Welcome
Class of 2030!
Orientation is the time for all new students to move in, and get acquainted with campus and each other prior to classes starting. The days are busy with a lot of important learning and a lot of fun!
Orientation Details
At Kalamazoo College Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students and it takes place just prior to the first week of classes. The dates of First-Year Student Orientation for 2026 are September 9-13. Students will move into their residence halls on September 9 from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. and formal Orientation activities will begin that afternoon. Classes start on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The full schedule will be emailed to incoming first-year students in June 2026 as part of a larger communication, and will be posted here in the Orientation Schedule section.
Parent and Family Orientation activities are offered starting in the afternoon on September 9 and all day September 10, 2026 until 5 p.m. Parents are asked to do their farewells at that time and depart campus to enable their student to fully participate in the rest of Orientation activities. Parents/guardians will be mailed the Parent and Family Schedule in June 2026 as part of a larger parent/guardian mailing.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who will be living on campus move in on Wednesday, September 9 and all new transfer students have their own Transfer Student Orientation September 9-12, 2026. More information will be provided in a July 2026 email, including their specific schedule of events.
Incoming First-Year Orientation Schedule 2026
Information Desk and Center Hours
Wednesday, September 9
Health Center | 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location – Main Floor, Hicks Student Center
Health Center staff is available for health information verification as well as general consultation with students and families
Information Table | 8 a.m. -3 p.m.
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for opening day schedules, maps, directions, suggestions for lunch and answers to your questions.
Hornet Spirit Shop – 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Hicks Student Center
Go Hornets! 20% off Kalamazoo College imprinted items.
Book Club Café | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a specialty beverage. Choose from fast grab-and-go options including sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks. Debit/credit cards only are accepted.
Thursday, September 10
Information Table | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for schedules, maps, directions and answers to your questions.
Book Club Café | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a specialty beverage. Choose from fast grab-and-go options including sandwiches, pastries, salads, snacks and drinks. Debit/credit cards only are accepted.
Hornet Spirit Shop Open | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Hicks Student Center
Go Hornets!
Wednesday, September 9th
8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Student Move-In
Location: Residence Halls (please refer to the campus map for your student’s exact residence hall)
Resident Assistants (RAs) and First-Year Experience (FYE) Mentors will be stationed at check-in tables at each residence hall to welcome you. Pick up your orientation folder from the FYE Mentors. Then see the Residential Life staff to get your student ID, room key, check into your room and get settled. Health verification must be completed before you can check in. Students with incomplete health requirements will be directed to the Health Center to complete any necessary requirements before they are permitted to check in. Morning is extremely busy, so families are highly encouraged to arrive throughout the day for a more stress-free move in.
11:00 a.m.-1 p.m. | Orientation Lunch
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center or off campus
Students and families are welcome to have lunch on campus at the Dining Hall, or venture off
campus to one of Kalamazoo’s excellent eating establishments (a list of restaurants is available
at the information table). New students, use your student ID (which also serves as your meal
card) to access the Dining Hall. Families may pay (credit/debit card) at the Dining Hall entrance.
12 p.m. -2 p.m. | Computer Network Assistance
Location: Main lounges of Harmon, Hoben, and Trowbridge Residence Halls
Have questions about connecting to K’s network? Information Services staff is available in
Harmon, Hoben and Trowbridge main lounges to answer questions.
2:30 p.m. | Line up for Convocation
Location: Outside Light Fine Arts
Meet the FYE Mentors in front of Light Fine Arts on Academy Street to prepare to process
through the arch for Convocation promptly at 2:45 p.m.
3-4 p.m. | Convocation (Required)
Location: Lower Quad (Rain site Stetson Chapel)
President Karlyn Crowley, Vice President for Student Development J. Malcolm Smith, Provost Danette Ifert Johnson, Chaplain Elizabeth Candido, the Convocation speaker, faculty, staff and President’s Student Ambassadors formally welcome you and your families. Convocation concludes with all new students signing the Matriculation Registry.
Hugs and Farewell Reception (Immediately following Convocation)
Location: Outside Hicks Center, (Rain Site Stetson Chapel)
Refreshments served outside the front of the Hicks Student Center. Students, say “see you later” to your parents and families when the reception concludes at 4:30 p.m. This is the last time students and parents/families orientation schedules overlap.
