Orientation Weekend Schedule 2016 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Orientation Welcome Center Light Lounge, Seegers Union Building You may pick up your materials for Orientation Weekend and tickets for the family luncheon at this location. Your orientation group number can be found on your nametag. If you did not have a photo taken for your student identification card, staff will assist you in completing this task. Your Muhlenberg ID will serve as your official meal and library card as well as providing access to your residence hall. 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM Family Farewell Lunch-on-the-Go Tickets for the Lunch-on-the-Go are available at the Welcome Center in the Seegers Union Light Lounge. You can redeem the ticket for a box lunch from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and then choose to dine at nearby tables, outof-doors (weather permitting) or back in a residence hall room. Kosher and vegetarian options will be available. Please use this time to say your goodbyes. Immediately after lunch, students and families will be attending separate programs; parents will not be able to access residence halls in the afternoon. 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM FAMILIES Welcome Join President John Williams and Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Allison Gulati for a warm welcome and some important information. Learn about being a Muhlenberg parent, discover good ways to support your student, and hear about opportunities to help the College by mentoring or networking with students. With so much practical advice, you may need to take notes. But, we promise: no pop quiz. 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM STUDENTS - Meet your Orientation Group College Green You should consult your nametag to determine which O-Group you have been assigned and then proceed to the College Green. On the College Green, locate your Student Advisor, who will be holding up a binder with your O- Group number on it. You ll spend this time getting to know the rest of your O-Group and going over the weekend schedule. In the case of rain, you will locate your O-Group inside Seegers and then proceed as a group to your O-Group classroom. 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM FAMILIES Parents Council and Career Center reception Galleria, Baker Center for the Arts Please join Lori Buchbinder, 2016-17 Chair of the Parents Council, and the other Parents Council members for a reception immediately following the President s Families Welcome event, in the Baker Center of the Arts Galleria, right outside of Empie Theatre. Spend time getting to know your fellow incoming parents and current Parents Council Members and learn ways that you can get involved with your student s Muhlenberg experience. Members from the Career Center will be available to discuss how your student can utilize their services and how you, as a parent, can become an integral part of The Muhlenberg Network. Light refreshments will be provided. 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Intro Advising Meeting with First-Year Seminar (FYS) Consult the O-Group and FYS Times and Locations chart This session introduces you to the Faculty Advisor and your fellow learners in the First-Year Seminar. You may sign up for a weekend individual advising session with your Faculty Advisor and will receive some preliminary information about college academics. Student Advisors can assist you in finding the location for this meeting. 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM Residence Hall Floor Meeting Prosser Hall, Walz Hall, Brown Hall Meet your RA and get to know other members of your residence hall floor. Learn about the building and how your RA can help you this year.
5:30 PM 7:30 PM Dinner with your Residence Hall You will be eating dinner with students from your residence hall. All residence hall floors have been provided with a specific meal time so that everyone can enjoy the Ilene and Robert Wood Dining Commons. Your Resident Advisor will inform you of the time that your group is scheduled for dinner or, if you prefer, you may participate in the Shabbat Dinner (see below). 5:30 PM 6:30 PM Shabbat Dinner Room 113, Seegers Union Building Interested students may choose to join together with members of the Muhlenberg Jewish community for a meetup Shabbat dinner instead of dining with their residence hall floor. Students will go through the Wood Dining Commons and then take their meal to Seegers Room 113 for a festive Shabbat dinner with Muhlenberg College Hillel, Muhlenberg s Center for Jewish Life. 7:45 PM - 8:45 PM STUDENTS - Welcome! Here is your first opportunity to be officially welcomed as the Class of 2020! You ll meet the rest of the Student Advisor Team and important members of the College administration including President John Williams. You will also be taught the College s Alma Mater. 9:00 PM Candlelighting Ceremony Processional begins at the Baker Center for the Arts An important Muhlenberg College tradition is to mark the beginning and end of your years as a student on campus with a candlelighting ceremony. You will hear reflections from alumni, light candles and sing the alma mater with your classmates. This reflective tradition will begin to connect you to the thousands of students and alumni who have preceded you at Muhlenberg. Please let your Student Advisor know if a religious observance or a personal reason will prevent you from participating in this program or from holding a candle. After Candlelighting The Event Space, Seegers Union Building Trivia Challenge & Ice Cream Gather for ice cream and try your luck at a wide range of questions on every subject. Get ready for round after round of competition led by our Young Alumni Council. While the best teams may leave with the prizes, everyone is a winner for leaving smarter and entertained. Give it a try; you're bound to know something! SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016 Throughout the Day Academic Advising for First-Year Students You might have scheduled time to meet with your First-Year Seminar Advisor to discuss your schedule and map the landmarks of your first semester at Muhlenberg. Be on-time and be prepared. Student Advisors can help you with directions to your Faculty Advisor s office. 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM Breakfast [Campus Conversations] Grab an early breakfast or join other first-year students and Student Advisors from 8:15 to 9:00 for breakfast and informal discussion around one of several student life topics such as community engagement, student clubs, music opportunities and fraternity/sorority life. Come and go to discussion tables as you please. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Language Exemption Testing If you received prior notification from the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, you may attempt advanced placement through exemption testing. Exemption Testing Spanish Ettinger 108 French Ettinger 202 German & Russian Ettinger 203 Locations
