Parent and Family Schedule

Saturday, August 24 

10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Freshmen and Parents' Orientation Day Rummage Sale

Check out the Harcourt Parish Rummage sale for all your housing needs, including lamps, storage and other basics.
Gambier Community Center (49)  

2:30-5:00 p.m. Move-In

All new students and families first report to Gund Commons, at the corner of Brooklyn Street and Gaskin Avenue, for check-in and room key pick-up.

4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Campus Tours

Tours will be offered at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, as well 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Meet on the patio outside of Gund Commons (Sunday's tour leaves from Ransom Hall).
Gund Commons (100)

5:00-7:30 p.m. Dinner on your own

Meal tickets for Peirce Hall may be purchased at the Welcome Center or at Peirce Hall, or choose one of the many dining options in Gambier or Mount Vernon. The meal plan begins for first-year students at Sunday brunch.

5:45 p.m., Transfer Student Dinner

Sit down with faculty and former transfer students to learn about life as a successful transfer student at Kenyon.
Leach Dining Room, Peirce Hall (33)

6:00 p.m., New Connections Dinner

While embarking upon the collegiate experience can be exciting, it can also be stressful and somewhat overwhelming, especially for families for whom college is a new experience. First generation college students and their families are invited to have dinner with members of the Student Affairs staff and other members of the Kenyon community to discuss resources that can ease the transition to Kenyon.
Philander's Pub, Peirce Hall (33)

6:15 p.m., Legacy Dinner

For families of students whose parent(s) attended Kenyon (by invitation only).
Alumni Dining Room, Peirce Hall (33)

7:00-9:00 p.m. Campus Open Houses

Drop by any of the following campus locations to learn more about their role on Kenyon's campus. Have your "passport" stamped at multiple locations for a chance to win great prizes from the Kenyon Bookstore.

• Kenyon College Bookstore (80): Take a tour, meet the friendly staff, and have all of your questions about textbooks and K-Card use answered. Free coffee will be provided all day on Saturday and Sunday.
• Center for Global Engagement (96)
• Center for Prayer and Meditation (75, below the Village Inn): Members of the Board of Spiritual and Religious Life welcome you to this interfaith space, which has a large common area as well as a dedicated private space for members of the Muslim community.
• Crozier Center for Women (77)
• Graham Gund Gallery (25)
• Hillel Offices and Worship Space (120): Jewish student center (new location for 2013-114 in Bexley Hall)
• Olin and Chalmers Libraries (24): Meet our librarians and tour our various spaces, including the Center for Innovative Pedogogy.
• Snowden Multicultural Center (98)
• Unity House (113; North Campus Apartments 3A): GLBTQ student center.

8:00-10:00 p.m., Reception for New Students and Families

Stop by and join Kenyon staff, current students, and members of the Class of 2017 and their families for an informal meet-and-greet at the Gund Gallery, sponsored by the Gund Gallery, Office of Alumni and Parent Programs, and the Student Affairs Division. Light refreshments will be served.
Gund Gallery (25)

Note: Parents are asked to depart the residence halls by 9:00 p.m. A list of accommodations is available on the Kenyon Orientation website.

Sunday, August 25 

8:15-9:00 a.m., Textbook Q&A

Rental, digital, new, used, buyback, international editions, oh my! Your Kenyon College Bookstore presents an overview of textbook options. We'll answer all your questions, and arm you with the information you need to make the right choices.
Kenyon College Bookstore (80)

9:00-10:30 a.m., Parent Orientation

This session is a must for families of the Class of 2017. We will discuss issues of transition for both students and their families and share important information about College resources. Parents will have a chance to meet with key administrators from the Student Affairs Division and learn more about the first year at Kenyon.
Rosse Hall (22)

10:30 a.m., Mass on the Grass

Harcourt Parish Episcopal Church invites students and families to join them for prayers, singing, and communion on the chapel lawn. Casual dress.
Church of the Holy Spirit (32)

11:00 a.m., Campus Tour

Meet on the steps of Ransom Hall.
Ransom Hall (30)

10:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Brunch

Family members' and guests' tickets may be purchased at Gund Commons during check-in or at Peirce Hall.
Peirce Hall (33)

1:00 p.m., Convocation Line-up

Members of the Class of 2017 meet with community advisors (CAs) in their residence halls to walk together to Opening Convocation. Students and CAs should arrive at the convocation procession line-up site no later than 1:15 p.m.
First-year residence halls

1:00 p.m., Convocation Line-up (for Transfers and Visiting Students)

Transfer and visiting students meet to walk together to Opening Convocation. Students and upperclass counselors (UCCs) should arrive at the convocation procession line-up site no later than 1:15 p.m.
Meet at Edwards House (74), next to Middle Ground.

1:30 p.m., Opening Convocation

Opening of the 190th College year. Convocation for new students and their families. Students: dressy casual attire, please. (The procession line-up forms at 1:15 p.m., so students need to be ready early.)
Samuel Mather Lawn (15); rainsite: Kenyon Athletic Center (51)

2:15-3:15 p.m., President's Reception

For the Class of 2017, transfer students, and families. All are invited to meet President Decatur, Provost Klesner, and Dean Toutain, while enjoying light refreshments at the president's home.
Cromwell Lawn (26), Rain site: Kenyon Athletic Center (51)

3:30-4:30 p.m., Faculty Advisor Meetings

Parents meet faculty advisors. (Students need not attend.)
Locations per information sheet in your Orientation packet

4:30-4:45 p.m., Farewells

Last chance to share hugs and goodbyes with family. Students are to wait for upperclass counselors in their rooms.