Orientation
Welcome to the Clarkson Family!
Save the dates for Orientation and Move-In Weekend 2023!
August 17: Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, and School of Business Springboard Orientation Move-In
August 21: CUOC Pre-Orientation Experience Move-In
August 22: The Clarkson School (TCS) Students and all other Pre-Orientation Experiences Move-In
August 23: Honor Students Move-In
August 25: First-year and Transfer Student Move-In
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 member of the Honors Program, please learn more about your orientation schedule on the Honors webpage.
Members of the incoming class of The Clarkson School can find their orientation schedule on the TCS webpage.
International students can find their schedule on this International Center intranet page.
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 their designated campus entrance and check-in with move-in crew to receive directions. Incoming students will receive additional information before arriving on campus.
- First-year students living in Cubley or Reynolds Houses enter on Clarkson Avenue and then turn onto Foothills Lane.
- First-year students living in Ross or Brooks Houses enter on Goldenrod Drive at the main campus entrance.
- First-year students living in Donahue will enter on Goldenrod Drive at the main campus entrance and go to Graham Hall.
- Transfer students, regardless of housing assignment, check in at the Cheel Campus Center lobby. Pull right up to the loop in front of the main entrance and head inside to pick up your keys.
- The Clarkson School students will enter on Goldenrod Drive at the main campus entrance and go to the front of Price Hall (Ormsby House & Newell House).
- Students (and families/supporters, if applicable) drive to the check-in area outside of the residence hall (first-years) or Cheel Arena (transfers).
- Students retrieve their residence hall room key, student ID, and printed orientation schedule. Residential Advisors (RAs) will be walking around the residence halls and handing out keys, in order to get to know you and help answer questions or concerns!
- Should you arrive on campus outside of the designated move-in times, go to the Quad Center Core RA Office room 115. If you need help getting access into the Quad, call Campus Safety at 315-268-6666. 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 Res 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
Orientation Highlights
Student Resource Fair: Friday, August 25, 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Quad Lawn
This is your opportunity to meet different offices on campus and learn more about the resources they offer.
Convocation Featuring Akwesasne Women Singers: Friday, August 25, 4pm - 5:30 pm, Cheel Arena
Convocation and the Van Sickle Endowed Lectureship are events that officially welcome new students to the academic year as well as connect students to a common performance, reading or speaker. Learn more about common conversations and the common reading book here. Convocation is where you get a FREE class of 2027 shirt and a surprise gift!
CUB’s Glowfest: Friday, August 25, 9pm-12am, Cheel Lawn
Join CUB (Clarkson Union Board) for a glow in the dark DJ and Dance Party with the Class of 2027! Wear your class shirt and get ready for a night of lights and music.
Thriving, Not Just Surviving College: Saturday, August 26, 3-3:45 p.m., Cheel Arena
Learn about how to develop your own personal wellness strategy with members of the Counseling Center to give yourself the best chance for success at college.
Scotty Wiese Magic Show: Saturday, August 26, 9pm - 10pm, Student Center Forum
Come watch an interactive magic experience with comedy magician Michael Kent! Michael gives magic a facelift as he invites the audience to laugh
with him at the absurdity of a modern-day magician through an interactive experience reminiscent of a late-night talk show.
Academic Meet and Greet: Sunday, August 27, 11am-12pm, Various Locations
Meet your academic department's dean and faculty and learn about where to locate your advisor's office, how to get in touch with a TA, how to
navigate the academic buildings and about your department's specialized spaces on campus.
CUSA Carnival: Sunday, August 27, 12pm-4pm, Cheel Lawn
Join your student government, Clarkson University Student Association (CUSA) for a day of fun in the sun on Cheel Lawn! You'll have the opportunity to play different games, get free snacks and win prizes!
Club and Organization Activities Fair: Sunday, August 27, 7pm, Cheel Arena
There are many opportunities for you to engage in clubs and organizations during your time at Clarkson. Throughout Orientation, you'll get a little taste of all the opportunities Clarkson has for you to get involved as several clubs and organizations will be hosting events for you to participate in that we will share with you upon arrival. We are also hosting a Club and Organization Activities Fair. This is your chance to meet several clubs and organizations the first week of being at Clarkson, and learn where you can get involved right away with others that have similar interests as you. To get a sneak peek of our clubs and organizations, log in to Knight Life with your Clarkson credentials at Knightlife.clarkson.edu.
Open Skate with President Christensen: Sunday, August 27, 8:30pm - 10pm, Cheel Arena
Skate around Cheel Arena and meet Clarkson University’s President, Dr. Marc Christensen!
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.