Dean of Freshmen

Residential Houses

New students move into their respective rooms where they will be greeted by House Team members and other student leaders. You will pick up your room key and check-in material in your house.

Villard Room (Main Building, 2nd Floor)

After moving into your room you will need to head to the Villard room to receive your V-CARD, post office key, and late “Build Your Own Adventure” assignment.  Representatives from Student Accounts and Financial Aid, Health Services, Security, Career Development, Student Employment offices, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Campus Life, among others, will be available to distribute vital information and answer questions in Villard Room.

(Main Building, 2nd Floor)

Students' Building, second floor

Judy "JJ" Jackson, Dean of the College, and Ronald Sharp, Dean of the Faculty, will give parents and families an overview of what is to come during Orientation and answer questions.

Residential Houses

This time is set aside for new students to meet with their Student Fellow groups. Student Fellows act as peer advisors to help new students in their adjustment to college life.
The meetings will take place in your residence house. Your Student Fellow will contact you regarding exact location.

Chapel

President Catharine Hill will address the families of new students. She will be introduced by Joanne Long, Dean of Freshmen. Also speaking will be Judy “JJ” Jackson, Dean of the College; Ronald Sharp, Dean of the Faculty; D.B. Brown, Dean of Students; Lucille Johnson, this year’s Convocation Speaker; and Sam Charner, Vassar Student Association President.

Residential Houses

Students and families say goodbye at this time.

Noyes Circle

Chapel

Students will be welcomed by Catharine Hill, President; Judy “JJ” Jackson, Dean of the College; Joanne Long, Dean of Freshmen; D.B. Brown, Dean of Students; Edward Pittman, Associate Dean of the College; Lucille Johnson, this year’s Convocation Speaker; and Sam Charner, the Vassar Student Association President.

This meeting will take place in your House.

Please see your Student Fellow for more information. All new students will meet the house leadership team, which includes the House Student Advisor, House President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, House Fellow Intern, House Fellows, and House Advisor. Important information about house policies and procedures will be discussed. Any questions about the house will be answered during this time.

Residential Houses

Everybody knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Start your day off right with some of the important people in your community.  Join us for breakfast with the House Fellows, Student Leaders, House Advisor and your new neighbors.

Chapel and Discussion locations

Learn about the Vassar community and how you can contribute your unique experiences to it. You will first see “A Day in the Life” which captures images of students, faculty, administrators and staff as they go about their day - working, studying and living at Vassar. Current students will share real, spoken stories about Vassar experiences. Small group discussions, led by student facilitators, will allow you to share your own reflections as you enter and participate in this dynamic intellectual community. This program establishes a starting point for other first year discussions at Vassar.

Various locations

It’s time to explore Vassar, Poughkeepsie and more. Meet us at ACDC ready for adventure. 
You will leave with your groups to go to your adventure sites, where lunches will be provided.

Roman Catholic Mass
Vassar Chapel
Sponsored by the Vassar Catholic Community

Protestant Ecumenical Worship
Chapel Tower
A simple communion service sponsored by Ecumenical Protestants

A jointly sponsored reception follows both these services – and students will have time to get to supper in ACDC

ACDC

All members of the Class of 2011, along with all Student Fellows, will have breakfast together in ACDC. Food service will conclude at 8:30, and at 8:45 new students will participate in the Teagle Assessment Survey.

Advisors’ offices or assigned meeting rooms

In your Orientation packet you will find a letter from the Dean of Freshmen telling you who your pre-major advisor is, where to find him or her, and when your meeting with him or her is scheduled. In this meeting your advisor will discuss some important aspects of academic life at Vassar, including the transition from high school to college; expectations for class attendance, laboratories, and the submission of written work; examination policies; and academic integrity. You will also learn when and how to contact your professors, and where to go for help when you need it. Your advisor will then give you your preliminary fall schedule (the results of your summer pre-registration) and answer any questions you may have about the registration process.

If you need help finding your advisor’s office, ask your Student Fellow for directions or stop by the Dean of Freshmen Office (Main, N -128). If your advisor is a member of an advising team, look for your assigned room in your orientation packet.

Jade Parlor (Main Building, 2nd Floor)

Christopher Roellke, Dean of Studies, will chair this meeting to introduce the Transfer, Visiting, and Exchange students to the class advisors and administrators of the various offices and services that comprise the Dean of Studies Offices. Issues briefly discussed will include college regulations, degree requirements, and support services. T/V/E students should bring their Orientation folder with them to this meeting and to the Advising meeting which follows.

