First-Year Student Orientation

We welcome you to campus for First-Year Orientation Aug. 25–28, 2022 — just before classes start on Monday, Aug. 29.

What happens at Orientation?

Move into your residence hall, unpack, and get prepared for the academic year.
Meet your peer mentor, who will support you through Orientation and the Clark Navigator program.
Attend sessions created just for you about about how you can be academically successful at Clark, and learn all the ways you can get involved, serve our community, and become connected.
Make new friends, explore the campus and Worcester, and be prepared for the first day of classes.

2022 First-Year Undergraduate Student Orientation Schedule

9 a.m.–Noon Move In and Explore Campus

If you are a residential student, check in at the Alumni Student and Engagement Center (ASEC) and then get settled in your residence hall. You can pick up meal tickets for families who will join you for lunch in the dining hall. At check-in, you will receive your Clark ID, room key, information about the day, a campus map, and some welcoming goodies.

Noon–1:30 p.m. Commuter Check‑In

If you are a commuter student, check in for Orientation at the Alumni Student and Engagement Center (ASEC). At check-In, you will receive your Clark ID, information about the day, and some welcoming goodies.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch

Head to the dining hall in the Higgins University Center for your first meal on campus. Families can use their meal tickets to join.

1:30–2:15 p.m. Student and Family Welcome

Orientation is officially underway! President David Fithian, Dean of Students Kamala Kiem, and Undergraduate Student Council President Sofía Bishop will offer welcoming remarks as you begin your Clark journey and learn more about the next few days.

2:30–3:45 p.m. Meetings with Peer Mentors

Peer mentors are your guides to all things Orientation and your first year. They will meet you at the Kneller Center and take you to the Campus Green to begin your small-group experience.

4–5 p.m. Community Director Welcome Meeting for Residential Students

Meet with your community director to discuss life in the campus residence halls and houses.

4–5 p.m. Commuter Welcome Meeting

Join your peer mentors and Orientation coordinators to meet fellow commuter students and learn more about campus life.

5–7 p.m. Dinner with Peer Mentors

Meet back up with your peer mentor group and enjoy dinner together. Check with your peer mentor about your assigned meal time.

7–8 p.m. Life at Clark

You are a college student now! Kamala Kiem, dean of students, will lead this session on what it means to be a part of the Clark community.

8–9 p.m. Residence Hall Floor Meetings

Meet with your resident adviser (RA) and get to know some of your neighbors.

8–9 p.m. Commuter Meet-Up

Connect with fellow commuters at an informal gathering.

9 p.m. Check-In with Peer Mentors

Return to your peer mentor group before heading into the night’s social activities.

9:15–11:30 p.m. Clark After Dark Social Activities

Spend your first night at Orientation getting ice cream, playing board games, decorating tote bags, and more.

7–9 a.m. Breakfast

Head to the dining hall with your Clark ID to have breakfast.

9:30 a.m. Check In with Your Peer Mentor

Review the day with your peer mentor.

10–10:40 a.m. Academic Student Panel or Meet with Your First-Year Success Adviser

Academic Student Panel: Moderated by Jennifer Plante, associate dean of academic services, a panel of peer mentors will share tips, tricks, and academic resources they wish they had known about during their first year at Clark.

Meet with your FYSA: Spend time getting to know your first-year success adviser (FYSA) and learn how they will support your academic and student life.

10:50–11:30 a.m. Academic Student Panel or Meet with Your First-Year Success Adviser

Meet with your FYSA: Spend time getting to know your first-year success adviser (FYSA) and learn how they will support your academic and student life.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch

Head to the dining hall with your Clark ID to have lunch. Check in with your peer mentor about your assigned time.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. On-Campus Student Employment Opportunities

Did you know that Clark students are eligible to apply for part-time employment at the University? Learn more about Clark student employment and how to find jobs through Handshake.

1:30–2 p.m. Peer Mentor Check-In

Meet with your peer mentor group and walk to Fiat Lux: Your Clark Academic Journey Begins. Be sure to wear your Clark t-shirt, which you received at check-in.

2–3 p.m. Fiat Lux: Your Clark Academic Journey Begins

During this ceremonial welcome to your academic journey at Clark, the dean of students, dean of the college, and a senior student member of Gryphon & Pleiades will discuss academic excellence and welcome your individual talents and the brightness you hold to impact our community.

3–3:30 p.m. Orientation Group Photo

Wear your Clark t-shirt and meet your classmates on the Green for the Orientation 2022 group photo.

4–5 p.m. Mix and Mingle

Take a break to recharge or come to the Green to meet and mingle with other peer mentor groups.

4–5 p.m. First-Generation College Student Welcome

All incoming first-generation* students are invited to engage and socialize with each other at this event hosted by the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA).

*Note: First-generation (or first-gen) students are identified as students whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree. This affinity space has been created to begin to build fellowship and provide intentional support for first-gen students.

5–7 p.m. Dinner

Remember to bring your Clark ID as you head to the dining hall for dinner. Check in with your peer mentor for your assigned time.

5:30–6:30 p.m. BIPOC Student Welcome

All incoming BIPOC* students are invited to engage and socialize with each other at this event hosted by the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA).

*Note: This affinity space is open to students of Black/African American, Indigenous/Native, Latine/Latinx, Asian/Desi-American, Pacific Islander, and Multiracial descent; this space is intended to begin to build fellowship and provide intentional support for BIPOC students.

