Hampshire College

The college’s orientation program is designed to support new students as they begin their journey at Hampshire. We aim to create opportunities and offer experiences that are directly informed by the educational philosophy and practices of the college, and through which students will be able to engage their passions, challenge their beliefs, and continue to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Thursday, August 28
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Check-in
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Time to settle into rooms and meet interns
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 2:20 p.m. Student Life Panel (optional for students and families)
2:30 - 3:20 p.m. Academic Life Panel (optional for students and families)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Students meet orientation groups
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Welcome Ceremony
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner (family orientation participants invited to attend)
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Meet your housing intern and hall/mod mates
8:30 - 10:30 p.m. Evening entertainment

Friday, August 29   
• Explore intellectual life at Hampshire and meet your advisor
• Get to know your orientation group
• Dinner with family orientation participants
• Evening activities and performances hosted by orientation leaders

Saturday, August 30   
• Spend the day engaging with interest group activities
• Who Are You People?: A Personal Journey into the Heart of Fanatical Passion in America presentation by creative nonfiction author Shari Caudron

Sunday, August 31   
• Reputation and Reality: Student, Faculty, and Staff Perspectives on Drugs and Alcohol at Hampshire, brought to you by the students and staff of the Community Health Collaborative
• Spend time with orientation groups and learn about support resources on campus
• Who is She and What is She to You?: Examining Identity and Community presentation and follow-up discussion by performer Micia Mosely
• Evening activities and performances hosted by orientation leaders

Monday, September 1   
(returning students arrive on campus)
• Spend the day with your orientation groups, familiarizing yourself with campus life
• Until Somebody Wakes Up performance by the Not Ready for Bedtime Players
• Evening activities and performances hosted by orientation leaders

Tuesday, September 2
• Attend your first tutorial class (all other Hampshire classes begin on Wednesday)
• Learn about student employment