Arrival and Check in

Keys can be picked up at each residence hall from 8 a.m. to noon. After moving into your dorm room, please report to Parrish to pick up your OneCard and Orientation Group information. If your OneCard is not in Parrish please report to the OneCard Office (Parrish 131A) to have one made as soon as possible. From noon to 5 p.m., keys and OneCards will still be available for pickup in Parrish 104.

Voter Registration

Register to Vote locally or in your home district!

PNC Bank Representatives

For your convenience, PNC Bank will be on campus during move-in to help you open your student checking account. PNC Bank’s Student Virtual Wallet checking account has many great features, including no minimum balance and no monthly fee for six years. PNC’s Swarthmore branch is located right up the street from campus, less than a quarter mile away. To open an account, a student will need two forms of ID and their social security number.

Student Payroll Drop In

If you want to work on campus stop by the large tent outside Parrish and meet with the Student Payroll Office to submit your employment forms (W-4, etc.). Bring with you, the Federally required ID documents as detailed on the Student Employment website.

Campus Community Store Open

New students, family members, and friends are invited to shop for Bed Bath & Beyond products at this collaborative pop-up.

Campus Tours

The tours will leave at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 a.m. Groups can convene outside of Parrish Hall (look for the red velvet ropes on stanchions)

Meeting for Families of First-Year and Transfer Student Athletes

Learn more about Division III and the Swarthmore athletics experience, at this event designed for parents and guardians.

Lunch

Lunch is provided for students and family members.

Orientation Group Kick off

This will be the first opportunity for you to meet the other students in your Orientation Group and your group leaders!

Family Welcome

President Valerie Smith, Provost and Dean of the Faculty Sarah Willie-LeBreton, and Vice President for Student Affairs Students Jim Terhune welcome family members to the Swarthmore College community.

Family Farewells

The time has come to say goodbye. This event marks the end of the family portion of orientation. Families are invited to meet President Valerie Smith and other members of the administration and faculty at this informal reception.

New Student Welcome

Hear from Jim Terhune (Vice President of Student Affairs), Jim Bock (Vice President and Dean of Admissions) who will welcome you to Swarthmore College. Additional student and alumni speakers will also be presenting.

Orientation Group Dinner

Living on Campus

In college learning how to live and learn together in the residence halls is essential to a liberal arts education. The Residential Communities Team and Resident Assistants are here to support you in your journey. Join the Residential Communities Coordinators, Director of Residential Communities, and Resident Assistants to learn more about building dynamic and inclusive residential communities at Swarthmore!

Evening Activity - First Community Meeting

Take part in your residence hall’s first community meeting. Join up with your orientation group, head back to the hall, and relax!

Ice Cream Socials

Join your residential peer leaders and friends in ML Breakfast Room, Mephistos Lounge, Danawell Connector, or Shane Lounge in Parrish Hall for some ice cream and toppings.

Breakfast

Japanese written exam

Written placement exam in Japanese, for students who are advised to take the exam.

Welcome & Introduction to the Queries

The session includes an introduction to the queries by Swarthmore's Dean of First-Year Students Karen Henry '87, and a welcome address from Swarthmore's President Valerie Smith, Dean of Students Tomoko Sakomura, and Associate Professor of Psychology Jedidiah Siev.

Advising and Registration

Dean of First-Year Students Karen Henry ’87 moderates this session in which Dean of Students Tomoko Sakomura and Registrar Kristen Smith offer advice on choosing and registering for classes.

Academics Session for Transfer students

Academic session for new transfer students

Lunch with SAMs

Sharples Dining Hall

Dance Info session

Learn about opportunities with the Dance Department.

Japanese language interviews

For students who were advised to participate in oral interviews for Japanese language placement.

Swim Test

See your email for your assigned swim test time.

Computer Help

ITS helpers will be available to assist with tech support issues in Shane Lounge.

Library Orientation

Get a jump start on finding course books and making sense of college-level research! Sign up for a half-hour workshop at one of the Libraries (McCabe, Cornell, or Underhill). Meet a librarian and a RIA (Research & Information Associate) and walk away with free Library swag!

