New Student Orientation Schedule 2023

Pre-Orientation For International Students (PO4IS)

Attendance is mandatory for those who require a visa to study in the United States.

Events STARRED and in BOLD are mandatory events for new students.
Schedule subject to change

7:00 A.M.–10:00 A.M.
Café Mac Open for Breakfast

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

8:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M.
Move-In and Check-In

Residence Halls and Kagin Ballroom

It’s time to check-in for Orientation (including students who moved in early!) Parents and families check in here, too. Get your room key, MacPass (student ID), name tag, schedule, and class t-shirt here.

More detailed Move-In Day instructions will be shared in August.

8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
ITS Help Desk Drop-In Hours

Humanities 316

The ITS Help Desk is your one-stop-shop for technology help! We can help with campus wifi connections, setting up 2-factor authentication for your Google and 1600grand accounts, installing course software, and resetting a forgotten Macalester password. The ITS Help Desk offers tech support in person, by phone, email and chat. Get answers to your tech questions and ask for help at help.macalester.edu.

10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M.
Library Open House

DeWitt Wallace Library

Start your library adventure! Pick up a map at the front desk to start exploring spaces, meeting staff, and discovering what the library has to offer. Learn about technology tools in the Digital Resource Center, explore Macalester history in the Archives, get creative in the Idea Lab, and more! Once you visit each location and earn a sticker, come back to the front desk to collect a fabulous prize!

10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M.
Resource Fair

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center,  Atrium

Stop by our resource fair to meet staff from Disability Services, Student Employment & Payroll, Information Technology Services, the Sustainability Office, Career Exploration, and more.

11:00 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

2:00–2:45 P.M.
Café Mac Tour: Navigating Food Allergies and Celiac Disease

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

Brought to you by Disability Services and Café Mac leadership. Learn about inclusive food accommodation practices available to students dining on campus. This orientation event is for students and parents/guests who manage food allergies, celiac disease and medical diets. The event includes a tour of Café Mac that highlights need-to-know information: where to find ingredient labels at each food station, sourcing gluten free items, and a discussion of food safety practices. A question and answer session with General Manager Amy Tomes and Executive Chef Chad Plotnik will be part of the tour. Staff from Disability Services will be available to talk with students and families individually after the event.

4:00–4:45 P.M.
*Scottish House Meeting #1

Various Locations- Check Nametag

Incoming students are divided up into orientation groups called Scottish Houses. Each house is led by student Orientation Leaders (OLs). The name of your House will be communicated to you via email during the summer and can be found on your Orientation name tag. Look for the sign with your Scottish House’s name.

4:45–6:00 P.M.
Zero Waste Welcome Picnic

Leonard Center, Field House

Enjoy an all-campus dinner with fellow new students at the Leonard Center Fieldhouse.

6:00 PM-6:15 P.M.
Farewell to Parents and Families

Location on your own

If your family will be departing on Thursday, we recommend saying farewell at this time; however, there is no formal farewell program so parents/families are welcome to depart from campus whenever works best for their situation.

6:15-6:30 P.M.
*Scottish Houses Meet for Orientation Opening

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym 

Incoming students are divided up into orientation groups called Scottish Houses. Each house is led by student Orientation Leaders (OLs). The name of your House will be communicated to you via email during the summer and can be found on your Orientation name tag. Look for the sign with your Scottish House’s name when you enter the gym.

6:30–6:45 P.M.
*Orientation Opening

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

President Suzanne Rivera will welcome new students to the Macalester community. 

6:45–7:45 P.M.
*Welcome to Your Life at Mac

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

Your journey at Mac has begun! Discover how to get the most out of your Orientation experience, learn expectations for being a member of the Macalester community, and hear from your Orientation Leaders.

8:00–9:00 P.M.
*Community Floor Meeting #1 OR Transfer Social

Residence Hall Floor Meeting: Begin to cultivate your residential community by getting to know your floormates and your Resident Assistant (RA).
Various Residence Halls

Transfer Social: Join fellow transfer and exchange students for an evening social.
Bateman Plaza (rain: Campus Center 214)

9:00–11:00 P.M.
S’mores Social Night & Bonfires 

Bateman Plaza (Rain: Campus Center)

Come out to Bateman Plaza to enjoy a s’more, music, and firepits with your classmates.

