Student Affairs 2023 Orientation Schedule

Tuesday, August 29th

Move-In

8:00 am - 12:00 pm • South Parking Lot and Residence Halls

Welcome to Amherst! Enjoy iced coffee and treats while you pick up your keys and ID then proceed to move into your residence hall. Once you unload, you will be asked to move your car to one of our parking lots. Shuttles will be running on a loop to take you back to the main campus. 

THE GIANT FREE CAMPUS MOVE-IN YARD SALE

10:00 am - 2:00 pm • Orr Ice Rink

The Office of Sustainability is hosting a FREE yard sale in Orr Ice Rink (next to the Alumni Gym, down by the baseball field). Instead of buying a bunch of brand new items for your room, wait until you’ve seen all of the free room decorations, lights and lamps, storage bins, linens, and much more at the free campus yard sale! Items were donated by students at the end of the spring semester during Move Out. Come thrift with us! If you can’t make it on Tuesday, come by on Wednesday, August 30th during lunch from 12 – 1:30 PM.

Welcome BBQ

11:30 am - 1:30 pm • Valentine Quad

Come join us on the quad in front of Valentine Dining Hall for a free cookout lunch open to all new students, their families, and guests! Stay and mingle or explore the campus.

FIRST GENERATION/LOW INCOME LUNCHEON RECEPTION

11:30 am - 1:30 pm • Lewis-Sebring Room, Valentine Dining Hall

Please bring your cookout lunch into the Lewis-Sebring room to meet with other first generation students and their families. In this context, first generation students refer to those who are the first in their family to attend college.

CHECK IN WITH YOUR SQUAD

1:45

Briefly say goodbye to your family and locate the Orientation Leaders (OLs) who will be guiding you through the program for the next week.

SQUAD MEETING

2:00 - 4:00 pm • First Year Quad

Welcome to your squad! Your squadmates will be your first community and may later be your classmates.

President’s Welcome for families

2:00 - 3:00 pm • First Year Quad

President Michael Elliott, along with Angie Tissi-Gassoway, Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students and Matt McGann, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, will welcome families and friends of our incoming students to the Amherst community.

• View a webcast of this event on our live webcast page.

Resource Fair for families

3:00 - 4:00 pm • Valentine Quad

Families will begin familiarizing themselves with the College’s departments and services. Meet with representatives, ask questions, and pick up some cool giveaways!

MULTILINGUAL FAMILY RECEPTIONS

5:00 - 6:00 pm • Frost Library

Students and their families who speak Spanish, Korean, or Mandarin primarily, or at home, are invited to Q & A with current students, faculty, and staff. 

Dinner

5:00 - 7:00 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

Enjoy all of the delights that Valentine has to offer!

Herding Home

7:00 - 8:00 pm • Shuttles leave from Frost Library Steps

Shuttles will be running on a loop to take families back to their cars. This concludes the programming for parents and families. 

Floor Meeting with your Community Advisor

7:15 - 8:15 pm • Residential Halls

Meet with your Community Advisor (CA), get to know your new floormates and get some helpful information about living in the halls!

Meet your Residential Engagement & Wellbeing Team

8:30 - 10:30 pm • First Year Quad

Your CA will lead you to the Quad to meet some of the other staff who will be helpful during your time living in the halls!  Meet the Community Development Coordinators (CDCs) and other Residential Engagement & Wellbeing (REW) staff to learn about upcoming programs, resources and how we can help you make the most of your experience! Immediately after the Meet and Greet, join the REW staff for lawn games, board games, and frozen treats on the first year quad. Wind down on your first night on campus with your fellow students with some fun and relaxing activities. Stay for as long as you like!

Wednesday, August 30th

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet.

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

BREAKFAST

8:00 - 9:30 am • Valentine Dining Hall

SQUAD MEETING: Get to know the campus   [M, So, I]

9:30 - 10:15 am • Squad Locations

Start the morning off nice and easy with some icebreakers and a brief tour of the main area of campus with your Orientation Leaders (OLs) to locate your indoor and outdoor squad locations.

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP - ALL Students   [I, O]

10:30 am - 12:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

This program kicks off with a welcome from President Elliott and Chief Student Affairs Officer, Dean of Students, Angie Tissi-Gassoway. The program will then be led by Dean of New Students, Kiara Vigil and will feature short presentations by a panel of Amherst faculty including: Professor Martha Umphrey (LJST), Professor Carrie Palmquist (Psychology), Professor Kristy Gardner (Computer Science), and Professor Sony Corenz Bolton (LLAS & Spanish). Professor Kiara Vigil, the Dean of New Students, and Corey Michalos, the Director of Community Standards at the College, will then facilitate a wider discussion between students and the presenters to engage with the question: What do we mean by Academic Integrity?