Italian Ettinger 204 Hebrew Ettinger 205 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Faculty Welcome and First Lecture After opening comments from Dr. Bruce Anderson, Dean of Academic Life, prepare for your first college lecture delivered by Dr. Trevor Knox, Associate Professor of Accounting/Economics, titled, The Economic Cost of FOMO (and how to pay it on a student budget). 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch with your Orientation Group Meet with your O-Group over lunch to talk about the year ahead. All O-groups have been provided with a specific meal time so that everyone can enjoy the Ilene and Robert Wood Dining Commons. Consult the O- Group and FYS Times and Locations chart for your O-group assigned meal time. 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM Resources Fair Light Lounge, Seegers Union Building Take advantage of this opportunity to discuss the programs and services of many Muhlenberg departments and offices. Offices and departments scheduled to participate include: Community Engagement; Dining Services; Career Center; Campus Safety; Writing Center; LGBT Services; Multicultural Life; Residential Services. 1:45 PM - 4:25 PM Sedehi Diversity Project performances (O-Groups 22 to 42) Performance: Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion This student-conceived and written documentary theatre piece infuses words from faculty, staff, administration and current students into an exploration of social identity and diversity at Muhlenberg College. A student-led small group discussion will follow each performance. O-Group Times: 1:45 PM - 3:05 PM O-Groups 36 to 42 2:25 PM - 3:45 PM O-Groups 29 to 35 3:05 PM - 4:25 PM O-Groups 22 to 28 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Introduction to StrengthsQuest (O-Groups 1 to 21) Consult the O-Group and FYS Times and Locations chart During the summer you completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment online. Your Student Advisor will lead you through an introductory session designed to help you find out more about your Signature Themes and how they can be your key to success academically, professionally and in your relationships. Please bring a printout of your Signature Themes Report (available from www.strengthsquest.com) with you. 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Dinner You are invited to attend dinner with either your Student Advisor or your Resident Advisor. Please check with them to see at what time they will be going to dinner. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Roman Catholic Mass and Community Open Houses Roman Catholic Mass You are invited to gather with the Catholic community on campus for this celebration of the Eucharist. Shabbat Oneg Hillel House: The Center for Jewish Campus Life, 2238 Chew Street Join Muhlenberg College Hillel staff and student leaders for a break from the day s activities at a relaxed open house with great refreshments. Explore the Hillel House and learn about Jewish life on campus. Students of all faith traditions are welcome. Meet the College Chaplain and Student Religious Life Leaders
Seegers Union 113 Stop by for some dessert and meet the College Chaplain and student Religious Life leaders! Students of any or no religious belief/tradition are very welcome. Multicultural Life Multicultural Center, 2252 Chew Street Please join the Multicultural Life staff and student leaders for an informal meet and greet at the Multicultural Center. 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM Sex & Excess: Surviving the Party w/ Elaine Pasqua Can you engage in high risk behavior and maintain your goals toward a successful college education and life beyond? What are the effects of alcohol abuse and unprotected sex? Sponsored by Counseling Services. 10:00 PM - 12:30 AM Late Night Activities BINGO Great Room (Rooms 111-113), Seegers Union Building Play, socialize and win gift cards, Muhlenberg items and other prizes. Hosted by the Muhlenberg Activities Council (MAC). Emoji Pillows Light Lounge, Seegers Union Building Stuff your own emoji pillow! With many emojis to choose from, you re sure to find a favorite! Sponsored by Hillel. Tabletop Boardgames Fireside Lounge, Seegers Union Building Sponsored by the Muhlenberg Board Game Association. Try out some of the latest tabletop games. Rules taught by MBGA members. Outdoor Tossing Games Freshman Quad Come hang out in the quad. Challenge others to bean bag toss, ladder ball, ring toss or frisbee. Hosted by Muhlenberg College EMS. Sodexo will be serving s mores! SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 Throughout the Day Academic Advising for First-Year Students You might have scheduled time to meet with your First-Year Seminar Advisor to discuss your schedule and map the landmarks of your first semester at Muhlenberg. Be on-time and be prepared. Student Advisors can help you with directions to your Faculty Advisor s office. 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM Breakfast on your Own Note that this is the only meal served until the Welcome Back Picnic later in the afternoon (4:15 PM)! 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM O-Group Check in To be determined by your Student Advisor Take a moment to check in as a group on how the weekend is going before heading to the First Year College Student Survey. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM First Year Student College Survey Empie Theater, Baker Center for the Arts You will participate in an important first year student college survey.