7:30–9:00 A.M.
Café Mac Open for Breakfast

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:00–10:15 A.M.
*Scottish House Meeting #2

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

During this House Meeting OLs will help frame the Orientation experience for new students and lead the group in community-building activities.

10:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
ITS Help Desk Drop-In Hours

Humanities 316

The ITS Help Desk is your one-stop-shop for technology help! We can help with campus wifi connections, setting up 2-factor authentication for your Google and 1600grand accounts, installing course software, and resetting a forgotten Macalester password. The ITS Help Desk offers tech support in person, by phone, email and chat. Get answers to your tech questions and ask for help at help.macalester.edu.

10:30–11:45 A.M.
*First-Year Course Meeting OR Transfer/Exchange Orientation Workshop

First-Year Course (FYC) Meeting: Welcome to your initial First-Year Course (FYC) meeting. Get to know your FYC professor, learn about the course, and sign up for an academic advising appointment.
FYC Classrooms – Check Your Nametag

Transfer/Exchange Orientation Workshop: Gather with fellow transfer and exchange students to learn about resources for transfer and exchange students.
DeWitt Wallace Library 206

11:45 AM-12:00 P.M.
Farewell to Parents and Families

Location on your own

The last optional on-campus Parent/Family Orientation activity will conclude at approximately 11:45 AM on Friday, September 1. We recommend saying farewell at this time; however, there is no formal farewell program so parents/families are welcome to depart from campus whenever works best for their situation.

11:45 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

12:30 –1:00 P.M.
Muslim Student Gathering

Weyerhaeuser Chapel, Lower Level

Take a break from unpacking and join other Muslim students in the lower level of the Chapel. The Muslim Spiritual Advisor and Chaplain will be here to provide an orientation to the Musalla and Halal dining options.

12:45 P.M.–3:15 P.M.
*Academic Advising Block #1

Faculty Offices

Meet with your FYC professor at your appointed time to discuss your class schedule and academic plans. Advising appointments for first-year students will be arranged during the FYC meeting at 10:30 a.m.

12:00–2:00 P.M.
Academic Programs /Advising & Lunch for Transfer and Exchange Students

Markim Hall, Davis Court

This session is an opportunity for exchange students to meet with Director of Academic Programs & Advising, Dr. Ann Minnick, and staff from the Registrar’s Office to make sure you’re prepared for your academic advising appointment. Bring your questions about registration and class selection! Lunch will be provided, followed by a trip to Nelson’s Ice Cream.

1:00-3:00 P.M.
Languages Fair

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Atrium

Want to know more about learning languages at Mac?  Please join us at the World Languages Fair. Chat with our language faculty, learn about study and travel opportunities that span the globe, and enter a drawing to win gift cards to Macalester’s favorite local Middle Eastern restaurant.

1:15-2:00 P.M.
Wellness Breaks Session #1

Various Locations

Take a pause from Orientation, practice a little self-care, and learn how to maintain health and wellness at Mac.

• Mario Kart with Kathryn (The Loch): Whether you are a Mario Kart champion or newbie, all are welcome to take a break to play or watch this iconic game with Dr. Kathryn Kay Coquemont. Get to know other students, test your racing skills, and meet the Vice President for Student Affairs who will be both your number 1 fan at Mac (both on and off the race track) and part of your support system if you hit banana peels in your college experience.
• Get the Mac Facts (Leonard Center Portico): Stop by to spin the wheel of norms and answer a question about Macalester to win a prize!
• Vagus Nerve Breathing (Great Lawn): This wellness break will walk students through a series of embodied breath work techniques and vocal exercises to regulate the vagus nerve and reduce stress. The session will be guided by director of forensics, Beau Larsen (they/them).
• Meet Hamre Center for Health + Wellness staff and Macalester’s Therapy Dogs (Shaw Field): Stop by to meet Macalester’s therapy dogs, meet some of The Hamre Center for Health and Wellness’s staff and learn about the Hamre Centers services.
• Space Out with Career Exploration (Kagin Plaza and Lawn): Join the Career Exploration team and take a break amongst the stars! Come get galaxy slime, eat snacks inspired by space, make new friends (even if you’re not compatible according to your horoscopes…), and learn how to become a career astronaut to explore internships and jobs!

