Summer Orientation Pilot

Students and families will arrive at Flint Hall to check in for Orientation, and check in to their overnight accommodations at Flint (if they are staying overnight). Vehicles may use the temporary parking lot behind Flint Hall, but then must move to University Avenue Garage for the Orange Welcome session.

Students, parents, family members and supporters may enjoy a grab and go breakfast and be officially welcomed by members of the University’s leadership team, review the schedule, meet the Orientation Leaders and dismiss to Small Groups.

Students will be dismissed from the Orange Welcome session to meet with their Orientation Leader. Students will focus on meeting other new students, learn more about campus from a current student’s perspective and more.

Students will learn about dining center procedures and enjoy all-you-can-eat at Shaw Dining Center! Families will re-join students at this time for the meal. Students will have a staggered lunch schedule to accommodate for capacity.

Students may choose from the following activities to create their own afternoon schedule. *Indicates sessions that require a pre-registration. Students will be sent a pre-registration form via email (i.e. @syr.edu). 

• Student Engagement
  • Learn about student organizations, leadership and get a sneak peek at Orange After Dark programming during this session.
• Career Services
  • Learn how to set yourself up for success during your first year and look ahead to those coveted internships and career exploration events hosted throughout the academic year.
• Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
  • Curious about participating in fraternity or sorority recruitment in the spring? Visit the FASA office and meet the team, learn about the process and get your questions answered.
• ‘Cuse Works (Student Employment)
  • Looking for a job on campus during your first semester? The ‘Cuse Works team has you covered!
• Syracuse University Libraries
  • Community Tapestry 2024: Please join us in Bird Library to contribute your story to a tapestry that illustrates your incoming 2024 community. We will have arts and crafts supplies for each person to create a fabric square about themselves and one thing they learn about our library (we’ll help with that second part). We will stitch them together and display the tapestry in the library. Please stop by to hang out and have fun in a comfortable and creative space.
• Low-Stimulation Room
  • Take a break from the crowd and the heat and relax for a bit!
• Dean of Students Suite (Student Outreach and Support, Parent and Family Services, Community Standards, STOP Bias & Hate, Student Title IX)
  • Learn about how students can stay safe and be supported throughout their first year and beyond!
• Challenge Course (high ropes course)*
  • Students will be shuttled to South Campus to participate in leadership-developing and team-building activities both on the ground and on the high ropes course! Space is very limited. Students participating in this activity will be unable to participate in any other sessions during this time block.
• Thriving at Syracuse University*
  • In this interactive session, students will learn about one of the ways they can thrive during their time at Syracuse University and it is as simple as being kind to yourself! We will engage in discussion and activities centered around self-compassion, including a guided meditation. Space is very limited. Students participating in this activity will be unable to participate in any other sessions during this time block.
• “Make a Difference!” Service Project*
  • Participate in a service project led by staff in Hendricks Chapel! Students that participate in this session will be able to participate in other activities that do not require registration during this time block.
• Hendricks Chapel Open House/Tour
  • Get some refreshments, Hendricks Chapel swag, tour the “Heart of Campus,” and learn about all that Hendricks has to offer!
• Syracuse University Art Museum Expo*
  • Visit Shaffer to learn about the Syracuse University Art Museum and other art venues on campus, create your own piece of art and participate in a scavenger hunt on campus! Students that participate in the campus tour will be able to participate in other activities during this time block.
• Campus Tour with Orientation Leaders*
  • Explore every corner of campus with a walking tour led by Orientation Leaders! Learn about different hot spots, best travel routes to and from your residence hall and other campus history and traditions. Students that participate in the campus tour will be able to participate in other activities during this time block.

Students will re-join their parents, families, supporters and Orientation Leaders for a cookout dinner!

Students will participate and engage with each other on creating a campus welcoming for all. This session will focus on free speech, resilience and inclusion.

Orientation Leaders will lead one of the highest rated sessions offered during the program. Come to your Small Group meeting ready to reflect, be curious and build a strong community within your group.

Explore what the Barnes Center at The Arch has to offer through recreation and mindfulness. If you are ready to wind down for the evening, Flint Hall will have board games and other activities to help you relax at the end of Day 1.

Students can grab a quick breakfast at Flint and check out of their room. Students who wish to keep their overnight bag in a secure location can do so in Schine Student Center in the Luggage Check room.

Students may choose from the following activities to create their own afternoon schedule. *Indicates sessions that require a pre-registration. Students will be sent a pre-registration form via email (i.e. @syr.edu). 

• Campus Tour with Orientation Leaders*
  • Explore every corner of campus with a walking tour led by Orientation Leaders! Learn about different hot spots, best travel routes to and from your residence hall and other campus history and traditions. Students that participate in the campus tour will be unable to participate in other activities during this time block.
• Intercultural Collective Open House
  • Learn about the Disability Cultural Center (DCC), LGBTQ+ Resource Center and Multicultural Affairs, tour their space and learn how to be involved during your first year!
• Shaw Center for Public and Community Service
  • The Shaw Center provides institutional leadership for experiential learning through community engagement in order to enhance academic learning objectives, research and the student experience. Meet the staff and learn about applications for the fall semester!
• Syracuse Abroad*
  • Study abroad is one of the best parts of the college experience – and Syracuse University makes it all possible! Join Syracuse Abroad staff and student ambassadors for a presentation to learn more about where you can study, how you can fit it into your degree, and what incredible experiences you’ll have on your journey.  You’ll be ready to “imagine the world differently” once you learn about invaluable internships, class field trips, language study at all levels, homestays and community engagement projects. Plus, everyone will get to pick out some international candy! Students that participate in the campus tour will be able to participate in other activities during this time block.
• Living Learning Communities*
  • Along with your fellow LLC students, test your wits in this fun and interactive session where you will explore how LLCs can help you live, learn, and engage at Syracuse University. Will you rise to the challenge? Students that are in a Living Learning Community will be automatically registered for this session and will be unable to participate in other activities during this time block.
• Low-Stimulation Room
  • Take a break from the crowd and the heat and relax for a bit!