ACDC

Advising takes place in the
Dean of Studies Office (Main, N-128) and the Study Abroad Office (Main, N-172)

The Office of the Dean of Studies will coordinate the advising and registration process for all Transfer, Visiting, and Exchange students following the T/V/E students’ meeting. Please consult your T/V/E intern for more information about this meeting.

Various Locations

Wondering what your professors will be like? Curious about a subject you’ve never studied before? This is your chance to find out. Forty members of Vassar’s faculty will give informal talks about their current research. There will be three 45-minute sessions, with many fascinating presentations to choose from in each.
Program of Faculty Research Presentations

Various Locations

Come learn more about a department of particular interest to you in an informal setting. Meet the professors and enjoy refreshments and conversation.
Receptions with Departments and Programs

ACDC

Residential Quad

Sponsored by ViCE.

ACDC

Rose Parlor (Main Building, 2nd floor)

Sponsored by the Vassar Christian Fellowship

Department and Program Offices

Representatives from all academic departments and programs will be available for individual consultations. If you are not sure which math or language course is right for you, or if you received a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam (or equivalent IB or A-level examination) and want to take an intermediate-level course, or if you are interested in a special permission (SP) course, such as Art 102-103 or music lessons, this is the time to get the information and/or permissions you need. Be sure to bring your registration form with you.
A list of department and program office locations for departmental advising is included at the back of the Student Orientation Schedule booklet and available online. Specific information meetings are listed as follows:

Specific information meetings are listed as follows.

9:00 - 9:30 am Pre-Law Advising
Sanders Auditorium
Adelaide Villmoare will give an overview of the suggested method of preparing for the possibility of a career in law.  After this meeting students can begin revising their fall course selections in preparation for their advisor meetings.

9:45 - 10:30 am Pre-Med Advising
Sanders Auditorium
Members of the Pre-Med Advisory Committee will give an overview of the requirements for preparation to apply to medical and other schools in the health professions.  After this meeting students can begin revising their fall course selections in preparation for their advisor meetings.

10:00 - 11:00 pm Art Department Advising
Taylor 222

11:00 - 11:30 pm Art 105-106 Information Meeting
Taylor 203
Art Department faculty will describe the content of this course and explain how to register.  All students currently pre-registered for Art 105, or wishing to enroll, or just curious about Art 105-106, are invited to attend.

10:30 - 11:00 am English Department AP Information Meeting
Sanders Auditorium
Peter Antelyes and Michael Joyce will explain policies and procedures for advanced placement in English. 
All students wishing to take a 200-level English course in their first year should attend this meeting. 

10:30 - 12:00 pm Science and Math Advising
Science Quad Lawn
(Rain location-Sanders Physics Library)
Representatives from the science and math departments will give an overview of the sciences at Vassar.  They will discuss curricular offerings and answer questions about their programs.  Math advising will also take place in the Math Department lounge, Rockefeller 305.

11:00 - 11:30 am Education Certificate Advising
Rose Parlor (Main Building, 2nd Floor)
Christopher Bjork and Linda Cantor will give a short presentation about the requirements for education certification and answer any questions about the process.

9:00 - 12:00 noon Foreign Language Placement Advising
Chicago Hall
Foreign language departments will be available to students for placement advising.  See listings at the back of this schedule.

ACDC

Advisors' Offices

Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on your choice of courses and to obtain information and advice on placement, you will meet again with your advisor to discuss your schedule in detail and make any desired changes (add or drop courses, change sections, etc.). This is the time to add any intermediate or advanced courses that were not included in the summer pre-registration, except for special permission courses that require the instructor’s signature (these can be added during the first two weeks of classes). Since you may not be able to register for some of the classes you have chosen, you should also discuss some alternative selections with your advisor and put them down on your form. At the end of your meeting, your advisor will sign your registration form, signifying that you have consulted with him or her.

NOTE: Do not leave your advisor’s office before he or she signs your form! You cannot register for classes on Wednesday without a completed and signed form.

