Welcome to Aquinas College! We're looking forward to seeing you on campus soon! To help you plan your Orientation Week, here are some key dates and events as of July 21, 2022. More details will be added this summer.

Please note that all orientation activities are required for new students.

More Resources

• Before Orientation
• New Student Checklist
• Guide for Incoming Students

Schedule

Thursday, August 18, 2022

• Move-in day for new residential students (8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Commuter Student Check In (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sturrus Parking Lot)
• Community Lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Wege Mall)
• All Student Orientation Check In (1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Orientation Kick Off (2:00 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Class Photo (2:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Statue)
• Campus Scavenger Hunt (2:45 p.m. various locations)
• Title IX and Community Standards (4:00 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Dinner/Group Time (6 to 7:30 p.m. at Wege/Wege Mall)
• Residence Hall Meetings (7:45 p.m. at residence halls)
• Commuter Information Session (7:45 p.m. at The Moose)
• Carnival Night (8:30 to 10 p.m. on Holmdene Lawn)

 

Friday, August 19, 2022

• Move-in day for returning students
• Breakfast (8 a.m. at Wege)
• Hooray community building activity (9 a.m. at Sturrus)
• Campus Safety (10:45 to 11:15 a.m. at Sturrus)
• Counseling Health and Wellness (11:15 to 11:45 a.m. at Sturrus)
• Lunch / Intro to Sustainability (11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Wege/Sturrus)
• CORE academic resources (1:15 to 1:45 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Advantage Center opportunities (1:45 to 2:30 p.m. at Sturrus)
• "Say What?" Diversity speaker (2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Games with OL / Classroom (4:30 to 5 p.m. at OL Classrooms)
• Dinner and Engage overview (5 to 6:30 p.m. at Wege / Classrooms)
• Large Scale Game / Painting Glow Party Attire (6:45 to 8:30 p.m.)
• Mario Kart Night (8:30 to 10 p.m. at Alksnis)

 

Saturday, August 20, 2022

• Breakfast (8 a.m. at Wege)
• Day Overview (9 a.m. at Sturrus)
• "Race to Zero Waste" Sustainability Session (9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Alksnis)
• International programs (10:30 to 11:05 a.m. at Sturrus)
• AQ Trivia (11:05 to 11:30 a.m. at Sturrus)
• Lunch (11:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m. at Wege)
• Project Unite Kickoff (12:30 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Project Unite (1 to 4 p.m. at Sturrus)
• Project Unite Reflection (4 to 4:30 p.m. at OL Classrooms)
• Dinner with President (5 to 6:30 p.m. at Brookby)
• Glow Stick Dance Party (7 to 10 p.m. at Wege Ballroom)

 

Sunday, August 21, 2022

• Sunday Mass (7 p.m. at OLSW Chapel)

 

Monday, August 22, 2022

• First day of classes

Expected learning outcomes for New Student Orientation: 

Mission

1. Recognize our inclusive mission and the values of Aquinas College,

2. Recognize the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Service, and Community

Academics

3. Continue to understand the academic expectations of Aquinas College

4. Identify campus resources critical to their success. 

Student Experience

5. Demonstrate what it means to be an engaged and excited Aquinas Saint

6. Learn and navigate the physical campus environment and the greater Grand Rapids community

7. Recognize the Aquinas College community's culture of respect

 

Are you an admitted student looking to register for STAR? Visit the STAR page for more information and the registration link!

Questions? Feel free to contact the Student Activities & Orientation office at sao@aquinas.edu.