*Please note the times listed below reflect the 2024 schedule and will be updated during Spring 2025*

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  RESIDENCE HALL CHECK-IN & INFORMATION, Your Residence Hall
Welcome to Carleton! Make this your first stop when you arrive on campus. Check-in at your residence hall, where you will receive your room key, OneCard, NSW nametag, and additional information. If you experience travel delays and arrive after 2:00 p.m., please notify reslife@carleton.edu to coordinate check-in.

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  STUDENT EMPLOYMENT PAPERWORK, Great Hall, Severance Hall
Stop by if you have been assigned a student employment position. This is a time to meet with Human Resources to complete the I-9 form. This is a two-step process. You will complete Step 1 in Workday prior to your arrival on campus. To complete Step 2, you need to present the appropriate forms of identification. Identification presented must be ORIGINAL; photos, copies, scans, and videoconferencing can not be accepted. A list of acceptable forms of identification can be found on page 3 of the I-9. Documents may include one item from List A or a combination of one document from List B and one document from List C. You must complete the form I-9 before meeting with your supervisor for training.

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  OLD FASHIONED POPCORN WAGON & HYDRATION STATION, Sayles-Hill Campus Center Patio
Stop by the Sayles-Hill Campus Center as we hand out free popcorn and something to drink. This popcorn wagon has a long history in Northfield, with over 45 years of serving popcorn. Owned and staffed by local volunteers.

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  PACKAGE PICK-UP, Great Hall, Severance Hall
Packages that were mailed in advance can be picked up during this time. Have an ID ready when picking up packages. Please note that packages that arrive on September 9th may not be immediately available.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  RESOURCE FAIR, Great Space, Sayles-Hill Campus Center
Meet lots of friendly students and staff members who can help you succeed at Carleton. There will be various offices and community partners available to help prepare you for your time at Carleton. Students and families are welcome.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING (SHAC) OPEN HOUSE, Davis Hall, Ground Level
Stop by SHAC to meet the staff, tour the facility and learn about the services available.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. POP-UP REUSE SHOP, Skinner Memorial Chapel, Room 17 (Lower Level)
Why buy new when you can reuse hangers, desk lamps, dorm room organizers and more to outfit your room? Save money, help reduce waste on campus and support community partners. Items will be available on a pay-what-you-will basis. Proceeds benefit local community partner non-profits. You can also learn about opportunities to get involved in the local community while at Carleton. Sponsored by the Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE).

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  OPTIONAL TOURS

  • Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the Perlman Teaching Museum, Weitz Center for Creativity, Weitz Commons
    Interested in art and museums?! Curious about how exhibitions are made? Join museum director Sara Cluggish for a special tour of Carleton’s museum and permanent art collection. Learn about Bank Job, an upcoming exhibit on forgery, trickery and bank heists as well as an October conference bringing together artists and mathematicians! Get information on how to apply to be a student worker at the museum in the spring term. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and begins at 11:00 a.m.
  • Campus Tours, Bald Spot
    You may have toured campus briefly when you were considering Carleton, but now it’s time to learn more. This campus tour will provide useful information about the college and assist you in finding your way around. Look for the tour sign on the Bald Spot as the designated meeting location. This tour is approximately 45 minutes in length and begins at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m.
  • Library Tours, Gould Library
    Join in for a chance to explore the Gould Library – aka the “Libe” – and learn how to access books, e-books, journal articles, course reserve readings, films, special collections, and much more.  You will also see where to find computers, printers, and help with library research and writing. The tours will take place on Tuesday, September 10th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are approximately 30 minutes in length and begin at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Meet inside the front entrance of the library where the tour begins.
  • Student Organic Farm Tours, Bald Spot
    You will be eating some of this food throughout the year in the dining halls, so come see how it’s grown. Join the 2024 Summer Farm Interns on a tour of the student organic farm. You’ll learn how the farm is managed and see what’s growing this year. Look for the tour sign on the Bald Spot as the designated meeting location. This tour is approximately one hour in length and begins at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  LUNCH, Language & Dining Center (LDC)
Free lunch provided for parents and families at this location only. Students’ meals are included in your Bon Appetit meal plan, so be sure to bring your OneCard for admission. New students will not be admitted without a OneCard, so get your OneCard prior to lunch.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  WELCOME RECEPTIONS
Choose from the list of receptions below and join families, students and staff in learning more about a specific program or aspect of student life at Carleton. Feel free to stop by multiple locations.

