New Student Orientation: Wednesday, August 24th – Sunday, August 28th
Please find highlights of our Orientation schedule listed below and continue to check back for more updates throughout the summer.
Important Summer Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, May 18th | First-Year Dashboard (online Orientation forms) opens at 10 a.m. EST |
| Monday, May 23rd | First-Year Seminar selection due on FY Dashboard at 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Tuesday, June 7th | First-Year Dashboard due at 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Wednesday, June 8 | Fall Course Planning (assistance in planning your fall semester course schedule) |
| Thursday, June 16th | Fall 2022 Course Registration Opens at 9 a.m. EST |
| Friday, August 5th | Living in Our Community Online Modules available at 10 a.m. EST |
| Monday, August 22nd | Living in Our Community Online Modules due by 11:59 p.m. EST |
Wednesday, August 24th
New students will move into their residence halls and meet with their Orientation group for the first time. Programming and information for parents and families will also be offered. Opening Convocation occurs on the first day of Orientation as a formal welcome for the Class of 2026.
* Denotes events open to parents and families
Schedule
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | *Move-In East and West Quads | New students move into their residence halls. |
| 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | G-Tech West Building | G-Tech, technical support for Gettysburg College students, will be available to address any technology related questions and concerns. |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Departments open across campus | Parents and families may wish to visit various offices on campus to learn more about what resources and opportunities are available to their student, as well as learn about how offices may work with parents throughout the year. All of these offices are staffed and open for regular business hours of 8:30am – 5:00pm, with some closing for lunch from 12:00pm – 1:00pm. Center for Student Success, College Union Building room 280 Campus Recreation, Jaeger Center Center for Career Engagement, College Union Building room 204 Campus Safety, 51 W. Stevens Street Eisenhower Institute, 157 N. Washington Street Garthwait Leadership Center, College Union Building room 202 Counseling and Wellness Center, Broadway Musselman Library, Library |
| 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | *Hospitality and Information Tables for Families. Tent on Breidenbaugh Hall North Lawn, corner of Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street . | Stop by and connect with current Gettysburg College parents to answer any questions you may have. Information regarding the services Gettysburg College and the Borough of Gettysburg offer will also be available; pick up a campus map, open a bank account with PNC, or speak with representatives from ROTC, Career Engagement, and talk with a representative from the Dining Center. Water will be available. |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | *Student and Family Lunch Dining Center | New students and their families are invited to attend lunch in Gettysburg’s dining hall, affectionately known as “Servo”. |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | *Hospitality and Information for Families CUB Lobby | Gettysburg College parents are available to answer questions, give directions to afternoon events, and share information about Family Weekend. |
| 12:00 p.m. | *Families of Athletes Welcome Session Bream Gymnasium | Families of Winter and Spring Student Athletes are invited to attend a Department of Athletics Welcome Session in Bream Gymnasium at 12:00pm. The coaching staff will be available and there will be brief remarks from the Director. Families are encouraged to have lunch in the Dining Hall beginning at 11:00 a.m. Fall athletes will most likely be in practice or meetings, but families of those students are welcome to attend if they return to campus for Opening Day. |
| 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | *Just for Parents and Families: Transition to Gettysburg College College Union Ballroom | This opening session, specifically for parents and family members, will offer insights on the Gettysburg College student experience, understand how Gettysburg interacts with students and parents, and determine how best to support their student’s growing independence. |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Orientation Group Assembly Memorial Field & Stine Lake | This session for all new students will provide information about expectations during Orientation, an overview of the family welcome session, and details about Opening Convocation. It is also an opportunity to begin learning about living with a new group of people. Students will assemble in orientation groups to meet their First-Year Team (Orientation Leader & Resident Assistant). Your Orientation Group assignment is posted on the door of your room. |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Sibling Social CUB Junction | This open house session is for siblings and family members of the Class of 2026. It is a great opportunity to get out of the heat and relax. There will be snacks, board games and crafts for siblings as parents will be attending an information session, and new students will be meeting with their orientation group. Please note this is not a daycare service; there will be limited supervision at this event. |
| 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | *Welcome Reception for Families Norris-Wachob Alumni House | Enjoy refreshments and social time with other Gettysburg families and College staff at the beautiful Alumni House, home of Alumni and Parent Relations |
| 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | *Opening Convocation Ceremony Pennsylvania Hall Lawn, North Side, Beachem Portico | All students and families will attend the formal welcoming ceremony for the Class of 2026 and other new students. The Faculty Processional will begin at 3:55 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | *Farewell to Families Alumni House Lawn | Take some time to say goodbye to your family while enjoying some light refreshments on the Old Quad (lawn between the Alumni House and Schmucker Hall). |
