New Knight Orientation
Welcome to the Clarkson Family!
Save the date for Orientation and Move-in for Spring 2026!
First Year Students and Transfers: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Clarkson School Students: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Students Returning to Campus: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Classes Begin: Thursday, January 8, 2026
It is very important that you check your Clarkson email and MyCU (username and password required) accounts, and check them often. This will be our primary way of communicating with you.
If you are unable to login to these accounts, please visit this link. Your username and password combination are the same for your PeopleSoft and email accounts.
If you are a varsity athlete or are attending a Pre-Orientation/Springboard Experience, you may have a different move in date.
Members of the Honors Program, your move-in date is January 6.
Members of the incoming class of The Clarkson School can find their orientation schedule on the TCS Orientation page here; move-in is January 6.
International students can find their schedule on this International Center intranet page.
Spring 2026 Move-in & Orientation Schedules
9am-4pm
Check in/Move in to your residence hall
Location: 1st Floor Price hall CSS, after 4pm 1st Floor ERC
Students will pick up their room keys and schedule, complete their check in instructions, and get settled in their rooms
10:00-11:15am
Graduate International Students Orientation
Location: Snell 212
Graduate International Students Orientation with Rebeca Brown
11:00am-2:00pm
Lunch
Location: Servery or Ross Brooks Dining Hall
Meal Plan Begins for Lunch
3-:45pm
Meet & Greet
Location: International Center
Int'l Undergrad & Exchange students meet & greet with the IC staff
4:00-4:15pm
Orientation Welcome
Location: Student Center Forum
Welcome to Clarkson!
4:15-5pm
Ice Breakers
Location: Student Center MPRs
Play a series of games to get to know your new classmates at Clarkson!
5-7pm
Dinner
Location: Servery or Ross Brooks Dining Hall
For exchange, international, transfer, and first-year students
7-8pm
Games & Snacks
Student center MPRs
Relax and have fun with other students while playing indoor games
8-9am
Free time to get settled
Location: Your Residence Hall
Pick up your books at the bookstore, check out the fitness center or explore downtown Potsdam.
10am-11am
Graduate Students Academic Integrity Session
Location: Snell 212
Graduate Students
11am-12:30pm
Boundaries & Building a Shared Community Training
Location:Student Center MPRs
Clarkson has a duty to promptly respond to complaints of sexual discrimination in a way that limits its effects, prevents its recurrence, and prohibits retaliation. These are your rights under Title IX and 129-B.
12:30-1:30pm
Lunch
Location: Servery or Ross Brooks Dining Hall
Get lunch from Servery using your meal plan
1:30-2pm
Getting Involved on Campus
Location: Student Center MPRs
Learn about how to get involved through Knightlife, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and CUSA Senate and resources like the shuttle bus
2:00 - 2:30p
Jump Starting your Career Readiness
Location: Student Center MPRs
Meet Career Center staff and learn about how to secure internships, co-ops, prepare for career fair and update your resume.
2:30-3pm
Campus Living Unpacked
Location: Student Center MPRs
Learn the ins and outs of life on campus with your Residence Life team! They will give you everything you need to know to have a successful on-campus living experience.
3-4pm
Campus Tour
Location: Leave from the Student Center Desk
Learn about important spaces and how to navigate around campus
11am-12pm
Undergraduate International & Exchange Student Orientation
Location: Student Center MPRs\
12-12:30pm
Snack Break
Location: Student Center MPRs
12:30-1pm
Academic Integrity Session for Undergraduate International & Exchange Student Orientation
Location: Student Center MPRs
Transitioning to College
Read about the resources and opportunities Clarkson offers incoming students who are transitioning to college.
Additional Move In Information
Please refer to the Campus Map for locations of entrances and residence halls as outlined below. Students (and families/supporters, if applicable) arrive at Price Hall and check-in with Residence Life Staff to receive their keys. Incoming students will receive additional information before arriving on campus.
- All new students will enter campus from U.S. Route 11 at the Adirondack Trail entrance. There will be signs designating it as the entrance for move-in.
- Keys can be picked up anytime from 11am - 4pm in Residence Life located in the 1st floor of Price Hall. Outside of these hours keys must be picked up from Campus Safety and Security located 1st floor of ERC.
- Call Campus Safety and Security at 315-268-6666 for any problems moving in. Move-in assistance will no longer be available but, you will be able to receive your residence hall room key, student ID, and printed orientation schedule. If you have any questions, please contact Residence Life at reslife@clarkson.edu.
After you move in and set up your room
- Students pick up their mail key in the Student Center main floor.
- Students will receive their vehicle registration stickers, if applicable, in their student mailbox or can be picked up at Campus Safety and Security.
- Mailbox numbers and mailing address can be found on myCU
Community
Clarkson is a community of students, faculty and staff who all work together with the common goal of students leaving with a holistic education. Orientation is your first chance to get a sense of the community, build relationships and get comfortable with campus.
Building a Shared Community
Clarkson is a diverse community of learners. With international students from different countries, students from all over the united states, LGBTQ+ -identifying students, indigenous students, and students from various religious backgrounds, Clarkson is a place where diversity is not just a buzzword. It is a way of life.
*Buddies and Boundaries*
All students, faculty, and staff are protected under Title IX at Clarkson. This includes sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. Title IX violations are taken very seriously at Clarkson, and we are committed to helping you navigate the many resources we have available to you.
Be Ready for Day One at Clarkson University
Learn how to get prepared for your first day on campus.