Orientation 2023

Orientation is an introduction to life at Hood College, as well as an introduction to college life where you will learn about the facilities and support services. Orientation and being a college student also marks a transition as you journey to adulthood. Orientation is a great foundation for your Hood College experience and we can't wait to see you soon!

If you have any questions regarding Orientation, please email student engagement at studentengagement@hood.edu.

Friday, August 18, 2023

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Check-in, Library & Learning Commons
Residential students will obtain a name tag with essential orientation information and their key to move in. Only residential students who have not obtained an ID at SOAR will take a picture for an ID.

9 a.m.-1 p.m., Parents and Families: Pastries With PAC, Hospitality Tent (Quad)
Relax and grab some snacks! It is a space where all are welcome to gather! Parents can visit the tent to learn more about the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) at Hood.

11 a.m.-Noon, Check-In for Commuter Students, Library & Learning Commons
Commuter students will obtain their name tags and essential orientation information. Only commuter students who have not obtained an ID at SOAR will take a picture for an ID.

11 a.m.-Noon, Discussion with Parents of Student-Athletes, Hodson Theater
Parents of student-athletes will meet to learn more about the expectations of intercollegiate athletics.

1-3 p.m., Lunch and parent/family send-off, Main Tent on Quad
Meet President Chapdelaine and enjoy a BBQ dinner before families and friends travel home! We look forward to seeing you again at Fall Family Weekend, October 7 – 9.

3:15-3:45 p.m., Meet your Peer Mentor, Various Locations
Students will meet up with their peer mentor!

4-4:30 p.m., Res. Life Floor Meetings, Various Residence Halls
Residential students will meet with their RA and engage in fun discussions with their fellow residents!

4-4:30 p.m., Commuter Council Meeting, Commuter Lounge
Commuter students will meet with the Commuter Council; become familiar with the Commuter Lounge; and obtain an introduction to important policies, staff, resources, and other aspects of commuter life at Hood.

4:45-6 p.m., On-Campus Scavenger Hunt, Various Locations
Get to know more about Hood by participating in a fun on-campus scavenger hunt!

6:15-7:45 p.m., Dinner with President Chapdelaine, (1/3 of students eat at East College)
One-third of students will eat dinner at East Cottage with President Chapdelaine. The other two-thirds of students will eat in the Coblentz Dining Hall.

8-10 p.m., Ice Cream Social or Other Social, Main Tent on Quad
Meet new friends while enjoying delicious ice cream!

Saturday, August 19, 2023

8-9 a.m., Breakfast (Optional), Coblentz Dining Hall

9-10:15 a.m., Playfair, Hodson Outdoor Theater
Make new campus friendships while being engaged with fun entertainment!

10 a.m.-3 p.m., Gear Shop open

10:15 a.m.-Noon, Downtown Frederick Excursion, Various locations Downtown
Get to know the community – visit Downtown Frederick and learn more about student discounts and events!

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Administrative Offices open

Accessibility Services (Library, first floor)
Accounting (Alumnae Hall, second floor)
Career Center (Apple, 2nd floor)
Financial Aid (Apple, third floor)
Health/Counseling (Apple 4)
IT Help Desk (Library, first floor)
Mail Room (Gambrill Gymnasium)
Registrar (Apple, second floor)
Student Success Center (Library, first floor)

12:15-1:30 p.m., Lunch with President Chapdelaine, (1/3 of students eat at East College)
One-third of students will eat lunch at East Cottage with President Chapdelaine. The other two-thirds of students will eat in the Coblentz Dining Hall.

1:45-2:15 p.m., Keeping Our Campus Safe, Hodson Auditorium
Learn about the expectations of the College and important safety tools from Chief Maynard.

2:20-3:30 p.m., Mental Health and Overall Wellness, Hodson Auditorium
Learn more about the wellness and mental health resources available at Hood College.

3:30-6 p.m., Quad Block Party: Carnival Style (Optional), Main Quad Area
Take a break to have fun on the Quad and enjoy food, fun, and games!

6:15-7:45 p.m., Dinner with President Chapdelaine, (1/3 of students eat at East College)
One-third of first-year students will eat dinner at East Cottage with President Chapdelaine. The other two-thirds of students will eat in the Coblentz Dining Hall.

8-9:30 p.m., A Better High (Matt Bellace), Hodson Auditorium
Attend an informative and humorous presentation that focuses on natural highs and creating healthy habits in college.

9:30-11 p.m., Silent Disco, Whitaker Campus Commons
Dance to music you can only hear through glowing headphones!

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Noon-1:30 p.m., Lunch, Coblentz Dining Hall

1:45-3 p.m., Pillar Talks: Session 1, Various Locations
Participate in small group discussions about identity and community expectations at Hood.

3:05-3:20 p.m., Signing of SGA Values Pledge, Quad in Front of Coffman Chapel

3:30-3:40 p.m., Lining Up for Dinking Ceremony, Coffman Chapel

3:45-4:05 p.m., Dinking Ceremony, Coffman Chapel
Participate in a time-honored Hood tradition and receive a Hood Dink, worn at special Hood occasions.