Lunch

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

THE GIANT FREE CAMPUS MOVE-IN YARD SALE (optional)

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Orr Rink

SQUAD CHECK-IN

1:30 - 1:45 pm • Squad Locations

Meet up with your Squad and check in on how the first day is going. Head out together to your next sessions.

ACADEMIC RESOURCES PANEL - Group B   [M, I, F, Oc]

2:00 - 3:00 pm • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

Moderated by AAS President Lori Alarcon, this panel representing offices across the campus will share information about various academic resources available to students and where to find them on campus. Participating staff include Jessica Kem, Writing Center; Martin Garner, Frost Library; Gail Holt, Office of Financial Aid; Jennifer Innes, Moss Quantitative Center; Susan Daniels, Public Speaking; Larissa Hopkins, Strategic Learning Center; Christine Overstreet, Office of Fellowships

ACADEMIC BUILDING CAMPUS TOUR - Group A   [P, M, So, I]

2:00 - 3:00 pm • Squad Leaders will begin campus tour

Join your Squad and OLs for a guided walkthrough of the academic buildings on campus. Learn the locations where your fall classes will be held. The tour will also showcase Frost Library where you will meet staff who work in support of students, and be provided an overview of their services and the resources available to students.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

3:00 - 3:15 pm • Group Location

ACADEMIC RESOURCES PANEL - Group A   [M, I, F, Oc]

3:15 - 4:15 pm • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

Moderated by AAS President Lori Alarcon, this panel representing offices across the campus will share information about various academic resources available to students and where to find them on campus. Participating staff include Jessica Kem, Writing Center; Martin Garner, Frost Library; Gail Holt, Office of Financial Aid; Jennifer Innes, Moss Quantitative Center; Susan Daniels, Public Speaking; Larissa Hopkins, Strategic Learning Center; Christine Overstreet, Office of Fellowships

ACADEMIC BUILDING CAMPUS TOUR - Group B   [P, M, So, I]

3:15 - 4:15 pm • Squad Leaders will begin campus tour

Join your Squad and OLs for a guided walkthrough of the academic buildings on campus. Learn the locations where your fall classes will be held. The tour will also showcase Frost Library where you will meet staff who work in support of students, and be provided an overview of their services and the resources available to students.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

4:15 - 4:30 pm • Group Location

SQUAD Reflection/Debrief

4:30 - 5:00 pm • Squad Locations

Share your reflections with your squad on your interactions with Academics at Amherst

Dinner

5:00 - 7:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

DECOMPRESSION ACTIVITIES (Optional)

5:00 - 7:00 pm

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

SCREENING DICKINSON EPISODES with snacks

8:00 - 10:00 pm • Book and Plow Farm

We will be showing selected episodes from Dickinson under the stars at the Book and Plow Farm. There will be blankets, flashlights, and luminaries to light your way as we spread out on Tuttle Hill to view episodes as a group and enjoy delicious snacks and beverages.

Thursday, August 31st

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet.

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

BREAKFAST

8:00 - 9:30 am • Valentine Dining Hall

SQUAD CHECK-IN

9:30 - 9:45 am • Squad Locations

Meet up with your Squad and do a brief check before heading out together to the day’s first session.

WELLBEING DISCUSSION - Group A   [M, I, Sp, So, O, F, E]

9:45 am - 10:45 am • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

Promoting individual and collective wellbeing is essential to the health, safety, and success of each member of our community.  As our newest community members to Amherst College, you will explore what wellbeing looks like here at Amherst, develop skills and strategies for navigating situations to care for yourself and others, and learn about resources and ways to center your own wellbeing in order to thrive during your time at Amherst and beyond! This session will be facilitated by Lauren Kelly, Associate Director of Health & Wellbeing and Taya Westfield, Wellbeing Educator for Alcohol & Other Drugs from the Office of Residential Engagement & Wellbeing.

