Resident Assistants (RAs) and Peer Leaders will be stationed at check-in tables at each residence hall to welcome you. Pick up your orientation folder from the Peer Leaders. 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.

Health Center staff is available for health information verification as well as general consultation with students and families.

Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of Kalamazoo Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a specialty espresso. Choose from fast grab-and-go options including pastries, house-made salads, sandwiches and sides.

Stop by for schedules, maps, directions, and answers to your questions.

Welcome new Hornets! 20% off Kalamazoo College imprinted items.

The Richardson Room offers a variety of options including an extensive deli line with a wide variety of toppings and homemade soup. Also available is a selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, yogurt parfaits, fruit, sweet and salty snacks, and beverages.

Have questions about connecting to K’s network? Information Services staff is available in Harmon, Hoben, and Trowbridge main lounges to answer questions.

Did you know that 25% of K students are student-athletes? Our 8 fall teams (football, soccer, volleyball, golf, and cross country) have been on campus for a few weeks already, and in addition to participating in Orientation activities they will be engaged in daily practices and regular competitions. Go Hornets!

A welcome for first-generation students and their families. A picnic dinner will be provided, and information specifically geared for first-generation students and their families will be shared. Students and families should wear face masks to the event. Check your K email for an invitation and more information.

Families are welcome to have dinner on campus at the Dining Center, 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 Center. Families may pay at the Dining Center entrance ($11.15 per person).

Use this time to make sure your room is setup just the way you want it and relax before Orientation gets started!

New students, use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center. Families may pay at the Dining Center entrance ($5.95 per person).

Resident Assistants (RAs) and Peer Leaders will be stationed at check-in tables at each residence hall to welcome you. Pick up your orientation folder from the Peer Leaders. 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.

Have questions about connecting to K’s network? Information Services staff is available in Harmon, Hoben, and Trowbridge main lounges to answer questions.

Stop by for schedules, maps, directions, and answers to all your questions.

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Discuss your fall schedule, placement exam results, academic goals, and co-curricular interests with your advisor. Make sure to sign up for an appointment time that does not conflict with a session you’re required or would like to attend. Your advisor will let you know how to schedule an appointment and where to go.  

Note: only 1 individual appointment is required before or during Orientation

Families are welcome to have lunch on campus at the Dining Center, 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 Center. Families may pay at the Dining Center entrance ($7.90 per person).

The President, Dean of Students, First-Year Class Dean, College Chaplain, Peer Leaders, and the Office of Student Activities welcome you- the class of 2025 to campus!

Introductions and get-to-know-you. Talk about the Orientation schedule.

President Jorge Gonzalez, Vice President for Student Development & Dean of Students J. Malcolm Smith, Provost Danette Ifert Johnson, Chaplain Elizabeth Candido, the Convocation speaker, faculty, staff, and President’s Student Ambassadors welcome you and your families. Convocation concludes with all new students signing the Matriculation Registry. Rain site: Stetson Chapel

Parents and families depart when the reception concludes at 5 p.m.. Rain Site: Hicks Center.

Enjoy dinner together and socializing. Peer Leaders will let you know where to meet to find your group. Rain site: Dining Center.

Our SCR author reads from her work, All Heathens. Bring your book. A book signing immediately follows in the Stetson Chapel Lobby.

Enjoy all Hicks has to offer: pool and ping pong tournaments (with prizes), the latest in video gaming, craft areas, board game areas, a Zen room, activities that help you meet new people and make friends, and much more!

Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Discuss your fall schedule, placement exam results, academic goals, and co-curricular interests with your advisor. Make sure to sign up for an appointment time that does not conflict with a session you’re required or would like to attend. Your advisor will let you know how to schedule an appointment and where to go.

Note: only 1 individual appointment is required before or during Orientation

These exams are required for only those students who have admission tickets in their orientation folders, who have placed out of the 3^rd level of language, and/or who need to meet with a faculty member in the relevant language.

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Meet with your seminar to discuss All Heathens and prepare for the colloquium with the author.  Bring your book and a copy of your SCR response.

