Skip to main contentSkip to footer content
 

Orientation

We’re looking forward to helping you get settled at ESF through a variety of events and sessions. Orientation week is designed to help new students:

  • Meet your classmates and peers
  • Be welcomed by ESF’s faculty, staff, and administration
  • Meet with your advisor and finalize your schedule
  • Learn about resources available to you
  • Understand ESF values and student expectations
  • Find out how to make the semester a success
  • Explore the city of Syracuse

New Student Orientation | Tuesday, Aug. 20 – Saturday, Aug. 24

Transfer Orientation | Friday, Aug. 23

International Student Orientation | Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Friday, Aug. 16

Online Student Orientation | Blackboard modules open Aug. 13

First Year Orientation Schedule

 

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Taking Care of Business
Visit offices on campus

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Move-In
Centennial Hall 

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Dinner
Sadler Dining Hall 

6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 

Programming and Games
Centennial Hall

8:00 p.m. 

Ice Cream Truck and Games
Centennial Hall
Meet-and-greet ice cream social with Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders!

 

 

8:00 a.m.  - 2:00 p.m.

Move-In
Centennial Hall 

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Commuter Student Check-In*
Gateway Welcome Desk

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

New Student & Family Welcome*
Hendricks Chapel

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Parent and Family Welcome*
Hendricks Chapel
Executive Officer McCarthy will address families in a special presentation; students will be dismissed and escorted by their Orientation Leaders to the Quad.

5:15 p.m.

Family Departure and Photos
Quad

5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

New Student Dinner
Gateway Center

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Centennial Hall Floor Meetings* (Residents Only)
Centennial Hall
Meet with your Resident Assistant and floor mates about Centennial Hall expectations and tips for campus living. This meeting is mandatory.

8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

ESF After Dark - Movie and Games
Quad

8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Syracuse University "Under the Sea" Party
Shaw Quadrangle

 

 

9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Orientation Welcome & Overview*
Gateway Center

9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Academic Success at ESF*
Gateway Center
ESF is academically rigorous, but there are plenty of support resources available. Learn about all the ways to enhance your success at ESF through tutoring, coaching, office hours, and executive function workshops.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Registration Tutorial with Registrar's Office*
Gateway Center
Learn how to navigate the registration process so you feel confident at your departmental meeting and schedule adjustments.

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch with OL Small Groups*
Sadler Dining Hall

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Academic Department Meetings*
Obtain information specific to your program of study. You must meet with your curriculum coordinator or advisor before you can complete your registration.

Bring Your Laptops.

  • Chemical Engineering: 211 Walters Hall
  • Chemistry: 254 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Biology: 5 Illick Hall
  • Environmental Resources Engineering: 408 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Science: 146 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Studies: 104 Marshall Hall
  • Landscape Architecture: 404 Marshall Hall
  • Sustainable Resources Management: 321 Bray Hall
  • Undeclared: Attend the Departmental meeting you are most interested in.

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Schedule Adjustments with Your Academic Advisor (if needed)
Baker Lab Computer Clusters and Rooms 310, and 314
Bring your laptops, or use one of the lab computers, to adjust your schedule and purchase textbooks, if needed. OLs will be available to help you.

Environmental Biology will meet in 309 Baker Lab

  • Last Name A - H 2 - 3 p.m.
  • Last Name I - Q 3 - 4 p.m.
  • Last Name R - Z 4 - 5 p.m.

5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Small Group Meeting* (ESF and SU Tour)
Quad

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dinner on your Own

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Student-Athlete Training*
Location will be emailed

8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Silent Disco Dance Party
Gateway Center
Come to the Gateway Center for a Silent Disco Dance Party! Every student will be given their own headset and will be able to dance, meet new people, and participate in fun crafts!

 

 

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

ESF Values and Building a Culture of Respect*
Gateway Center

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Overview of Title IX, Bias Incident Reporting, and Safety*
Gateway Center

10:45 a.m. - noon

OL Small Group Break-Out Scenarios and Discussion*
Various Locations

noon - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch with Small Groups*
Sadler Dining Hall

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Student Panel - Getting Connected at ESF*
Gateway Center

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wellness and Self-Care*
Gateway Center
Presented by Counseling Center

3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Small Group Self-Care Activity*
Various Locations

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sustainability Overview*
Gateway Center

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Recycling Relay Race
Quad

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dinner on your own

8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Welcome Week Fête
Women's Building Field
Fête is a come-and-go event that includes meet and greets with members from registered student organizations that serve BIPOC students. It is open to anyone regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, or other demographic.

 

 

8:00 a.m. - noon

Taking Care of Business around Campus
Visit ESF offices on campus

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch with OL Small Groups*
Sadler Dining Hall

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Moon Library Walking Quest
Moon Library
Get to know Moon Library with a Walking Quest! Scan QR codes all over the Library to answer questions and get more familiar with the services we offer to support your academic success. After answering all the questions, there will be a prize to pick up for the first 5 students that finish at the Moon Library reference desk.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

New Student Convocation*
Gateway Center
Together with all new students, faculty, and staff, we will launch of your academic career at ESF. Convocation will feature ESF President Joanie Mahoney, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, Executive Officer for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Kitty McCarthy, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Samuel Mukasa, MOSA President Eden Gardner, and many esteemed ESF Faculty and student leaders. Procession to the Quad for ESF new and transfer student photo will commence after the ceremony.

5:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

New Student Photo*
Quad

5:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Food Truck Rally
Quad
Not included in the meal plan, must purchase food independently with cash or card.

