Orientation at Denison University offers a comprehensive introduction to campus life, including resource fairs, informative sessions, and opportunities for students and families to engage with the community. Highlights include move-in assistance, an induction ceremony for the Class of 2029, and various themed orientation activities to help students prepare for their new home on The Hill. The program acclimates students to life at Denison with support from faculty, staff, and fellow students.

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

Time

Event

Location

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Move-In

First-Year Residence Halls

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Immigration & Legal Obligations (International Students Only)

Curtis Provost Dining Room

2 - 4 p.m.

Orientation Check-In and Resource Fair

East Quad

5 - 5:45 p.m.

Assembly of Incoming Students

Swasey Chapel

6 - 7 p.m.

Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2029

Reese-Shackelford Common

7 - 9 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls, or Granville

9 - 9:30 p.m.

Home on the Hill

First-Year Residence Halls

9:30 p.m. - midnight

The Sizzle

Academic Quad

Thursday, Aug. 21

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 21

Time

Event

Location

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls, or Granville

9 - 10 a.m.

Accessibility Services Overview

Herrick Hall

10 - 11 a.m.

First Small Group Meeting

Small Group Locations

11 - 11:30 a.m.

Welcome to Denison

South Quad

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Faculty Panel on Academic Success

Eisner Center

1 - 3 p.m.

Lunch

East Quad

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Off-Campus Orientation Trips

Various Locations

3:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Family Departure

4:15 - 5 p.m.

Residence Hall Safety and Expectations

Various Locations

5 - 7 p.m.

Dinner

Huffman and Curtis Dining Halls

7 p.m. - midnight

Jackpot in The Roost

Slayter Union

Friday, Aug. 22

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 22

Time

Event

Location

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

9 - 9:30 a.m.

Small Group

Small Group Locations

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Community on The Hill Trivia

Hoaglin Wellness Fair

Hoaglin Wellness Center

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Academic and Individual Success

Swasey Chapel

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Lunch

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

2 - 3 p.m.

“Wanna Make Out?” - A Conversation About Consent

Swasey Chapel

3 - 3:30 p.m.

Class Photo

Reese-Shackelford Common

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Roommate Agreements

First-Year Residence Halls

4 - 4:15 p.m.

Battle of the Residence Halls - Floor Round-Up

First-Year Residence Halls

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Battle of the Residence Hall

East Quad

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

7 - 9 p.m.

Learning Commons Fest

Doane Library

9 p.m. - midnight

Rec at Nite

Mitchell Center

Saturday, Aug. 23

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 22

Time

Event

Location

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

9 - 9:30 a.m.

Small Group

Small Group Locations

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Community on The Hill Trivia

Hoaglin Wellness Fair

Hoaglin Wellness Center

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Belonging Sequence

Swasey Chapel

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Lunch

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

1:30 - 2 p.m.

RAIN DATE: Class Photo

Reese-Shackelford Common

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Debate and Civil Discourse at Denison

Various Locations

4 - 5 p.m.

A Hill Without Hazing

Swasey Chapel

5 - 7 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

7 - 10 p.m.

Off-Campus Trip Preparation

Various Locations

Sunday, Aug. 24 - Tuesday, Aug. 26

Students will depart for their Off-Campus Orientation trips on Sunday, Aug. 24, returning Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Tuesday, Aug. 26

Orientation schedule for Aug. 26

Time

Event

Location

6 - 10 p.m.

Off-Campus Orientation Trips Return

Various Locations

10 - 11:30 p.m.

Sailesh The Hypnotist

Swasey Chapel

10 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Late Night Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Orientation Schedule Aug. 27

Time

Event

Location

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman and Curtis Dining Halls

9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

Local Shopping Shuttles

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

One-on-Ones with your First-Year Fellow

Various Locations

Choose Your Own Adventure

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Drop into The Center

The Center for Belonging and Inclusion, Slayter Union 4th Floor

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Health & Wellness Needs

Hoaglin Wellness Center

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Knowlton Career Questions Open House

3rd Floor Burton Morgan

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Class Schedule Tours

Start at Library Steps

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Spiritual Life Open House

Gilpatrick House

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Open your Slayter Mailbox

Slayter Union

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Science Ice Cream Social

Ebaugh’s 2nd Floor Atrium

6 - 9 p.m.

Involvement Fair & Carnival

Academic Quad

6 - 8:30 p.m.

Community Cookout

Reese~Shackelford Common

9 - 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks

Reese~Shackelford Common