New Student Orientation Schedule 2025

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

7:30 A.M. – 9:30 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 Orientation Check-In*

Residence Halls and Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill 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.

10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Resource Fair

Leonard Center, Schall Atrium

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

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!

11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Zero Waste Lunch

Leonard Center Fieldhouse

Enjoy an all-campus lunch with fellow new students.

12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Campus Tours

Meet at Flagpole (Rain: Weyerhaeuser Chapel)

Join a student-led campus tour to get familiar with key spots and campus life. Meet at the flagpole.

1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.
Café Mac Tour: Navigating Food Allergies and Celiac Disease

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

Brought to you by the Disability Resource Center 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.

2:15 P.M. – 3:15 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.

3:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Orientation Welcome*

Leonard Center, Fieldhouse

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

4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Welcome to Your Life at Mac*

Leonard Center, Fieldhouse

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.

5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Dinner on Your Own and Family Farewell

Location on your own

If your family will be departing on Monday, 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.

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Transfer and Exchange Student Welcome Dinner

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

Various Residence Halls, check email from your RA

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

9:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
First Year S’mores Social

Bateman Plaza (Rain: Lowe Dayton Arts Commons)

Join us for a cozy evening on Bateman Plaza and the Great Lawn, featuring firepits (weather permitting), gooey s’mores, and live music from a DJ. It’s the perfect chance to unwind and connect with your fellow first-years after a busy first day!

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:00 A.M – 10:00 A.M.
This Matters at Mac: Supporting Members of Our Community*

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.

10:00 A.M. – 11:00 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.

11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Languages Fair

Campus Center, Second Floor

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.

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Transfer/Exchange Orientation *

Dewitt Wallace Library, Harmon Room, First Floor

Gather with fellow transfer and exchange students to learn about resources for transfer and exchange students.

11:00-12:00 Campus Resource Orientation

Gather with fellow transfer and exchange students to learn about resources for transfer and exchange students

12:00-1:00 Campus Connections Lunch 

Meet with staff from Academic Programs and Student Affairs to get personalized academic advising and explore ways to get involved on campus.

1:00-1:30 From There to Here: A student panel conversation

A panel conversation with previous Transfer and Exchange Students about life at MAC.

1:30-2:00 Library Tour

Explore the library’s key resources, study areas, and services in this 30-minute guided tour.

2:00-4:00 Off Campus Excursion

11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

11:30 A.M. – 12:15 P.M.
Life at Mac Workshops #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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
This Matters at Mac: Academics/First-Year Course Meeting* 

FYC Classrooms – Check Your Nametag

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 learn more about academic advising.

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
First Year Advising*

Various Locations

This session will continue your time with your FYC, but with a focus on advising for the first semester and beyond. You’ll have a chance to discuss and make any necessary changes to your schedule, and ask questions you may have about your courses. Your professor may also use this time to continue to get to know you and your classmates and share more about themselves and what you can expect from the semester ahead.

4:00 P.M. – 4:45 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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Students with Disabilities Gathering

Ruth Sticker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

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

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Campus Center Extravaganza

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center

Discover everything the Campus Center has to offer at the Campus Center Extravaganza, a lively night of mini golf, arcade games, creative crafts, and free snacks and more!

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:00 A.M – 10:00 A.M.
This Matters at Mac: Institutional Equity (Blue)*

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

This session will deepen your understanding of the mission, framing, practices, services, and resources offered through the Division for Institutional Equity. At this session, you will learn how to engage with our two student servicing centers: the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice and the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. We will also highlight our equity education efforts and share where and how you can report incidents of bias, discrimination, and Title IX violations. By the end of the session, you will have the information you need to plug into our division and connect with each other in ways that advance an equitable and inclusive Macalester College.

9:00 A.M – 10:00 A.M.
This Matters at Mac: Health & Wellbeing (Orange)*

Health and well-being are key Macalester values and essential to support your time at Mac. In this interactive session, we will highlight the people and resources of the Hamre Center for Health & Wellness, bust common myths and misperceptions, and empower students in their emerging role as active partners in their own care.

10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Scottish House Meeting #3*

Various Locations – Check Name Tag

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

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

1:00 P.M – 2:00 P.M.
This Matters at Mac: Institutional Equity (Orange)*

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

This session will deepen your understanding of the mission, framing, practices, services, and resources offered through the Division for Institutional Equity. At this session, you will learn how to engage with our two student servicing centers: the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice and the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. We will also highlight our equity education efforts and share where and how you can report incidents of bias, discrimination, and Title IX violations. By the end of the session, you will have the information you need to plug into our division and connect with each other in ways that advance an equitable and inclusive Macalester College.

