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Orientation for New Students

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NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

Welcome to Roberts!

You made the right choice! We have designed New Student Orientation with you in mind. We want you to become more familiar with the campus and your new home before you start classes the next day. When you arrive on campus, feel free to ask one of the many student leaders for help. 

All new freshmen and transfer students enrolling for the Spring'24 semester are expected to attend the Winter New Student Orientation on January 15 in the Golisano Library. It will be very beneficial to you and your new beginnings at Roberts! Registration will be sent to your email! 

If you have questions about anything related to the New Student Orientation, please contact Student_Life@roberts.edu. We look forward to having you on campus soon!

~ Celeste Donleavy | Associate Dean of Student Leadership & Engagement

Announcement: Fall 2023 Orientation Schedule 

MEET THE STAFF

FALL 2023 SCHEDULE - August 24-27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.| Administrative Office Hours

rinker

Rinker Community Service Center

  • Human Resources: Student Employment
  • Registration: Course Schedule Changes
  • Student Life: Meal plans, Residence Life, Student Activities, Diversity & Equity (now in GCEC)
  • Financial Services: Financial Aid, Billing, Loans, Cashier
vac

Voller Athletic Center (VAC)

  • Campus Safety: ID cards, Parking Permits
  • Mail Room: Mailbox Information
  • Bookstore: Textbooks, Redhawks Merchandise
  • Wellness Center: Health Information Forms, Counseling Services
  • Spiritual Life: Campus Pastor

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | RESIDENT STUDENT Check-In at the Welcome Tent

Location: Lower Rinker Community Service Center Lawn
Pick up your New Student Orientation schedule, guest meal tickets, residence hall room key, meet other parents, and enjoy a free cup of coffee!

9:00 a.m. | Residence Halls Open

Location: Your Residence Hall
Student leaders are available to help you move into your home away from home. Look for the smiling faces and volunteer shirts!

11:00 a.m. | COMMUTER STUDENT Check-In at the Welcome Tent

Location: Lower Rinker Community Service Center Lawn
Pick up your Orientation schedule, guest meal tickets, meet other parents, and enjoy a free cup of coffee!

11:30 a.m. | First Generation Student Meet & Greet

Location: Golisano Library Upstairs Fireside Room 235
This session orients new college students and families to the issues that first-gen students encounter, the notion of college culture shock, and the people and places they can go to ask questions.

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass. Online advance ticket sales will be available for purchase on August 1st. In addition, family members may purchase tickets on-site in Garlock on Friday.

1:00 p.m. | Parent Conversation with President Hayles

Location: Golisano Community Engagement Center, 102 (Rinker Conference Hall)
Parents! You are invited to hear a special message from President Hayles and meet other parents. Sponsored by the Office of the President and Student Life.

​1:00 p.m. | First-Year Student Redhawk Guide Meet & Greet

Location: Library Courtyard
All first-year students are invited to meet their Redhawk Guide and other first-year students.

​1:00 p.m. | Transfer Student Faculty Meet & Greet

Location: Golisano Library Café
All transfer students are invited to meet upper class students and faculty from their academic major.

1:30 p.m. | International Meet & Greet

Location: Garlock Lawn (Look for the flags!)
Are you an international student OR have you lived outside the US for an extended period of time (missionary kid, TCK, military parents, permanent resident, dual citizen, etc.)? The Office of International Engagement would like to meet you! Come meet the OIE staff as well as new and upper-class students who share similar international backgrounds and cross-cultural experiences.

2:15 p.m. | Alumni Legacy Photo

Location: Golisano Community Engagement Center Commons
Celebrate the Roberts Legacy with a photo of Roberts Alumni families. Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement.

3:00 p.m. | Chapel & Commissioning for New Students and Parents!

Location: Hale Auditorium, CLC
Welcome to Roberts! Enjoy this opening tradition for all new students and parents. Parents are encouraged to depart campus following this Kick-Off.

4:00 p.m. Parents are free to depart campus at this time

5:00 p.m. | President's Dinner at the Arch

Location: Golisano Library Lawn
Enjoy dinner with President Hayles at the Arch in front of the Golisano Library. Students will then participate in the school tradition of walking through the Arch, signifying the beginning of their Roberts journey. Dress is very casual! Rain site is Garlock Dining Commons.