7–8:30 p.m. How to College: Wellness

Meet up with your peer mentor group and participate in a variety of activities to center your health and well-being, including reflection, crafts, and the chance to use the fitness center.

8:30–11 p.m. Clark After Dark Social Activities

There is so much fun to be had tonight! Check out the concert in the Grind, play some bingo, participate in the Kneller open gym, and enjoy some free snacks.

7–9 a.m. Breakfast

Head to the dining hall with your Clark ID to have breakfast.

9:30 a.m. Group Check-In and Planning

Review the day with your peer mentor.

10–11:30 a.m. Consenting Communities or Fostering Inclusive Communities

Consenting Communities: Join our consent educators in this student-led program that further explores concepts of consent and respectful relationships, builds community expectations, and empowers everyone to be a positive member of our community.

Creating Our Inclusive Community: Your incoming class includes students from around the world with different cultures, identities, and lived experiences. Spend some time reflecting on who you are — and who you want to be — while we value and appreciate the engagement of critical dialogue with each other and begin to foster a sense of belonging on campus.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch

Remember your Clark ID as you head to the dining hall for lunch. Check in with your peer mentor for your assigned time.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Campus Resource Fair

Offices from across the campus will be available to answer questions and share more about all they have to offer.

1:30–3 p.m. Consenting Communities or Fostering Inclusive Communities

Creating Our Inclusive Community: Your incoming class is made up of students from around the world, with different cultures, identities, and lived experiences. Spend some time reflecting on who you are — and who you want to be — while we value and appreciate the engagement of critical dialogue with each other and begin to foster a sense of belonging on campus.

3–3:15 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. Peer Mentor Check-In

Review the afternoon with your peer mentor and select your sessions for the conference-style presentations.

3:30–5:30 p.m. Student Life Resources and Activities, Conference-Style

Clark offers services to support your success in and outside of the classroom. Choose three sessions to learn more about these resources, then share what you have learned with your peer group. Specific session descriptions will be available on Clark Engage.

5:15–7:15 p.m. Dinner

Remember your Clark ID as you head to the dining hall for dinner. Check in with your peer mentors for your assigned time.

5:30–6:30 p.m. LGBTQIA+ and Ally Student Welcome

All incoming LGBTQIA+ and ally* students are invited to engage and socialize with each other at this event hosted by the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA).

*Note: This space is open to both LGBTQIA+ students and allies, as we recognize the pressure one can feel coming out in a new setting. There is no expectation that everyone who attends this event is LGBTQIA+, but attendees should be open to connecting with ISEA and supporting these inclusion efforts across campus.

7:30–8:30 p.m. Peer Mentor Meeting: How to Clark

Join your peer mentor group to learn more about academics at Clark and to reflect on the sessions you have attended throughout Orientation.

8:30–11 p.m. Clark After Dark Social Activities

Head to the Green for a great time — roller skating, karaoke, games, and more. Be sure to check Clark Engage for updates.

8 a.m.–4 p.m. Is Your Checklist Complete?

Have you finished your Undergraduate Student To-Do List? Students with missing requirements must meet with their peer mentors to complete all required tasks before the first day of classes.

8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Brunch

Eat breakfast or lunch in the dining hall today — be sure to bring your Clark ID to swipe in.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Campus Store Open

10 a.m.–10 p.m. Bickman Fitness Center Open

11 a.m.–1 p.m. Identity-Based Student Fair Club

Come to Dana Commons to meet several identity-based student clubs as well as the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA).

11 a.m.–Noon Yoga on the Green

Roll out your yoga mat and join us on the Green for a yoga session led by Melanie Adams ’22. Bring water and a yoga mat, blanket, or towel.

11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Campus Tours

Join a campus tour specifically for new students. The tour guides will leave from Red Square on the half hour.

11 a.m. How to Ride the WRTA: Caribbean American Carnival

Hosted by the Community Engagement and Volunteering Center, learn how to navigate the Worcester bus system while heading to Institute Park for the city’s annual Caribbean American Carnival.

11 a.m.–2 p.m. Clark Shuttle

The Clark Shuttle runs the 50-minute City Loop on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., with stops at destinations including the CVS pharmacy on Park Avenue; Price Chopper on Highland Street; Shrewsbury Street, known for its restaurants; Union Station; the Worcester Common; and the Canal District.

2–3 p.m. Clark Quest

Meet with your peer mentors on the Green for a fun quest across campus, during which you’ll meet new people and learn more about Clark.

3–4 p.m. Peer Mentor Wrap-Up Meeting

This will be your last peer mentor group meeting of Orientation. Take a group photo before your peer mentor sends you off to start the academic year.

4–7 p.m. Campus BBQ

Join us on the Green for a Welcome Back BBQ to begin our fall semester, with free food for Clark students, faculty, and staff.

7:30–9:30 p.m. Residential Student Floor Meetings

Get to know everyone who lives on your floor. This mandatory session will cover everything you need to know about housing and residential living at Clark as you prepare for your first day of classes.

What is Clark’s First-Year Experience Program all about?

Explore Now

Contact Information

Dean of Students

Office Information

2nd Floor,
Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center
1-508-793-7423
dos[at]clarku[dot]edu

Office Hours

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday