New Knight Orientation
Welcome to the Clarkson Family!
Save the date for Orientation and Move-in for Fall 2026!
Classes Begin: Monday, August 24, 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.
Fall 2026 Move-in & Orientation Schedules
Move-In Date: Friday, August 14th
Point of Contact (Springboard): kmikel@clarkson.edu
Point of Contact (Ignite): ignite@clarkson.edu
More information on both of these programs will be available at a later date. Check your email for updates!
Move-In Date: Monday, August 17th
Point of Contact: bgaebel@clarkson.edu
If you are a varsity athlete, please reach out with any questions about your move-in date or schedule. Your coaches will be in touch with individual team schedeules.
Move-in Date: Tuesday, August 18th
Point of Contact (Pre-Orientation): osl@clarkson.edu
Point of Contact (Honors): kkrueger@clarkson.edu
Honors students can find their schedule below.
Point of Contact (TCS): streptow@clarkson.edu
TCS students can find their schedule on this page.
If you have signed up for a Pre-Orientation trip, please look out for information from your trip leader in August regarding your specific trip schedule.
10am-2pm
Check in at Price Hall and move into residence hall
2:30-3:30pm
Gather and Greet & Postcards from Home
Quad Lawn
3:30pm
Say goodbye to families and break out into early arrival groups
Quad Lawn
3:30-4pm
Q&A with pre-orientation leaders & parents
Student Center MPRs
Tuesday, August 18
10am-2pm
Check in/Move into campus residence hall
3:45pm
Meet in front of Reynolds for Family Goodbyes and Ice Breakers
4-5pm
Honors Welcome Icebreakers
5-6pm
Honors Welcome Dinner
Student Center MPRs
6pm
Settle into your room and meet your floormates
Wednesday, August 19
8-9:30am
Breakfast on your own
Ross Brooks Dining Hall
9:30-11:30am
Introduction to Honors: Meet the Faculty!
Student Center MPRs
11:30am
Lunch on your own
Ross Brooks Dining Hall
1-2:30pm
Find Your Classrooms Scavenger Hunt
meet at Student Center MPRs
2:30-4pm
Dinner on your own
Ross Brooks Dining Hall
6pm
Games
Student Center MPRs
Thursday, August 20
6:10am-8:30pm
Camp Oswegatchie Day Trip
Depart from Cheel parking lot; team-building activities, meals provided
Friday, August 21
10-10:30am
Meet the Honors Steering Board and Teaching Assistants
Science Center 160
10:30-11am
Unique Honors Course Opportunities
Science Center 160
After 11am
Attend Regular First-Year Orientation events
Move-in Date: Wednesday, August 19th through Friday, August 21st
Point of Contact: internationalcenter@clarkson.edu
International students can find their schedule on this International Center intranet page. A Clarkson login is required to view this page.
Move-in Date: Friday, August 21st
Point of Contact (First Years): osl@clarkson.edu
Point of Contact (Transfers): kcollett@clarkson.edu
First Year students who are not part of an early arrival program & transfer students
9am-1pm
Check in/Move in to your residence hall
2-2:30pm
Students meet their Residential Advisor and line up for Convocation
Cheel Lawn
2:30-4pm
Convocation and Van Sickle Endowed Lecture ft. Corey Ciocchetti
Cheel Arena
4-5pm
Parent and Family Association Meet and Greet
Cheel Barben Rooms
4:45-5pm
Family Goodbyes
Cheel Barben Rooms
5-7pm
Dinner on Campus
Residential Advisor selected location
7-7:45pm
Floor Meeting
Residential Advisor selected location
8:45-11pm
Holcroft Knight of Fire and CUB's Glowfest
Cheel Lawn
9-10am
Student Life and Mental Health Training
Cheel Arena
10-11:30am
Donkeys and Ducks
Cheel Arena
11:30am-1:45pm
Lunch on Campus
2-3:30pm
Playfair
Cheel Lawn
3:45-4:45pm
Knowledge Nexus
4:30-6pm
Meet the Greeks & Lawn Games
Quad Lawn
5-7pm
Dinner on Campus
6-8:30pm
President’s Dessert Reception
Cheel Barben Rooms
9-10pm
Scotty Wiese Magic Show
Student Center Forum
9-11pm
Firepit and S’mores Night
Student Center Firepit
10am-12pm
Campus Tour with your Peer Mentor
10am-5:30pm
Fire Extinguisher Training Rotations
Cheel Lawn
12-3pm
CUSA Carnival
Cheel Lawn
4-6pm
High Dive Tournament
Bagdad Field
Wall Climbing Open Hours
Cheel Fitness Center
6:30-7:30pm
Knight Life Fair
Cheel Concourse
7-10pm
Open Skate
Cheel Arena
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.