Welcome Week

New Student and Family BBQ
11 a.m. – Campus Mall
Take a breather from moving in to grab food and connect with future classmates!

Welcome Week Kick-Off*
2 p.m. – Alumni Gym
A formal kick-off for students and families, including a welcome from President Dell’Omo. Students will receive detailed information about Welcome Week. REQUIRED for all new students.

Residence Hall Meetings*
3:30 p.m. – Various locations
Residential students, get to know your residence hall staff and hallmates and learn more about your new home away from home! REQUIRED for Residential students.

Commuter Student Welcome Reception*
3:30 p.m. – Commuter Lounge
Calling all commuting and transfer students! A warm welcome from the Association of Commuting Students and the Transfer Student Association to build connections and learn about campus resources and commuter family. REQUIRED for Commuter students.

SGA President’s Dinner
5:30 p.m. – Campus Mall
A welcome dinner hosted by your elected student leaders.

A Moment for Mindfulness
7 p.m.
Time to unwind and recharge; walk around the lake, hang out by the hammocks, chill out by Res Quad, or lay on the campus green with your new friends!

First Night Out
8 p.m. – Bart Luedeke Center & Campus Green
Let’s celebrate your first night out the Rider way! Enjoy activities galore, including a night of s'mores by the fire, lawn games on the green, make Rider keychains, and endless memories with new friends! Please join us at 9 p.m. in the BLC Theater for a showing of Monsters University!

Music Bingo Brunch
10 a.m. – Daly Dining Hall
Bingo with a twist! Jam out to your favorite tunes, win awesome prizes, and enjoy a delicious Bronc brunch!

Lunch
1 p.m. – Daly Dining Hall

Cranberry Connection - Student Affinity Groups & Belonging
3 p.m. – Various locations
Inclusivity is at the core of the Rider student experience. Various identity-based student groups will lead activities for connection to foster belonging and community.

• Club & Organization Affinity Spaces
  • Sweigart 117 - Asian American Student Association, Korean Pop Culture Club
  • Mercer Room - Black Student Union (BSU), Black Man Unified (BMU), Rider African Student Association (RASA)
  • Lynch Adler 202 - Catholic Campus Ministry (CCA), InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
  • Sweigart 118 - Hillel
  • SRC Seminar Room - Latin American Student Organization, Rider Latinas Unidas, Rider DominicaRican
• LGBTQIA+ Dessert Welcome Reception (NJM Room): Indulge in a Dessert Reception celebrating LGBTQIA+ students and their allies in a sweet gathering fostering connections and community. 

Fraternity & Sorority Life Presents Welcome BBQ
5 p.m. – Residence Quad
Our Greek organizations are a staple at Rider and one of the most enriching ways to get involved. Grab some food and meet members from our 13 fraternities and sororities. All students are welcome!

Cranberry Craze*
7 p.m. – Campus Mall
All aboard, Class of 2028! Join your Orientation Leaders for a night of carnival fun! REQUIRED for all new students.

Condensed Orientation (Make-up Session)
9 a.m. – BLC Theater
Did you miss a summer orientation session? Get all the “need to know'' information to help you be successful at Rider. This event is only for students who did not attend New Student Orientation in the summer.

Lunch
Noon – Daly Dining Hall

Rider Men's Soccer vs. Saint Joseph's
1 p.m. – Ben Cohen Turf Field
Cheer on the Men's Soccer team at their first official home game of the season against rival team, Saint Joseph's!

Broncapalooza: Club & Org Involvement Fair*
3 p.m. – Student Recreation Center Courts
Getting involved on campus is the best way to make the most of your Rider experience! Learn more about our 100+ Clubs and Organizations at the Student Government Association’s annual Broncapalooza, Clubs and Organizations Fair! REQUIRED for all new students.

Dinner
5 p.m. – Daly Dining Hall

RecFest and Club Sports Fair
6:30 p.m. – Various locations
Get your hooves up and get active with Rider’s recreational activities! Join the Club’s Sports and Intramurals stampede for the annual fest! 

A Cappella Showcase
9 p.m. – BLC Theater
Join Rider's award-winning a cappella ensembles for a concert featuring student-led groups performing pop music.

The More You Know
9 a.m. – Academic Quad
Connect with your Orientation Leaders for an academic tour of campus. OLs will also be available to walk you through your class schedule along with tips on how best to get from one to the next!

• Please join us at 10 a.m. in the NJM Room for a Canvas Workshop led by Dr. Heeyoung Kim to learn the ropes on how to access your courses.

Lunch
11:30 a.m. – Daly Dining Hall

Academic and Departmental Meetings
1 p.m. – Various Locations
Meet your faculty and new classmates at these mandatory meetings with your academic department. Please see below for your respective college's meeting location. REQUIRED for all new students

• College of Arts & Sciences - Academic & Departmental Meeting Locations
• College of Education & Human Services - Academic & Departmental Meeting Locations
• Norm Brodsky College of Business - Academic & Departmental Meeting Locations

New Student Convocation
2:30 p.m. – Alumni Gym
Join us at this important Rider tradition marking your official welcome into our community. All first-year students are expected to attend this academic ceremony. REQUIRED for all new students 

Cranberry Fest
4 p.m. – Campus Mall
Celebrate Rider’s longest-running tradition, featuring live music, free food, activities, and giveaways! 

On Wednesdays We Wear Cranberry Kickoff
8:45 a.m. – Campus Green
Ease your first day of class jitters, connect with Student Affairs staff, and show your Rider pride with swag!

First Day Treat
4 p.m. – Library
Whether this is your first, second, third, or last FDOC you deserve a sweet treat! Enjoy a delicious Kona Ice to celebrate your first day!

SGA Senate Meeting
11:30 a.m – SWG 115
Kick off the school year with your Student Government Association. Learn about SGA’s role in enhancing the student experience and how you can get involved and make your voice heard!

Transfer Student Meet and Greet
1 p.m. – Commuter Lounge 
Global Broncs! This is your chance to learn about the study abroad programs offered in 2025!

Study Abroad Fair
11:30 a.m. – Student Recreation Center Walkway
Global Broncs! This is your chance to learn about the study abroad programs offered in 2025!

Colorful Connections
5 p.m. – Muller’s Pub
A social mixer for students of color, who wish to connect with faculty, staff, and alumni (and allies) to create mentoring experiences.

SGA Presents Leaders and Lemonade 
Noon - 2 p.m. – Campus Green 
Meet and greet with the Student Government Association leaders and learn how you can step into your leadership era. Fresh lemonade will be served! 

RockFest
7:30 p.m. – Campus Green
An annual Rider tradition presented by the Student Entertainment Council featuring bonfire, live music, and food trucks!

R Factor Night 1
7 p.m. – Yvonne Theater
One of the most exciting events on campus is the annual Rider R Factor competition to find the best Rider student vocal performer!

Chill on the Green
2 p.m. – Campus Green
Enjoy the Sunday vibes with Cornhole Tournament, lawn games, and more! Bring a blanket. Sponsored by the Office of Recreation Programs!