9:00 p.m. - midnight

Barnes Kickoff
The Barnes Center at the Arch
Enjoy late-night access and experience disco roller skating, the climbing wall, esports, curling, zen gardens, mindspa, dive-in movies, and more!

 

 

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Saturday of Service T-Shirt Giveaway
Meet in Gateway with OL small groups

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Saturday of Service (SOS)*
Meet in Gateway then disperse to buses Participate in local beautification and cleanup projects, and get acquainted with our local parks. All new students will attend with their OL groups. Bring a filled water bottle, wear comfortable clothing (you will be able to change into your
new ESF T-Shirt), and closed-toed/hardsoled shoes.

2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Free Time

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Citrus in the City in Downtown Syracuse
Buses begin loading at College Place Bus Stop, Stadium Place Bus Stop, and Goldstein Student Center Bus Stop beginning at 5 p.m. and will return to campus at JMA Wireless Dome for Dome Sweet Dome.

A favorite each year, Citrus in the City takes place in downtown Syracuse. Severe local vendors and restaurants provide samples through the night as we introduce you to the City of Syracuse, NY. Enjoy a pep rally, DJ, and lots of food!

 

 

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Birding Club

Meet us on the quad for a birding walk followed by a picnic. Bring your lunch and binos if you have them

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Desi Club

Chalk Mandalas on the Moon Library patio

1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Restoration Pals

Seed bomb making on the Quad 

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Black Student Union

Mugs & Melanin: Decorate mugs and drink root beer floats with BSU (24 Marshall Hall)

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

SEEC

Bonfire with music and s’mores on Moon Library patio

 

*Denotes a mandatory event where attendance will be recorded

Transfer Orientation Schedule

 

7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Orientation Check-in and Breakfast*
Gateway Center

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Orientation Welcome and Overview*
Gateway Center

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Academic Success at ESF*
Gateway Center
ESF is academically rigorous, but there are plenty of support resources available. Learn about all the ways to enhance your success at ESF through tutoring, coaching, office hours, and executive function workshops.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Registration Tutorial with Registrar's Office*
Learn how to navigate the registration process so you feel confident at your departmental meeting and schedule adjustments.

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lunch with OL Small Group and ESF Tour*

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Academic Department Meetings*
Obtain information specific to your program of study. You must meet with your curriculum coordinator or advisor before you can complete your registration.

Bring Your Laptops.

  • Chemical Engineering: 211 Walters Hall
  • Chemistry: 254 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Biology: 5 Illick Hall
  • Environmental Resources Engineering: 408 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Science: 146 Baker Lab
  • Environmental Studies: 104 Marshall Hall
  • Landscape Architecture: 404 Marshall Hall
  • Sustainable Resources Management: 321 Bray Hall
  • Undeclared: Attend the Departmental meeting you are most interested in.

1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Schedule Adjustments with Your Academic Advisor* (if needed)
Baker Lab Computer Clusters and Rooms 309, 310, and 314
Bring Your Laptops
Computers are available for you to adjust your schedule and purchase textbooks, if needed. OLs will be available to help you.

Environmental Biology will meet in 309 Baker Lab

  • Last Name A - H 2 - 3 p.m.
  • Last Name I - Q 3 - 4 p.m.
  • Last Name R - Z 4 - 5 p.m.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

New Student Convocation*
Gateway Center
Together with all new students, faculty, and staff, we will launch of your academic career at ESF. Convocation will feature ESF President Joanie Mahoney, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, Executive Officer for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Kitty McCarthy, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Samuel Mukasa, MOSA President Eden Gardner, and many esteemed ESF Faculty and student leaders. Procession to the Quad for ESF new and transfer student photo will commence after the ceremony.

5:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

New Student Photo*
Quad

5:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Food Truck Rally
Quad
Not included in the meal plan, must purchase food independently with cash or card.

9:00 p.m. - midnight

Barnes Kickoff
The Barnes Center at the Arch
Enjoy late-night access and experience disco roller skating, the climbing wall, esports, curling, zen gardens, mindspa, dive-in movies, and more!

 

 

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Saturday of Service T-Shirt Giveaway
Meet in Gateway with OL small groups

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Saturday of Service (SOS)*
Meet in Gateway then disperse to buses Participate in local beautification and cleanup projects, and get acquainted with our local parks. All new students will attend with their OL groups. Bring a filled water bottle, wear comfortable clothing (you will be able to change into your
new ESF T-Shirt), and closed-toed/hardsoled shoes.

2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Free Time

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Citrus in the City in Downtown Syracuse
Buses begin loading at College Place Bus Stop, Stadium Place Bus Stop, and Goldstein Student Center Bus Stop beginning at 5 p.m. and will return to campus at JMA Wireless Dome for Dome Sweet Dome.

A favorite each year, Citrus in the City takes place in downtown Syracuse. Severe local vendors and restaurants provide samples through the night as we introduce you to the City of Syracuse, NY. Enjoy a pep rally, DJ, and lots of food!

 

 

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Birding Club

Meet us on the quad for a birding walk followed by a picnic. Bring your lunch and binos if you have them

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Desi Club

Chalk Mandalas on the Moon Library patio 

1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Restoration Pals

Seed bomb making on the Quad 

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Black Student Union

Mugs & Melanin: Decorate mugs and drink root beer floats with BSU (24 Marshall Hall)

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

SEEC

Bonfire with music and s’mores on Moon Library patio

 

*Denotes a mandatory event where attendance will be recorded