Skinner Recital Hall

ACDC

Students' Building, 2nd floor

7:00-9:00 pm – Groups Attending:
Main, Josselyn, Davison, Noyes, Ferry
8:00-10:00 pm – Groups Attending:
Raymond, Strong, Lathrop, Jewett, Cushing

Sex and Sensibility was created by Vassar students in order to get real about what life at college is really like! Current Vassar students will present a creative performance that will promote dialogue about relationships and sexual scenarios (good and bad) that often occur on college campuses. Immediately following the performance, trained student facilitators will lead small discussions and provide information about on and off campus resources. Come with an open, inquisitive mind to ask questions about the expectations, rumors, or ideas you may have or have heard about. This session contains sensitive material.

Refreshments will be hosted by your Student Fellow. This session is an opportunity for House Advisors, Student Fellows, and new students to share their reactions to tonight’s presentations.

ACDC will be open for continuous service.

College Center 240

All entering students must come to College Center 240 (Main Building, 2nd Floor) to finalize their schedules for the fall semester with a representative from the Office of the Registrar. Students register at specific times based on the number of units for which they were pre-registered (those with no units go first, then those with .5 units, 1 unit, etc.) and on a random draw number, which is printed on your schedule form. Consult the Registrar’s letter in your orientation packet to determine what time you should arrive. Don’t forget to bring your pre-registration form, signed by your advisor, with you! On the way out, be sure to sign the Matriculation Book! Signing this book signifies that you are an official candidate for a degree at Vassar College.

Important:If you do not come to College Center 240 on Wednesday morning, your registration will be cancelled and you will lose your place in the courses for which you were pre-registered.

Sanders Auditorium

9:00 - 10:30 am (Last names A-L)
11:00 - 1:00 pm (Last names M-Z)

Renee Behnke, Manager of Student Accounts, will provide general information about the Office of Student Accounts and the Cashier’s Office, including the monthly billing process, bookstore charges, payment options, and office hours. Michael Fraher, Director of Financial Aid, will discuss the Financial Aid process, provide general information about the Financial Aid Office and answer questions. Elaine Hughes, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, will discuss the federal Stafford and Perkins Loan programs and answer questions.

NOTE: If your scheduled time for registering for classes conflicts with the Financial Aid/Student Accounts Information Sessions for your section of the alphabet, you may attend the other session.

(ACDC is open all day until 8:00 pm)

Metcalf/Baldwin Tent, Behind Metcalf

All new students are invited to visit Baldwin Health Services, the home of our on-campus medical clinic and women’s health service, and Metcalf House, the home of the Health Education Office, Disability and Support Services, and the Counseling Service. Take this opportunity to ask questions, receive informational brochures, and meet staff from each office. Additionally, each office will have giveaways that promote peace of mind and wellness. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the resources that will help you to thrive at Vassar!

Wellness Open House Schedule
2:00 pm – Noyes
2:30 pm – Strong and T/V/E Students
2:45 pm – Lathrop
3:00 pm – Cushing
3:15 pm – Joss
3:30 pm – Jewett
3:45 pm – Raymond
4:00 pm – Davison
4:15 pm – Main

Library

Join the Library and Computing Departments for an introduction to the information resources available to you at Vassar College. There will be tours of the library, a laptop computer clinic, and a chance to win the grand prize — a new video iPod.  These tours will be conducted at 15-minute intervals; please consult the schedule below for the time assigned to your residence house.  Library and Computing staff will be on hand to introduce you to the many resources and services available on campus, from the library to your dorm room, and to answer any questions you might have.

Library and Computing Fair Schedule
2:00 pm – Main
2:30 pm – Davison
2:45 pm – Raymond
3:00 pm – Strong and T/V/E Students
3:15 pm – Noyes
3:30 pm – Cushing
3:45 pm – Lathrop
4:00 pm – Jewett
4:15 pm – Joss

Chapel Lawn (in case of rain: Jade Parlor, Main Building, 2nd floor)

Interested in mindfulness and practices of meditation? Wonder how to get to the local temples? Trying to make spirituality part of your learning? Want to get involved in inter-religious dialogues? Interested in community-based learning and service? Come learn about these and the many other campus and neighborhood programs of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Refreshments provided. All are welcome, whether you believe or not.

ACDC

Faculty Commons

This dinner, hosted by the Dean of Students, is an opportunity for all new transfer, exchange, and visiting students (T/E/V) to relax with one another before classes begin. The Matriculation Book will be available for signing.

37 Collegeview Avenue (Behind ACDC)

Drop in at the Blegen House, one of Vassar’s Campus Life resource centers for LGBT/Queer students, faculty and the local community, and also home of CARES and other groups. Visit our library, watch a film, pick up announcements. All are welcome here!