| 5:45 p.m. | Dinner for the Class of 2026 Dining Center | |
| 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | *Distance Dinner (by invitation) Mason Dixon Distillery | Buffet dinner for families traveling from a distance of more than 300 miles. Registration required. New students will attend their class dinner in Servo. |
| 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | First Building and Floor Meetings Various locations | The First-Year 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. |
| 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. | Wednesday Evening Social Stine Lake & CUB Patio |
Thursday, August 25th
On Thursday, new students will meet with their academic advisors and attend sessions to learn about various academic programs at Gettysburg. There will be opportunities to engage with their classmates and the community through a series of sessions called Explore Gettysburg. Near the end of the day, new students will participate in one of Gettysburg’s most unique traditions, the First-Year Walk, a Gettysburg tradition.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast Dining Center | |
| 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | G-Tech West Building | G-Tech, technical support for Gettysburg College students, will be available to address any technology related questions and concerns. |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome from the Dean of Students CUB Ballroom | The Class of 2026 will receive a welcome from the Dean of Students |
| 9:45 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. | Small Group Discussion with First-Year Seminar . Students meet in First-Year Seminar groups in various locations |
A facilitated small group discussion led by your First-Year Seminar (FYS) instructor 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, taking care of self, etc . |
| 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Topical Advising Information Sessions (choose one during each time block) |
10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Pre-Engineering Bowen Auditorium
(BOM) Business, Organizations, and Management Bowen Auditorium |
| 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Topical Advising Information Session (Optional) | Education Studies Weidensall 110 |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. |
Lunch |
|
| 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Individual Advising Sessions / On your own Various locations for advising appointments |
Students will meet with their academic advisor to discuss their class schedule and goals for their time at Gettysburg College. Students will convene with their advisors in groups and schedule individual appointments. Each student MUST meet with their advisor in order to finalize registration for the fall semester. Music major students with a double major meet with advisor in the other major. *Note: Music majors and minors will meet with their music advisors on Friday, August 26. |
| 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Explore Gettysburg Events |
Optional events students can participate in when they are not meeting with their advisor. More information about what events are available in details on a separate schedule sheet. |
| 4:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. | Dinner Dining Center |
Students will attend dinner at prescribed times in orientation groups in order to assemble for the First-Year Walk. |
| 6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. | First-Year Walk Introduction Christ Chapel |
The Class of 2026 and other new students will gather in the Chapel for an introduction of the First-Year Walk. After remarks from President Iuliano, all students will line up to begin the walk. |
| 6:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | The First-Year Walk Town of Gettysburg and Gettysburg National Military Park (Hunt Avenue entrance |
Faculty, staff, administrators, students, and community members will escort the first-year class through the streets of historic Gettysburg. This Gettysburg College tradition, initiated by a student in 2003, commemorates the same journey taken by college students and community members in 1863, when they walked to the cemetery to hear President Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address. |
| 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. |
Explore Gettysburg offerings |
Optional events students can participate in when they are not meeting with their advisor. More information about what events are available in details on a separate schedule sheet. |
| 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m |
Night Activities coordinated by Student Activities & Greek Life |
Friday, August 26th
Community service takes center stage with the annual Gettysburg is Volunteering (GIV) Day. Opportunities to learn about campus and the community will continue through Explore Gettysburg, while students may continue to seek out their faculty advisers. Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about being a member of a supportive and engaged campus through Living in Our Community sessions. As the first Friday of the academic calendar, this day will mark the first chance for students to show their school spirit and don the school colors as part of Orange and Blue Day
Schedule
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. |
Breakfast DiningHall |
|
| 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | G-Tech West Building | G-Tech, technical support for Gettysburg College students, will be available to address any technology related questions and concerns. |
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
GIV Day (Gettysburg Is Volunteering) |
Participants will learn about social justice issues while connecting with classmates, upperclass students, and members of the Gettysburg community. In order to participate, students must indicate interest on their First-Year Dashboard and attendance will be confirmed via email |
