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 2030, 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.

Friday, Aug. 21 - Move-In Day

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Move-In

First-Year Residence Halls, East Quad

Arrive during your scheduled move-in time to get your room key and set up your residence hall room. Move-In assistance will be provided by student staff members, Denison Athletes, and university community volunteers.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Immigration & Legal Obligations (International Students Only)

Burton Morgan Lecture Hall

This session is for students coming from abroad only. This session is an overview of immigration, how to maintain your F-1 status, travel and re-entry to the U.S., and work authorization options. Participation in this session is required for all new international students. Lunch is provided.

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Huffman Dining Hall, or Granville

Students and their families are welcome to purchase a meal in Huffman Dining Hall or head into Granville or the surrounding area to try one of our local restaurants.

Noon - 4 p.m.

Orientation Check-In

East Quad (Lower)

After moving in, join us on East Quad to pick up your orientation materials and schedule. Check in is for both students and their family members staying for Saturday programming.

2 - 4 p.m.

Resource Fair

East Quad (Upper)

Learn about offices that are here to support you on campus.

5 - 7:30 p.m.

Welcome Dinner

East Quad (Rain location: Mitchell Center)

Welcome to Denison! Meet President Adam Weinberg while enjoying a complimentary dinner on East Quad for new students and their families. (Rain location: Mitchell Center)

7:30 p.m.

Families depart for the day

Families can get more information about Saturday’s family Orientation programming here.

8 - 8:30 p.m.

First Small Group Meeting

Around East Quad

Meet your First-Year Fellow and the members of your orientation group for the first time.

9 - 9:30 p.m.

Home on The Hill

First-Year Residence Halls, East Quad

Start your first night of college by meeting your Community Advisor and hallmates, then walk over to The Sizzle together.

9:30 p.m. - midnight

The Sizzle

Academic Quad

A first-year tradition featuring a glow paint party. Come enjoy the lights, the sounds, the paint, and live DJs! Note: Wear clothes you will not mind getting covered in washable paint.

Saturday, Aug. 22 - Orientation Day 1

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 21

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls, or Granville

Students and their families are welcome to purchase a meal in one of our dining halls or head into Granville or the surrounding area to try one of our local restaurants.

10 - 11 a.m.

First Small Group Meeting

Small Group Locations

Meet your First-Year Fellow and small group to review the schedule for the day and begin getting to know each other.

11 - 11:30 a.m.

Welcome to Denison

South Quad

Meet fellow Class of 2030 students in a positive, supportive environment to start new friendships that will last far beyond Orientation.

11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Involvement at Denison

Michael D. Eisner Center

A combination of staff and First-Year Fellows will walk you through successful ways to create social relationships and get involved on campus.

1 - 3 p.m.

Lunch

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls, or Granville

Students will rejoin their families and all are welcome to purchase a meal in one of our dining halls or head into Granville or the surrounding area to try one of our local restaurants.

3 - 4 p.m.

Dialogue at Denison: Be Curious

Various Locations

Students will develop foundational skills to engage in purposeful dialogue to support students in building meaningful connections with their peers and the entire Denison community.

4 - 4:30 p.m.

Sweet goodbyes

East Quad (Rain location: Huffman Dining Hall)

Join us for a sweet goodbye dessert as you get hugs and words of wisdom from your family before they leave campus.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Residence Hall Safety and Expectations

First-Year Residence Halls

Meet your residence hall staff and Community Advisors to discuss safety procedures and community expectations during your first floor meeting.

5:15 - 7 p.m.

President’s Dinner

East Quad

President Adam Weinberg invites first-year students to enjoy a dinner as a full class and to receive their welcome gift.

7 p.m. - midnight

Jackpot!

Slayter Union

Try your luck for a jackpot alongside your newfound friends with games like poker, blackjack, and roulette played the Denison way

Sunday, Aug. 23 - Orientation Day 2

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 22

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

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

East Quad (Groups 1-26)

Test your knowledge on what it means to live in community with one another on The Hill. Get ready to explore how to interweave Denison’s values with your own values, as well as identify ways to help support the safe and fun environment we have on The Hill for the next four years!

Wellness Fair

Hoaglin Wellness Center/Gilpatrick House (Groups 27-52)

The Wellness Fair features resources for mind, body, and spirit. Learn about the many wellness and spiritual life programs, along with the variety of medical and counseling services as you tour the Hoaglin Wellness Center and Gilpatrick House while playing games and earning prizes.

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Community on The Hill Trivia

East Quad (Groups 27-52)

Hoaglin Wellness Center/Gilpatrick House (Groups 1-26)

Wellness Fair

Hoaglin Wellness Center/Gilpatrick House (Groups 1-26)

The Wellness Fair features resources for mind, body, and spirit. Learn about the many wellness and spiritual life programs, along with the variety of medical and counseling services as you tour the Hoaglin Wellness Center and Gilpatrick House while playing games and earning prizes.

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Lunch

Curtis Dining Hall (Groups 27-52) | Huffman Dining Hall (Groups 1-26)

2 - 3 p.m.

“Wanna Make Out?” - A Conversation About Consent

Swasey Chapel

Speaker Lori Bednarchik takes a unique, positive, uninhibited and uncensored approach to talking about sexual consent and communication. The focus throughout the program is promoting safe, fun, positive, and consensual sexual activity, and providing participants with specific and practical skills to effectively communicate to, and with their partner about sex and consent.

