Saturday, August 17
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Check-In & Breakfast • Campus Inn
All Orientation participants will check in and enjoy a continental breakfast at the Campus Inn (CI).
*Please be sure to bring your passport and I-20 with you for the start of orientation.
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Immigration 101 • Villalobos Hall
Students will learn the specifics about their F-1 visa, what they can and cannot do, and how to ensure that they maintain their immigration status.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
Group B: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
Group C: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch • Campus Inn
All groups will reconvene and have lunch together at the Campus Inn (CI).
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
Group B: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
Group C: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Assigned Groups • Various Locations
In assigned groups, students will take their placement exam, visit the health center, or learn more about their health insurance.
Group A: Health Center Requirements will be reviewed at the Health Center.
Group B: Health Insurance coverage will be discussed in Villalobos Hall.
Group C: Math Placement Exams will be administered at The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS).
5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Dinner • Campus Inn
Students will conclude their day with dinner in the Campus Inn (CI).
Sunday, August 18
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Check-In & Breakfast • Campus Inn
Students will check-in and have breakfast at the Campus Inn (CI).
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Academic Success • Villalobos Hall
Students will be introduced to MyWhitter, Degree Works, Moodle, and other school-based platforms used on campus. The session will be led by current Whittier College students.
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Academic Expectations • Villalobos Hall
Students will learn about what is expected of them as a student in a US classroom. The session will consist of a panel of Whittier College professors.
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Registration • Villalobos Hall
In assigned groups, students will register for classes.
Group A: Registration for Group A will be from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Group B: Registration for Group B will be from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Group C: Registration for Group C will be from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch • Campus Inn
Students will grab lunch at the Campus Inn (CI).
2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Orientation Check-In • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
All orientation participants will check in and get relevant materials.
3 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Welcome to Whittier • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Orientation will begin with opening remarks from campus leaders to welcome everyone to the Poet experience.
3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Transitioning to Whittier • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Students will hear from panelists in a storytelling session focused on transitioning to college and offering insights aimed at helping new Poets with their welcome to Whittier.
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner • Upper Quad
Mix and mingle with fellow Poets while enjoying a delicious dinner provided by the College. Table topic questions will be distributed at each table to help you kick-start your friendships. There will also be an opportunity to win prizes during our trivia game.
6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Light of Learning Set Up • Location Varies
Students • Upper Quad near SLC building
Students will line up in the Upper Quad and get ready to process for the Light of Learning ceremony, a Whittier College tradition.
Guest • Harris Amphitheater
Parents, guardians, and families will head to the Harris Amphitheater to find their seats and await for the Light of Learning ceremony to begin.
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. President's Convocation & Light of Learning • Harris Amphitheater
This meaningful tradition has taken place for decades and is the formal beginning of the Whittier College experience.
Monday, August 19: Beginning the Poet Experience
9: 30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Continental Breakfast • Shannon Center Courtyard (Optional)
An optional breakfast is available at the Shannon Center Courtyard. Breakfast is free for all new students.
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Orientation Check-In • Shannon Center
All orientation participants will check in and be assigned to a group.
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Tedx Style Presentation • Shannon Center
Poets will form connections based on affinity groups and common interests. There will also be a panel of diverse speakers who will share their tips for forming connections.
11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Introductions • North Lawn
Poets will participate in introductory activities led by their assigned student leader.
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Campus Tours • North Lawn
Poets will walk through campus on a tour guided by their student leader.
*Please be sure to bring your class schedule to familiarize yourself with building names and codes.
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch • Upper Quad
Poets can enjoy a meal on the lawn while meeting fellow Poets interested in their intended major(s).
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Diversity and Inclusion • Shannon Center
Join our Office of Equity and Inclusion to learn more about diversity efforts at Whittier and engage in inclusive work.
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wellness at Whittier • Shannon Center
Join the Counseling Center and our Peer Health Educators as they share resources and tips for staying well in college.
3:35 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. INTD 101 Meeting & Alumni Panel • Location Varies
Students in INTD 101 • Shannon Center
Students enrolled in the INTD 101 course will meet with INTD 101 faculty in the Shannon Center for their first class.
Transfer Students • Hoover 100
Transfer students will join the Faculty & Alumni Panel to hear from outstanding Poets who can share more about the value of their education at Whittier and the advice most helpful for supporting the transition to Whittier.
4:30 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Dinner • Upper Quad
Poets will have dinner in assigned groups on the Upper Quad.
5:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Rock Signing • Lower Quad
This orientation tradition gathers all new students at The Rock (Whittier College landmark). Each member of the incoming class will sign the historic rock and take a class picture.
Tuesday, August 20: Becoming a Poet
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Continental Breakfast • Campus Inn (CI) (Optional)
An optional breakfast is available at the Campus Inn. Breakfast is free for all new students who check in and wear their wristbands.
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Orientation Check-In • Shannon Center
Students will check-in for their final day of orientation at the Shannon Center.
9: 30 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. Being in Community • Shannon Center
Poets will get an introduction to Whittier's community standards to better understand the campus regulations and expectations.
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Shared Values Bingo • Shannon Center
This interactive session will be led by members of the Interfaith American team and our student leaders. Poets will play bingo while getting to know one another.
10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bystander Intervention • Shannon Center
Poets will learn about the importance of Title IX prevention and the Title IX process. Poets will also learn about the different methods of bystander intervention.
12 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. Assigned Group Lunch • Location Varies
Students in INTD 100 • Upper Quad
Students enrolled in the INTD 100 course will grab lunch in the Upper Quad and eat in their assigned INTD 100 groups.
Transfer Students • Villalobos
Transfer students not enrolled in INTD 100 will eat and get together to meet staff facilitators.
1:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. INTD 100 Faculty Mentor Gathering • Listed INTD Classrooms
Students enrolled in INTD 100 course will meet for a session with their faculty mentor.
*Please be sure to bring your class schedule to refer to the classroom location.
Transfer Students • Villalobos
Transfer students will meet the Career and Professional Development team to learn about navigating their career choices, using their strengths, and developing a plan for their career journey.
2:35 p.m. - 3 p.m. Orientation Closing • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
Poets will meet at the Graham Athletic Center (GAC) to conclude this year's Fall orientation.
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pack the GAC • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)
It's time to let loose and have some fun. Poets can enjoy dancing, night swimming, playing volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, or participating in wellness activities.
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Dinner • Campus Inn
Poets can show their completed orientation survey to get Poet gear.
Campus Map
For your reference, please download this the Whittier College campus map.
