New Transfer students will attend sessions and events created to help them successfully transition into Whittier College.
The schedule is tentative and subject to change. A final schedule will be emailed to students who registered for orientation the week before. We encourage students to check their email regularly for updates regarding orientation.
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. Faculty & Alumni Panel • 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 have checked in and wear their wristbands.
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Orientation Check-In • Shannon Center
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. Utilizing Strengths • 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.
Resources
The Orientation Schedule for August 18 has been translated into Spanish and is available for download.
