Orientation Schedules
Below you'll find daily schedules for the orientation programs that take place over the course of the summer, from Transfer Orientation (for the Summer EFS program) in June to New Student Orientation in early September. As a reminder, all incoming students (first-year, BRDD and transfer) must attend New Student Orientation. All incoming students should be prepared to present valid photo identification (license, passport, military ID etc.) at orientation check-ins.
Orientation schedules
August
25-27
BRDD Orientation
The Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program website houses detailed orientation schedule information.
August
28
International Student Orientation Day 1—Wednesday
Parents and families are invited to attend an optional orientation program from August 28–30.
- 8 am – 2 pm: Move in and check in
upper Quad
Welcome to RISD. Pick up your ID card and check-in for International Orientation in the upper quad. Make sure to check-in at the immigration table with your documents. There will be plenty of time to settle in, once you have checked in. - 7:30 am – 2 pm: Brunch
The Met
Head over to The Met, the main dining location at RISD, located at 30 Waterman Street. Bring your RISD ID and Orientation nametag in order to enter. - 10 am – 2 pm: Banks and phones
The Met A
Let us help you get set up a new bank and phone service. Representatives will be on campus during this time to meet with you. - 10 am – 2 pm: Shopping shuttles
30 Waterman Street
If you need to shop for your room or apartment, please take advantage of our complimentary shopping shuttles. Vehicles will be running from 30 Waterman to the Seekonk Shopping Area and Providence Place Mall. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Home Depot are some stores that may interest you along this route. - 10 am – 2 pm: Yard sale
The Met C
Stop by our yard sale and claim something for your room or apartment. All items are free. - 4:30 – 5 pm: Welcome and President's Address
RISD Auditorium
Receive your first official welcome to the college. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner/Meet your Orientation Leaders
The Met
Meet your Orientation Leaders and the other new students in your Orientation Group. You will be spending the next few days together as you move through the Orientation schedule. - 7 – 9 pm: Creating Community Game Night
20 Washington Place Auditorium
Join us for a night of desserts, games and fun while getting to your know RISD international community and your Orientation Leaders.
August
29
International Student Orientation Day 2—Thursday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Stop by The Met for breakfast before your first full day of International Student Orientation. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the Orientation sessions start. - 9 – 10 am: Immigration and you
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
This session is for all F-1 non-immigrant students. Learn about your documents, how to maintain your immigration status in the US, how to return to the US after traveling and your basic employment options. (Please note: if you did not check-in with your I-20, passport, F-1 visa and I-94 on move-in day, you will need to visit the Office of International Student Services (OISS) at Carr House, 210 Benefit St.) - 10 am – 12 pm: Exploring American culture
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
Moving to a new country can be an adjustment. Join us for group activities as we explore US culture, the cultural adjustment process and how to navigating your time in Providence as an international student. - 12 – 1:30 pm: Lunch/Orientation Leaders small-group time
The Met
Stop by The Met between with your RISD ID and your Orientation name tag for some lunch. - 1:30 – 5 pm: Taking care of business/free time
campus
Take some time for yourself, relax or get work done. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
The Met
Gather with new friends and unwind after your day. OLs will be able to answer any questions you have during this time. - 7:30 – 9:30 pm: Movie Night
The Met
Put on some comfortable clothes and bring a blanket for a movie at The Met. We'll be showing Incredibles 2. Snacks will be provided.
August
30
International Student Orientation Day 3—Friday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Grab some breakfast in The Met. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the Orientation sessions start. - 9 – 10 am: Navigating US systems
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
This session will allow International Students to learn how to navigate US systems including, taxes, social security, drivers' licenses & IDs, health insurance and healthcare. - 10 – 11 am: Exploring US culture in the classroom
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
International faculty share their experiences adjusting to the community. Explore aspects of the unique learning environment found at RISD. - 11 am – 12 pm: International student panel
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
Attend this panel with international students and ask any questions you still have. - 12 – 1 pm: Lunch/Orientation Leaders small-group time
The Met
Stop by The Met with your RISD ID and your Orientation name tag for some lunch. - 1 – 5 pm: Taking care of business/free time
campus
Take some time for yourself, relax or get work done. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
The Met
Enjoy dinner together. - 7:30 – 9:30 pm: International Karaoke Night
Taproom (Memorial Hall, 4th floor)
Come to the Taproom and sing your heart out. We will have both English and international karaoke machines so you can sing your favorite songs in any language. If you don't want to sing, just come hang out and meet new friends. Participation is completely optional.