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Catholic Campus Ministry Open House Catholic Campus Ministry Center, 2339 Liberty St. The Catholic Campus Ministry will host an informal session for students at the Catholic Campus Ministry Center, 2339 Liberty Street (across from the main entrance to the Life Sports Center). A light breakfast will be served. Learn about the Catholic community on campus, the Catholic Campus Ministry Center, and how you can participate in activities sponsored by the Catholic Campus Ministry. All students are very welcome. 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Hillel Open House/Bagel Brunch Hillel House: The Center for Jewish Campus Life, 2238 Chew Street You are invited to join members of the Jewish community at Muhlenberg College Hillel for this delicious opportunity to nosh and meet new friends. All are welcome. 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Protestant Life: Chapel Introduction & Breakfast You are invited to stop by for an introduction to Protestant Life and Chapel at Muhlenberg. Student leaders and the College Chaplain will be on hand to share information about worship opportunities, Bible studies, and student fellowship. Light breakfast food will be available. All are welcome! 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Second Advising Meeting with First-Year Seminar (FYS) FYS Meeting Room. Consult the O-Group and FYS Times and Locations chart This session, co-led by your Faculty Advisor and Writing Assistant, will ask you to consider such questions as: What are the hallmarks of a Successful First-Year Student? Just how does the Advising Partnership work? What is a Liberal Arts Education? How does a student approach responsible decision-making in Community? You will also discuss the Summer Reading, Speaking in Tongues. 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM & 3 PM - 4 PM Interest Sessions DiversiTEA Multicultural Center, Chew Street This is an opportunity to interact with other students, faculty and staff while gaining insights about resources available from the Office of Multicultural Life. Fraternity & Sorority Life Room 112, Seegers Union Building While students are not permitted to join Greek-letter social organizations until their sophomore year, you can begin now to better understand these organizations and their place on campus. Getting Involved Room 111, Seegers Union Building This session, hosted by the Muhlenberg College Student Government Association, will explore opportunities to get involved on campus - from SGA to theatre and student clubs - there is probably an activity for you! Adventures in Allentown The Office of Community Engagement, Multicultural Center, Chew Street Find out ways to connect with your new city: parks, restaurants, museums, concerts and so much more! 1:45 PM - 4:25 PM Sedehi Diversity Project performances (O-Groups 1 to 21) Performance: Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion This student-conceived and written documentary theatre piece infuses words from faculty, staff, administration and current students into an exploration of social identity and diversity at Muhlenberg College. A small group discussion will follow each performance. O-Group Times: 1:45 PM - 3:05 PM O-Groups 15 to 21 2:25 PM - 3:45 PM O-Groups 8 to 14 3:05 PM - 4:25 PM O-Groups 1 to 7 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Introduction to StrengthsQuest (O-Groups 22 to 42) Consult the O-Group and FYS Times and Locations chart During the summer you completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment online. Your Student Advisor will lead you through an introductory session designed to help you find out more about your Signature Themes and how they can be your key to success academically, professionally and in your relationships. Please bring a printout of your Signature Themes Report (available from www.strengthsquest.com) with you.
4:15 PM - 6:30 PM Welcome Back Barbecue Brown Mall Rain Location: Seegers Union The College Community comes together to renew friendships and make new acquaintances. The President, faculty, staff, and returning students will be there to begin the academic year together. 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM Building Meeting Prosser Residents Empie Theatre, Center for the Arts Come meet the rest of the Residential Services staff that will be working with you this year. Get information about being a member of your residential community and tips for the rest of the year. 5:15 PM - 5:45 PM Building Meeting Walz Residents Empie Theatre, Center for the Arts Come meet the rest of the Residential Services staff that will be working with you this year. Get information about being a member of your residential community and tips for the rest of the year. 5:45 PM - 6:15 PM Building Meeting Brown Residents Empie Theatre, Center for the Arts Come meet the rest of the Residential Services staff that will be working with you this year. Get information about being a member of your residential community and tips for the rest of the year. 6:30 PM Seating for Opening Convocation As guests of honor, the Class of 2020 will be seated before other guests. Attire: Dressy Casual (dress or dress slacks) 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM Opening Convocation Latin for 'calling together', convocation at Muhlenberg is an academic ceremony for incoming students that marks the formal start of their college careers. It is hosted by President Williams and faculty. Monday, August 29, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Residence Hall Floor Meeting Prosser Hall, Walz Hall, Brown Hall Your Resident Advisor will specify the time for your floor meeting. If you have a conflict with the scheduled time, please contact the RA prior to the meeting.