4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Meet your Seminar Group and FYE Mentors (REQUIRED)
Location: Quad
Introductions and get-to-know-you. Talk through the orientation schedule and answers any
questions you may have. FYE mentors will be holding up signs with your seminar name and
number for you to join them around the Quad. Bring your orientation folder!
5-7 p.m. | Orientation Dinner
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center or off campus
Students and families are welcome to have dinner on campus at the Dining Hall, or venture off
campus to one of Kalamazoo’s excellent eating establishments (a list of restaurants is available
at the information table). New students, use your student ID (which also serves as your meal
card) to access the Dining Hall. Families may pay (debit/credit card) at the Dining Hall entrance.
7-9 p.m. | Hornet Student Welcome
Required
Location: The Quad
The president, dean of students, provost, FYE mentors and Resident Assistants welcome you—the class of 2030—to campus.
Rest of Evening | Setup Your Room & Free Time
Location: Residence Halls
Use this time to make sure your room is set up just the way you want it and relax before a full day of activities tomorrow!
Thursday, September 10th
7-9 a.m. | Orientation Breakfast
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
New students, use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center. Families may pay (debit/credit card only) at the Dining Center entrance.
8-9 a.m. | Follow-Up Language Placement Exams
Select Students
Location: Various locations (will be noted on your ticket in your folder)
These exams, required for only those students who have admission tickets in their orientation folders, who have placed out of the 3rd level of language, and/or who need to meet with a faculty member in the relevant language.
9-10 a.m. | First-Year Seminars
Required
Location: Seminar Rooms
Join your professor, FYE Mentor, and fellow students for an introduction to your class. Your seminar location is on the front of your Orientation folder.
10:00-11:30 a.m. | The K Community and Beyond: Part 1
Required
Location: Various locations
There are many ways for you to get involved here on campus and develop socially, physically, spiritually, and interculturally, but there are also many folks on campus who can help you break out of the “K bubble” and launch into involvement with the Kalamazoo community and beyond! In this first of two sessions, you will hear from the folks who are here to help you do all of that.
11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. | Class Photo
Required
Location: Light Fine Arts Steps
Gather at the Light Fine Arts Building for a photo of the class of 2030!
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
Eat lunch with your seminar (your FYE mentor will tell you where to meet), family, roommate,
teammates or other new friends.
1:15 p.m.-2 p.m. | Drink, Drugs, and Rock ‘n Roll
Required
Location: Seminar Rooms
College life is full of new experiences and opportunities, but it also comes with challenges, including pressures related to alcohol and drug use. Join your FYE Mentor to gain valuable insights and tools to help you navigate your college experience without compromising your health and well-being.
2- 3 p.m. | The New Hornet’s Guide to Sexual Respect and Violence Prevention
Required
Location: Seminar Rooms
K is committed to an environment free of sexual misconduct and you are an important part of creating a culture where violence is not tolerated. FYE mentors will facilitate a discussion on bystander intervention and work through scenarios from the skills and techniques learned from the resources shared in the summer.
3-4:30 p.m. | The K Community and Beyond: Part 2
Required
Location: Various Locations
There are many ways for you to get involved here on campus and develop socially, physically, spiritually, and interculturally, but there are also many folks on campus who can help you break out of the “K bubble” and launch into involvement with the Kalamazoo community and beyond! In this second of two sessions, you will hear from the folks who are here to help you do all of that.
4:30-5 p.m. | Emergency Response Training
Required
Location: Seminar Rooms
Part two of Emergency Response Training. FYE mentors will lead you through specific
scenarios for how to react in crisis situations
5-7 p.m. | Picnic on the Quad with your Seminar
Required
Location: The Quad (Rain Site: Hicks Student Center)
Enjoy dinner together and socializing. FYE mentors will let you know where to meet to find your group.
Free Time! Relax and Unwind in Your Residence Hall
Location: Residence Halls
Finish setting up your room and get to know your neighbors. Your RAs will have snacks and low-key social activities in your residence hall main lounge.