Connect with your Small Group one final time and get your final questions answered.

Learn about living on campus, residence hall and commuter resources, leadership opportunities and community expectations. This is required for both residential students and commuter students.

Reconnect with your parents, family members and supporters one final time before meeting with your academic school or college and enjoy a lunch in Shaw Dining Center.

Receive a warm welcome from your staff from your home school/college, review advising processes, course schedules, adjustments to schedules and resources available to you within your school/college.

We have identified students from five states and from certain schools and colleges to allow us to test a summer orientation experience for students entering in fall 2024. The pilot will provide those students, parents, families and supporters opportunities to explore campus resources, meet with academic advisors, make meaningful connections with other new students and become more familiar with campus as an incoming student.

Incoming students invited to participate will not have an advantage toward course enrollment, housing or other requirements. Feedback will be sought from attendees and campus partners, used to then evaluate the pilot for possible implementation for the summer of 2025.

Invited students, parents, family members and supporters will not have to pay to attend. Travel accommodations should be arranged by the student and/or their guests. Parking will be available for free during the program.

• For students: materials, meals and overnight accommodations are covered by the University.
• For parents, family members and supporters: materials and meals are covered by the University. Overnight accommodations should be arranged as needed and are not covered by the University.

While we are still finalizing the schedule, students will have required sessions to attend as well as a menu of sessions for students to choose from based on interest, identity and similar. Highlights of the schedule include the following.

Day 1

• Overnight stay in a residence hall.
• A welcome from University Leadership.
• Small Group meetings led by Orientation Leaders.
• “Exploring Campus: Part 1” where students can choose from sessions covering how to be involved, campus resources, Hendricks Chapel and more. Other opportunities will include experiences like high ropes course, team building and a low-stimulation area.
• “What does it mean to be Orange?” panel.
• Late night programming and more!

Day 2

• “Exploring Campus: Part 2” where students can choose from sessions covering Thriving at Syracuse, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, open houses, Syracuse Abroad, housing tours, campus tours, Dome tours and more.
• “What does it mean to live in community?” presented by Student Living.
• School and College Welcome and Academic Advising.

Students will receive their SU I.D. Card and other materials as well. Please note that students receiving their I.D. Card at the pilot will not receive one during move-in in August.

A group of 300 incoming students, accompanied by their families and adult supporters, will be invited to participate in phase one of the pilot. Incoming students invited to participate will not have an advantage toward course enrollment, housing or other requirements. Feedback will be sought from attendees and campus partners, used to then evaluate the pilot for possible future expansion and roll-out for the summer of 2025.

Students that have majors in the School of Architecture,  College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, School of Education and David B. Falk College of Sport* are invited to the pilot.

The pilot has a cap of 300 students. Each school/college has their own cap as well. For example, if the School of Education reaches their capacity but the School of Architecture has not, registration will appear closed for School of Education students once the capacity is reached, but will remain open for School of Architecture students. Invited students that are unable to register may be placed on a wait list by calling New Student Programs at 315.443.9187.

*only select Falk majors will be included in the pilot.

Students will be able to check in to the residence hall on Monday, July 15, 2024 from 7-9  a.m. The first session for the program will begin at 9 a.m. in Goldstein Auditorium at Schine Student Center.

Students will be able to check out of the residence hall on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 7-9 a.m. The first session for Day 2 of the program will begin at 9 a.m.

Students and families should plan on leaving campus no later than 4 p.m. on July 16. Please arrange travel plans accordingly.

Students participating in the pilot will be paired with a roommate for the night in a residence hall. Students will not be in their fall assignment and it is unlikely that their fall roommate will be participating in the pilot. This experience will introduce students to living in a residence hall, what it is like to have a roommate and more.

The room accommodation, pillow, blanket, sheet set and a towel are provided for each student. All meals are provided throughout the program.

Parents, families and supporters are invited to explore local hotels for their overnight stay in Syracuse, NY.

The pilot in 2024 is not a replacement for Welcome Week attendance from Aug. 22-25, 2024. All students are required to attend Welcome Week events.

Students will not receive advantages from attending the pilot program.

For capacity purposes, only students that have received an invitation from New Student Programs will be able to participate in the pilot program.

Yes, they are encouraged to participate! Parents, family members and adult supporters will have a full schedule that takes place concurrently with the student schedule. If younger siblings attend, they will accompany the student’s adult guests.

Due to capacity for the Summer Orientation Pilot, we must stay within our 300-student limit and only students invited to attend may participate in the pilot. We will not facilitate on-site registrations for the pilot.

We want to assure all students that whether they attend the pilot or not, their requirements and service over the summer will continue as planned inclusive of resource-sharing and course enrollment. If students are looking for an opportunity to come to campus early, meet new people and learn more about campus, we invite you to explore the following options.

• SummerStart
• Pre-Welcome Programs