Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Wednesday, August 27

Arrive on Campus

Report to The Quad

To facilitate a smooth check-in and shorter lines under the Matriculation Tent, Hobart and William Smith strongly recommends that all families arrive during the following staggered check-in hours:

• 9 – 10 a.m. - Third and Fourth Floor Residents, International Students
• 10 – 11 a.m. - Second Floor Residents
• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Ground-Level and First Floor Residents

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Check In and Matriculation

Check in with our friendly Orientation staff! Shake hands with President Mark D. Gearan on the Coxe Hall steps, the same steps you will walk across when you graduate. Meet your HWS Deans and campus partners.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Move In

Pick up your residence hall room key and your OneCard. Meet your roommate and move into your new home! The Welcome Team (faculty, staff, community members, athletic teams, and others!) will help you move your personal belongings to your room.

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Complimentary On-Campus Lunch

Enjoy a “grab and go” bagged lunch at the Scandling Campus Center Café, Rees Lounge, Hirshson Ballroom, Durfee Lounge, or Sherrill Lounge. Prefer to dine in? Join us for a sit-down lunch in Saga Dining Hall.   

Off-Campus Lunch: If time permits, families are welcome to travel off-campus to enjoy lunch at one of our beautiful downtown Geneva restaurants.

3:15 - 4:45 p.m. - Students: Meet Your Orientation Mentors

William Smith Green (Rain Location: Scandling)

Find your OM group (your group # is printed on your folder and your nametag) and meet your Orientation Mentor!

3:15 - 4 p.m. - Parents and Families: Concurrent Sessions

Choose a session to attend. (optional)

1. Supporting Your First-Year
Albright Auditorium
Learn about the deans’ work with students as they arrive and Grow through their experiences at HWS over four ears. You are welcome to attend either session; however, your student’s specific dean can be found on your family folder. Deans Kelly Payne and Kelvin Clark will facilitate this session.

2. Supporting Your First-Year
Vandervort Room, 2nd Floor, Scandling Campus Center
Learn about the deans’ work with students as they arrive and Grow through their experiences at HWS over four years. You are welcome to attend either session; however, your student’s specific dean can be found on your family folder. Deans Amy Green and David Mapstone will facilitate this session.

4 - 4:45 p.m. - Parents and Families: Refreshment Break

Gearan Center for the Performing Arts

Recharge with light refreshments while meeting fellow parents and families.

4 - 4:30 p.m. - Parents and Families: Understanding the Title IX, Harassment and Discrimination Policy

Common Room, Scandling Campus Center

Please join the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for a session about the Title IX, Harassment and Discrimination Policy including information about prevention and education. Participants will learn more about rights and responsibilities, resources, and how best to support students’ understanding of affirmative consent and healthy relationships.

5 p.m. - President's Welcome Ceremony

Stern Lawn (Primary Rain Location: Vandervort/Secondary Rain Locations: Albright, Froelich, Bartlett Theatre)

Your official welcome to campus from President Gearan.

5:30 p.m. - Family and Friends Farewell

Stern Lawn

Take advantage of this opportunity to say goodbye to family and friends as they depart campus.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Dinner

The Quad (Rain Location: Saga)

Enjoy getting to know your peers while enjoying dinner!

6:45 - 8 p.m. - HWS Policies with Campus Safety

Various locations

Get to know your Campus Safety staff to learn about policies and procedures on campus. (Vandervort: Hirshson, Sherrill, Durfee, Geneva; Albright: Jackson, Potter, Rees)

8:15 - 9 p.m. - Illumination: Class of 2029 Photo

Bristol Lawn

Get excited for your first official photo as the Class of 2029! This traditional photo will be featured on HWS’ “This Week in Photos” website!

9 - 9:45 p.m. - Community Circles

Residence Halls

Get to know your new floor-mates and Community Assistant (CA) during a meeting in your residence hall.

9:45 - 11 p.m. - Community Activities

Residence Halls

Get to know the residents in your neighborhood through fun interactive activities!

Saturday, August 30

8 - 9 a.m. - Breakfast with SPARK! Team

The Quad (Rain Location: Saga)

Enjoy some breakfast to get your day started!

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - SPARK! Projects

Assigned Location

5 - 6 p.m. - CIRP Survey

Assigned Locations

Groups 1-7 (Geneva Room), Groups 8-10 (Sanford Room), Groups 11-21 (Albright), Groups 22-29 (Vandervort

6 - 7 p.m. - Dinner

The Quad (Rain Location: Saga)

Enjoy a delicious dinner!

7 p.m. - Begin boarding buses in OM Groups to the Smith Center for the Arts

8 - 10 p.m. - Annual Variety Show

Smith Center for the Arts

Cheer on your fellow HWS classmates as they share their talents during this student showcase at the historic Smith Center for the Arts in downtown Geneva!