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
June
14
Transfer Orientation for Summer EFS Day 1—Thursday
- 8 am – 4 pm: Brunch
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Take a break during your move to enjoy a complimentary meal (student ID required) available to you and a guest from Portfolio Cafe. - 9 am – 2 pm: Check-in and move-in (for students in RISD Housing)
15 West
You made it! Come to 15 Westminster to receive your keys and check-in information. (If you have a conflict with the scheduled check-in hours, you must contact the Residence Life team to make special arrangements.) - 11 am – 4 pm: Shopping shuttles
15 West
Shuttles will be available outside 15 Westminster to loop between campus and nearby Seekonk, MA for general shopping needs at Target, Wal-mart and Bed, Bath and Beyond. - 5 – 5:30 pm: Welcome (families and partners are invited to attend)
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Receive your first welcome from Tony Johnson, Assistant Dean, Leadership and Development, and your Orientation Leaders (OLs). - 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Enjoy dinner with new friends. - 6:30 – 7 pm: Residence Life 101: On and off-campus living
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
The Residence Life team will share important information about on-campus and off-campus living. - 7 – 7:30 pm: Residence hall floor meetings (required for students in RISD Housing)
15 West
Join your RAs for further information about on-campus living and your floor community. Snack bags will be available compliments of RISD Dining. - 8 – 10 pm: Movies, boardgames and more!
Tap room (Memorial Hall, 4th floor)
Have fun with new friends.
June
15
Transfer Orientation for Summer EFS Day 2 — Friday
- 7:30 – 9 am: Breakfast
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Grab a bite to eat at Portfolio Cafe with your OLs and RAs and get ready for the day. - 9 – 9:30 am: Deans' welcome
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
Join Maggie Balch, Dean of Student Affairs; Julie Talbutt, Assistant Dean, Student Support and Administration; and Tony Johnson, Assistant Dean, Leadership and Development, as they welcome you to RISD and your summer studies. - 9:30 – 11:30 am: Campus tours
Campus
Tour campus with RISD's staff and learn more about key offices, such as Financial Aid, Public Safety and the Center for Arts & Language. - 11:45 – 12:45 pm: Lunch
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Enjoy lunch while learning more about RISD Auxiliary Services including RISD Dining and RISD stores. - 1 – 2:30 pm: Intro to Experimental and Foundation Studies
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
Learn more about the Summer EFS program. - 2:30 – 4 pm: Taking care of business/free time
Campus
Take care of last-minute errands before the start of class or take some time to relax with new friends. Limited offices on campus will be open. - 4 – 5:30 pm: Threading together your RISD Experience (student panel)
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
How do you thread together the different elements of your RISD experience? Current students will discuss their various approaches. - 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Enjoy dinner with your future classmates. - 8 – 10 pm: Dave and Buster's social
Dave and Buster's (Providence Place Mall)
Enjoy some food and fun at Dave and Buster's at the Providence Place Mall. Food and gameplay included!
June
16
Transfer Orientation for Summer EFS Day 3 — Saturday
- 7:30 – 9 am: Breakfast
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Your meal plans begin today (so you can swipe your ID for breakfast!). - 9 – 10:30 am: PVD tours!
Around campus and Providence
Meet your OLs on the RISD Beach for the “real” RISD tour (learn where to get food at 2 am, where you can print on huge plotters, where you can draw with charcoal in the library and more). - 10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Values, community and wellness
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
Where do you go when you get sick? Who keeps our campus safe? How do you join student clubs? How is diversity supported on campus? Get these questions and more answered during this session. - 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Enjoy lunch as you continue to connect with peers, OLs and campus partners. - 1:30 – 2:30 pm: The RISD Reality (student panel)
Metcalf Auditorium (Chace Center)
This student panel will cover the realities of day-to-day life for students at RISD, including classes, workload, self-care, relationships, culture, identity, balance and everything in between. - 2:30 – 3 pm: Surprise!
Market Square
Join us for a special surprise. - 3 – 5 pm: Taking care of business/free time
Campus
Take some time to hang out or get some last minute supplies. OLs will be available to lead trips to local art supply stores and grocery stores. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
This one's on your own (be sure to use a meal swipe!). - 8 – 10 pm: Rhode Island Pride Fest 2018
15 West/Downtown Providence
Join us in attending Rhode Island's 43rd Annual LGBTQ Pride Celebration. This year's theme is Louder and Prouder. Meet outside of 15 West to walk to the illuminated night parade.
June
17
Transfer Orientation for Summer EFS Day 4 — Sunday
- 8 am – 2 pm: Brunch
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
This one's on your own (be sure to use a meal swipe!). - 11 am – 4 pm: Shopping shuttles/free time
Outside 15 West
Shopping Shuttles will be available for any last-minute needs. OLs will be availiable in the lobby of 15 West for anyone who has any questions. - 5 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
Portfolio Cafe (15 West)
Enjoy dinner together before classes begin!