Chinese language oral interviews (individually scheduled)

For students who were advised to participate in oral interviews for Chinese language placement.

Matchbox Open House

Learn about the Fitness and Wellness Center. Meet the Matchbox staff, view the facility and equipment, and learn about physical education classes and recreational programs.

Board Games and Speed Friending

Stop by Parrish Beach to bee-friend someone new, have a snack, and cool off in the shade of Parrish Tent to play a board game. We’ll have classics like Monopoly, Sorry, and Operation. We’ll also have some new favorites like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and What do you Meme.

Student Employment Information Session

Learn about the ins and outs of working on campus.

SAM Drop-In Hours

Get academic advice from Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) on selecting your first classes and ask them questions about planning your course load.

First-Gen and Low-Income (FLI) Student Session

FLI - First Gen and Low Income Student Session.

Music 48 Orientation

Learn about private music lessons for credit. Financial assistance is available to help cover the cost. The Music faculty will also introduce our music ensembles and fall courses.

Sustainability Kick Off

Learn about Swarthmore’s sustainability initiatives.

Computer Help

ITS helpers will be available to assist with tech support issues in Shane Lounge and Sharples Dining Hall (4:30–6:30 p.m.).

Orientation Group Dinner

The Lang Center Open House

Stop by the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility to learn more about summer internship funding and other engaged scholarship opportunities

Building an Inclusive Community

Learn the building blocks of Building an Inclusive Community. Explore what it means to be a community and the role you play in fostering an inclusive community at Swarthmore College.

Tour and Discussion at Campus Community Centers

Head out to the cultural centers to learn more about their initiatives, ways to get involved and opportunities for networking and dialogue.

Silent Disco & Movie

Which is more fun— dancing in a silent disco or watching one? Come find out! Then dance your way over to watch a movie outside Clothier Hall.

Glow in the Dark Games

If running around in the dark is more your speed, join a glowed-up game of tag or hide-and-seek.

Breakfast

Understanding Your Loans

This session is required for any student who will borrow from the Federal Direct Stafford Loans program now or in the future.

Academic Advising Fair

Representatives from all academic departments and programs will answer questions and assist with course selection.

Individual Meetings with Academic Advisers

Required individual meetings with your adviser happen from 1 to 5 p.m. Stop by your advisor's office (listed in the college online directory) at 11:15 a.m. to schedule an individual meeting. Some advisers use this time for a small-group meeting, leading up to individual meetings in the afternoon.

Orientation Group Lunch

Scott Arboretum Plant Giveaway

While free plants will be available from 1-3pm, to keep the lines short, we suggest that students with last names starting with A-L attend 1-2pm and students with last names starting with M-Z attend 2-3 pm.

Placement: Contemporary Modern Dance & Ballet

Students wishing to enroll in Contemporary Modern II, Contemporary Modern III, Modern Repertory, Ballet II, Ballet III, Pointe & Partnering, and/or Ballet Repertory should attend one of two one-hour placement classes. Please arrive five minutes early to fill out a short informational form and come dressed to dance (athletic clothes are fine!). All past experience is welcome."

Swim Test

See your email for your assigned swim test time.

Computer Help

ITS helpers will be available to assist with tech support issues in Shane Lounge.

Afternoon Arts & Crafts

Stop by Parrish Tent to hang out with your orientation committee while doing some arts and crafts! We’ll have acrylic paints, beading, nail polish, origami, friendship bracelets, MadLibs, tie dye materials, and more!

Low-key Ultimate Frisbee

All experience levels welcome— we’ll explain how it works! Come play part or all of a game of ultimate frisbee!

Library Orientation

Get a jump start on finding course books and making sense of college-level research! Sign up for a half-hour workshop at one of the Libraries (McCabe, Cornell, or Underhill). Meet a librarian and a RIA (Research & Information Associate) and walk away with free Library swag!

