August 28-30, 2026
We’re So Excited to Meet You!
Fall Orientation is a time for you to engage with the individuals and resources available to you as a new community member. All new first-year and transfer students are required to participate in this weekend-long, on-campus experience.
You will take part in academic and social activities that will assist in your transition to life at Drew. The experiences and memories you’ll have during orientation will last a lifetime.
New Student Move-in – August 28, 2026
Students will be assigned a move-in time during the morning based on their housing assignment.
Opening of School Ceremony
Families are invited to join their students at the Opening of School Ceremony on the afternoon of August 28 as Drew faculty and staff formally welcome you to our community.
2026 Fall Orientation Schedule
Friday, August 28
| Event | Time | Location |
| New Student Move-In Check your Drew email for your exact time |
7:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Tilghman Lot |
| Commuter Check-In & Lunch | 12:15 p.m. -1:15 p.m. | Tilghman Lot & The Commons |
| Lunch Available for Students & Families | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Bookstore Open Pick up books, supplies, & Rangers gear for the whole family |
9;00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | First Floor, Campus Center |
| International Students & Orientation Leaders Meet | 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Say your Goodbyes & Head to Mead Hall Lawn | 2:00 p.m. | |
| Opening of School Ceremony Families are encouraged to attend as the President, current students, and faculty welcome new first year and transfer students to community |
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Mead Hall Lawn |
| DSEM Class – First Year Students Your first official Drew class |
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Orientation leaders will bring you to your DSEM classroom |
| Transfer Session and Class Photo | 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Kean Room, Library |
| Family Reception Join the President & Drew staff for light snacks & a drink in The Pub before heading home |
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | The Pub, Ehinger Center |
| First Year Class Photo | 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Hoyt Lawn |
| Dinner | 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Orientation Group Meeting | 6:00 p.m. – 6 :30 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Floor Meeting (for residential students only) Meet your neighbors & Community Assistant (CA) |
6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | |
| After the Fire Hear from survivors of the 2000 Seton Hall fire |
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dorothy Young Center for the Arts |
| Late Night in the Commons Meet your new classmates & win some Drew swag |
9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
**All sessions are mandatory for students**
Saturday, August 29
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast Available | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Diversity Awareness Engage in a high-energy training as new members of Drew’s diverse campus community |
9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Concert Hall, Dorothy Young Center for the Arts |
| Scream Theater Interactive theater experience providing insight & education on issues of interpersonal violence, sexual assault, stalking, bullying, & more. |
12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dorothy Young Center for the Arts |
| Lunch & Tour of Downtown Madison | 1:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Downtown Madison |
| Dinner Available | 5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| RecFest An evening of fun – lawn games, food trucks, & more! |
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Ehinger Center Lawn |
**All sessions are mandatory for students**
Sunday, August 30
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast Available | 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Title IX & Consent Learn about Title IX along with the do’s & don’ts of consent |
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Concert Hall, Dorothy Young Center for the Arts |
| Guided Campus Classroom Tours with Orientation Leaders | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Depart from Concert Hall |
| Lunch | 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
| Time on your Own | 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | |
| Dinner | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | The Commons, Campus Center |
**All sessions are mandatory for students**