level of the Forum

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    Grinnell Singers Auditions, Bucksbaum Arts Center, Room 152

    YGB (Young, Gifted and Black) Choir Auditions, Herrick Chapel

    9 a.m.–Noon

    Employment Paperwork, Rosenfield Center, Room 209

    9 a.m.–5 p.m.

    Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial Faculty Offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty member)

    10–10:45 a.m.

    Roommates Across Cultures, Humanities and Social Studies Center, Multipurpose Room

    10–11 a.m.

    The Grinnell Social Justice Walking Tour, Front steps of the Rosenfield Center;

    Rain location: Chrystal Center, Room 010

    10:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

    Global Opportunities at Grinnell, Humanities and Social Studies Center, Multipurpose Room

    11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

    Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    12:30–4:30 p.m.

    GRIT and WIT (NSO Group Relay Obstacle Course), Mac Field

    4–5 p.m.

    The Grinnell Social Justice Walking Tour, Front steps of the Rosenfield Center

    Rain location: Chrystal Center, Room 010

    4–6 p.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m.

    Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8–9 p.m.

    Ahmed Al-Kadri (Comedian), Harris Center, Concert Hall

  • Students in a color powder paint cloud

    Tuesday, Aug. 27

    8–9 a.m.

    Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8 a.m.–2 p.m.

    Individual Advising Appointments, Tutorial Faculty Offices (unless directed otherwise by faculty member)

    Registrar Office Hours, Crystal Center
    Schedules must be entered in Colleague Self-Service and Registration cards turned into Registrar’s office by 2 p.m. today

    9–11 a.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    10–11 a.m.

    Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies Information Session, Bucksbaum Arts Center Courtyard 
    Rain Location: Roberts Theatre

    11 a.m.–noon

    The Grinnell Social Justice Walking Tour, Front steps of the Rosenfield Center

    Rain location: Chrystal Center, Room 010

    11:30–1:30 p.m.

    Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    1–3 p.m.

    Department Resource Fair, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    1:30–2:30 p.m.

    Dining Employment Training, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    2 p.m.

    Deadline for Course Registration Card submission to the Registrar Office, Chrystal Center

    2–3 p.m.

    Music Department Info Session and Music Lesson Sign Up, Sebring-Lewis Hall

    2–2:30 p.m.

    NSO Ambassador Panel, Harris Center, Cinema

    3–3:30 p.m.

    NSO Ambassador Panel, Harris Center, Cinema

    4–6 p.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    5:30–7:30 p.m.

    Dinner, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8–8:45 p.m.

    Illumination Ceremony (DAR), Mac Field

    Rain Location: Harris Center, Concert Hall

    9–11 p.m.

    Night at the Bear, Bear Athletics Center

  • Students sitting on the floor in small groups talking and laughing

    Wednesday, Aug. 28

    8–9 a.m.

    Breakfast, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    8 a.m.–5 p.m.

    Registrar Office Hours, Crystal Center

    9–11 a.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    10–11 a.m.

    NSO Group Check-In, Various Locations

    10–11 a.m.

    Music Lesson Sign Up (if you have not already), Sebring-Lewis Hall

    11–Noon

    Colloquium Topic 1: College Finances: FY25 Budget and Toward a Sustainable Future, HSSC Auditorium

    11:15 a.m.–noon

    Thriving in your Academic Transition, Harris Center, Concert Hall

    Noon–1:30 p.m.

    Lunch, Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

    1 p.m.

    Course Schedules Available on Colleague Self-Service for Viewing

    Purchase books from the Grinnell College Bookstore (open until 5p.m.)

    1–1:45 p.m.

    Colloquium Topic 2:  Classroom, Campus and Title VI, Iowa 216.9 and Iowa 216F, HSSC Auditorium

    1–3 p.m.

    Get into Grinnell, Drake Library

    2–2:45 p.m.

    Colloquium Topic 3: 2024 Election: Planning, Participation, and Perseverance, HSSC Auditorium

    3 p.m.

     First-Year Student Registration: Add/Drop, Colleague Self Service

    First year students who want to make changes to their schedule will have the opportunity to add, drop, and waitlist for classes using Colleague Self-Service starting at 3 p.m. After 4 p.m. Add/Drop/Waitlist will open to all students.

    3–4 p.m.

    Tutorial advisers will be available in their offices to provide additional assistance with add/drop/waitlist.

    3:30–7:30 p.m.

    All Campus Welcome Festival, Central Campus 
    Rain Plan: Rescheduled for Saturday, August 31, 2024, 2-6 p.m.

    4–6 p.m.

    Varsity Practice, Various Locations

    6–7:30 p.m.

    All Campus Welcome Dinner, 8th Ave

    Rain Location: Rosenfield Center, Marketplace Dining

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