CARE & SAFETY SESSION - Group B   [P, M, I]

9:45 am - 10:45 am • Johnson Chapel

This session aims to inform and educate attendees about various safety measures, resources, and support systems available to ensure their well-being and security while they are part of the community. The structure of the panel will begin with members of our first responders: Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS), Amherst College Police Department (ACPD), Community Safety Assistants (CSAs), Community Safety Officers (CSOs) which will then be followed by representatives of offices who provide follow-up care: Dr. Emily Jones, Health Services, Scott Howard, Care & Accountability Office, and a member of our Center for Counseling and Mental Health.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

10:45 - 11:00 am • Group Location

WELLBEING DISCUSSION - Group B   [M, I, Sp, So, O, F, E]

11:00 am - 12:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

Promoting individual and collective wellbeing is essential to the health, safety, and success of each member of our community.  As our newest community members to Amherst College, you will explore what wellbeing looks like here at Amherst, develop skills and strategies for navigating situations to care for yourself and others, and learn about resources and ways to center your own wellbeing in order to thrive during your time at Amherst and beyond!  This session will be facilitated by Lauren Kelly, Associate Director of Health & Wellbeing and Taya Westfield, Wellbeing Educator for Alcohol & Other Drugs from the Office of Residential Engagement & Wellbeing.

CARE & SAFETY SESSION - Group A   [P, M, I]

11:00 am - 12:00 pm • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

This session aims to inform and educate attendees about various safety measures, resources, and support systems available to ensure their well-being and security while they are part of the community. The structure of the panel will begin with members of our first responders: Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS), Amherst College Police Department (ACPD), Community Safety Assistants (CSAs), Community Safety Officers (CSOs) which will then be followed by representatives of offices who provide follow-up care: Dr. Emily Jones, Health Services, Scott Howard, Care & Accountability Office, and a member of our Center for Counseling and Mental Health.

Lunch

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

SQUAD CHECK-IN

1:30 - 1:45 pm • Squad Locations

Meet up with your Squad and do a brief check-in before heading out to your afternoon sessions.

TITLE IX/OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS - All Students   [P, So, M]

2:00 - 3:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

Come get to know the Civil Rights and Title IX Office! This session, hosted by Laurie Frankl, Director for Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator, Sara Kragness, Civil Rights and Title IX Intake, Care, and Education Coordinator, and Jizelle Sanders, Data Specialist and Office Manager, will cover the need-to-know information about how you can report and what we do to respond to concerns about sexual misconduct and identity-based harm.  We are here to support everyone and we hope that you can get to know us and our work. We are excited to meet you!

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

3:00 - 3:15 pm • Johnson Chapel

MENTAL HEALTH SESSION - All students   [I, So, M]

3:15 - 4:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

The transition to college is an exciting time, but change can come with its share of challenges. Join the Center for Counseling and Mental Health as we explore strategies for navigating this transition. We will discuss how to draw on the strengths and skills you brought with you as well as share the resources and support you have access to here at Amherst. It is our goal for this session to demonstrate that whether the challenges are big or small, help is always within reach.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

4:00 - 4:15 pm • Johnson Chapel

SQUAD MEETING

4:15 - 5:00 pm • Squad Locations

Share your reflections with your squad on the sessions attended today: Wellbeing, Care & Safety, Title IX/OCR, and Mental Health.

Dinner

5:00 - 7:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

DECOMPRESSION ACTIVITIES (Optional)

5:00 - 7:00 pm

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

Wellbeing Skits, featuring the Student Health Educators and Peer Advocates for Sexual Respect - All students   [P, So, M, I, E]

7:30 - 8:30 pm • First Year Quad Stage  (rain location: Johnson Chapel)

Join the SHEs and PAs for a fun, interactive, and informative performance as they explore a wide range of health and wellbeing topics such as sleep, nutrition, safer sex, healthy relationships, substances, and much more! The Wellbeing Skits allow new students to learn helpful tips, strategies and resources to center their own wellbeing and make healthier choices while at Amherst. The PAs and SHEs are the two peer educator groups in the Office Residential Engagement & Wellbeing and continue to provide educational programming to the Amherst College community throughout the year!

MOONSTRUCK

8:30 - 10:00 pm • First Year Quad

Join us at the First Year Quad to mingle and eat a variety of snacks from local food trucks!

Friday, September 1st

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet. 

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

Breakfast

8:00 - 9:30 am • Valentine Dining Hall

SQUAD CHECK-IN

9:30 - 9:45 am • Squad Locations

Meet up with your Squad and do a brief check before heading out together to the day’s first  session.

SEXUAL RESPECT SESSION - GROUP A   [P, M, I, Sp, E]

9:45 am - 10:45 am • Johnson Chapel

As the newest members of our campus community, new students will complete a session with Claire Dutton, the Wellbeing Educator for Sexual Respect, to gain information, resources, and strategies for creating a culture of sexual respect here at Amherst.  We all play a role in fostering a campus community centered around safety, respect, and trust for ourselves and for one another so that all of our students can thrive during and after their time at Amherst.