2:00–3:00 P.M.
BIPOC Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch

Join the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice (LSC) in the Loch for a BIPOC Gathering. The gathering will be an opportunity to be in community with other BIPOC students and to learn about the resources the Lealtad-Suzuki Center offers. This space is intended for any student who identifies as Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color. We look forward to seeing you there!

2:15–3:00 P.M.
Life at Mac Workshops Session #1

Various Locations

Join us for a series of interactive workshops on a variety of topics that will give you the information and tools you need to succeed at Mac.

• Knitting & Crocheting Through Minnesota Winters (Library 269/Idea Lab): Join this workshop to learn essential tips to surviving Minnesota winters while also making a beginner friendly hat or scarf!
• Navigating Mac Sites (ArtCom 102): Learn how to navigate between the various websites utilized most by students at Mac (1600 Grand, Moodle, etc)
• Cuisine in College Dorms (Kirk Hall 1st floor kitchen): Join this workshop to learn about a few dorm room staples and recipes to cook them!
• Getting Involved @ Mac (Campus Center Atrium): Workshop to learn how to get involved in leadership and student orgs on campus!
• Mental Health @ Mac (CC 214): This workshop will go over utilizing the various free resources across campus that can help you improve your mental health throughout the year ahead.
• Getting Around the Twin Cities (Bateman Plaza Table North): Interested in using transit and/or bicycles to get around and explore the Twin Cities? This workshop will help you to take advantage of the Metro Transit Universal Pass and Macalester bicycle resources. Learn about the major transit routes and bicycle infrastructure close to campus. Ask questions about neighborhoods and start to feel comfortable getting around nearby neighborhoods.

2:15–3:00 P.M.
Classroom Tours

Bateman Plaza

OLs will be available to bring you around campus and help you find your classrooms before the semester starts!

3:30–4:30 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Supporting Members of Our Community – BLUE GROUP

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

Our This Matters at Mac series highlights the values and practices that are most important to our community. This session will give an overview of the many resources at Macalester, how to access them, and building your personal support team for your time at Mac.

3:30-4:30 P.M.
*Scavenger Hunt – ORANGE GROUP

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

In partnership with the This Matters at Mac session about Supporting Members of Our Community, each Scottish House will team up to complete a scavenger hunt to learn more about the various resources that Macalester provides for students – follow the clues to find a prize at the end! 

4:30-5:30 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Supporting Members of Our Community – ORANGE GROUP

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

Our This Matters at Mac series highlights the values and practices that are most important to our community. This session will give an overview of the many resources at Macalester, how to access them, and building your personal support team for your time at Mac.

4:30-5:30 P.M.
*Scavenger Hunt – BLUE GROUP

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

In partnership with the This Matters at Mac session about Supporting Members of Our Community, each Scottish House will team up to complete a scavenger hunt to learn more about the various resources that Macalester provides for students – follow the clues to find a prize at the end! 

5:30 –8:00 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Dinner

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

5:45 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
Shabbat Candle Lighting and Welcome Gathering for Jewish Students (and friends)

Weyerhauser Chapel, Lower Level

Connect with Jewish first years, Macalester Jewish Organization leaders, and Macalester’s Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman for a moment of Shabbat peace in the midst of orientation. We’ll sing a little, schmooze, light candles, and taste some challah. We will gather in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, in the lower level of the chapel (next to the Campus Center).

6:30–9:30 P.M.
Macalester Women’s Soccer Game and Spirit Night

Macalester Stadium

Come support the Macalester Women’s Soccer team and get to know the Macalester club sports at a showcase before the game!

7:30–9:30 A.M.
Café Mac Open for Breakfast

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:00 A.M.–3:30 P.M.
*Advising Block #2

Faculty Offices

Meet with your FYC professor at your appointed time to discuss your class schedule and academic plans. Advising appointments for first-year students will be arranged during the FYC meeting on Friday at 10:30 a.m.

10:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
ITS Help Desk Drop-In Hours

Humanities 316

The ITS Help Desk is your one-stop-shop for technology help! We can help with campus wifi connections, setting up 2-factor authentication for your Google and 1600grand accounts, installing course software, and resetting a forgotten Macalester password. The ITS Help Desk offers tech support in person, by phone, email and chat. Get answers to your tech questions and ask for help at help.macalester.edu.