6:30 p.m. | First Residence Hall Meeting

Location: Residence Area
First year students can meet with their floor mates, RA and RD!

6:30 p.m. | Commuter Connect!

Location: Golisano Library Cafe

This session is specific to the commuter student experience. Learn about Student Clubs/Organizations, hear from our Commuter Student Leaders, and make connections with new students!

8:00 p.m. | Variety Show

Location: Golisano Library Front Steps 
Laugh and win prizes! Limited seating available. Sponsored by the Student Association Leadership Team (SALT). Rainsite location is GCEC 102

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass.

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Learn Campus Basics

Location: Hale Auditorium
Learn about Spiritual Life Credits, then head over to the Golisano Library to learn about Email, Moodle, Self Service, Library Resources, The Learning Center, and student support services.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch with your FYS Section

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Have lunch with your FYS section!

1:00 p.m. | New F1 Student Meeting

Location: Golisano Library Room 134

International students are required to attend a Mandatory International Students Meeting every year. This mandatory meeting will include important updated information regarding immigration regulations, social security numbers, and bank accounts.

1:30 p.m. | Diversity & Belonging Engagement

Location: Golisano Community Engagement Center 102
Meet and connect with BIPOC faculty, staff and students. All are welcome!

3:00 p.m. | Roberts Venture Games

Location: Mersereau Lawn (next to the Hastings Building) 
Watch or compete in unique games and meet your Redhawk class. Rainsite: Voller Athletic Center (VAC).

4:00 p.m. | Department Orientations

Location: See your New Student Orientation Booklet for room locations
Meet faculty, staff and students from your major, and learn valuable information that you will need to start your first semester at RWU.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner with Your Major

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Dine with professors and students from your academic major! Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass.

8:30 p.m. | Late Night Adventure

Location: Golisano Library Courtyard
Enjoy a late night campus-wide adventure brought to you by SALT. Running shoes recommended.

9:15 p.m. |  Party on the Patio

Location: Golisano Library Patio
Top off your evening with late night pizza and music! Sponsored by SALT.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass.

8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 19th annual Roberts Day of Service

Garlock Dining Commons
Service is an important aspect of our mission. Participate, Learn, and Serve! Wear a Roberts shirt (if you have one) and durable shoes for this service activity.

12:00 p.m.| Lunch

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Rest or Caffeine. Your choice!

Use this time to rest from the morning of service, or stop by the Library Patio for a free drink and explore the campus.

2:00 p.m. | Cold Treats at VICS

Location: Golisano Library Front Steps
Interested in joining The Global Club? Come get some ice cream and hang out with new students.

3:00 p.m. | North Chili Walking Tour

Location: Tour departs from the Library Patio

Take a walking tour of North Chili and see what the community offers including coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacy, and the post office. Tours led by knowledgeable students.

3:00 p.m. | Commuter Classroom Search 

Location: Golisano Library Steps
Bring your class schedule and upper class students will help you be prepared!

4:00 p.m. Insider Guide to Campus Life

Location: Golisano Community Engagement Center 102 Event Space
Hear from upper class students how to navigate campus life including student activities, safety, accountability, Chapel requirements, and learn about the city of Rochester.


5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner in Garlock with your floor! 

Location: Garlock Dining Commons
Bring your ID and dine with your RA and floor residents! Each new student not on a meal plan will receive a complimentary meal pass. Commuters are invited to sign-in for a complimentary meal!

7:00 p.m. | Karaoke and Mingle

Location: Golisano Library Courtyard
Come try out your singing talents, meet new people and enjoy snow cones! Sponsored by SALT Multi-Ethnic Affairs Director.

9:00 p.m. |  Glow Games

Location: Carpenter Lawn (rain site VAC Arena)
Glow Games. Need we say more? Get ready to have a blast and celebrate the beginning of the school year! Sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

9:30 a.m. | Worship Service 

Location: Pearce Church

10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Brunch

Location: Garlock Dining Commons

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Bookstore Open

Location: Bookstore, Upper VAC
Stop by the Bookstore on this day before classes begin.