August
31
International Student Orientation Day 4—Saturday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Grab some breakfast at The Met. - 9 am – 12 pm: Half day of service/free time
Providence Downtown Neighborhood Association, location TBD
International students are invited to join us for an optional morning of service. Prior registration is required. - 12 – 1 pm: Lunch
The Met
Stop by The Met with your RISD ID and your orientation name tag for some lunch. - 12 – 5 pm: Free time
campus
Take some time to relax before New Student Orientation begins. - 5 – 6:00 pm: Dinner
The Met
Gather with new friends to enjoy dinner at The Met.
September
1
New Student Orientation Day 1—Sunday
Parents and families are invited to attend an optional orientation program September 1 and 2.
- 8 am – 2 pm: Brunch
The Met
Head over to The Met, the main dining location at RISD, located at 30 Waterman Street. Please bring your RISD ID and Orientation nametag in order to enter. - 8 am – 2 pm: Move In/Orientation Check-In
upper quad
Welcome to New Student Orientation! Time to check in, pick up your RISD ID card and move into your new home (if you haven't done so already). Commuter & Transfer Students: Even if you are not living on campus, be sure to check in, say hello and gather your Orientation materials! - 8 am – 2 pm: Information Center
upper quad
If you have questions and want to connect with a staff member, visit us in the upper quad at the Information Center. - 9 am – 2 pm: Immunization Clinic
The Met A
The Wellness Company will be providing immunizations for students who signed up for immunization using the web link sent to your RISD email by Health Services. If you did not sign up, see a health services staff member for more information. - 10 am – 2 pm: Resource Fair
20 Washington Place Auditorium
Offices across campus are dedicated to supporting you and providing you with the resources you need to be healthy, happy and successful. Visit our many tables at the fair to learn about the important resources you'll have access to throughout your time at RISD. - 2:30 – 3 pm: Welcome and President's Address
First Baptist Church
Receive your first official welcome to the college. (Families are welcome to attend.) - 3 – 3:30 pm: New Student/Family Send-Off Snacks
First Baptist Church Lawn (rain location 20 Washington Place)
Enjoy some light send-off snacks before saying goodbye to parents and families. - 3:30 – 5 pm: Meetings with Orientation Leaders
various locations
Get ready to start your RISD adventure! You'll meet with your Orientation Leader, go over the week’s events and get to know your fellow students. - 5 – 6 pm: Dinner
The Met
Enjoy dinner at The Met with your Orientation Leaders and small group. - 7:30 – 8:30 pm: Residence Hall Meetings
residence halls
After spending time with your Orientation Groups, get to know your neighbors and peers in your Residence Hall by attending a floor or building meeting. - 9 – 11 pm: First Night Celebration
upper quad
Celebrate the first night of New Student Orientation at the upper quad. We'll have an inflatable obstacle course, giant games, food, music and more. Come early and receive a raffle ticket to enter the Cash Cube to catch as many RISDBucks as you can!
September
2
New Student Orientation Day 2—Monday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Grab some breakfast in The Met! Be sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the Orientation sessions start. Meet up with your Orientation Leader by 8:45, so you can walk to the first session with your group. - 9 am – 12 pm: Student Affairs at RISD
RISD Auditorium
During this session you will have the chance to learn about the many offices on campus that help support your co-curricular experience through programming and services that reflect values of community, inclusiveness, responsibility, leadership and wellbeing. - 12 – 1 pm: Lunch
The Met
Time to re-fuel. Stop by The Met with your RISD ID and your Orientation nametag for some lunch. - 1 – 3 pm: Campus Tours
campus
Explore RISD’s urban campus with your Orientation Group. Your Orientation Leaders will guide the way. - 3 – 3:30 pm: Public Safety at RISD
RISD Auditorium
Whether you are navigating the RISD community or the Providence community, this session will highlight ways to stay safe and informed. - 3:30 – 5:30 pm: Consent/Relationships
RISD Auditorium
This session will help students understand key components around consent, communication, decision- making, sexual health and relationships. - 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
The Met
Dinner time. Gather with your Orientation Group, unwind after a busy day and get excited about the nighttime activity options. - 8 – 10 pm: Evening Activities
upper quad, The Met A and C
Choose from any of our three night time activities, or visit them all! 1) Bingo: Test your luck at RISD Bingo. Come hang out and get to know other students while you play bingo. There is a chance to win prizes, including gift cards, RISD swag, and more. Find this in Met Room C. 2) Potted Plant Decorating: Decorate a flowerpot, complete with a plant, to bring to your new home, all while relaxing and getting to know other RISD students. Find this in Met Room A. 3) Upper Quad Dance: Show us your best dance moves, or just stop by to enjoy the music. We'll be playing your favorite songs until 10pm at the upper quad. Snacks included.
