2023 New Student Orientation Schedule
AUGUST DAY ONE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Orientation Registration & Check-In
Location: Murphy Green
Rain location: Hagerty Room, Hynes Athletics Center
Welcome to Orientation! All students check-in at Orientation. Receive your name tag, group assignment and schedule. Please park in the parking garage. The Gael Express Shuttle will also be available.
8:30-10 a.m.
Breakfast for Students and Meet Your OL and Group
New Student Breakfast
Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
Assigned group number (check your name tag/schedule at check-in)
Join your group at your designated table. Small group formal discussions will begin at 9:30 a.m. Get to know the other students in your group and learn more about your orientation leader.
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Welcome to Gael Nation
Location: Upper Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
An opportunity to formally welcome the Class of 2027 and all incoming new students! While this is a joint session for students and families, students will be sitting with their Orientation groups.
11-11:45 a.m.
Maroon: Get Connected
Location: Various Campus Computer Labs, Assigned by Group
Learn what you need to remain connected. Students will go to into PeopleSoft, check phone and address information, enter an emergency contact, and view class information. Further, you will learn how to set up your student account, learn about FERPA, and add a parent or guardian as an authorized user of your account. Learn where to access financial statements, view your awards, and more. Finally, learn how to track your progress to degree completion with the interactive degree audit!
Gold: Iona Community
Location: McGrath Room, LaPenta Student Union
Meet members of Campus Safety and Student Affairs and receive an overview of community standards at Iona. Learn about Blessed Edmund Rice and how his vision of social justice is integral to the Iona experience. Retake your ID picture if needed.
Noon-12:45 p.m.
Maroon: Iona Community
Location: McGrath Room, LaPenta Student Union
Gold: Get Connected
Location: Various Campus Computer Labs, Assigned by Group
12:45-1:30 p.m.
Student Lunch and Activities
Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
1:40–3 p.m.
Playfair
Location: Mazzella Field (Indoor location: Hynes Athletics Center)
Playfair is one of the top Orientation programs in the country with the goal to have fun!
3:15 p.m.
Hydration Station Break
Location: Murphy Green (Rain: Mulcahy Gym)
3:30-5 p.m.
Collegiate Empowerment: Zero Shades of Grey
Location: Murphy Auditorium
We take care of each other in Gael Nation! What every college student needs to know about Sexual Assault Prevention. Entertaining and honest performances address topics such as consent, alcohol use, sexual assault, and bystander intervention, to help you consider how to make smart choices in challenging situations. Learn about support resources, respectful behavior, and reporting options at Iona.
5-6:15 p.m.
Residential Life & Commuter Life Sessions
Residential Life (Residential Students)
Location: Romita Auditorium
Learn more about living on-campus in the fall semester. Meet the Residence Life staff and learn about Residence Hall policies and important information you need to know before moving into your new home. Information on Follett’s campus store, residential meal plan and on and off-campus dining options will also be provided.
Commuter Life (Commuter students)
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Meet the staff of the Center for Student Engagement (CSE) and learn more about what it is like to commute to Iona and some helpful tips for your first semester. Information on Follett’s campus store, the commuter meal plan and on and off-campus dining options will also be provided.
6:15-7:15 p.m.
Dinner
Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
Grab dinner with your group and OL to debrief about what you learned throughout the day. Receive your Orientation t-shirt to wear Day 2 of Orientation. Relax, mingle, and prepare for the year ahead!. There will be music, treats, and fun!
7:30 - 9 p.m.
Orientation Game Show! Evening Activities
Location: Murphy Auditorium
Time to engage with your new classmates! Orientation groups will compete through this interactive show!
AUGUST DAY TWO
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
8:30- 9 a.m.
Day 2 Orientation Check-In
Location: Mulcahy Gym and Hagerty Room, Hynes Athletics Center
Good Morning, Class of 2027! Residential and Commuter Gaels will be checking in with the Orientation Coordinators before Day 2 breakfast. Be sure to wear your new Iona Orientation shirt.
9-9:55 a.m.