4:10-4:30 p.m., Class Picture, Coffman Chapel
Meet for a class picture!

4:35-4:50 p.m., Process to Convocation Through the Pergola

5-6 p.m., Convocation, Hodson Outdoor Theater
Celebrate the opening of the academic year with the first formal academic ceremony!

6:30 p.m., Dinner, Coblentz Dining Hall (Open to All)

6:30 p.m., Orientation for Honors Students, Blazer Hall
Honors students will meet to eat dinner together and chat with Honors faculty.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

8-9:30 a.m., Check-in and Move-in, Whitaker Atrium

9:45-10:15 a.m., Welcome to Transfers, Whitaker Campus Commons
All transfer students will be welcomed to the College by President Chapdelaine or a member of the Senior Team.

10:15 a.m.-Noon, Downtown Frederick Excursion, Various locations Downtown
Get to know the community – visit Downtown Frederick and learn more about student discounts and events!

12:15-1:30 p.m., Lunch with President Chapdelaine, (1/2 of students eat at East College)
Half of transfer students will eat lunch at East Cottage with President Chapdelaine. The other half of transfer students will eat in the Coblentz Dining Hall.

1:45-2:15 p.m., Keeping Our Campus Safe, Hodson Auditorium
Learn about the expectations of the College and important safety tools from Chief Maynard.

2:20-3:30 p.m., Mental Health and Overall Wellness, Hodson Auditorium
Learn more about the wellness and mental health resources available at Hood College.

3:30-6 p.m., Quad Block Party: Carnival Style (Optional), Main Quad Area
Take a break to have fun on the Quad and enjoy food, fun, and games!

6:15-7:45 p.m., Dinner with President Chapdelaine, (1/2 of students eat at East College)
Half of transfer students will eat dinner at East Cottage with President Chapdelaine. The other half of transfer students will eat in the Coblentz Dining Hall.

8-9:30 p.m., A Better High (Matt Bellace), Hodson Auditorium
Attend an informative and humorous presentation that focuses on natural highs and creating healthy habits in college.

9:30-11 p.m., Silent Disco, Whitaker Campus Commons
Dance to music you can only hear through glowing headphones!

Sunday, August 20, 2023:

8-9 a.m., Breakfast (Optional), Coblentz Dining Hall

9:15-10:30 a.m., Title IX and Sexual Assault Prevention, Hodson Auditorium
Learn about the core characteristics of healthy relationships and consensual sexual experiences, on and off campus resources, and how every student can contribute to a safe culture on campus.

10:45-11:45 a.m., Find Your Classroom, Various Locations
Students will be provided with a tour to find the classrooms on their fall schedule.

Noon-1:30 p.m., Lunch, Coblentz Dining Hall

1:45-3 p.m., Pillar Talks: Session 1, Various Locations
Participate in small group discussions about identity and community expectations at Hood.

3:05-3:20 p.m., Signing of SGA Values Pledge, Quad in Front of Coffman Chapel

3:30-3:40 p.m., Lining Up for Dinking Ceremony, Coffman Chapel

3:45-4:05 p.m., Dinking Ceremony, Coffman Chapel
Participate in a time-honored Hood tradition and receive a Hood Dink, worn at special Hood occasions.

4:10-4:30 p.m., Class Picture, Coffman Chapel
Meet for a class picture!

4:35-4:50 p.m., Process to Convocation Through the Pergola

5-6 p.m., Convocation, Hodson Outdoor Theater
Celebrate the opening of the academic year with the first formal academic ceremony!

6:30 p.m., Dinner, Coblentz Dining Hall (Open to All)

6:30 p.m., Orientation for Honors Students, Blazer Hall
Honors students will meet to eat dinner together and chat with Honors faculty.

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS: SOAR at Hood College this summer!
Our summer sessions (know as SOAR at Hood) are designed to introduce you to -- or remind you of -- things like community and inclusivity, helpful campus resources, and safety and mental wellness. During your time on campus you will be able to:

Meet and get to know other incoming students;
See campus;
Learn more about and meet the staff of campus service offices like student success, financial aid, career center, registrar and more!

Register now for one of four, on-campus summer orientation sessions:

Thursday, June 29

Thursday, July 13

Thursday, July 20

Thursday, July 27

TRANSFER STUDENTS:SOAR at Hood College this summer!
Our summer sessions (know as SOAR at Hood) are designed to introduce you to -- or remind you of -- things like community and inclusivity, helpful campus resources, and safety and mental wellness. During your time on campus you will be able to:

Meet and get to know other incoming students;
See campus;
Learn more about and meet the staff of campus service offices like student success, financial aid, career center, registrar and more!

Register now for the transfer student, on-campus summer orientation session:

Thursday, July 27

Orientation 2023