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New Student Orientation Schedule

Fall 2023 Schedule

*All student events required unless otherwise noted.

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

 

8:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.        TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

  • RESIDENT STUDENTS: FAST FORWARD Initiative: 
        • Piper Academic Center

To ensure that our students are fully registered and ready to start the year, we have arranged several touchpoints to ensure a smooth transition. Each student, and any family they have present, shall visit listed classrooms in the Piper Academic Center where they will have the opportunity to meet with a representative from the student support departments from across campus. 

  • RESIDENT STUDENTS: Residence Hall Move-In: 
        • Your Residence Hall

Welcome to all first-year resident students and their families!  *Please see the Office of Residence Life web page (https://www.mckendree.edu/reslife)  information and move-in process.

  • RESIDENT STUDENTS: New Student Orientation (NSO) Check-In
        • Bearcat Statue Area 

The New Student Orientation staff welcomes all first-year RESIDENT students to McKendree!  Meet us at the Bearcat Statue area to confirm your NSO registration and receive necessary information.

 

12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.       BRUNCH/LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

                                                Various  Areas

Students and families are welcome to dine on campus at Ames Dining Hall.  Additional dining destinations are available in Lebanon and the local area.  Students may purchase dinner with cash, credit/debit, Flex Dollars, or Munch Money.

 

1:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.        TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS:  COMMUTER STUDENTS

  • COMMUTER STUDENTS: FAST FORWARD Initiative: 
        • Piper Academic Center

To ensure that our students are fully registered and ready to start the year, we have arranged several touchpoints to ensure a smooth transition. Each student, and any family they have present, shall visit listed classrooms in the Piper Academic Center where they will have the opportunity to meet with a representative from the student support departments from across campus. 

  • COMMUTER STUDENTS: New Student Orientation (NSO) Check-In
        • Bearcat Statue Area 

The New Student Orientation staff welcomes all first-year COMMUTER students to McKendree!  Meet us at the Bearcat Statue area to confirm your NSO registration and receive necessary information.  Please remain on campus for Opening Convocation.

 

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.         STUDENT GROUP MEETING 1 (REQUIRED)

This is a brief get together to meet your Group Leader and Group Members.

 

2:30 P.M. – 3:10 P.M          Safety at McKendree University:  FAMILY MEMBER SESSION

                                            Hettenhausen Center for the Arts

Meet Larry Hundsdorfer, Interim Director of Public Safety and David Roth, City of Lebanon Police Chief as they share insights on campus safety.  Learn about the campus email and text alert systems, local law enforcement, and how students can safeguard their own well-being and that of others.  General Q&A following the session.

 

3:00 P.M. – 3:25 P.M.        CONVOCATION LINE-UP:  ALL STUDENTS

Stevenson House Lawn – on the corner of Alton St. and College Rd.,

directly across from the campus front lawn

Incoming Resident and Commuter students will meet in this location prior to Convocation.

 

3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.        OPENING CONVOCATION

Front Lawn – South Side of Campus

*Student attendance requested for this event.  Ceremony will be available via live stream.

The opening of the academic year is of great significance, not only to students, but to staff and faculty, as well.  Here you will take part in the signing of the Matricula, an important tradition for all McKendree students.  The Matricula is an official University document that signifies the beginning of your academic career and marks your journey as part of a community of students and alums connected by their experiences and education at McKendree.  Business Casual attire is requested for this event.  Rain location:  Melvin Price Convocation Center (MPCC).

 

5:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.         COMMUTER STUDENT MEET AND GREET

1828 Café

Meet new and current commuter students!  Find out what activities and resources are available for commuter students.

 

5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.         STUDENT DINNER AND PARENT GOOD-BYES

Students with a meal plan and eating at Ames Dining Hall should bring their Student ID to swipe in.  Commuter students and students without meal plans may purchase dinner with cash, credit/debit, Flex Dollars, or Munch Money.

 

7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.          MOVIE:  PITCH PERFECT (OPTIONAL)

                                            Hettenhausen Center for the Arts

New Student Orientation invites all new students to enjoy a movie at The Hett.  Tonight’s featured movie is “Pitch Perfect”.  The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life, takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition.

 

7:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.        EVENING PROGRAMMING (OPTIONAL)

Various evening events and opportunities for students to socialize.

  • Games at MPCC/IM Gym:  Basketball, Dodgeball, Bags Tournament, others.