11:00–11:45 A.M.
Wellness Breaks Session #2

Various Locations

Take a pause from Orientation, practice a little self-care, and learn how to maintain health and wellness at Mac.

• Community Walk or Bike Ride (Marvin Plaza): Go on a short walk or bike ride around the local community to get to know the neighborhood.
• Hide & Seek in Olin-Rice (Olin-Rice 206/Smail Gallery): Join this wellness break to learn how to navigate through one of the biggest buildings on campus, Olin Rice, while playing hide & seek! It is a tradition to get lost here at least once!
• Board Games & Word Games (CC L12/The Loch): Join us for Scrabble, Uno, Monopoly & more!
• Friendship Bracelet Making (Library 269/Idea Lab): Come make a friendship bracelet for some of the new folks you’re meeting during orientation, a roommate, or a friend from home!
• Tie Dye on the Lawn (Kagin Plaza and Lawn): Join us to tie dye some items outside on the lawn!

11:00 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

1:00 P.M.–2:00 P.M.
Disability Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch

Interested in connecting with other disabled students at Macalester? This event is a space to build community with new and returning students. 

2:00–2:45 P.M.
Classroom Tours

Bateman Plaza

OLs will be available to bring you around campus and help you find your classrooms before the semester starts!

2:15–3:00 P.M.
Life at Mac Workshops #2

Various Locations

Join us for a series of interactive workshops on a variety of topics that will give you the information and tools you need to succeed at Mac.

• How to Bring Sustainability Into Your Dorm Life (Sustainability Office): During this workshop you will learn helpful tips about how to be more sustainable as a college student and how to bring sustainability into your dorm life.
• Pre-Health at Mac (Olin-Rice 206/Smail Gallery): Are you considering a career in healthcare? Please join us for a session to meet other pre-health students and health professions advisors at Mac! We will provide information about support available and recommend a few action items for your first year.
• Budgeting 101 (ArtCom 102): Join this workshop to learn some budgeting tips from unpperclassmen! Learn how to manage your monthly costs, while still being able to go get boba with friends now and then!
• Food Tour Around Campus (CC 214): Learn about some of the popular eateries and coffee shops around campus! *Be sure to bring money with you to purchase your treats!*
• Bike Repair Shop (Bike Shop): Learn how to fix minor repairs on your bike, and take a peek at the bike shop on campus!
• Outdoor Activities on Campus (Marvin Plaza): Learn how to create outdoors art and activities to get outside on campus!

4:00–5:00 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Health and Wellbeing

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

At Macalester, we understand that the choices you make about your wellness and wellbeing can significantly impact your success in college. This session will discuss the importance of care and making educated decisions about your physical, mental, and emotional health.

5:00–6:00 P.M.
*Scottish House Meeting #4

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

Engage in dialogue and activities connected to the TMAM session with your Scottish House.

5:00–8:00 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Dinner

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

6:00–10:00 P.M.
Season Opener Football Game

Macalester Stadium

Come watch the Macalester Varsity Football team’s home (and season) opener against University of Minnesota Morris!

7:00–8:00 P.M.
Finding Christian Community at Macalester

Weyerhaeuser Chapel, Lower Level

Looking for Christian Community while at Macalester? This touchpoint with the Christian Chaplain Sorrel Hester and student leaders will give you a taste of a community that emerges from the Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Non-Denominational traditions found at Macalester. We’ll have a simple meal, and some poetry or liturgy. This will be an opportunity for students to share hopes about community building. We’ll gather in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, or the Lower level of the Chapel.

8:00–11:00 P.M.
Campus Center Extravaganza

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center

Enjoy an evening of fun in the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center.  The Campus Center exists to provide opportunities to create community and connection for all Macalester students.  Join us to explore this space and enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout the building like trivia, mini-golf, and a short film festival.

8:30 P.M.
Mid-Orientation Havdallah and Schmoozing

Weyerhauser Chapel, Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Niche (lower level, outdoors)

A centering moment to move into the new week with other Jewish first years and OLs, and we’ll walk over to the CC Extravaganza together. Questions?  [email protected]

7:30–9:00 A.M.
Café Mac Open for Breakfast

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
ITS Help Desk Drop-In Hours

Humanities 316

The ITS Help Desk is your one-stop-shop for technology help! We can help with campus wifi connections, setting up 2-factor authentication for your Google and 1600grand accounts, installing course software, and resetting a forgotten Macalester password. The ITS Help Desk offers tech support in person, by phone, email and chat. Get answers to your tech questions and ask for help at help.macalester.edu.

