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New Student Orientation & Welcome Weekend

Orientation 

Welcome Weekend 

Student Life

Take Flight With Your New Classmates

Welcome
to Notre Dame College!

As a new Notre Dame College student, you’ll get a head start on a successful, enjoyable college career with our New Student Orientation and our Welcome Weekend experiences.

Whether you’re a first-year, transfer, resident or commuter, New Student Orientation sessions and Welcome Weekend prior to the start of on-campus classes are designed especially for you.

You’ll get your first taste of the many opportunities our College has to offer, getting comfortable with campus, preparing for classes, making new friends and creating lasting memories.

New Student Orientation and Welcome Weekend are mandatory events for all incoming new students.

Details for summer and fall 2023 are forthcoming! 

Email Chis Gill, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, at dcgill@ndc.edu if you have questions!

Orientation:

On the Agenda

During summer on-campus orientation, students get to know other newly admitted Falcons in their class year and hear from current Notre Dame students about how to enrich their experiences at the College—all while visiting various facilities on campus and sharing lunch in the Notre Dame dining hall.

 

New Student Orientation 2023 takes place on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, May 24
  • Saturday, June 10
  • Friday, June 23
  • Friday, July 14
  • Thursday, August 3
  • Thursday, August 24

 

Schedules for Orientation 2023 are available using the links below:

 

New Student Orientation Images

View photos from our previous New Student Orientation sessions. See all our photo albums.

Welcome Weekend:
On the Agenda

Welcome Weekend 2023 will take place Aug. 25-27, which is the weekend before fall on-campus classes begin on Monday, Aug. 28.

Events will include the College’s traditional Academic Opening Convocation, an all-campus picnic, student organization involvement fair, mixers and many opportunities to make new friends. Attendance is required for several programs.

We welcome families to come to the Welcome Weekend kick-off, too! Details are forthcoming.

Welcome Weekend Photo Gallery

View photos from our previous Welcome Weekends. See all our photo albums.

Welcome Weekend Frequently Asked Questions

What's Welcome Weekend?

Welcome Weekend consists of intentional academic, social and community-building activities, structures and programs to help new and transfer students make a successful transition to Notre Dame College.

Am I required to attend Welcome Weekend?

Welcome Weekend is the start of your college experience and attendance is expected of all first-year students. The welcome experience engages undergraduates in the culture of the College immediately upon their arrival on campus. The first three weeks of a first-year student’s experience are critical to their success. Your First Year Falcon’s (FYF) class will meet during Welcome Weekend and attendance will be taken.

Do I need to be at every Welcome Weekend event?

Yes! We strongly encourage students to start their Notre Dame experience with Welcome Weekend. You’ll get a head start on learning academic expectations and enjoy social events to help you connect with your new classmates. You’ll also discover firsthand the many opportunities our campus has to offer.

I'm a commuter. Am I included in Welcome Weekend activities?

Yes! About 40 percent of Notre Dame undergraduates live off-campus and we want to make sure you feel connected on campus from the start. Notre Dame is your home too – even though you’re not living on campus, you’re part of our family. The experience during Welcome Weekend is important for commuters.

I'm an upper class transfer student. Why do I need to attend Welcome Weekend?

Even though you have experience with the academic expectations, responsibilities and opportunities of college life, we want to make sure you form meaningful connections with your new classmates, faculty and College community. Welcome Weekend helps you become part of the Falcon family and begin building those lasting relationships that will make your time on campus successful.

Do my parents attend Welcome Weekend?

There is a special Welcome Weekend Kickoff and Parent Send-Off that we encourage all parents or guardians to attend. The remainder of Welcome Weekend is designed for new students only.

Will returning students be at Welcome Weekend?

Yes! Your Welcome Weekend leaders will be upper-class students. Returning students also participate in several activities, so you’ll start to make connections with them immediately upon your arrival on campus.

I already attended orientation. How is Welcome Weekend different?

These days prior to the start of fall on-campus classes are a continuation of your summer orientation session. At Welcome Weekend, you’ll discover the many opportunities our campus has to offer, get a head start or learning academic expectations and enjoy social events to help you connect with your new classmates.

Why is Academic Opening Convocation part of Welcome Weekend?

Opening Academic Convocation marks the official start of the academic year. It serves as a bookend to your college career along with your graduation. During convocation, the College president, faculty and returning students officially welcome new students to the educational community. The tradition aims to honor and ease the first-year and transfer students’ transition to higher learning and living.

During the ceremony, each new student is presented a small medal featuring the College seal. The medallion represents the start of each student’s pursuit of personal, professional and global discovery as members of the Notre Dame family of scholars.

What is proper attire for Welcome Weekend?

Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and for the weather. Shorts and t-shirts are common. Students are asked to wear less-casual clothing to the Opening Academic Convocation.

What if I don’t have my College ID during Welcome Weekend activities?

A big part of Welcome Week is helping you to get all you need to get a smooth start as a new student on campus. Obtaining a College ID will be part of the scheduled process.

Some Welcome Weekend activities involve food. What if I have special dietary needs?

If you have special dietary needs or any other concerns, or email Dr. Chris Gill at dcgill@ndc.edu about your specific dietary needs.

What if my sports team has practice or meetings during Welcome Weekend activities?

Athletics teams will not schedule practices or other activities during Welcome Weekend events. Students are allowed free time at some points during the experience, so sports teams may request your attendance at those times. In addition, Welcome Weekend includes specific times for all affinity groups to connect with new students.

What if I am sick during Welcome Weekend?

If you’re unable to attend some Welcome Week activities due to illness, you will need to contact the Dean of Students, Dr. Chris Gill, to make other arrangements to ensure your transition to the College is smooth and successful. His email address is dcgill@ndc.edu.

What if I do not have someone to attend Welcome Weekend with me?

No problem! You’ll immediately meet Welcome Weekend leaders and will get to know other students during small-group activities. Welcome Weekend also features several social events to help you connect with your new classmates.

Get Ready for Orientation and Welcome Weekend

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