New and Transfer Student Orientation Program
New and Transfer Student Orientation Program
The goal of the orientation program is to connect you to key administrators, faculty, staff, and student leaders as well as to provide you with essential services, information, and resources for a successful first semester at Hampshire College and beyond. Most of your time during Orientation will be filled with interactive sessions, small group activities hosted by staff and student orientation leaders, and the occasional special guest presenters or performers.
E-Newsletters
Each new and transfer student will receive a series of e-newsletter's we call “How to Hampshire." These newsletters are sent to your Hampshire email address throughout the summer up until the start of Orientation, typically on a weekly basis. Be on the lookout for these emails!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Dean of Students Office via email at deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.
Prior to Arrival
Starting this summer, check your Hampshire email regularly for important updates, reminders, and the E-newsletter, “How to Hampshire.”
Arrival Dates
Fall 2024 New & Transfer Student Orientation
New international students arrive on August 24–25, 2024, and the International Student Transit Program runs from August 26–28, 2024.
Thursday, August 29 is move-in and orientation welcome. Check back for arrival times for new domestic and transfer students (exact assigned arrival instructions will be emailed directly to you by our Office of Residence Life).
Orientation is a multi-day event that includes daytime and evening activities, sessions, and events each day starting Thursday, August 29, and ending at the end of the day on Tuesday, September 3. Domestic new and transfer students, along with international students, participate in new and transfer student orientation activities.
The first day of classes for the fall semester at Hampshire College is September 4, 2024.
Move-In Guidelines
- All residents will be emailed specific move-in information before the start of the fall 2024 semester. This will include instructions and check-in locations.
- At the check-in location, students will be able to pick up their keys and get details regarding upcoming events and other important information.
- Guests are allowed to accompany students but should follow any move-in guidance provided to the student or publicized at check-in. Any questions about the move-in process should be directed to housing@hampshire.edu.
Commuter / Off-Campus Student Residents
All new commuter and off-campus students (students not living on campus) are strongly encouraged to arrive on campus for Orientation Registration. After registration students are invited to participate in the Orientation Welcome and Dinner, followed by optional evening social activities. The formal required orientation activities will begin the next day. More details will be updated here and emailed to students directly before Orientation.
Orientation Schedule
A schedule for fall 2024 New and Transfer Orientation will be made available here in June. Students will be notified of schedule changes as needed.
New and Transfer Student Orientation is a multiple full-day and evening experience and encompasses move-in, Orientation Registration, and a welcome dinner as well as various orientation activities and important information sessions that occur during the Orientation program.
Orientation is a multi-day event that includes daytime and evening activities, sessions, and events each day starting Thursday, August 29, and ending at the end of the day on Tuesday, September 3. Domestic new and transfer students, along with international students, participate in new and transfer student orientation activities.
Family Orientation
Check back for information regarding our fall 2024 Family Orientation. To ask questions about Orientation or to sign up to receive updates, please get in touch with the Alumni and Family Relations office at family@hampshire.edu or 413.559.6638.