1:00 P.M – 2:00 P.M.
This Matters at Mac: Health & Wellbeing (Blue)*

Health and well-being are key Macalester values and essential to support your time at Mac. In this interactive session, we will highlight the people and resources of the Hamre Center for Health & Wellness, bust common myths and misperceptions, and empower students in their emerging role as active partners in their own care.

2:00 P.M. – 3:00 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.

3:00 P.M. – 3:45 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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
LGBTQIA2S+ Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch (lower level)

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

4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

6:45 P.M. –8:00 P.M.
Christian Community Welcome Bonfire

Weyerhaeuser Chapel, Lower Level Patio

Looking for Christian community while at Macalester? Come chat and reflect on new beginnings over smores, refreshments and a bonfire with student leaders and Christian Chaplain Sorrel! This will be an opportunity for new students to share hopes for the year, ask questions about life at Mac, and learn about places to grow spiritually in the Twin Cities. We’ll gather outside the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, or the lower level of the Chapel.

8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Movie Night on the Lawn

Great Lawn (rain: John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Lower Level Campus Center)

Enjoy the beautiful August weather by taking in an outdoor movie on the Great Lawn with free popcorn! Movie being screened will be announced later in the summer.

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

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

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 the Center for Disability Resources should you have accessibility needs or concerns.

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

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

This trauma-informed session is focused on empowerment and respect and will cover topics of sexual health and misconduct. With this content warning, 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 everyday consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. In this session, we’ll explore sexual respect, helpful resources, and options for response. Attendees will identify resources available through the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Office, the Hamre Health and Wellness Center, OutFront MN, Saint Paul Intervention Project, and Ramsey County SOS.

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

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. – 1:00 P.M.
Café Mac Open for Lunch

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

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

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.

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

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 the Center for Disability Resources should you have accessibility needs or concerns.

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

Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

This trauma-informed session is focused on empowerment and respect and will cover topics of sexual health and misconduct. With this content warning, 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 everyday consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. In this session, we’ll explore sexual respect, helpful resources, and options for response. Attendees will identify resources available through the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Office, the Hamre Health and Wellness Center, OutFront MN, Saint Paul Intervention Project, and Ramsey County SOS.

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

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.

4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
BIPOC Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch (lower level)

Join the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice (LSC) 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.

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

7:00 P.M. – 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!

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

9:30 A.M. – 11:00 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.

11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
International Student Gathering

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, The Loch (lower level)

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.

11:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
First Generation to College Gathering/Orientation

Weyerhaeuser Boardroom

This session is for first-generation college students to connect with the first-gen. community here at Macalester. Together, we will explore resources, support, and share advice on how to successfully navigate this unknown landscape. Come ready to get those last-minute questions answered in a safe and supportive space so you can start feeling grounded and ready to plug into the full college experience.

1:00 P.M. – 1:45 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.

See the full list and descriptions HERE.

1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Lunch, Tour and Friday (Jumu’ah) Prayers with Macalester Muslim Student Association

Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (chapel lower level)

Members of the Muslim community are invited to gather for lunch, conversation with MSA student leaders, a tour of prayer spaces, and (Jumu’ah) prayer.

2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Campus Scavenger Hunt*

TBD

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! 

3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Orientation Closing: Class Picture & T-Shirt Giveaway

Shaw Field

Celebrate the end of orientation with a t-shirt giveaway and class picture out on Shaw Field!

5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Shabbat Candle Lighting and Welcome Gathering for Jewish Students and Friends

Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (chapel lower level)

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

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

Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac

5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Macalester Spirit Night: Club Sports Showcase

Stadium

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

Various Residence Halls, check email from your RA

First Day of Classes*

First Thursday—Opening Convocation

Leonard Center, Fieldhouse

Opening Convocation serves as the official opening of the academic year.

Life at Mac Workshop Session #1
11:30 A.M. – 12:15 P.M. Tuesday, August 26

Wellness Break Session #1
4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.M. Tuesday, August 26

Life at Mac Workshop Session #2
3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M. Wednesday, August 27

Wellness Break Session #2
4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.M. Wednesday, August 27

Life at Mac Workshop Session #3
11:00 A.M. – 11:45 P.M. Friday, August 29

Wellness Break Session #3
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. Friday, August 29