Welcome Week

New Student and Family Cookout

11 am - 2 pm
Campus Mall
Take a breather from moving in to grab some food and connect with future classmates!

Welcome Week Kick Off*

2 pm - 3 pm
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 new students

Residence Hall Meetings

3 pm - 5 pm
Various Locations
Get to know your residence hall staff and hallmates at this required session.  Please see the above link for your location.

Commuter Welcome

3 pm - 5 pm
Commuter Lounge
Commuting students will gather to meet the Association of Commuting Students and learn about ways to get connected on campus and the resources available to them.

SGA President’s Dinner

5 pm - 6:30 pm
Campus Mall
A welcome dinner hosted by your elected student leaders.

Becoming a Bronc

6:30 - 8 pm
Campus Mall
Reconnect with your Orientation Leaders and make new friends as we come together as a class!

Outdoor Movie

8 - 10 pm
Residential Quad
Enjoy a movie under the stars with fun food and giveaways to cap off your first night officially as a Rider Bronc!

Music Bingo Brunch

10 am - 12 pm
Daly Dining Hall
Bingo with a twist! Come listen to your favorite tunes, win awesome prizes, and start your morning off right.
*9:45 am: Commuter Meet Up to go to Brunch and subsequent events together. Commuters can join other commuters at the Commuter Lounge to walk over together or go on their own.

Eboné Bell: Diversity Without Tokenizing*

12 - 1 pm
Yvonne Theater
A critical conversation exploring equity and inclusion as we work together to build a more inclusive Rider.
REQUIRED for new students.

Lunch

1:30 - 2:30
Daly Dining

Block Party

3 pm - 6 pm
Campus Green
Chill out on the Campus Green with inflatables, food trucks, crafts, and more!

Dinner

6 pm - 7:30 pm
Daly Dining Hall

Hypnotist

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Yvonne Theater
Prepare to be amazed as we welcome a hypnotist to campus!
*6:30 pm: Commuter Meet Up to go to Hypnotist and subsequent event together. Commuters can join other commuters at the Commuter Lounge to walk over together or go on their own.

Small Group for students who did not attend summer orientation

9 am - 10:30 am
Fine Arts 205
Get all the “need to know” information to help you be successful at Rider.  This event is for students who were unable to attend New Student Orientation in the summer and is required.

Lunch

12 pm - 2 pm
Daly Dining Hall

Broncapalooza: Club & Org Involvement Fair

2 pm - 4:30 pm
Campus Mall
Learn more about Rider’s many Clubs and Organizations at SGA’s annual Broncapalooza Club  Fair!
*1:45 pm: Commuter Meet Up to go to Broncapalooza and subsequent events together. Commuters can join other commuters at the Commuter Lounge to walk over together or go on their own.

Dinner

4:30 - 6:30 pm
Daly Dining Hall

RecFest

6:30 - 9 pm
Various Locations
Enjoy a taste of Rider’s recreational activities as a great way to bond with your peers featuring volleyball, dodgeball, and sunset yoga!

A Cappella Showcase

9 pm
BLC Theater
Join Rider's award-winning a cappella ensembles for a concert featuring student-led groups performing pop music.

Walk Through of Class Schedule and Locations

9 - 11 am
Student Recreation Center Atrium
Connect with your OL’s to do a walk-through of your schedule and receive tips on how best to get from one to the next!

Transfer Student Association Gathering

11 am - 12 pm
Commuter Lounge
Join the Transfer Student Association in the Commuter Lounge to hear about different Transfer opportunities and resources and connect with other transfer students!

LGBTQIA+ Dessert Reception

11 am - 12:30 pm
NJM Room
An opportunity for students who identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community (and allies) to connect with each other and administrators.

Lunch

11:30 am - 1 pm
Daly Dining Hall

Academic and Departmental Meetings*

1 - 2:30 pm
Various Locations
Meet your faculty and new classmates at these mandatory meetings with your academic department.  Please see the above link for your meeting location.
REQUIRED for new students

Class Photo*

2:45 - 3 pm
Alumni Gym
Come get your first Cranberry shirt and pose with your classmates for our annual class photo for the class of 2027.
REQUIRED for new students

New Student Convocation*

3 - 4 pm
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 new students

Cranberry Fest

4 - 7 pm
Campus Mall
Rider’s longest-running tradition featuring live music, free food, activities, and giveaways!

First Day of Classes Tent and On Wednesdays We Wear Cranberry Kickoff

8:30 am - 2 pm
Campus Green
Ease your first day of class jitters, connect with staff, and show your Rider pride.

Colorful Connections

4 - 5:30 pm
Pub
A social mixer for students of color, who wish to connect with faculty, staff, and alumni (and allies), in hopes of creating mentoring experiences.

Fraternity and Sorority Welcome Back BBQ

3 pm - 5 pm
Residence Quad
Grab some food and meet members from our 13 fraternities and sororities as we kick off the first weekend back on campus.  All students are welcome.

Rock Fest

7:30 pm - 10 pm
Ben Cohen Turf Field Parking Lot
An annual Rider tradition presented by the Student Entertainment Council featuring fireworks, live music, and food trucks!
*7-7:15  pm: Commuter Meet Up to go to Rock Fest together. Commuters can join other commuters at the Commuter Lounge to walk over together or go on their own.

Drag Race

7 pm
Yvonne Theater
One of the most exciting events on campus is the annual Drag Race.  Student and local performers sass, shade, and style with amazing talent and pride!

A Diverse Welcome Reception

5 - 6:30 pm
Cavalla Room
Connecting diverse incoming students to identity and faith-based clubs and fraternity and sorority organizations at Rider with fun, food, and door prizes!