  • Career Center, Johnson House/Alumni Guest House Patio
    The Career Center invites students and families to an informal open house. Career Center professional staff, student staff, and the pre-health advisor will be available to answer any questions about resources, programs, and jobs/internships. Join us for refreshments and conversation. Rain location: Alumni Guest House (AGH) Meeting Room
  • Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE), Sayles-Hill Campus Center, Room 153
    Come visit the CCCE (pronounced Trip-See-Eee) for tasty treats and good information. The CCCE helps Carleton students burst the Carleton bubble to make change in our local community. We also support civic engagement through voting, dialogue and deliberation, organizing, and activism. Students can take Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) courses, work for a local organization via a Carleton community-based work study job, volunteer, participate in an alternative spring break trip, apply to live in the Wellstone House of Organizing and Activism and much more. Come to the open house to learn more about how to get involved.
  • Development & Alumni Relations, Bird House, 400 E 1st Street
    Stop by Bird House to enjoy popsicles, play lawn games, pick up some Carleton swag, and learn how our team supports Carleton students.
  • First-Generation Welcome Reception, Sayles-Hill Campus Center, Room 251
    Welcome to Carleton! Join other first-generation college students, faculty and staff and learn about the resources and support available to you.
  • Gender & Sexuality Center, Eugster House, Courtyard Area, 110 North Division Street
    The Gender & Sexuality Center welcomes students and families to visit its office in Eugster House. The Gender & Sexuality Center is a space that supports the success of LGBTQIA+ students and provides resources for everyone in the Carleton community. Stop by to see our space, check out our resource library and meet the Gender & Sexuality Center staff. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are!
  • Office of Intercultural Life, Sayles-Hill Campus Center, Room 201
    The Office of Intercultural Life (OIL) invites students and families to an informal reception. Enjoy some refreshments as you connect with OIL Peer Leaders and staff. Are you interested in having an OIL Peer Leader Mentor? This is a great time to sign up! All are welcome.
  • Office of the Chaplain, Skinner Memorial Chapel, Street side entrance
    Want to know more about religious and spiritual life at Carleton and in the Northfield community? The chaplains and chaplain’s associates (student peer leaders) will be available to answer questions and share about the many programs, services, discussions, and holiday events representing a wide variety of religious perspectives, traditions, and practices. Join us for treats and refreshments in the Chapel. All backgrounds and beliefs are welcome!
  • TRIO/Student Support Services, 216 College Street
    Following the required TRIO orientation for families, students, and their supporters to join us for snacks and refreshments at the TRIO House.

3:00 – 4:15 p.m.  INTRODUCTION TO YOUR NEW STUDENT WEEK GROUP, Bald Spot
Here you will meet other new Carls, as well as several returning students called “Peer Leaders” who will be there to help you throughout New Student Week (NSW). You will review the NSW schedule, learn more about Carleton and ask any pressing questions you have. You’ll be with this group throughout the week and beyond, so you definitely don’t want to miss this first mandatory meeting.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.  A CARLETON WELCOME, Recreation Center
Your journey is just beginning. The Carleton Welcome will provide details on the incoming class, what it means to be a Carl, and what to expect this week and in the years ahead. You will be seated with your New Student Week group — separate from your family. The presenters include the following, in order of appearance:

  • Vice President & Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
  • President
  • Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Vice President for Inclusion, Equity, & Community
  • Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students
  • Carleton Student Association President
  • New Student Week Program Assistants

5:45 – 6:15 p.m.  CLASS OF 2028 FRISBEE TOSS, Bald Spot
This ceremony is the official beginning of your four years at Carleton. All students will receive a personalized Frisbee and aim for a target on the center of the field for a chance to win prizes. After the toss, take any Frisbee and meet someone new by returning it to its rightful owner by the end of New Student Week.

6:15 – 6:30 p.m.  TIME WITH PARENTS & FAMILIES, Bald Spot
This time is for last-minute hugs and goodbyes before parents and family members attend a reception while you attend dinner with your New Student Week (NSW) group.

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  PICNIC DINNER & NSW GROUP MEETING, Bald Spot
This is the perfect time to meet other new students along with a few returning students. Dinner is served from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. with group conversation until 8:00 p.m.

8:00 – 9:00 p.m.  COMMUNITY LIFE AT CARLETON, Skinner Memorial Chapel
What does community look like at Carleton? During this session, you will learn about the resources and support that Carleton provides students, along with the expectations of living in a campus community. Hosted by the Dean of Students Office, Security Services and the Office of Residential Life & Housing.

9:30 p.m.  COMMUNITY MEETING WITH YOUR RESIDENT ASSISTANT(S), Residence Hall Floor Lounge
This meeting will be an opportunity for you to meet other new first-year students living in your community. Your Resident Assistant(s) (RA) will share information about expectations regarding living on campus, upcoming plans for the year and how you can be a part of your new community at Carleton. Stick around after the meeting for socializing and snacks as you get to know your new neighbors.