8:45 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Community Engagement – BLUE GROUP

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

Organized by the Community Engagement Center (CEC), this session will introduce students to local community engagement sites, neighborhoods, and key Macalester partnerships. Students will learn how the CEC engages with community partners to build mutually beneficial partnerships, honor community knowledges, and uphold decolonial and anti-racist practices. Students will be assigned to either a morning or an afternoon session based on Scottish House assignments (see your Orientation name tag). Please be prepared for short walks outside (rain or shine) and reach out to Disability Services should you have accessibility needs or concerns.

9:00–10:00 A.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Sexual Respect and Title IX– ORANGE GROUP

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

This session will focus on empowerment and respect and was crafted to be trauma-informed, but we still offer a Content Warning for topics of sexual health, respect, and violence. Please prioritize personal wellbeing at this time and reach out to your Orientation Leader with any questions or concerns.

At Macalester, we believe in creating a culture that values consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. In this session, we’ll explore sexual respect, bystander intervention, helpful resources, and options for response. Attendees will identify resources available through the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Office, the Hamre Health and Wellness Center, and Ramsey County SOS.

10:00–11:00 A.M.
*Scottish House Meeting # 5 – ORANGE GROUP

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

Engage in dialogue and activities connected to the TMAM session with your Scottish House.

11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
Spill the Tea with Dr. C – ORANGE GROUP

The Loch

Come out, meet your Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Kathryn Kay Coquemont and spill the tea about your first few days at Mac. Our esteemed Dean, known for her wit and wisdom, will share with you fascinating tales and inspiring anecdotes, leaving you inspired and motivated to embark on your own academic adventures. Plus… free Mac mug for everyone who attends!

11:00 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

1:45–5:00 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Community Engagement – ORANGE GROUP

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

Organized by the Community Engagement Center (CEC), this session will introduce students to local community engagement sites, neighborhoods, and key Macalester partnerships. Students will learn how the CEC engages with community partners to build mutually beneficial partnerships, honor community knowledges, and uphold decolonial and anti-racist practices. Students will be assigned to either a morning or an afternoon session based on Scottish House assignments (see your Orientation name tag). Please be prepared for short walks outside (rain or shine) and reach out to Disability Services should you have accessibility needs or concerns.

2:00–3:00 P.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Sexual Respect and Title IX – BLUE GROUP

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

This session will focus on empowerment and respect and was crafted to be trauma-informed, but we still offer a Content Warning for topics of sexual health, respect, and violence. Please prioritize personal wellbeing at this time and reach out to your Orientation Leader with any questions or concerns.

At Macalester, we believe in creating a culture that values consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. In this session, we’ll explore sexual respect, bystander intervention, helpful resources, and options for response. Attendees will identify resources available through the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Office, the Hamre Health and Wellness Center, and Ramsey County SOS.

3:00-4:00 P.M.
*Scottish House Meeting # 5 – BLUE GROUP

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

Engage in dialogue and activities connected to the TMAM session with your Scottish House.

4:00-5:00 P.M.
Spill the Tea with Dr. C – BLUE GROUP

The Loch

Come out, meet your Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Kathryn Kay Coquemont and spill the tea about your first few days at Mac. Our esteemed Dean, known for her wit and wisdom, will share with you fascinating tales and inspiring anecdotes, leaving you inspired and motivated to embark on your own academic adventures. Plus… free Mac mug for everyone who attends!

5:00–8:00 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Dinner

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

7:00–9:00 P.M.
New Student Talent Show

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

Watch your classmates demonstrate their talents or show off your own at this annual talent show! You can sign up at this link!

7:30–9:00 A.M.
Café Mac Open for Breakfast

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:00–10:00 A.M.
*This Matters at Mac: Equity & Community Responsibility

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

Here at Macalester College, we believe campus inclusion, equity and belonging is everyone’s responsibility. The purpose of this session will be to support and empower you, as students, to begin to explore the principles of equity, inclusion and social justice as it relates to your own social identities and joining this beloved Macalester community. This session will work to deepen your understanding of the values of the Division for Institutional Equity, as well break down the division’s campus services, supportive offerings, and ways for you to get involved.