Friday, September 11th
7-9 a.m. | Orientation Breakfast
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
8-9:45 a.m. | Advising Appointments
1 required before or during your orientation
Location: Your advisor’s office
Discuss your fall schedule, placement exam results, academic goals and co-curricular
interests with your advisor. Your advisor will let you know how to schedule an appointment
and where to go.
10-10:50 a.m. & 11-11:50 a.m.| Groups of Seminars will Rotate Through Two Activities
Required
Note: Your FYE Mentor will tell you where to go
Language Studies: Acquiring Critical Thinking Skills for Academic and Professional Lives (FAB)
Demonstrating proficiency in a second language through the intermediate level is a graduation requirement at K. Learn about the exciting range of languages offered at K and how language study leads to student excellence and future opportunities. During this exploratory session, you will meet faculty and learn about our programs, study abroad destinations and cultural activities!
Additional Activity Coming Soon
Details will be found on the printed schedule you receive during check-in.
11:50 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Lunch
Location: Hicks Student Center
Eat lunch with your seminar (your FYE mentor will tell you where to meet), or your roommate, teammates, or other new friends.
11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | Advising Appointments
1 required before or during your orientation
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
Discuss your fall schedule, placement exam results, academic goals and co-curricular interests with your advisor. Your advisor will let you know how to schedule an appointment and where to go.
1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. | Tour of the Library
Optional, 15-20 minute tours
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
The Upjohn Library is a busy hub for more than books. It’s the central place on campus for studying, classes, socializing, and collaborating. Come and learn about all the amazing resources in the library!
2-3 p.m. | Groups of Seminars will Rotate Through Two Activities
Required
Note: Your FYE Mentor will tell you where to go
Academic Fair
Talk with professors in various departments and programs about majors, minors, concentrations, which courses to take when and more. Meet departmental student advisors (DSAs), who can give student perspectives. Stop by the table on the first floor to learn about the Learning Commons which offer academic resources to help you be successful.
Mission Possible: Graduation
What classes do I need to take to graduate? How many majors can I have? Do I really need to take PE courses? Will I have to stay longer if I study abroad? Find out the answers to these questions and more!
3:15-4 p.m. | Major Sessions
Highly Encouraged
Location: Various (check the list in your folder)
As a follow up to the Academic Fair, attend a department session (your choice- list in your Orientation folder) to learn more details about a specific major/program you’d like to further explore.
4:15-5 p.m. | Making Music at K
Location: Recital Hall, Light Fine Arts
Come meet with the music department faculty for some sweet treats and to learn about all the ways you can get involved in making music here at K, regardless of your intended course of study.
5-7 p.m. | Dinner
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
Eat dinner with your seminar (your FYE mentor will tell you where to meet), or your roommate, teammates, or other new friends.
9 p.m. | Hicks Open House
Location: Hicks Student Center
Enjoy all Hicks has to offer: pool and ping pong tournaments (with prizes), the latest in video gaming, craft areas, board game areas, snacks, activities that help you meet new people and make friends, and much more!
Saturday, September 12th
7-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Center
9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.| Got Questions? Mentors have Answers!
Location: The Quad (Rain Site: Hicks Atrium)
Do you know where all of your classes are? Can you access email, Teams, Moodle, etc.? Do you have a plan for attending First Year Forums? Do you need advice about how to do your laundry or where to walk for great pizza? You Mentor will still be there to support you throughout the fall, but now is your chance to make sure you feel ready to go for Monday!
12:10-1:00 p.m. | Lunch
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
Afternoon | Free Time!
Relax, attend some fun optional activities of your choice, hang out with new friends and/or take some time for yourself to recharge.
12 p.m. | Kalamazoo vs. Wooster Women’s Home Soccer Game
Location: MacKenzie Field, Athletic Complex
JJoin FYE mentors at 11:45 a.m. in front of the Arcus Center to walk as a group to MacKenzie Field and watch the Hornets take on the Wooster Fighting Scots. All home athletic contests are free for students.
1 p.m. | Kalamazoo vs. Rose-Hulman Home Football Game
Location: Angell Field, Athletic Complex
Join FYE mentors at 12:45 p.m. in front of the Arcus Center to walk as a group to Angell Field and watch the Hornets take on the Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers. All home athletic contests are free for students.