COMMUNITY LIVING SESSION - GROUP B   [So, M, E]

9:45 am - 10:45 am • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

Meet the staff who you will interact with regularly in our residence halls, in Valentine Dining Hall and on campus.  Learn about our engagement & wellbeing initiatives in residence; discover who your custodian is and how best to communicate with them; meet our director of Dining Services and gain insight on the wide variety of nutritional options; learn some helpful tips from our Housing & Operations Team, the Service Center, and Environmental Health & Safety to make the most of our physical environment in a safe and enjoyable manner.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

10:45 - 11:00 am • Johnson Chapel

SEXUAL RESPECT SESSION - GROUP B   [P, M, I, Sp, E]

11:00 am - 12:00 pm • Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Building

As the newest members of our campus community, new students will complete a session with Claire Dutton, the Wellbeing Educator for Sexual Respect, to gain information, resources, and strategies for creating a culture of sexual respect here at Amherst.  We all play a role in fostering a campus community centered around safety, respect, and trust for ourselves and for one another so that all of our students can thrive during and after their time at Amherst.

COMMUNITY LIVING SESSION - GROUP A   [So, M, E]

11:00 am - 12:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

Meet the staff who you will interact with regularly in our residence halls, in Valentine Dining Hall and on campus.  Learn about our engagement & wellbeing initiatives in residence; discover who your custodian is and how best to communicate with them; meet our director of Dining Services and gain insight on the wide variety of nutritional options; learn some helpful tips from our Housing & Operations Team, the Service Center, and Environmental Health & Safety to make the most of our physical environment in a safe and enjoyable manner.

STUDENT FEEDBACK SESSION

12:00 - 12:15 pm • Group locations

Lunch

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM TOURS   [So, M, I, E]

12:00 - 5:00 pm • Emily Dickinson Homestead

SQUAD MEETING

2:00 - 5:00 pm • Squad Locations

Decompress from the morning's sessions, reflect with your squad, and have your lingering questions addressed and answered by your OLs.

CAMPUS SCAVENGER HUNT w/Passport

2:00 - 5:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

Students will meet at Keefe to receive a list of participating offices and their Amherst booklets. You will be able to scan QR codes that will provide you with the directory and map to help navigate and explore the campus. Students who "find" at least 20 offices will be entered into a raffle to win an amazing prize, and those who fill their booklet with all offices will receive an item of SWAG from the Mammoth Market!

Dinner

5:00 - 7:00 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

DECOMPRESSION ACTIVITIES (Optional)

5:00 - 7:00 pm

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

CAPTURE THE FLAG with the AAS and S’MORES WITH SENATORS

7:00 - 8:30 pm • Location: Friedmann Room

Join members of the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) on the First Year Quad for some ice breaker games and a Quad-wide optional capture the flag game. Following the capture the flag game, we will gather by the fire pits to roast marshmallows and snack on S’mores where you will get the opportunity to mingle with AAS Senators.

SOCIAL NIGHT @ KEEFE

8:30 - 10:30 pm • Keefe Campus Center

Join the OLs for a night of fun activities at our campus center! 

Saturday, September 2nd

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet. 

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

Breakfast

7:00 - 9:00 am • Valentine Dining Hall

Choose Your Own Adventure: Mead Art Museum

9am - 5pm • Mead Art Museum

Whether you like making art, or just want to chat, this is an open invitation to stop by the Mead, meet museum staff, chat with other new students, and preview the brand new fall exhibitions.

DARING EDGE - TAKE THE LEAP - Group 1   [So, P, M, E]

9:30 am - 12:00 pm • First Year Quad

Take the Leap is a one-of-a-kind orientation experience that begins with one simple question: “What does it take to feel a connection?” Now, we know that “connection” can be one of those cliche buzzwords that gets overused. But, we really mean it. This is about the kind of connection that makes you feel a part of. The kind that makes you come alive and reminds you of what is possible. The kind that makes you feel like you are exactly where you belong even as you step into an entirely new world. We believe that that kind of connection can be created anywhere. You just need to bring together a group of people who want to find that with each other. At a time when it can feel like you are just racing to find your place in all the change, Take the Leap is all about creating the space for the real conversations, the real stories, and real shared adventure that all adds up to feeling real connection with other incoming students looking for that very same thing. If that’s you, we want you to be a part of creating that experience with us! Get ready to laugh, play, adventure, tell stories, and connect in ways that will become the stories you will tell about your college experience years from now!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: WI-FLI Connection 

