New Student Orientation

a crowd of Occidental students walking out of Thorne Hall on campus

We are excited to partner with you in your journey as a new student at Occidental College.

Orientation is designed to foster a celebratory and welcoming environment where new students can explore how to make informed academic decisions and responsible social choices by tapping into resources and services offered by the College. By building a sense of community that connects students to faculty, staff, administrators, and each other, orientation also fosters an appreciation of Occidental’s commitment to equity, excellence, and service. Orientation is mandatory for all new students. For more information, email Sabrina Willison at swillison@oxy.edu.

 

Goals

  • Celebrate new students, build excitement, and reaffirm their choice in Occidental College.
  • Demonstrate that Occidental is a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive campus.
  • Provide a framework for four years of success through the communication of expectations, norms, and standards.
  • Honor a distinctive interdisciplinary and multicultural academic program.
  • Introduce a culture of care, high-impact involvement opportunities, and outstanding leadership development programs.
  • Identify shared aspirations of social justice, cultural competence, and engaged citizenship.
  • Educate students about sexual misconduct and discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policies.

 

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • Participants will be able to convey their own purpose of education.
  • Participants will be able to define Occidental’s mission and describe where their personal goals and values align with the College’s vision.
  • Participants will be able to identify campus resources and student services that support their educational and personal development.
  • Participants will be able to identify community engagement and leadership development opportunities.
  • Participants will be able to articulate the importance of building a personal connection to the campus community.
  • Participants will reflect on and assess the New Student Orientation, detailing their experiences and opportunities for program growth.

First-Year Orientation Schedule

WhenWhereWhat
8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Johnson Student CenterWelcome & Check-in
10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Concessions StandTouchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.Residence HallsLiving on Campus: Expectations & Community Building
4 - 5 p.m.Keck TheaterMatriculation
5:00 - 7 p.m.Remsen Bird Hillside TheaterWelcome to Oxy! A Community Celebration
7 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 10 p.m.Cannon PlazaLate-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 - 10 a.m.Various Campus LocationsOrientation Team Time
10 - 11 a.m.Thorne AuditoriumAcademic Integrity
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Community Building Sessions

  • Community and Equity Overview
  • Preventing Islamophobia
  • Preventing Antisemitism
12 - 1 p.m.MarketplaceLunch
12 - 1 p.m.Cannon PlazaFirst-Gen Lunch
1 - 2:30 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Oxy Comunity Resources

  • Civil Rights and Title IX* (Trigger Warning)
  • Project SAFE* (Trigger Warning)
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs
2:30 - 4 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Wellbeing Conversations

  • A Community of Care
  • Emmons & Wellbeing
  • Disability Services
4 - 4:30 p.m.Various Campus LocationsOrientation Team Time
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.Academic QuadAcademic Fair
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.JSC QuadSweet Sendoffs
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.Concessions StandTouchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.VidiotsLA Engage Move Night
8 - 10 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSCSLICE – Late-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 - 10:30 a.m.Johnson HallLanguage Placement Exams
9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.Fowler HallResource Share (O-Team)
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Community Building Sessions

  • Community and Equity Overview
  • Preventing Islamophobia
  • Preventing Antisemitism
12 - 1 p.m.MarketplaceLunch
1 - 2:30 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Oxy Comunity Resources

  • Civil Rights and Title IX* (Trigger Warning)
  • Project SAFE* (Trigger Warning)
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs
2:30 - 4 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Wellbeing Conversations

  • A Community of Care
  • Emmons & Wellbeing
  • Disability Services
4 - 5 p.m.Booth Hall Music Theory Placement Exam
4 - 5:30 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSC QuadIce Cream with Campus Safety
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSC, Choi SLICE – Late-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 - 10:30 a.m.Mosher 1Math Placement Exams
9 - 10:30 a.m.Various Campus LocationsResource Scavenger Hunt
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Community Building Sessions

  • Community and Equity Overview
  • Preventing Islamophobia
  • Preventing Antisemitism
12 - 1 p.m.MarketplaceLunch
1 - 2:30 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Oxy Comunity Resources

  • Civil Rights and Title IX* (Trigger Warning)
  • Project SAFE* (Trigger Warning)
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs
2:30 - 4 p.m.Various Campus Locations

Wellbeing Conversations

  • A Community of Care
  • Emmons & Wellbeing
  • Disability Services
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.Academic QuadFirst-Year Seminar Meet & Greet
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.MORRISON, CHOI, COOLERSLICE – Late-night Programming

 

