first day of orientation
Business Hours of Operation
6 am – 8 pm - Fitness Center, Kirby Fieldhouse
6 - 9 am | 12 - 7 pm - Leggett Pool, Kirby Field House
7:30 am - 4 pm - Student Health
8:30 am - 5 pm - Administrative Offices Open
8:30 am - 5 pm - Computing Center, Bortz Library
8:30 am - 5 pm - Bortz Library
8:30 am - 5 pm - Post Office, Brown Student Center
8:30 am - 5 pm – Counseling Center
9 am - 4 pm - Campus Store, Graham Hall
10 am - 5 pm - Atkinson Museum
9 - 11:30 am - Matriculation for all New Students
(Attendance Mandatory)
Brown Student Center
Matriculation is the process of officially enrolling at Hampden-Sydney College. All new students will check in, review health forms, and be issued a decal for their registered vehicles. The process should take 15-20 minutes.
9 - 11:30 am - Reception for Families and Friends
Tiger Inn, Brown Student Center
Families are invited for refreshments while their new students complete the Matriculation process.
9:30 am - 1:30 pm - Residence Halls Open for New Student Move-In
Cushing Hall, Carpenter Dorms, Whitehouse
All residential students should report to their assigned residence hall following Matriculation. There they will pick up their room key, meet their RAs and check into their rooms.
11 am - 12:45 pm - Lunch Provided by the Office of Student Affairs
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons
Students are welcome to eat their first meal in “The Commons” with their families.
1 - 1:45 pm - The Purposes of Hampden-Sydney College
For New Students, Families, and Friends
Venable Hall Lawn (RAIN SITE FOR STUDENTS ONLY: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center)
Dr. Larry Stimpert, President of the College
Introduction to Academic Advising
(Attendance Mandatory for Students and recommended for Parents)
2 - 3 pm - Parent Session (Free Time for Students)
3 - 4 pm - Student Session (Free Time for Family Members)
Students and their family members will meet with advisors for a brief discussion about the role of the advisor and general academic requirements. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the academic program, and each student will sign up for an individual session with their advisor for Friday to discuss their specific academic plan. During free time, students and family members are encouraged to explore the Brown Student Center, visit the Esther Atkinson Museum, browse the Campus Store, or meet with their RA and Student Life staff.
4:15 - 5 pm - Liberal Arts Education at Hampden-Sydney College
Venable Hall Lawn (RAIN SITE FOR STUDENTS ONLY: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center)
Dr. Mike McDermott III, Dean of the Faculty
Learn what it means to receive a liberal arts education, to think critically, and what is unique about Hampden-Sydney’s educational program.
5 pm - Class of 2028 Student Ring Off
Watkins Bell Tower
Dr. Richard Pantele '13, Dean of Students
Please join us at the Watkins Bell Tower, in the center of campus, as we ring the bell 28 times to mark the start of the Class of 2028’s first year at H-SC.
**New Students Say Good-Bye to Family Members**
5:30 - 7 pm - Dinner with Your Academic Advisor
(Attendance Mandatory)
Advisors will let you know the dinner location at your Introduction to Academic Advising Session earlier in the day. If you are unsure of the location, please contact your Academic Advisor or Sandy Cooke at (434) 547-6662.
7:30 pm - Meet Your RA at Your Residence Hall
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
Residence Halls
All new students should be in their rooms and ready by 7:30 pm for their RA to meet with them briefly and then take them to Honor Convocation small group discussions. From the small group sessions, students will head straight to the Honor Convocation at 9 pm.
8 - 9 pm - Small Group Discussions before Honor Convocation
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
RAs will lead their groups to the location.
9 - 10 pm - The Hampden-Sydney College Honor Convocation
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
Johns Auditorium
TBD, Student Court Chairman
Dr. Larry Stimpert, President of the College
Dr. Timothy Diette, Dean of the Faculty
The most important event during Orientation, Honor Convocation will teach students what the Honor Code means at Hampden-Sydney. After the event, every new student will sign the Honor Code Pledge, before being formally welcomed into the Hampden-Sydney College Brotherhood.
10:30 pm - Brotherhood Bonfire at Cushing
(Attendance Mandatory - Casual Attire)
Dean Dwayne Bowyer '92, Associate Dean of Students for Student Conduct & Director of Greek Life
Put on some casual clothing and join us for some pizza and fellowship at Cushing. This is where new students will receive their Class of 2028 challenge coins.