9:30 am - 12:00 pm • Alumni House

Why FLI? What does it mean to connect with, celebrate, or contemplate your first-generation and/or low-income (a.k.a FLI) identity? Join this session for an opportunity to connect with your fellow students who share these identities, celebrate the strengths and remarkable experiences y’all bring to our broader campus community, and contemplate the intricacies of navigating Amherst College as a FLI student and how to leverage the available resources. The program will hold activities that will target community-building, learning, and application so you feel ready to start your time here at Amherst College while embracing your FLI identity together.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Fitness Center Orientation 

10:00 - 10:30 am and 4:00-4:30 pm • Meet at the entrance of Alumni Gym

Welcome to Amherst College! The Athletics Department is eager to welcome you to the Alumni Gym and show you all of the resources available to help keep your body and mind healthy for the next 4 years. Please come and enjoy a student-led orientation of the facility and all of the offerings we support.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Bike Share

Alumni Gym

In order to check out a bicycle, go to the front desk of Alumni Gym. If there are available bikes, you will need to provide your student ID to check out the bike and again when you return the bike.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Beads at the Mead

10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Mead Art Museum

What do you do to make someone feel welcomed into a new space or community? What makes you feel welcome? Join us at the Mead Art Museum to hand-roll paper beads inscribed with your own thoughts on welcoming. Whether you like making art or just want to chat, this is an open invitation to stop by the Mead, meet museum staff, chat with other new students, and preview the brand-new fall exhibitions. (https://www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/exhibitions).

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Tie Dye

10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Valentine Quad

Come tie-dye a fun Mammoths T-Shirt or Handkerchief at Val Quad All supplies will be provided.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Beneski Museum

10am - 5pm • Beneski Museum of Natural History

Whether you're on your own, with a friend, or with a group, you're invited to explore our three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Emily Dickinson Museum

10am - 5 pm • Emily Dickinson Museum

The Emily Dickinson Museum comprises two historic houses in the center of Amherst, Massachusetts associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and members of her family during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Navigating Dining on Campus

10:30 am • Val Dining Hall

Looking to learn more about how to get the most out of the meal plan? Or are you dining on campus with allergies or dietary preferences that make your choices more limited? Join Dining Services Dietitian, Megan for a Q&A tour of Valentine Dining Hall and learn tricks and tips for navigating dining on campus.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Self-Reflection Through Art

10:30 am - 12:00 pm • LOCATION TBD

The transition to college is full of many emotions and changes. It is a time of great excitement and adjustment. College is not all about academic success but also learning about who you are, your values, the kind of relationships you want to have, how to rest and how to be compassionate with yourself. At the Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCMH) we offer many resources to support you in these endeavors. In this CYOA session, you will get the chance to de-stress, reflect, quiet your mind and make a special piece of art for your dorm room. All materials will be provided. We are excited to meet you.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Tarot Readings

10 am - 3pm • Keefe Campus Center Atrium

Take a break, and get your cards read in the Keefe Campus Center Atrium. What will your cards hold?

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Gathering for Students of International Experience

11:00 am - 12:00 pm • CISE

Are you considered a U. S. "domestic" student, but spent a significant portion of your life abroad? Are you feeling nervous about doing life in the U.S. or experiencing culture shock? Come by the Center for International Student Engagement to meet fellow students of international experience while enjoying conversations and snacks in community.

Lunch

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

Meet the MRC Luncheon

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Lewis Sebring, Valentine Dining Hall

Join the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) for lunch at Lewis-Sebring (in Valentine Dining Hall) to learn more about the resources we offer BIPOC* students on campus and be in community with us! This event is open to all; BIPOC* Students are encouraged to attend. 

(*BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color)

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Self-Reflection Through Art

1:00 - 2:30 pm • Eighmy Powerhouse

The transition to college is full of many emotions and changes. It is a time of great excitement and adjustment. College is not all about academic success but also learning about who you are, your values, the kind of relationships you want to have, how to rest and how to be compassionate with yourself. At the Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCMH) we offer many resources to support you in these endeavors. In this CYOA session, you will get the chance to de-stress, reflect, quiet your mind and make a special piece of art for your dorm room. All materials will be provided. We are excited to meet you.