Breakfast Sessions
Enjoy breakfast before heading into a full day of activities! Check with your OL for which session you should attend.
- Gael Breakfast
- Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
- Gaels Success Breakfast
- Location: Spellman Faculty Dining Room
- Honors Breakfast
- Location: Spellman Vitanza Commons
10-10:45 a.m.
SESSION 1
Maroon: Academic Resources for Success
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Learn about the offices working together to provide students guidance and support along the journey to academic success. Today you will meet the staff of the Center for Advising and Academic Services, the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center, Student Success, TRIO, and the Accessibility Services Office. Each office provides services that every student may need or use in their first year at Iona.
Gold: Student Affairs and Career Development: Gael Ready!
Location: Romita Auditorium, Ryan Library
Your future starts now. Learn about Iona’s outstanding programs and opportunities for involvement outside of the classroom. Connect with others who share your passion, develop lifelong skills leading to successful and meaningful career outcomes, and have fun during your college experience!
11-11:45 a.m.
SESSION 2
Maroon: Student Affairs and Career Development: Gael Ready!
Location: Romita Auditorium, Ryan Library
Your future starts now. Learn about Iona’s outstanding programs and opportunities for involvement outside of the classroom. Connect with others who share your passion, develop lifelong skills leading to successful and meaningful career outcomes, and have fun during your college experience!
Gold: Academic Resources for Success
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Learn about the offices working together to provide students guidance and support along the journey to academic success. Today you will meet the staff of the Center for Advising and Academic Services, the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center, Student Success, TRIO, and the Accessibility Services Office. Each office provides services that every student may need or use in their first year at Iona.
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
SESSION 3
Collegiate Empowerment: Freedom to Be Yourself!
Location: Murphy Auditorium
Discussion about what it means to be a human being, understanding each other, making connections, and setting aside our differences. Success is the freedom to be yourself. Information and resources will also be shared on Iona’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
1:15–2 p.m.
Make, Create, Play, and Student Lunch!
Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will discuss available program opportunities for all students. Students will work in teams to create and build a solution to a given problem.
2–2:45 p.m.
SESSION 4
Maroon: #IUFeedback&Fun
Location: Various campus computer labs, assigned by group
How did we do and what do you do now? Tell us about your orientation experience and take the survey. Students will be introduced to the Vector online modules to be completed prior to Welcome Day. Learn how to stay connected through online communities with the Orientation team and your new friends throughout the summer!
Gold: Cool Down with the Counseling Team
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Take some time to mellow out, chill and check in with yourself. Enjoy some ice cream, tour the most relaxing space on campus, and explore positive mental health support on campus with the Counseling team.
2:45-3:30 p.m.
SESSION 5
Maroon: Cool Down with the Counseling Team
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Take some time to mellow out, chill and check in with yourself. Enjoy some ice cream, tour the most relaxing space on campus, and explore positive mental health support on campus with the Counseling team.
Gold: #IUFeedback&Fun
Location: Various campus computer labs, assigned by group
How did we do and what do you do now? Tell us about your orientation experience and take the survey. Students will be introduced to the Vector online modules to be completed prior to Welcome Day. Learn how to stay connected through online communities with the Orientation team and your new friends throughout the summer!
3:30 p.m.
Closing Session: Wrapping It Up with Killian
Location: Spellman Steps and Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
Time to wrap up Orientation! Say goodbye to your orientation leaders, learn more about Weeks of Welcome and the exciting things to come! Learn the next steps for engaging with your group members over the summer!
4 p.m.
Orientation Check-Out
Location: Mulcahy Gym, Hynes Athletics Center
Return your name badges and check-out of Day 2 of August Orientation.
Sign Up for Optional Friday Afternoon Campus Tours of Academic Buildings
8 - 10 p.m.
Iona After Dark: Welcome to the U!
Location: Throughout the LaPenta Student Union
Have some fun with your new friends. Get to know the Student Union one of your homes away from home over the next four years. Join the OLs and your classmates for a night of dancing, game tournaments, arts and crafts, food and more. Stop by the photo booth to take a photo with your group.