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Explore Gettysburg offerings |
Optional events students can participate in if they are not participating in GIV Day. . |
| 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Student Employment Information Session CUB 208 | Many students work on campus through a work-study, research, or an office job. Come find out what you need to do to get started! |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch |
|
| 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Explore Gettysburg offerings,various locations | Opportunities for students during times they are not participating in the Bystander Introduction training. |
| 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Additional time to meet with your Faculty Advisor (if needed) All Music Majors meet with their Conservatory Advisors |
This is additional time for students to meet with their advisor or First-Year Seminar instructor in various departments and locations: music majors -should meet with their music advisor during this time. Students meet with music advisors (various locations, see faculty directory) |
| 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Student Employment Information Session |
Many students work on campus through a work-study, research, or an office job. Come find out what you need to do to get started! |
| 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m |
Dinner in Orientation GroupsServo |
|
| 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
Living in Our Community, Part 3 Monologues 7:00 p.m. - Hanson, Huber, Patrick Halls and Transfer students |
|
| 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. | Explore Gettysburg offeringsvarious locations
|
|
| 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. | Explore Gettysburg offerings
Midnight Madness & Lawn Games
|
Saturday, August 27th
New students continue to learn more about their new community through Explore Gettysburg and Living in Our Community sessions. In the evening, Experience Gettysburg will showcase all of the unique academic and extracurricular offerings through firsthand accounts by upper-class students.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
Breakfast |
|
| 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
Explore Gettysburg Offerings |
|
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Living in Our Community, Part 4 Inclusion and Community CUB Ballroom | 10:30 a.m. - Hanson, Huber, Patrick Halls and Transfer students 11:30 a.m. - Rice, Stine, Paul Halls |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch
|
11:30 a.m. - Hanson, Huber, Patrick Halls and Transfer students 12:30 p.m. - Rice, Stine, Paul Halls |
| 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Living in Our Community, Part 5 Small Group Follow Up |
Meet with your Orientation group, your RA and/or OL, and a professional staff member to discuss the topics covered in the online modules, Monologues, Inclusion and Belonging session, and overall check in about Orientation.
12:30 p.m. - Hanson, Huber, Patrick Halls and Transfer students |
| 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Explore Gettysburg offerings
|
|
| 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
Regional Meet Ups |
Meet up with other Gettysburg students from your home region. West & Southwest Region (WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, CO, UT, NV, CA, AZ, NM, OK, TX) Outside Schmucker Hall Midwest Region (ND, SD, NE, KS, IA, MN, MO, WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) Outside Weidensall Hall Southeast Region (AR, LA, MS, TN, KY, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, WV, VA) Science Center Patio New York & New Jersey Stine Lake near CUB Drive Other Mid-Atlantic (DC, MD, DE, PA) Stine Lake near Fountain New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) CUB, Ballroom Patio, Memorial Field International Students Musselman Lawn near the Chapel |
| 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Choral Auditions
|
|
| 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Dinner |
Enjoy dinner with your Orientation Group. |
| 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m |
Experience Gettysburg |
This presentation will give you 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. This event will be live streamed. |
| 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. |
Late Night Events |
Sunday, August 28th
Orientation comes to a close with a field day pitting rival residence halls against one another in a series of fun games and activities.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Brunch |
A Gettysburg College tradition: Sunday morning Servo brunch |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
Class of 2026 Field Day Activities |
An opportunity for first-year students to come together in their residence hall groups and bond through team building activities and games. Come out and join your building for a fun Field Day! |
| 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
Supersmash Brothers Ultimate Tournament |
|
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Final Check-In by Orientation Group (questions answered, class preparations, etc…) Various locations following Field Day
|
. |
| 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
Choral Auditions |
|
| 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
Catholic Mass |
|
| 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m |
Dinner |
Celebrate your successful completion of Orientation. |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Choral Auditions |
Explore Gettysburg Events
Throughout our five-day Orientation program, there will be a series of engaging events offered that we call Explore Gettysburg. These sessions allow a small group of students to come together to learn about opportunities on and off campus. The options are wide and varied and include: open houses with campus organizations; guided tours of classrooms, campus buildings, the battlefield, and areas of town; ice cream socials with staff; trivia; and well-being activities like yoga, biking, running, and meditation.