The Bayit, 51 Collegeview Avenue (Behind ACDC)

Sponsored by the Vassar Jewish Union and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

Skinner Hall

Library Lawn

Walk a spiral path of luminaries.
Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

Skinner Hall, room 105

Chinese

Sanders Classroom Building, 3rd Floor, south side

French

Chicago Hall, FLRC

German

Chicago Hall, room 134

Hebrew

Contact the Religion Department at x5520 for location

Italian

Chicago Hall, Room 126

Japanese

Sanders Classroom Building, 3rd Floor, south side

Latin & Greek

Sanders Classroom Building, Room 114 (Contact Rob Brown, Chair, x5251, SC Room 123, or robrown@vassar.edu)

Russian

Chicago Hall, Room 116

Spanish

Chicago Hall, Room 143

Take this exam if you want to complete the foreign language requirement by examination. 
If you want to take a foreign language course, but are not sure which one is appropriate for you, consult the department during the Departmental and Advanced Placement Advising session on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.

Skinner Hall, room 421

Skinner Hall, room 105

Meet in front of Main Building – we will leave promptly at 1 p.m.

Hosted by the Vassar Islamic Society (please call the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to reserve your transportation, x5550)

Villard Room

The International Host program pairs individual members of the faculty, administration and staff with international members of the Class of 2011. International students will receive a special invitation to this dinner in their orientation packets.

The Bayit, 51 Collegeview Avenue (Behind ACDC)

Meet on the steps of ACDC at 5:15 pm. Hosted by the Vassar Jewish Union.

Walker Field House

Vassar students wanted you to know the truth about alcohol and drug use on campus, so they created an entertaining and informative short video to show you! After the show, you are invited to engage in open dialogue with wellness peer educators and other Vassar students about your experiences taking “Alcohol. Edu” and about the possible impact the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs could have on your experience at Vassar. No one will tell you what to do, but by “Just Saying KNOW” you will have accurate information to help guide your decision making so that the next four years of your life are the best they can be!

Walker Gymnasium

Don Marsala, Director of Security, and Kim Squillace, Associate Director, will explain the function of Vassar’s Security Department, offer tips on personal safety, parking regulations and emergency contacts. A short question and answer session will follow.

Walker Field House and surrounding areas

Enough sitting around! Here is a chance to get up, get moving, show house spirit and get involved in a variety of activities, including volleyball, basketball, swimming, aerobics, and soccer. Houses will compete in “Brewer Games” for recognition, bragging rights, and prizes. There will also be square dancing and opportunities to gaze at the stars at Vassar’s Observatory (open 9:45-11:00 pm). Coaches, faculty, student athletes, and wellness peer educators will participate and help out.

ALANA Center Community Room

An informal gathering to welcome African American/Black, Latino, Asian/Asian American and Native American students. Students will receive information about Center resources, and learn more about the ALANA Center, a resource center of the Campus Life Office. All students are encouraged to attend and meet new friends, professors, ALANA Center staff and members of student organizations—African Students’ Union, Asian Students’ Alliance, Black Students’ Union, Caribbean Students’ Alliance, Council of Black Seniors, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o Aztlan, Poder Latino and the South Asian Students’ Alliance.

Students' Building, second floor

The Queer Coalition of Vassar College presents an orientation event unlike any other. Come to this interactive session where you can ask a panel of upperclassmen questions; the answers aren’t always what you might expect. Learn about stereotypes and realities of sexuality and genders. Stay afterwards for ice cream. See your Student Fellow for more information.

Outside ACDC
(Rain location, College Center, North Atrium)

Main Circle (in front of Main Building)

Vassar Chapel

Vassar Chapel

Skinner Hall

Jazz Ensemble Information Meeting and Audition Sign-up
All new and returning students should attend.

Skinner Hall

Wind Ensemble Information Meeting.
All new and returning students should attend.

Chapel

Fall Convocation is the official culmination of the Orientation program and the official beginning of the academic year. This year’s speaker will be Lucille Johnson, Professor of Anthropology at Vassar.
About the Convocation speaker

Main Circle

Immediately following convocation, the official class photograph of all incoming students will be taken. This will be the photograph used for the yearbook. This special occasion marks the seventh year of this wonderful and successful tradition at Vassar. We ask your support in having 100% participation. Another class photograph will be taken four years from now, when you graduate.