10:00–11:30 A.M.
*Scottish House Meeting #6

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

Engage in dialogue and activities connected to the TMAM with your Scottish House. This meeting will also serve as a closing session for the Scottish House group.

11:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

12:00–1:00 P.M.
Unconventional Start to College Lunch (Gap Year, Exchange, Transfers)

Weyerhaeuser Hall, Weyerhaeuser Boardroom

This luncheon is for students who took a gap year(s) after high school, who transferred to Macalester, or who are attending Macalester as exchange students. Students who attend can reflect on their experiences and meet and connect with other students.

1:00–1:45 P.M.
Life at Mac Workshops Session #3

Various Locations

Join us for a series of interactive workshops on a variety of topics that will give you the information and tools you need to succeed at Mac.

• Macalester Sustainability Tour (Sustainability Office): Come and see the different sustainability initiatives at Macalester and learn about how you can get involved? Stops on the tour will include community gardens, the Sustainability Office, the free swap, 1550 Summit, the bike shop and other initiatives around campus.
• Navigating Communication with Faculty (CC 214): Join this workshop to learn how to utilize office hours, and for tips and tricks on how to email your faculty about different class needs, or general communication.
• Maximizing Space in a Dorm Room (CC 215): This workshop will give students ideas on how to maximize the space in their dorms, and ways to move around and reconfigure the furniture provided!
• Utilizing the Idea Lab (Library 269/Idea Lab): Learn how to maximize the free resources available in the Idea Lab, and join us in making a few crafts!
• Crash Course on Technology @ Mac (Library 03/DRC): Join this workshop to learn how to utilize the technology resources and labs available on campus!
• Note-taking Methods (ArtCom 102): Join Macalester upperclassmen to learn tips and tricks for various different note-taking methods that helped us in our courses.

2:00–2:45 P.M.
Wellness Breaks Session #3

Various Locations

Take a pause from Orientation, practice a little self-care, and learn how to maintain health and wellness at Mac.

• Lawn Games with Student Athlete Mentors (SAMs) (Shaw Field): Come play lawn games and get to know Macalester’s Student Athlete Mentors! All are welcome to join.
• Yoga (Leonard Center Studio 1): Take some time to unwind and do some yoga!
• Music Therapy (ArtCom 102): Listen to the music all around us and learn to unwind using music.
• Painting with Bob Ross (Library 269/Idea Lab): Join us for painting, chatting, and the calming energy of Bob Ross as we paint along to his tutorials!
• Macalester College Student Government (Great Lawn): Come join member of student government to hangout on the great lawn! Stop by to play games, find out more about student leadership at Mac or just to hangout with your representatives!

2:00–3:00 P.M.
International Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch

This gathering celebrates the international student community at Mac and is an opportunity for students to connect with each other, as well as learn about resources and support networks for international students at Macalester and in the community.

3:00–4:00 P.M.
LGBTQIA Student Gathering

Kagin Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons

This gathering celebrates the LGBTQ+ community at Mac and is an opportunity for students to connect with each other and learn about resources and support networks on and off campus.

3:00–6:00 P.M.
Buses to Target (Sponsored by Program Board)

Leaving from Weyerhaeuser Hall

Forget something? Toothbrush? Laundry soap? Program Board has you covered. Take this private bus to Target and back to get your essentials. Buses leave from Weyerhaeuser Hall approximately every 30 minutes.

4:00–5:00 P.M.
First Generation College Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch

This session is intended for first generation college students, who are the first in their family to attend college. As you begin your college experience, join us with others who are on this journey, and learn about the people and resources that will support you from orientation to graduation.

5:00–8:00 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Dinner

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

8:00–9:00 P.M.
*Community Floor Meeting #2

Residence Halls

Connect with your Resident Assistant (RA) and floormates to continue to get to know each other and learn about being a member of a residential community.

First Day of Classes

11:30 A.M.–1:00 P.M.
First Thursday—Opening Convocation

Leonard Center, Alumni Gym

Opening Convocation serves as the official opening of the academic year. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. A complimentary lunch will follow the event!