DARING EDGE - TAKE THE LEAP - Group 2   [So, P, M, E]

1:30 - 4:00 pm • First Year Quad

Take the Leap is a one-of-a-kind orientation experience that begins with one simple question: “What does it take to feel a connection?” Now, we know that “connection” can be one of those cliche buzzwords that gets overused. But, we really mean it. This is about the kind of connection that makes you feel a part of. The kind that makes you come alive and reminds you of what is possible. The kind that makes you feel like you are exactly where you belong even as you step into an entirely new world. We believe that that kind of connection can be created anywhere. You just need to bring together a group of people who want to find that with each other. At a time when it can feel like you are just racing to find your place in all the change, Take the Leap is all about creating the space for the real conversations, the real stories, and real shared adventure that all adds up to feeling real connection with other incoming students looking for that very same thing. If that’s you, we want you to be a part of creating that experience with us! Get ready to laugh, play, adventure, tell stories, and connect in ways that will become the stories you will tell about your college experience years from now!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Black History in Amherst 

1:30 - 3:00 pm • Bangs Community Center (downtown Amherst)

After lunch, join the MRC for a walk over to Bangs Community Center in Amherst, Mass. to learn more about Black history in Amherst and get a chance to see the Civil War tablets. If you are unable to make it to lunch but would like to attend - please meet us outside of Valentine Dining Hall at 1:30 PM to walk over to the Bangs Community Center in downtown Amherst. This event is open to all, BIPOC students encouraged to attend. 

(*BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color)

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: WI-FLI Connection 

1:30 - 4:00 pm • Alumni House

Why FLI? What does it mean to connect with, celebrate, or contemplate your first-generation and/or low-income (a.k.a FLI) identity? Join this session for an opportunity to connect with your fellow students who share these identities, celebrate the strengths and remarkable experiences y’all bring to our broader campus community, and contemplate the intricacies of navigating Amherst College as a FLI student and how to leverage the available resources. The program will hold activities that will target community-building, learning, and application so you feel ready to start your time here at Amherst College while embracing your FLI identity together.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Massage Therapy

1:00 - 4:00 pm Eighmy Powerhouse patio

Enjoy some rest and relaxation and let our massage therapists ease your worries away.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Gathering for Students of International Experience

2:00 - 3:00 pm • CISE

Are you considered a U. S. "domestic" student, but spent a significant portion of your life abroad? Are you feeling nervous about doing life in the U.S. or experiencing culture shock? Come by the Center for International Student Engagement to meet fellow students of international experience while enjoying conversations and snacks in community.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Navigating Dining on Campus

2:30 pm • Val Dining Hall

Looking to learn more about how to get the most out of the meal plan? Or are you dining on campus with allergies or dietary preferences that make your choices more limited? Join Dining Services Dietitian, Megan for a Q&A tour of Valentine Dining Hall and learn tricks and tips for navigating dining on campus.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Fitness Center Orientation 

4:00 pm • Alumni Gym

Welcome to Amherst College! The Athletics Department is eager to welcome you to the Alumni Gym and show you all of the resources available to help keep your body and mind healthy for the next 4 years. Please come and enjoy a student-led orientation of the facility and all of the offerings we support.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Queer & Trans Re-Orientation

4:30 - 6:30 pm • Friedmann Room (upstairs in Keefe)

Do you identify as queer, trans, gender non-conforming, agender, are questioning your gender and/or sexuality, or want to learn more? Join the Queer Resource Center (QRC) staff for Queer and Trans Re-Orientation on Saturday, September 2 at 4:30 pm in the Friedmann Room in Keefe Campus Center. This session is an opportunity to get to know other queer, trans, questioning first-year students and allies as well as the resources available through the QRC and beyond. There will be food, good company, and a chance to meet the leaders of Amherst's queer student organizations, such as Ace/Aro/Grey, Queer Athlete Alliance, and Queer and Trans People of Color! We'll also give a tour of the Queer Resource Center, which is right down the hall from the Friedmann Room.

DINNER & Activities on your own

5:00 - 7:00 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

DECOMPRESSION ACTIVITIES (Optional)

5:00 - 7:00 pm

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

GLOW NIte

7:00 - 10:00 pm •  First Year Quad

Come hang out with other first year students and our student leaders on the FYQ to listen to some music, play some games that glow, enjoy food truck snacks, and snag some cool glow-in-the-dark freebies!

Sunday, September 3rd

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet.

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

RELIGIOUS SERVICES (optional)

Please navigate to our Area Religious Services and Resources webpage to find services that will meet your needs.

Breakfast

7:00 - 9:00 am • Valentine Dining Hall

Choose Your Own Adventure: Mead Art Museum

9am - 5pm • Mead Art Museum

Whether you like making art, or just want to chat, this is an open invitation to stop by the Mead, meet museum staff, chat with other new students, and preview the brand new fall exhibitions.