When Where What
9 - 10:30 a.m. Various Campus Locations Resource Scavenger Hunt
10 - 11 a.m. Choi Auditorium Student Athlete JEDI Session
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Academic Quad Academic Advising - Group Meetings
12 - 5 p.m. Various Campus Locations Individual Advising Appointments
12 - 4 p.m. JSC Quad Student Services & Clubs Tables
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Marketplace, Tiger Cooler Dinner
7 - 9 p.m. Residence Halls REHS Late-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Academic Commons (Library)Class Registration
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner

 

When Where What
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Various L.A. Locations L.A. Engage
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Concessions Stand

Touchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
6 - 8 p.m. Rush Gymnasium  Volleyball Scrimmage

 

When Where What
9:30 - 11 a.m. Thorne Auditorium Convocation

 

First day of classes for the Fall 2026 semester. 

Transfer Orientation Schedule

WhenWhereWhat
8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Johnson Student CenterWelcome & Check-in
10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Concessions StandTouchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.Residence HallsLiving on Campus: Expectations & Community Building
4 - 5 p.m.Keck TheaterMatriculation
5:00 - 7 p.m.Remsen Bird Hillside TheaterWelcome to Oxy! A Community Celebration
7 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.JSC QuadLate-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 - 10 a.m.Various Campus LocationsOrientation Team Time
10 - 11 a.m.Thorne AuditoriumAcademic Integrity
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.BIOS 113Advising Overview
12 - 1 p.m.MarketplaceLunch
12 - 1 p.m.Cannon PlazaFirst-Gen Lunch
1 - 2 p.m.BIOS 113Transfer Experience - Tips and Tricks
2:00 - 2:30 p.m.BIOS 113Undergraduate Research
2:30 - 3:00 p.m.BIOS 113International Programs Offices
3 - 4 p.m.BIOS 113Equity Conversation - Community and Equity Overview
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.Various Campus LocationsOrientation Team Time
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.Academic QuadAcademic Fair
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.JSC QuadSweet Sendoffs
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.Concessions StandTouchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.VidiotsLA Engage Move Night
8 - 10 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSCSLICE – Late-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9 - 10 a.m.Hameetman Career CenterHameetman Career Center Overview
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.BIOS 113Civil Rights & Title IX
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.BIOS 113Wellbeing Panel
12 - 1 p.m.Branca PatioTransfer Advising Lunch
1 - 2 p.m.Various Campus LocationsIndividual Advising Appointments
2 - 3 p.m.BIOS 113Transfer Student Union - Involvement Opportunities
3 - 4 p.m.BIOS 113Equity Conversation - Preventing Islamophobia
4 - 5 p.m.Booth Hall Music Theory Placement Exam
4 - 5:30 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSC QuadIce Cream with Campus Safety
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.MarketplaceDinner
7 - 9 p.m.Tiger Cooler, JSC, Choi SLICE – Late-night Programming

 

WhenWhereWhat
9:30 - 10 a.m.Various Campus LocationsOrientation Team Time
10 - 11 a.m.BIOS 113Project SAFE
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Various Campus LocationsIndividual Advising
12 - 1 p.m.MarketplaceLunch
1 - 2 p.m.BIOS 113Academic Resource Panel
2 - 3 p.m.BIOS 113Connecting to Los Angeles
3 - 4 p.m.BIOS 113Equity Conversation - Preventing Antisemitism
5:30 - 6:30 -  p.m.Branca PatioTransfer Dinner
7 - 9 p.m.MORRISON, CHOI, COOLERSLICE – Late-night Programming

 

When Where What
9 - 10:30 a.m. Various Campus Locations Orientation Team Time
10 - 11 a.m. Choi Auditorium 

Student Athlete JEDI Session
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Brown Lab Library Research Session
12 - 1 p.m. Marketplace Lunch
1 - 3 p.m. Brown Lab/LIB 115 Transfer Registration
2 - 4 p.m. JSC Quad Student Services & Clubs Tables
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Marketplace, Tiger Cooler Dinner
7 - 9 p.m. Residence Halls REHS Late-night Programming

 

When Where What
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Off Campus LA Engage Trip
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Marketplace Dinner

 

When Where What
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Concessions Stand

Touchdown Thrift Move-In Sale
6 - 8 p.m. Rush Gymnasium  Volleyball Scrimmage

 

When Where What
9:30 - 11 a.m. Thorne Auditorium Convocation

 

First day of classes for the Fall 2026 semester. 

When Where What
5 - 7 p.mp Swan Lounge Transfer Tea

 

Office of Admission
Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

admission@oxy.edu