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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Events TBD

• 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.