New Student Orientation

Professor Gretchen North and students talking together

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

College is a new beginning and transition for both students and their family members—one we are excited to help you navigate!

New Student Orientation is meant to create a dynamic, celebratory, and welcoming environment—a space where you 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 you to faculty, staff, administrators and fellow Oxy students, New Student Orientation is representative of our commitment to equity, excellence, and service.

Starting this July, you are invited to join virtual peer-to-peer engagements hosted by our Orientation Team. These sessions will serve as your introduction to pre-recorded videos and live Zoom sessions offered by Oxy's student support and service areas. In August, all new students will be required to participate in a shared orientation experience that will take place virtually over three days. In preparation, we ask that you review the New Student Guide. The following information will be updated soon with additional directives provided via email.

All sessions and speakers for Kickstart Oxy and Orientation will be presented virtually via Zoom. Please be sure to activate and become familiar with how to use your Oxy Zoom account via our Zoom guide from ITS.

New Student Orientation

All sessions are mandatory! The First Gen Support System session will be an invitation-only event. New students will receive Zoom Links to sessions from their O-Team Leader.

August 21 - Orientation Day 1

Students will discover how Oxy takes a student-centered approach to enhancing academic achievement. As they prepare for their first day of classes, additional support programs, services, and resources will be introduced.

Full Day 1 Schedule

Academic program sessions will include presentations curated by the Assoc Dean for Curricular Affairs R. Buckmire and an overview of the virtual Library space and resources with First Year Experience & Student Success Librarian D. Coaguila. The day will conclude with Orientation Team breakouts and a large-scale online community-building activity/celebration.

August 22 - Orientation Day 2

Students will consider what it means, as life-long learners and critical thinkers, to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and ethically at Occidental College.

Full Day 2 Schedule

Students will engage in peer-to-peer Oxy culture and experience conversations with returning students and hear an introduction to the Community Book Program. Sessions will also feature the Intercultural Community Center, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, First Gen Coalition, and POC student leaders presenting on equity, inclusion, and affinity/identity programming.

August 23 - Orientation Day 3

Students will explore an environment where thoughtful decision-making is paramount—a place where community members are grounded in the values of trust, honesty, and respect.

Full Day 3 Schedule

Students will participate in Title IX, Project S.A.F.E., and Code of Conduct training. After these sessions, students will have the opportunity to process the information in peer-to-peer virtual dialogue circles or with professional staff and counselors.

  • 10:00AM-10:40AM - Title IX Overview

    • Title IX Coordinator A. Fulcher will discuss compliance college-wide, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender discrimination involving the college employees and students.

  • 11:00AM-12:30PM - Introduction to Project S.A.F.E.

    • You will hear about Oxy’s affirmative consent and sexual misconduct policies, as well as about the resources available to you.

  • 12:30PM-1:30PM - O-Team Small Group Breakouts

    • Take a moment to reflect over the previous discussions with O-Team.

  • 2:00PM-2:45PM - Reviewing the Code of Conduct

  • 3:00PM-3:45PM - Sh*$ Hits the Fan

    • Learn about the resources available to you when you need help navigating through Oxy.

  • 4:00PM-6:00PM - O-Team Closing

    • Recap the day and get to know your O-Team leaders and classmates.

Welcome Week

The Welcome Week schedule is forthcoming. Anticipated events include Implicit Bias training, an introduction to Restorative Justice, and the Intercultural Community Center hosting First-Gen, Queer, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian Pacific Islander student gatherings throughout the week.

Past Events

July 27 through 29 - Join us for Kickstart Oxy!

Students will be welcomed by Senior Administration as they relay their own expectations of, and role in, student success at Oxy. There will be an introduction to the Community Book Program and the Division of Academic Affairs will host an online academic fair. During this time, students will also complete their placement tests and engage with campus resource centers including The Hameetman Career Center and Emmons Wellness Center. Special sessions will be held for First Gen and Transfer Students.

View the Full Kickstart Oxy Schedule

July 30 - Transfer Students Information Session

Students will learn more about transferring credits, academic advisement, and class registration.

Hosted by Registrar J. Herr and Director of Academic Advising and Core Program Coordinator E. Johnson

View the session recording

August 3 through 5 - Individual Advising Sessions

Students will explore the value of an Oxy education, review the services and policies of the institution, discuss educational and career plans, and make appropriate course selections.

Students should coordinate their advising appointments directly with their faculty advisors. For questions and additional support, please contact the Advising Center at: advisingcenter@oxy.edu

August 8 - Oxy Summer Community Celebration

The Offices of Admission and Alumni & Parent Engagement are virtually hosting regional summer celebrations for new Oxy students and their families on Saturday, August 8 and you are invited!

President Elam will do a kickoff with all students and parents at 1 pm (PDT). Smaller geographic-based virtual meetups, determined by time-zone feasibility and student volume, will occur either before or after this kickoff. Find your student grouping and see what time your virtual gathering will be held.

August 10 - Re-Orientation for Students Living on Campus

Engage with recorded and live sessions with the managers and directors of Campus Safety, Disability Services, Project S.A.F.E. Emmons Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Dean of Students Office, and the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement (SLICE) office.

 

NOTE: Only Orientation updates will be provided on this page. Find information related to COVID-19 and Occidental College’s institutional planning for the coming academic year on our COVID-19 webpage.