August Orientation 2025
- August 22 to August 24 - All Day
- August 22 to August 24 - All Day
- FREE
Orientation is an incredibly important part of your Champlain experience. All incoming students are required to attend, so you’ll get to meet all of your fellow classmates, transfer students, and the upper-year student leaders who are so excited to connect with you. The student schedule is available on the Guidebook app—be sure to download the app in advance!
What you can expect:
The weekend kicks off with Move-In, where our crews will be ready to help you move into your new home away from home. Residence halls open at 8:00 AM on Friday, August 22, and you’ll have plenty of time to settle in before lunch and the President’s Welcome. From there, it’s off to a fun-filled weekend of Orientation activities!
Note: You may not move in on August 23 or 24—you must move in on the morning of August 22.
Quick overview, Friday, August 22:
- 8:00 AM | Residence halls open: Check in formally in front of your residence hall to receive your full Orientation schedule and meet your Resident Advisor.
- 11:00 AM | Commuter student arrival. Check-in is at Perry Hall (Maple Street entrance).
- 11:00 AM-1:00 PM | Lunch: Available for all incoming students and their family members. Families of commuting students are invited to attend lunch and the President’s Welcome.
- 1:00 PM | President’s Welcome & Convocation: Immediately following the President’s Welcome, parents will depart and students will head off to Orientation activities for the rest of the day.
Some additional activities for the weekend will include:
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- Lake Champlain boat cruise
- Academic meetings with advisors and deans
- Meet your Champ 101 cohorts!
- Fun in the IDX Student Life Center, featuring The Grind (live music and open mic!)
- Informational training sessions about college policies, standards, and culture (Title IX, safety, and more)
- Class photo and lawn games on the green
- Movie under the stars
- And so much more!
Student Schedule
Get the Guidebook app to view the student schedule for Orientation.
Family Schedule
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8:00–11:30 AM: Residential Student Move-In & Orientation Check-In
Meet at Your Student’s Residence Hall
After you arrive at your student’s residence hall to quickly unload their belongings, we ask that you leave your vehicle at the Lakeside parking lot located at 175 Lakeside Avenue, 365体育官网, Vermont 05401. Our shuttle service will quickly bring you back to campus so your student can begin to settle in. When you’re back on Main Campus, take some time to meet the Housing & Residential Life staff. In the Orientation Packet your student received, you will find valuable information to ensure your and your student’s success at Champlain
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9:00 AM–1:00 PM: Nuts & Bolts of Beginning Your College Career
Once your student has settled into their residence hall, there are still many loose ends to tie up—and there are people all around campus ready to assist you in completing these tasks. Please review your student’s
schedule to see all the opportunities available on campus today. Great places to visit are the Campus Store, the CCM Champlain Room, Rozendaal Courtyard, Perry Hall, and the IDX Student Life Center. -
11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Commuter Student Check-In
Perry Hall
Commuter students and families: We ask that you bring your vehicle to the Lakeside parking lot located at 175 Lakeside Avenue, 365体育官网, Vermont 05401. Our shuttle service will quickly bring you to Main Campus. Check-in is from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. This is also a good time for your student to pick up their photo ID, drop off outstanding health forms, get a copy of their Orientation schedule, meet their peers, and start their journey here at Champlain College.
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11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Cookout Lunch for Student, Families & Friends
IDX Student Life Center, Dining Hall and Rozendaal Courtyard
Stop by anytime between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM and enjoy a cookout for all new students, families, and friends.
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1:00–1:30 PM: President’s Welcome
Aiken Lawn
Join us for the Opening Convocation ceremony, a cherished Champlain tradition that officially marks the beginning of the academic year. Led by the Pipeband of Vermont, this inspiring event features a formal processional, a welcome from President Alex Hernandez, Provost Dr. Monique Taylor, and our Student Government Association President.
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1:30–1:40 PM: Student Send-Off
Aiken Lawn
Students will now begin to transition into their Orientation Group Meetings. Families and students will say goodbye to one another and students will join their orientation group in a new location. Families are encouraged to remain on Aiken lawn, where the next session— specifically designed for families—will begin shortly.
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1:40–2:00 PM: Transitions, Expectations, & Resources to Ensure Success
Aiken Lawn
In this session, President Alex Hernandez will provide a framework to help families better understand the transitions students experience throughout the first year of college. You will also hear from the Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Monique Taylor, and Vice President of Student Affairs, Danelle Berube.
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