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Bus to Chili-Plaza: Target and Wegmans

Departure Location: Garlock/upper Rinker parking loop
Need to pick up a few essentials? A bus to the Chili-Paul Plaza will depart every 30 minutes from the Garlock/upper Rinker parking loop starting at 1:00 p.m. with the last bus departing the Chili-Paul Plaza at 4:45 p.m. Limited seating is available.

1:00 p.m. | Explore Rochester Bus Tour 

Departure Location: Garlock/upper Rinker parking loop
Take a bus tour of Rochester and see what the city offers. Tours led by knowledgeable students.

4:00 p.m. | Resident Student Classroom Search 

Location: Library Patio. Bring your class schedule and upper class students will help you be prepared!

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Chorale Auditions

Location: Cox Hall 207
To see the audition requirements visit www.roberts.edu/chorale. For more information, contact Dr. Adam Potter (Potter_Adam@roberts.edu)

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner

Location: Garlock Dining Commons

7:00 p.m. | Outdoor Worship Event

Location: Golisano Library Courtyard
Join us for this student-led worship event. Rain site is GCEC 102. Sponsored by SALT and the Office of Spiritual Life.

8:00 p.m. | Residence Hall Meetings

Location: Your Residence Hall
Connect with your RA and enjoy meeting others on your residence floor!

MONDAY, AUGUST 28

Classes begin – Consult your class schedule

7:45 a.m. | New Student "Stop & Go" Coffee & Donuts

Location: Student Financial Services in Rinker (Lower Level)

Looking for some last-minute directions and inspiration for your first day of class? Join the staff from Student Financial Services for a quick bite and a coffee to go! 

*Special Note to International Students:
International students are required to attend a Mandatory International Students Meeting every year. This mandatory meeting will include important updated information regarding immigration regulations, social security numbers, and bank accounts. All new F-1 students must attend this meeting to be scheduled by the Office of International Engagement. Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting should contact the Office of International Engagement at OIE@roberts.edu.

Campus Tour Video

https://youtu.be/WreFi600d74  

Want another look at campus before the semester starts? Join former student and current Admissions Counselor Becca Gartland for a 15 minute walk through campus.

VIRTUAL ORIENTATION OPPORTUNITY

For students beginning their chapter at Roberts in today's world of advanced technology, the Orientation experience can be multi-faceted! In addition to hosting in-person experiences, we are happy to provide virtual avenues for your transition to Roberts! Below are some ways you can start the learning about our resources.

Campus Tour Video

https://youtu.be/WreFi600d74  

Want another look at campus before the semester starts? Join former student and current Admissions Counselor Becca Gartland for a 15 minute walk through campus.

Online Resources

https://rwc.roberts.edu/online-resources-for-students/

As you prepare to take your classes online, the following information should help! We will be updating this site as more questions arise and more tutorials become available.

Student Accounts and Self Service

https://youtu.be/N7TOp9ca4zo

To help you better understand your Student Account and Self Service, watch this video by Patrick Glantz, Director of Instructional Technology & Training. He’ll help you access your Roberts login and complete information forms. Self Service is the online student information system, located on the Roberts Intranet site (rwc.roberts.edu). This is the place where you can access your class schedule, grades, an unofficial copy of your transcript, interact with your Advisor, register for classes, and view your financial and other student account information. For help in navigating this important lifeline, visit https://rwc.roberts.edu/it-services/training/r-serve.aspx.

Financial Aid and Student Bills

https://youtu.be/ClEF-OawBe4

Our Executive Director of Student Financial Services, Amy Schmalfuss, will walk you through our financial aid and billing process in this video.

Learning Center

https://youtu.be/gcPchbOHpUk

Curious about academic support and resources available? Hear the answer from Ashley Cooper in our Learning Center.

College Success Tips

https://youtu.be/x1QTgFnDdLs

Want to know the secret in succeeding in college? Here’s another video with Ashley Cooper who serves as an adjunct professor and a staff member in our Learning Center.

orientation

FIRST 40 DAYS HIGHLIGHTS

Check out the Campus Calendar at www.roberts.edu/calendar for information on events and activities occurring during the First 40 Days of the semester!

For more information, contact...

Celeste Donleavy
Associate Dean of Student Leadership and Engagement
Donleavy_Celeste@Roberts.edu
Office of Student Life
Phone: 585-594-6567

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11

orientation