3 p.m. | Kalamazoo vs. University of Chicago Home Men’s Soccer Game
Join FYE mentors at 2:45 in front of the Arcus Center to walk to MacKenzie Field to watch the Hornets take on the Chicago Maroons. All home athletic contests are free for students.
Two Departure Times | Ride the Bus to West Main Shops with FYE Mentors
Times: To be Announced (Two departure times)
Location: Bus to West Main Shops
Learn how to navigate the City of Kalamazoo bus system with FYE mentors by taking a trip to the shops at Maple Hill Pavilion (includes Target with groceries, Bath & Body Works, Dollar Tree, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, Burlington Coat Factory clothing, Old Navy, Ulta and more). Trip is limited so there will be a sign-up process (ask your FYE mentor). Bring $1.50 for the trip there and $1.50 for the trip back. You will need exact change. Bring water.
Same trip, two departure times.
4-5 p.m. | Theatre at K
Location: Nelda K. Balch Lobby, Light Fine Arts Building (back of the building)
Did you know that you don’t have to be a theatre major to participate in theatre activities? Hear from students from various majors as well as theatre students about doing theatre at K!
5-7:30 p.m. | Dinner
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
Eat dinner with your seminar (your FYE mentor will tell you where to meet), or your roommate, teammates or other new friends.
9 p.m.-midnight | Zoo After Dark
Location: The Quad (rain site: Hicks Student Center)
Join the Office of Student Activities (OSA) for a night of games, performances and fun!! Every week, OSA hosts a series of programs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tonight, we kick-off of our Zoo After Dark series, hosted every Saturday night from 9pm-midnight. There’s something for everyone and we look forward to seeing you there!
Sunday, September 13th
Take it easy and get ready for class on Monday!
Location: Various locations
Make sure to take some time for yourself and do things you find enjoyable and relaxing. Today we offer low-key activities in which you are welcome to participate. We are so glad you’ve joined the Kalamazoo College community!
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Brunch
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
10-11 a.m. | Tour of the Grove and Composting Program
Location: The Grove
Join current students who work with the Composting Program to explore the Grove (the wooded area behind Trowbridge between the Arcus Center, DeWaters Hall, and the brick grove houses) and learn about composting on K’s campus!
10:15 a.m. | Catholic Mass (meet at Stetson Chapel)
Location: St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Meet members of the Catholic Student Organization to walk to St. Tom’s Student Parish for Catholic Mass. Gather on the steps of Stetson Chapel and walk the one short block together.
11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | Bagel Brunch
Location: The Cavern, Stetson Chapel
Come meet with students from Hillel, Fellowship of Christian Students and the Muslim Student Association in the basement of the Chapel.
1- 2:30 p.m. | Hoop House Gardens Drop-In
Location: The Hoop House (behind the Fitness & Wellness Center)
Are you interested in caring for the Earth through gardening and learning about different cultures through food? Stop by our Hoop House community garden to see what’s growing! Meet Hoop House interns, and learn how you can get involved. The Hoop House Gardens are supported by the Environmental Stewardship Center and the Center for Civic Engagement.
2- 3 p.m. | Downtown Walking Tour
Location: Meet in front of Hicks Student Center
Join FYE Mentors ot walk downtown to get to know the city of Kalamazoo! This event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
2- 4 p.m. | Cavern Drop-In
Location: The Cavern, Stetson Chapel
Stop by for some treats, check out the Cavern library and the Crypt, chat with Interfaith Student Leaders or just duck in for a quiet place to hang out.
4- 6 p.m. | BIPOC Mixer for New & Returning Students
Location: Arcus Center
Students who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) are invited to join this lively, fun event for food, music, raffle prizes and activities to help connect with supportive people on campus. Sponsored by the Arcus Center and Office of Intercultural Student Life.
5- 7:30 p.m. | Dinner
Location: Welles Dining Hall, Hicks Student Center
7:30-9 p.m. | Condom Bingo
Location: Banquet Room, Hicks Student Center
Join members of SPEAK (Sexual Peer Education Alliance at K) in a game of Condom Bingo! Win fabulous prizes and relax in a safe, fun, sex-positive environment!
Questions?
For questions related to the Fall 2026 Orientation please contact orientation@kzoo.edu. Or you can reach out directly to Adam Kubiak, Dean of Students, adam.kubiak@kzoo.edu.