September
3
New Student Orientation Day 3—Tuesday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Grab some breakfast in The Met. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the Orientation sessions start. - 9:30 – 10 am: Orientation Leader Small Groups
various locations
Meet up with your Orientation Leaders and group and head over to Convocation together. - 10 – 11 am: Fall Convocation
RISD Auditorium
Join President Rosanne Somerson, Provost Kleinman, academic deans, department heads, new faculty members and others for the official opening of the academic year. - 11 am – 12:30 pm: Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) and Liberal Arts Info Session
RISD Auditorium
Your first day of classes is right around the corner. This session overviews important information about your first-year academics, including what to expect and what is expected of you. Joanne Stryker, Dean of Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS), and Damian White, Dean of Liberal Arts, will lead this session. - 12:30 – 1:45 pm: Lunch
The Met
Time to re-fuel. Stop by The Met between with your RISD ID and your Orientation name tag for some lunch. - 2:30 – 4:30 pm: Building Capacity for Greater Inclusion: Jamie Washington
RISD Auditorium
A defining moment when we start our journey together. This event gives you permission to be curious and to explore our similarities and our differences. Renowned writer and speaker Jamie Washington will facilitate this session to help you explore our full human and artistic potential by engaging both you and your closest educators in the RISD community. - 4:30 – 5:00 pm: Orientation Leader Small Groups
various locations
Use this time to un-pack the day with your group and Orientation Leaders. - 5 – 6 pm: Dinner
The Met
Gather with your Orientation Group, unwind after a busy day and get excited about our nighttime activity. - 7:30 – 9:30 pm: Night at the Museum
RISD Museum
Enjoy one of RISD’s most valuable resources: draw in the galleries, chat with RISD students about their artistic practice, take part in a student-led gallery tour, explore the collection on your own and mingle with friends over snacks in the Grand Gallery. Enter the RISD Museum through the Benefit Street entrance.
September
4
New Student Orientation Day 4—Wednesday
- 8 – 9 am: Breakfast
The Met
Grab some breakfast in The Met. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the Orientation sessions start. Meet up with your Orientation Leader by 8:45 so you can walk to the first session with your group. - 9 am – 12 pm: Library Rotations/Small-group time
Fleet Library/campus
Join the staff of the Fleet Library for an in-depth look at all the RISD Library has to offer. - 12 – 1 pm: Lunch
The Met
Stop by The Met with your RISD ID and your Orientation name tag for some lunch. - 1 – 2 pm: Student Employment at RISD
RISD Auditorium
Planning to work on campus? Come meet with Nelly Hoffens-Vargas, Financial Aid/Student Employment Counselor, to learn about job opportunities and guidelines at RISD. - 1 – 5 pm: Taking care of business/free time
campus
Take some time for yourself to relax or get work done. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
The Met
Gather with your Orientation Group, begin to unwind after a busy day, and get excited about our nighttime activity. - 6:30 – 7:30 pm: Being a RISD Student: Panel and Orientation Closing
RISD Auditorium
Attend a panel with current RISD students and ask any questions that you still have. Celebrate with us as we reflect on the week with our closing. - 7:30 – 10 pm: Lantern Lighting
RISD Auditorium
During this time-honored RISD tradition, returning students pass the flame of knowledge to a new class. In true RISD fashion, this ceremony is anything but traditional.
September
5
New Student Orientation Day 5—Thursday
- Classes Start
- 8 – 11 pm: Quad Karaoke Takeover
upper quad
The RISD Residence Life team is throwing a Welcome Back party in the upper quad. Stop by event and sing your heart out at karaoke. If you don't want to sing, just come hang out and meet new friends—participation is completely optional. There will be food, fun and much more.
September
6
New Student Orientation Day 6—Friday
Events TBD
September
7
New Student Orientation Day 7—Saturday
- 12 – 4 pm: Welcome Back Block Party
Benefit Street
Stop by Benefit Street for your chance to check out all the ways in which you can be involved outside of the studio and classroom. This fun-filled street fair is not to be missed. All are welcome as we take over Benefit Street to showcase RISD's many student opportunities.