Saturday, August 17
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Check-In & Breakfast • Campus Inn
All Orientation participants will check in and enjoy a continental breakfast at the Campus Inn (CI).
*Please be sure to bring your passport and I-20 with you for the start of orientation.
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Immigration 101 • Villalobos Hall
Students will learn the specifics about their F-1 visa, what they can and cannot do, and how to ensure that they maintain their immigration status.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
Group B: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
Group C: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch • Campus Inn
All groups will reconvene and have lunch together at the Campus Inn (CI).
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
Group B: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
Group C: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
Group B: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
Group C: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Dinner • Campus Inn
Students will conclude their day with dinner in the Campus Inn (CI).
Sunday, August 18: Welcome to Whittier
2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Orientation Check-In • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
All orientation participants will check in and get relevant materials.
3 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Welcome to Whittier • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Orientation will begin with opening remarks from campus leaders to welcome everyone to the orientation experience.
3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Storytelling Panel • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Hear from panelists in a storytelling session focused on transitioning to college and offering insights aimed at helping you with your welcome to Whittier.
3:20 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. Staff & Faculty Presentations • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Hear from staff and faculty in a workshop-style session that offers success guides and resources.
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner • Upper Quad
Mix and mingle with fellow Poets while enjoying a delicious dinner provided by the College. Table topic questions will be distributed at each table to help you kick-start your friendships. There will also be an opportunity to win prizes during our trivia game.
6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Light of Learning Set Up • Location Varies
Students • Upper Quad near SLC building
Meet in the Upper Quad and line up to get ready for the Light of Learning ceremony, a Whittier College tradition.
Guest • Harris Amphitheater
Parents, guardians, and families head to the Harris Amphitheater to find seats and wait for the Light of Learning ceremony to begin.
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. President's Convocation & Light of Learning • Harris Amphitheater
Enjoy Whittier's meaningful tradition which has taken place for decades and is the formal beginning of the Whittier College experience.
7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sweet Send Off • Harris Amphitheater
Take the time to have a sweet treat and say your goodbyes.
Monday, August 19: Beginning the Poet Experience
9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Student Breakfast • Campus Inn
Breakfast is free and available for new students who checked in for Orientation.
9:45 a.m. - 10 a.m. Transition to Shannon Center • Shannon Center
All orientation participants must walk to the Shannon Center to check in for the first activity.
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Check-In & Assigned Groups • Shannon Center
All orientation participants will be assigned into groups.
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Tedx Style Presentation • Shannon Center
Form connections based on common interests and hear from a panel of diverse speakers who will share their tips on forming connections.
11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Introductions • North Lawn
Participate in introductory activities led by your assigned student leader.
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Campus Tours • North Lawn
Stroll through campus on a tour guided by your student leader.
*Please bring your class schedule to write down the building codes and get familiar with the campus.
Meet & Greet • Veteran Resource Center (VRC)
Learn about the support and resources available to veterans and military-affiliated students including VA education benefits and Yellow Ribbon.
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch • Upper Quad
Enjoy a meal on the lawn and get to know fellow Poets interested in your intended major.
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Diversity & Inclusion • Shannon Center
Join our Office of Equity and Inclusion to learn more about diversity efforts at Whittier and engage in inclusive work.
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wellness at Whittier • Shannon Center
Join the Counseling Center and our Peer Health Educators as they share resources and tips for staying well in college.
3:35 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. Mentor Gathering or Alumni Panel • Location Varies
Students enrolled in INTD 100 • Shannon Center
Meet with your professor in the Shannon Center for your first class.
Transfer Students • Hoover 100
Join our Faculty & Alumni Panel to hear from outstanding Poets who can share more about the value of their education at Whittier and the advice they found most helpful for their own transition to Whittier.
4:30 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Dinner • Upper Quad
Enjoy dinner in assigned groups in Upper Quad.
5:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Rock Signing • Lower Quad
Gather with your peers at The Rock in Lower Quad to sign our historic landmark and take a class picture.
Tuesday, August 20: Becoming a Poet
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Continental Breakfast • Campus Inn (CI) (Optional)
An optional breakfast is available at the Campus Inn. Breakfast is free for all new students who check in and wear their wristband.
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Orientation Check-In • Shannon Center
Students will check-in for the final day of orientation at the Shannon Center.
9: 30 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. Being in Community • Shannon Center
Get an introduction to Whittier's community standards and better understand the campus regulations and expectations.
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Shared Values Bingo • Shannon Center
Play bingo while getting to know your future classmates. This interactive session is led by members of the Interfaith American team and our student leaders.
10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bystander Intervention • Shannon Center
Learn about the importance of Title IX prevention and the Title IX process including bystander intervention methods.
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mentor Group Lunch • Upper Quad
Grab your lunch and sit in your mentor groups.
1:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Mentor Gathering or Utilizing Strengths • Location Varies
Student enrolled in INTD 100 • Listed INTD Classrooms
Meet with your INTD 100 professor for a session.
*Please be sure to bring your class schedule to refer to the classroom location.
Transfer Students • Villalobos Hall
Join our Career and Professional Development team to learn how to navigate career choices, use your strengths, and develop a plan for your career journey.
2:35 p.m. - 3 p.m. Orientation Closing • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Meet at the Graham Athletic Center (GAC) to conclude this year's Fall orientation.
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pack the GAC • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
It's time to let loose and have some fun. Enjoy dancing, night swimming, volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, or our wellness activities.
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner • Campus Inn
Poets show your completed orientation survey to get Poet gear.
Campus Map
For your reference, please download this the Whittier College campus map.
