Arrival Day Schedule 2024
This schedule is tentative! Please always check email for the latest.
Arrival and Check-In
8:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
Sidney J. Watson Arena
Please arrive during your scheduled forty-five-minute arrival time between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Water and public restrooms are available. If you arrive early, enjoy a self-guided tour of the newly renovated Pickard Fields.
Residence Halls Open for Move-in
8:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
After you check in at Watson Arena, members of the residential life staff will be in your hall to welcome you to your room. Make sure to stop by the check-in table in front of your residence, and let your proctors know you’ve arrived!
11:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M.
Outdoor Amphitheater, Studzinski Recital Hall
Enjoy live, bluegrass music performed by local favorites, Jerks of Grass.
11:00 A.M.–2:15 P.M.
Thorne Dining Hall
Enjoy a free lunch at Thorne Dining Hall for incoming students and accompanying family members and guests. At Magee’s Grill (lower level, Smith Union) you may purchase a la carte selections using cash or credit card.
11:15 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
Ladd House Dining Room, 14 College Street
Join other students and families to learn about accommodations and resources for students with disabilities on campus from Director of Student Accessibility Lesley Levy.
12:00 P.M.–12:45 P.M.
Ladd House Living Room, 14 College Street
If you are in Bowdoin Advising in Support of Excellence (BASE), Bowdoin Science Experience (BSE), Chamberlain Scholars, or Geoffrey Canada Scholars (GCS), welcome to THRIVE!
THRIVE is a campus initiative to foster achievement, belonging, mentorship, and transition among students who have historically been excluded from many spaces in higher education.
12:45 P.M.–1:45 P.M.
Outside Ladd House, 14 College Street
A newly renovated hub for Identity and Culture at Bowdoin, Ladd House staff welcomes you to stop by and learn about Bowdoin’s Center for Multicultural Life, the Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, Student Accessibility, Student Leadership, THRIVE, and the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Center (SWAG). Light refreshments offered.
Transfer Student Orientation Meeting
2:00 P.M.–2:45 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Chamberlain Room, Top Floor, Moulton Union
Meet with your fellow transfer peers as college staff preview New Student Orientation and your first year at Bowdoin.
President’s Welcome to Families and Guests
2:00 P.M.–2:45 P.M.
This event is for families and guests only.
Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall
President Safa Zaki, Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs Jim Hoppe, and Senior Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Scanlon welcome families to the Bowdoin community.
2:45 P.M.–3:30 P.M.
Hyde Plaza (near the Polar Bear Statue), next to Studzinski Hall (Rain location: Main Lounge, Moulton Union)
Enjoy refreshments at the reception hosted by President Zaki.
3:30 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
Sidney J. Watson Arena
Say goodbye to families and guests before meeting your Orientation Trip group and leaders. Please bring everything you plan to take on your trip. Families are invited to attend the 4:00 p.m. session in Studzinski Hall or depart campus.
An Overview of the First-Year Experience
4:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M.
This event is for families and guests only.
Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall
A panel of student affairs professionals will discuss the First-Year Experience and college departments and resources. Time will be set aside to answer questions.
This session concludes Arrival Day for families and guests.
Orientation Trip Check-In and Welcome
4:00 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Sydney J. Watson Arena
Join your Orientation Trip group as you participate in games, icebreakers, and trip preparation.
Maine Theme Group Dinner
Group A: 5:30 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
Group B: 6:15 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Thorne Dining Hall
Bowdoin College Dining Services strives to support the people of Maine and the Maine economy by sourcing goods from local producers and farmers, including the Bowdoin Organic Garden.
Students Return to Their Residence Halls
7:00 P.M.–7:15 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
Gather with your proctor group in your residence hall.
Orientation Schedule Review and Community Standards (with Proctors and RAs)
7:30 P.M.–8:15 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
Gather with other members of your floor and meet your residential life proctors and resident assistants (RAs). Spend time with your floormates and begin building connections!
Proctor Open Hours
8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
Proctors’ doors are open until 10:00 p.m. if you have questions or need assistance.
Sweet Treat at the Bricks
8:30 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
Grab a sweet (or salty!) treat in the common room of your first-year residence hall and mingle with other students in your Brick!
Downtime: Unpack and Unwind
8:30 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
This event is for students only.
Appleton, Coleman, Hyde, Maine, Moore, Osher, West, and Winthrop Halls
Use this time to relax in your room, unpack, and make friends in your residence hall.