Welcome to Occidental College!

Join us for a Fall Family Webinar: Mastering the College Transition via Zoom on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. PDT. We have designed this webinar to help families adjust to having young adults away at college. 

New Family Orientation

Orientation is designed to create a dynamic, celebratory and welcoming environment—a space where your student can explore how to make informed academic decisions and responsible social choices by tapping into resources and services offered by the College.

We will plan to host in person New Family Orientation Programs (first-year and transfers) for the families of the Class of 2027 including mini-orientation programs for those arriving early for Fall Athletics or LA Engage. The sessions are designed to be fun and an opportunity for families to meet one another, socialize, and view a few of the resources and services offered by the College. All of the New Family Orientation sessions are optional. Pick and choose sessions that best fit your schedule.

For more information for new students and their families, please view the campus mapNew Student GuideSummer Communications page! 

Questions? Please email parents@oxy.edu.


2023 Schedule for New Family Orientation Activities

Updated 8/23/23

***These events have passed but we are leaving the schedule up for reference.***

Families of Fall Student Athletes - Friday, August 18, 2023
(For fall student athlete families arriving between Aug. 15-18)

  • 2:00 - 3:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER |  “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Wendy F. Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College

  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER |  Families of Fall Student Athletes and Coaches Reception

LA Engage Move-In Day - Saturday, August 19, 2023

  • 2:00 - 3:00 PM  | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Wendy F. Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College

  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Reception for Families of LA Engage Arrivals

Monday, August 21, 2023 (New Student Move-In Day)

  • 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER (JSC) ROSE HILLS LOBBY  (UPDATED) | Welcome Center and Check-In - Stop by the Alumni & Parent Engagement Tent for a schedule, nametag, and parent swag!

  • 11:00AM - 1:00 PM | ACADEMIC COMMONS/LIBRARY | Special Collections & Archives Open House, Drop-In and Meet the First Year Experience Librarian

  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM |   Lunch (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM  | BOOKSTORE | Bookstore Open House

  • 1:00 - 2:15 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER QUAD | Campus Tours by our Admissions Office

  • 1:00 - 1:30 PM |  SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Safety - CANCELED

  • 1:30 - 2:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Dining - CANCELED

  • 2:00 - 3:00 PM | THORNE HALL | “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Wendy F. Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College

  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM | THORNE HALL (UPDATED) | You Heard It Here First! Student Panel for Parents

  • 4:00 - 5:15 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER (UPDATED) |   President's Reception for New Families

  • 5:30 - 7:00  PM | RUSH GYMNASIUM  (UPDATED) | Welcome to Oxy! A Community Celebration 

  • Dinner (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM | MEET AT THE SOLAR ARRAY PARKING LOT | Hike for Parents | This is a short but very steep hike up to Fiji Hill. There is no pre-registration, space is limited to the first 40 guests.

  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM | DANCE STUDIO, PAYTON JORDAN ATHLETIC CENTER | Yoga Class for Parents | Join us for a restful and restorative yoga class focused on releasing stress. There is no pre-registration, space is limited to the first 25 guests. 

  • 9:00 - 11:00 AM | PAYTON JORDAN ATHLETIC CENTER | Self Guided Tour of Athletics

  • 10:30 - 11:30 AM |  GILMAN FOUNTAIN/TOP OF MULLIN GROVE | Parents Coffee, Hosted by the Parents Council

  • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |  SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Student Employment

  • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | BRANCA PATIO | First Generation Lunch

  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM  |  Lunch (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM |  FEAST GARDEN | FEAST Garden Open House

  • 1:00 - 2:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Careers, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, and Fellowships

  • 2:00 - 3:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Beyond Los Angeles: Study Abroad and US Programs

  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER | Presentation by Campus Partners: Supporting Student Well-being, with Emmons Wellness Center

  • 4:00 - 5:30 PM | ACADEMIC QUAD | Academic Resource Fair 

  • 5:30 - 6:30 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER QUAD | *Sweet Send Offs - Take the time to have a sweet treat with your student as you say your goodbyes.

*This event concludes New Family Orientation Programming; family members are asked to depart campus as the remainder of the new student orientation schedule is for students only.

(Families are welcome to participate in ANY New Family Orientation activities, on any day, should your schedule allow. All sessions are optional. Pick and choose sessions that best fit your schedule.)

Contact the Office of Parent Engagement