Advising Meetings

Required individual meetings with your adviser happen from 1 to 5 p.m., so stop by your adviser's office at 11:15 a.m. to schedule an individual meeting.

SAM drop in hours

Get academic advice from Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) on selecting your first classes and ask them questions about planning your courseload.

Computer Help

ITS helpers will be available to assist with tech support issues in Shane Lounge and Sharples Dining Hall (4:30–6:30 p.m.).

Orientation Group Dinner

 

Healthy Connection: Sex, Relationships, and Consent at Swarthmore

Title IX Coordinator Bindu Jayne will facilitate a discussion around healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. You will also learn about campus partners and resources available to you as you navigate these issues at Swarthmore.

Philly Foods Night

Philly is an awesome place for good eats, so the Orientation Committee is bringing you some of the city’s finest culinary treats.

Breakfast

Advising meetings

Scheduled, required individual meetings with academic advisers - if you did not meet with your adviser on Thursday or if you have follow-up questions.

Session for Transfer Students and Orientation Sophomores

Learn about resources available through the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility.

First Year Worthmore Open Hours

Stop by Swarthmore's free store to pick up items for your dorm room

Online Course Registration

Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) will be stationed in the residence halls and at public computers across campus to provide assistance in registering for classes.

Lunch

Library Orientation

Get a jump-start on finding course books and making sense of college-level research. Sign up for a half-hour workshop at one of the libraries (McCabe, Cornell, or Underhill). Meet a librarian and a research & information associate, and walk away with free library swag!

Campus Resource and Job Fair

Meet with campus employers and learn about resources available to you at Swarthmore.

Jummah Prayer

Join the Muslim Student Association for Friday prayer. All are welcome.

Good Food Garden Open House

Learn about campus vegetable gardening with some morning harvesting, weeding, and pruning! The Good Food Garden located on the corner of Elm and Cedar.

Dinner

Shabbat Services with Swarthmore Kehilah

A brief nondenominational Shabbat service and songs. Kehilah, Swarthmore's Jewish student organization, is LGBTQ+-affirming. All are welcome.

Shabbat Dinner with Swarthmore Kehilah

Shabbat dinner prepared by students. All are welcome.

Alcohol, Other-Drugs, & YOU: Managing the College Effect

The "college effect" is a research-found phenomenon stating that there is an uptick in alcohol and other drug (AOD) use soon after high school graduation for students who choose to engage with substances. In an attempt to make sure all Swat students are in the driver seat of their behavioral health, this program aims to educate, reduce stigma, and highlight how AOD use/non-use connects to overall well-being.

Open-Mic Night

Come listen to your fellow Swatties showcase their talents while you enjoy tasty treats!

Breakfast

Follow up Advising Question and Answer

Discuss follow up academic questions via Zoom with the department chairs and program coordinators from a range of academic departments and programs.

Visit Ville

Familiarize yourself with the local community during Swarthmore’s weekly farmers market.

Find your classrooms and Labs

To avoid stress or confusion during the first week of classes, find your classrooms and labs today.

Lunch

Arboretum Walks in Crum

Join a member of the Arboretum staff for a guided tour of the Crum Woods.

Worthmore Open Hours

Stop by Swarthmore's free store to pick up items for your dorm room

Class Picture and Tree Planting

Join us for planting your class tree! In the past, class trees have been planted by seniors. But this year YOU will have the opportunity to plant the Class Tree for 2025. This will allow you to get to know your tree as you continue your Swarthmore experience.

Dinner

 

First Collection

Begin the academic year with a tradition that marks the official beginning of every student’s Swarthmore experience. It’s an opportunity to reflect again on the queries posed at our First Gathering and to commit ourselves to engage fully in the community in a manner that opens us to transformation. Share insights, learn from the wisdom of others, pass the light of your candle to your neighbors, and sing the alma mater with your Swarthmore community.

Orientation Play

Written, directed, and starring Swarthmore students, this performance is a time honored and good natured look at all a first year here can bring.

Interfaith Open House

All are invited to meet representatives from all campus religious groups and enjoy refreshments.