DARING EDGE - TAKE THE LEAP - Group 3   [So, P, M, E]

9:30 am - 12:00 pm • First Year Quad

Take the Leap is a one-of-a-kind orientation experience that begins with one simple question: “What does it take to feel a connection?” Now, we know that “connection” can be one of those cliche buzzwords that gets overused. But, we really mean it. This is about the kind of connection that makes you feel a part of. The kind that makes you come alive and reminds you of what is possible. The kind that makes you feel like you are exactly where you belong even as you step into an entirely new world. We believe that that kind of connection can be created anywhere. You just need to bring together a group of people who want to find that with each other. At a time when it can feel like you are just racing to find your place in all the change, Take the Leap is all about creating the space for the real conversations, the real stories, and real shared adventure that all adds up to feeling real connection with other incoming students looking for that very same thing. If that’s you, we want you to be a part of creating that experience with us! Get ready to laugh, play, adventure, tell stories, and connect in ways that will become the stories you will tell about your college experience years from now!

Choose Your Own Adventure: Bike Share

Alumni Gym

In order to check out a bicycle, go to the front desk of Alumni Gym. If there are available bikes, you will need to provide your student ID to check out the bike and again when you return the bike.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Fitness Center Orientation 

10:00-10:30 am and 4:00-4:30pm • Meet at the entrance of Alumni Gym

Welcome to Amherst College! The Athletics Department is eager to welcome you to the Alumni Gym and show you all of the resources available to help keep your body and mind healthy for the next 4 years. Please come and enjoy a student-led orientation of the facility and all of the offerings we support.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Understanding Reproductive Justice

10:00 - 11:45 am • WGC

Join us as we bring in the Fall Semester with refreshments, fellowship, and an exploration of Reproductive Justice and the roles of women in Reproductive Justice movements. All students will have the opportunity to learn about these topics (whether or not you’re familiar with them!), as well as the history of the Women’s and Gender Center, including some of our signature programming, past events, and plans for the new academic year. While this event centers on community building for those who identify as women and femmes, all are welcome!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Beads at the Mead

10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Mead Art Museum

What do you do to make someone feel welcomed into a new space or community? What makes you feel welcome? Join us at the Mead Art Museum to hand-roll paper beads inscribed with your own thoughts on welcoming. Whether you like making art or just want to chat, this is an open invitation to stop by the Mead, meet museum staff, chat with other new students, and preview the brand-new fall exhibitions. (https://www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/exhibitions).

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Tie Dye

10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Valentine Quad

Come tie-dye a fun Mammoths T-Shirt or Handkerchief at Val Quad All supplies will be provided.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Soul Jam—Big Questions, Grounded Living

10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Beneski 107

Opening with a brief guided meditation, we'll move into reflective activities and conversations about beliefs (from the silly to the sacred) and what worldviews and practices we each want to keep, leave, or add from our lives thus far. This program is for any and all new students (you totally don't need to be religious!), and has received highly positive feedback from past new classes as a meaningful way to connect deeply with new friends and what you want from your college experience. Workshop leader, Harrison Blum, brings a playfulness, curiosity, and enthusiasm to group leading informed by 20+ years of Buddhist practice and a general love for life and people.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Tarot Readings

10 am - 3pm • Keefe Campus Center Atrium

Take a break, and get your cards read in the Keefe Campus Center Atrium. What will your cards hold?

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Book & Plow Open Farm Hours

10:00 am - 4:00 pm • Book & Plow Farm

Come visit your campus Farm! Book & Plow staff and student farmers will be there to welcome you to the space. We'll have some farm crafts and activities. Bring an empty water or juice bottle to make and take home a beautiful flower bouquet to decorate your dorm or give to a new friend. We'll have herbal iced tea and some vegetables to sample (including make-your-own pico de gallo salsa). It's also just a lovely place to relax and enjoy the view. To get to the farm walk past the back of the Science Center towards the tennis courts. You can follow the Book & Plow onto the gravel road; and continue along the road up the hill to our greenhouses and shipping containers. Alternatively, you can take the sanctuary trail system.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Beneski Museum

10am - 5pm • Beneski Museum of Natural History

Whether you're on your own, with a friend, or with a group, you're invited to explore our three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Emily Dickinson Museum

10am - 5 pm • Emily Dickinson Museum

The Emily Dickinson Museum comprises two historic houses in the center of Amherst, Massachusetts associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and members of her family during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Lunch

12:00 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Soul Jam—Big Questions, Grounded Living

1:00 - 3:00 pm • Beneski 107

Opening with a brief guided meditation, we'll move into reflective activities and conversations about beliefs (from the silly to the sacred) and what worldviews and practices we each want to keep, leave, or add from our lives thus far. This program is for any and all new students (you totally don't need to be religious!), and has received highly positive feedback from past new classes as a meaningful way to connect deeply with new friends and what you want from your college experience. Workshop leader, Harrison Blum, brings a playfulness, curiosity, and enthusiasm to group leading informed by 20+ years of Buddhist practice and a general love for life and people.

