Orientation Schedule

Departments Open Across Campus, Various locations noted below

Students, parents, and families are welcome to visit various offices on campus to learn more about what resources and opportunities are available and how offices may work with parents and families throughout the year.  Please note that some offices close for lunch (12-1pm), and to attend Opening Convocation (4-5pm).

       • Campus Recreation – Jaeger Athletic Center
       • Campus Safety – 51 W. Stevens Street
       • Center for Career Engagement – College Union Building, Suite 204
       • Center for Student Success – College Union Building, Suite 280
       • Counseling and Wellness Center – Broadway
       • Eisenhower Institute – 157 N. Washington Street
       • Financial Aid – Corner of W. Stevens and N. Washington Streets 
       • G-Tech (Student Computing) – West Building (9:00 AM-6:00 PM) 
       • Musselman Library
       • Student Accounts – Penn Hall, Ground Floor Service Window

All new students will gather on Stine Lake to meet up with their Orientation Group, Orientation Leader, and Resident Assistant.  We will share the Orientation schedule, what to expect during Orientation, and start to build community with others on your floor.

       • Your Orientation Group assignment is posted on the door of your room.
       • Commuter students should check their Gettysburg email for their Orientation Group assignment.
       • Students will have time to return to their rooms to change for Convocation following the Assembly.

All students and families will attend the formal welcoming ceremony for the Class of 2028 and new transfer students.  Students will sit with their Orientation Group.  The Faculty Processional will begin at 3:55pm.

First-Year Student Dinner with Orientation Group, Servo
See Navigate for your assigned time.

Starting at 5:45 PM 

Residential Education staff and representatives from various campus departments will present information on expectations of living in the residence halls, relationships with facilities staff, and safety.  First, students will meet as a building and then break into floor groups to discuss their community expectations for the year.

Commuter students should report to the CUB Information Desk at 7:30. 

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Breakfast with Orientation Group, Servo
See Navigate for your assigned time.

7:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Students will receive greetings and advice from current students about what it means to be part of the Gettysburg academic, residential, and social communities.  Students will be dismissed from this session to meet with their First-Year Seminar class or attend the New Transfer Student program.

New Transfer Student Programs, CUB 126

New transfer students will have an advising check in with the Center for Student Success, followed by an introduction to Musselman Library. 

Students will meet with their First-Year Seminar (FYS) instructor and classmates about what it means to be a member of the specific FYS course and the Gettysburg College community, getting connected (floor, faculty, staff, etc.), exploring new ideas to learn, courses and activities, and more.

Students will have the chance to hear from select majors and programs about their academic plans should they choose to pursue that area of study.  Information sessions will occur from 10:45-11:15 and 11:30-12:00.  The full schedule can be found in Navigate.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Individual Advising Sessions, Various locations – see Navigate for details.

Students will meet with their faculty advisor to discuss their class schedule and goals for their time at Gettysburg.  Each student MUST meet with their advisor to finalize their registration for the fall semester.  Additional details will be shared by your advisor via email.

       • Meeting with your advisor during this time takes priority over any other activities, events, practices, etc. happening during this time.

       • Music major students with a double major will meet with their other major advisor during this time, and their music major advisor on Friday, August 23. 

Dinner with Orientation Group, Servo
Students will eat attend dinner with their Orientation Groups, then assemble for the First-Year Walk. 

See Navigate for your assigned time.

4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

Orientation Bingo, CUB Ballroom.
Join the Office of Student Activities & Greek Life for an exciting night of bingo! Prizes will range from “college starter packs” to gift cards and more!

By registration only; breakfast will be served.  GIV Day is the first opportunity for you to engage in the local community. Participants will learn about social justice issues while connecting with classmates, upperclass students, and members of the Gettysburg community. To participate, students had to indicate interest on their Dashboard.  Confirmed attendees will receive more information via email.

Explore Gettysburg Events, Various locations – see Navigate for details.

Optional events for students not participating in GIV Day to meet students outside their Orientation Group with similar interests.  More information about what events are happening and their locations can be found in Navigate. 

Additional time to meet with your Faculty Advisor (if needed), Various locations.

All Music Majors meet with their Conservatory Advisors (may extend later than 2:15pm), Various locations.

This is additional time for students to meet with their advisor or First-Year Seminar instructor. Music majors should meet with their music advisor during this time.

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Some music advising appointments may extend later.

Living in Our Community: Navigating First and Second Impressions, CUB Ballroom
Join the Inclusion & Belonging Peer Educators for an interactive game exploring the ways assumptions can complicate first impressions and discussing how to navigate your new home and neighbors at Gettysburg College

See Navigate for your assigned time.

2:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Dinner in Orientation Groups, Servo

See Navigate for your assigned time.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 

Living in Our Community: Monologues, CUB Ballroom

See Navigate for your assigned time.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Optional events for students to participate in to meet students outside of their Orientation Group with similar interests.  More information about what events are happening and their locations can be found in Navigate. 

Late Night on Stine Lake with OSAGL, Stine Lake
Bounce over to Stine Lake for an evening filled with inflatable games, lawn games, and music!

Students will be introduced to the many relationships that they will encounter on campus and learn practical ways to build these relationships and address conflict when it arises. They will hear from peers and staff resources and learn the “ABCs of Constructive Dialogue.”

See Navigate for your assigned time. 

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Introduction to the Guided Pathways & Co-Curricular Advising, Mara Auditorium

Meet your Co-Curricular and Career Advisors and learn about the Guided Pathways and how your Personal Advising Team can help you during your time at Gettysburg.  This session is required for students that have opted-in to the Guided Pathways program, but also open to any student wanting to learn more about the program.  

See Navigate for your assigned time.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Come together with your residence hall and bond through team building activities and games. Wear your building colors and come out for a fun Field Day!

Facilitated by the E-Sports Club, the Super Smash Brothers tournament is an alternative option for students not participating in field day.

3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Dinner with Orientation Group, Servo

See Navigate for your assigned time.

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Get a glimpse of everything Gettysburg has to offer. It’s up to you to get involved, but we’d love to show you how! Hear stories and experiences from upper-class students in the historic Majestic Theater. 

Wrap up your orientation experience by attending your first ever Mid Mad! Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities & Greek Life and Dining Services, Mid Mad is a fun-filled event filled with late-night bites and karaoke!

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Students that have opted into the Guided Pathways Program are welcome to join President Bob Iuliano for a dessert reception at the President’s home. Come mingle with fellow first-year students and learn more about the Pathways from students currently enrolled in the program.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Meet with your Orientation group, RA and OL to discuss the topics covered throughout Orientation and ask any lingering questions you have prior to the first day of classes.

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM

If you are interested in joining the choir, auditions will be held in Schmucker 214 – sign up for your audition time in Schmucker 212.  Audition times will be available through Wednesday, August 28.  Additional information can be found here.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

If you are interested in joining the choir, auditions will be held in Schmucker 214 – sign up for your audition time in Schmucker 212.  Audition times will be available through Wednesday, August 28.  Additional information can be found here.

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Join the entire campus community as we kick off our year-long series of programs—Conversations for Change—which will help us learn and hone the skills necessary to talk across difference. Hear from Rajiv Vinnakota, President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, as well as student political leaders and get some free C4C swag!