3:15 - 3:45 p.m.

Class Photo

Reese~Shackelford Common

Find your place and begin making your mark on The Hill in the Class of 2030 photo. Be sure to wear your Class t-shirt!

4 - 4:30 p.m.

Battle of the Residence Halls Round-Up

Lamson Lawn

Meet up with your hallmates to prepare for the Battle of the Residence Halls.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Battle of the Residence Halls

Lamson Lodge

Compete in a variety of activities to win bragging rights as the top first-year residence hall on campus.

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis Dining Hall (Groups 1-26) | Huffman Dining Hall (Groups 27-52)

8 - 9 p.m.

Connect to Columbus Trip Meetings

Various Locations

Meet your Campus Connection Leaders and fellow first-years who will embark on your trip to Columbus with you tomorrow.

9 p.m. - midnight

Rec at Nite

Mitchell Center

Jump on down to the Rec Center to play a variety of your favorite games. You can choose from pickleball, basketball, sand volleyball, yard games, and so much more!

Monday, Aug. 24 - Connect to Columbus

Times and locations of Orientation events on Aug. 22

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Connect to Columbus departure

Mitchell Center

Buses will depart at 8:30, 9, or 9:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Connect to Columbus day trips

Various Locations around Central Ohio

Test your knowledge on what it means to live in community with one another on The Hill. Get ready to explore how to interweave Denison’s values with your own values, as well as identify ways to help support the safe and fun environment we have on The Hill for the next four years!

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Connect to Columbus return

East Quad

Buses will arrive at 4:30, 5, and 5:30 p.m.

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

7 - 9 p.m.

Break

9 p.m. - midnight

Firepits and friends

East Quad

Gather around one of our firepits to make s’mores and talk about your day with your new friends.

Tuesday, Aug. 25 - Orientation Day 3

Orientation schedule for Aug. 26

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

9:30 - 10 a.m.

Small Group Meeting

Small Group Classrooms

10 - 11 a.m.

Advising Circle Kickstart

Small Group Classrooms

Join the first meeting of your Advising Circle. Meet your Academic Advisor to discuss the liberal arts curriculum and discover tools to help you succeed academically on The Hill.

11 a.m. - noon

Academic Integrity

Swasey Chapel

Students will discover the elements of Denison’s Code of Academic Integrity and understand the implications for our learning community.

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

Curtis Dining Hall (Groups 27-52) | Huffman Dining Hall (Groups 1-26)

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Campus Safety/Fire Safety

Swasey Chapel

Offered by the Granville Township Fire Department, students will learn about best practices and possible hazards when living in a residence hall. Campus Safety will also share ways that they support students throughout the academic year.

2:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Academic Planning Session

Small Group Classrooms

Understand the important elements that it will take to balance your schedule, find important resources, and plan for a successful semester!

3:30 - 4 p.m.

RAIN DATE: Class Photo

Reese-Shackelford Common

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Break

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

A-Quad Open House

Academic Quad Buildings

Visit academic departments to meet faculty and staff, learn more about majors, and tour buildings.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Water-Ice Science Social

Ebaugh Laboratories

Come meet science faculty and students, enjoy a water-ice treat, and discover some of the extracurricular and research opportunities waiting for you in the sciences!

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls

7 - 9 p.m.

Library Fest

Doane Library

Explore your library! Prep for printing, uncover research tools, and explore study spaces and digital resources - everything you need to conquer your first semester!

10 - 11:30 p.m.

Sailesh The Hypnotist

Swasey Chapel

An experienced performer with more than 20 years under his belt, Sailesh has performed a staggering 5,000+ shows. Dubbed “The World’s Best Hypnotist,” his live show is described as a cross between a concert and the best party ever!

10 p.m. - midnight

Late Night Breakfast

Huffman Dining Hall

Who doesn’t like breakfast? Join us for all of your early morning favorites…at night!

Wednesday, Aug. 26 - Induction Day

Orientation Schedule Aug. 27

Time

Event

Location

Event Description

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Breakfast

Huffman and Curtis Dining Halls

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Final Small Group Meeting

East Quad

Continue asking your First-Year Fellow questions to hear their tricks of the trade for being a successful Denisonian. Next you will form the processional line for the Induction Ceremony.

11 a.m. - noon

Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2030

Swasey Chapel

President Adam S. Weinberg presides over the formal installation of the Class of 2030. Faculty will be in full academic regalia.

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

First-Year Cookout

Huffman Dining Hall and East Quad

Drop into The Center

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

Familiarize yourself with the CBI Lounge and ask staff your questions.

Health & Wellness Needs

Hoaglin Wellness Center

Confirm your medical needs with the Hoaglin staff.

Knowlton Career Questions Open House

2nd Floor Burton Morgan

Talk all things careers and internships with members of the Knowlton Center.

Spiritual Life Open House

Gilpatrick House

Find support and resources for students of all faiths, no faith, and those with big questions.

Open your Slayter Mailbox

Slayter Union

Test out opening your Student Slayter Mailbox, every student has one!

Class Schedule Tours

Start at Library Steps

Walk through your schedule with a First-Year Fellow to locate your classes.

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Dinner

Curtis and Huffman Dining Halls