DARING EDGE - TAKE THE LEAP - Group 4   [So, P, M, E]

1:00 - 3:30 pm • First Year Quad

Take the Leap is a one-of-a-kind orientation experience that begins with one simple question: “What does it take to feel a connection?” Now, we know that “connection” can be one of those cliche buzzwords that gets overused. But, we really mean it. This is about the kind of connection that makes you feel a part of. The kind that makes you come alive and reminds you of what is possible. The kind that makes you feel like you are exactly where you belong even as you step into an entirely new world. We believe that that kind of connection can be created anywhere. You just need to bring together a group of people who want to find that with each other. At a time when it can feel like you are just racing to find your place in all the change, Take the Leap is all about creating the space for the real conversations, the real stories, and real shared adventure that all adds up to feeling real connection with other incoming students looking for that very same thing. If that’s you, we want you to be a part of creating that experience with us! Get ready to laugh, play, adventure, tell stories, and connect in ways that will become the stories you will tell about your college experience years from now!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Massage Therapy

1:30 - 3:30 pm • Eighmy Powerhouse patio

Enjoy some rest and relaxation and let our massage therapists ease your worries away.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Understanding Reproductive Justice

2:15 - 4:00 pm • WGC

Join us as we bring in the Fall Semester with refreshments, fellowship, and an exploration of Reproductive Justice and the roles of women in Reproductive Justice movements. All students will have the opportunity to learn about these topics (whether or not you’re familiar with them!), as well as the history of the Women’s and Gender Center, including some of our signature programming, past events, and plans for the new academic year. While this event centers on community building for those who identify as women and femmes, all are welcome!

Squad Meeting Group 

3:30 - 4:00 pm • Squad Meeting location

More information to come.

DEMOTT LECTURE   [I, O]

4:00 - 5:30 pm • Johnson Chapel

Alena Smith, playwright, TV writer, and creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the streaming series Dickinson will deliver this year's DeMott Lecture for new students followed by a Q&A session with Smith.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Fitness Center Orientation 

4:00 pm • Alumni Gym

Welcome to Amherst College! The Athletics Department is eager to welcome you to the Alumni Gym and show you all of the resources available to help keep your body and mind healthy for the next 4 years. Please come and enjoy a student-led orientation of the facility and all of the offerings we support.

DINNER & Activities on your own

5:30 - 7:00 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

Voices

7:00 - 8:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

Join us as we read through your admissions essays… slightly out of context! 

ARTS @ AMHERST

8:00 - 10:00 pm • Friedmann Room, Keefe Campus Center

Battle of the Bands, Dance Groups, Acapella groups 

Monday, September 4th

ATHLETICS OPEN BLOCK

6:00 - 8:00 am • LeFrak Gym

Those who are part of teams or who are trying out should ask coaches where to meet.

MORNING CENTERING ACTIVITIES (optional)

7:00 - 8:00 am

See the Wellbeing Activity Schedule for more information

(Drop In- Stay as long or as little as you like)

Breakfast

7:00 - 9:00 am • Valentine Dining Hall 

OFFICE OF IDENTITY AND CULTURAL RESOURCES (OICR) NEW STUDENT PROGRAM   [Sp, M, E, I]

9:30 am - 12:30 pm • Johnson Chapel

Welcome to Amherst!! During this session you will learn about Amherst's Office for Identity and Cultural Resources, which includes 6 resource centers: the Center for International Student Engagement, the Class & Access Resource Center, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Queer Resource Center, Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Women's and Gender Center. We’ll also cover the basics of power, privilege, oppression, identity, and intersectionality and spend some time thinking about how we want to create a welcoming campus community for each other. Why? Because we all play a role in making Amherst a campus where everyone can feel included and supported to thrive. We look forward to meeting you!!!

Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

CLASS PHOTO

1:30 - 2:00 pm • Octagon  (rain location LeFrak Gym)

Ah, fifteen minutes of standing in the sun for a lifetime of memories! Please visit Panfoto to order your copy! 

FIELD GAMES ON FY QUAD

2:30 - 4:00 pm • First Year Quad

Re-live some childhood fun with a field day- complete with yard games, crafts, bubbles, a carnival food truck, and music!

FINAL SQUAD MEETING

4:00 - 5:00 pm • Squad Meeting Location

Dinner

5:00 - 7:00 pm • Valentine Dining Hall

CONVOCATION

7:30 - 9:00 pm • Johnson Chapel

New students are formally welcomed to the College by President Michael Elliott.