Marianne Chan answers your questions, introduced by Orientation Program Assistant Jorence Quiambao and moderated by Dana Jansma, Senior Associate Dean of Students. Bring your book.

Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Discuss your fall schedule, placement exam results, academic goals, and co-curricular interests with your advisor. Make sure to sign up for an appointment time that does not conflict with a session you’re required or would like to attend. Your advisor will let you know how to schedule an appointment and where to go.

Note: only 1 individual appointment is required before or during Orientation

Join your professor, Peer Leaders, and fellow students for an introduction to your class.

This part of the schedule is your opportunity to focus on the academic departments that you are most interested in learning more about.  You will have the opportunity to meet with the faculty and learn more about their courses or offerings. Please refer to the Build Your Own Schedule Link where you can edit your schedule up until one day before!

Enjoy dinner together and socializing. Peer Leaders will let you know where to meet to find your group. Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Meet with your fellow residents and RAs to talk about community expectations, living in residence halls, college policies, and begin to know your neighbors!

The Asia Project has toured over 600 colleges with an acoustic music poetry act that has amazed audiences all over the country. On the microphone is Asia Samson: writer, poet and part-time ninja. He has been seen on HBO Def Poetry Jam and has shared the stage with such artists as Janelle Monae, Jill Scott, DMX, Mos Def, Dead Prez and KRS-One. Accompanying him on the guitar is his brother-in-law Jollan who uses music to create an atmosphere that brings poetry to emotional levels you would never expect. Asia will remain after the performance for a group discussion for any students who would like to stay. Rain site: Stetson Chapel

Relax, continue getting settled in, and meeting your neighbors in your residence hall.

Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Hear a welcome message from our Vice President and Dean of Students, J. Malcom Smith and learn what it means to be a member of a new community.

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. Peer Leaders will facilitate a discussion on bystander intervention and work through scenarios from the skills and techniques learned from the resources shared in the summer.

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Part two of Emergency Response Training.  Peer Leaders will lead you through specific scenarios for how to react in crisis situations.

Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Please join the Counseling Center for a candid conversation about mental health. In this session you will engage in stigma reduction conversation about mental health and learn strategies for managing your mental/emotional well-being while at K. Your Peer Leader will tell you where to meet.

Join your peer leaders to talk about the Asia Project and your role in building an inclusive and welcoming campus for all members of our community.

This part of the schedule is your opportunity to focus on the various departments and support services at Kalamazoo College.  You will be able to meet with staff and students and learn more about how their department is here to make sure you’re successful and happy. Please refer to the Build Your Own Schedule Link where you can edit your schedule up until one day before!

Note: This block is required for First-Year students.

Use your student ID (which also serves as your meal card) to access the Dining Center.

Take a walk, relax, and take some time for yourself.

Join your classmates for a night of fun! Come see hypnotist “chrisjones” amaze and entertain, as well as games, crafts, food, and performances by some of the student organizations on campus, including K’s very own improv group, Monkapult! Afterward, enjoy some additional fun and games sponsored by the Office of Student Activities There’s something for everyone!

Rain site: Hicks Center.

Check out the Build Your Own Schedule Link for an opportunity to sign up for a bunch of student organization and group led activities and events.  Meet many of the 80+ amazing organizations and groups  we have on campus and begin to find your own community!

Note: This block is required for First-Year students.

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Come meet with students from campus religious organizations in the basement of the chapel.

In addition to a great academic experience, a good social life is also important to most K students.  Meeting new people, having new experiences, and finding ways to relieve stress can all be part of college life. What do most K students do? What do you want to do? This session will discuss social life at K and some of the decisions you can make to best thrive during your time at K.  Peer Leaders will share their knowledge and guide a conversation and group discussion.

Need to get your workout in? The Fitness and Wellness Center will be open for students to use the cardio equipment, weights, racquetball and squash courts (K student ID required for access).

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.

A mixer for current and new students of color and selected faculty and staff as a time to connect.

An informational meeting regarding compliance and eligibility. This meeting is required for ALL winter and spring student athletes (new AND returning students).