Hampshire College

Hampshire's spring orientation program is designed to help you acclimate to the campus, begin to make connections, and start to find your way. We look forward to welcoming between 25 and 30 new students to campus in January, about three-quarters of whom are transfer students and one-quarter are first-year students. To learn about our program mission statement, click here.

The program takes place over the course of three days: Sunday, January 24; Monday, January 25; and Tuesday, Janaury 26. A full schedule is available here. Below is a basic outline of what will be happening each day, in addition to fun activities designed and led by the orientation leaders:

Sunday, January 24

• Arrival and check-in process: Complete any outstanding financial obligations, receive your student ID, orientation packet, and keys to your room. Staff from Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Public Safety, Housing, New Student Programs, Family Relations, and the Dean of Students Office will be on hand to answer your questions.
• Academic and student life panel: Open to all new students, families, and friends, this will be an opportunity to learn more about life inside and outside of the classroom at Hampshire.
• Orientation welcome: Students will have a chance to meet their orientation leaders (older students on campus) in the afternoon, and to learn about the orientation program. Families are invited to an afternoon reception hosted by the dean of students and the director of family relations, followed by dinner with all new students, families, friends, and the President of the College, Ralph J. Hexter.

Monday, January 25

• Academic workshops: The staff of the Center for Academic Support and Advising will be on hand to welcome new students and engage you in workshops that will provide a full explanation of the College's academic system. Separate sessions will be offered for first-year and transfer students.
• Student employment meeting: All students who have been awarded work-study grants will be asked to attend this informational meeting to find out more about working on campus and finding a job.
• Residence life discussion: Our housing staff will meet with new students to talk about living on campus, housing options, and the role of residence life in your Hampshire experience.

Tuesday, January 26

• Common reading discussion: All new students will receive a copy of this year's common reading, Mountains Beyond Mountains, in January. Faculty will lead students in a discussion of the text, in an experience that will be very similar to a Hampshire class.
• Campus tour: Learn what resources are out there to support you all across the campus!
• Advisor meetings: All students will receive an assigned time to meet with their academic advisors this afternoon, and begin talking about courses and their academic pursuits at Hampshire.