Fall Welcome Week

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Douglass Dining Center or pick up something to-go at Starbucks. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access Douglass Dining Center and their declining balance to purchase items at Starbucks. Guests can enter Douglass Dining Center for $8.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at Starbucks.

Location: Wilson Commons, Bridge Lounge (fourth floor)

Take a break and have a seat! This space, reserved especially for parents, families, and supporters, will feature ample seating, snacks, beverages, and friendly faces to help you feel refreshed throughout arrival and move-in day. Make sure to stop by the Welcome Week team table to pick up your own unique welcome item and learn more about Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday's events.

This is also where you can sign up for Monday evening's UR Family Dinners, where you and your student can dine with a Rochester staff or faculty member at one of campus' all-you-can-eat dining centers. Please note: sign-up is required by 3:30 p.m. to participate. You dinner companion will meet you at the clock tower in Dandelion Square at 5 p.m.

Location: Wilson Quad

Is your student's new dorm looking a little barren? Bring some life to their room with the perfect piece of greenery from the plant sale, hosted by Wilson Commons Student Activities. Prices range from $5 to $30 USD.

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch at Danforth or Douglass Dining Centers or pick up something at Starbucks, Rocky's Sub Shop, or The Pit. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers and their declining balance to purchase items at other dining locations (swipe meals available at Rocky's and The Pit after 3 p.m.). Guests can enter the dining centers for $9.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at other locations.

Location: Tours depart from the front steps of Rush Rhees Library

Explore some of the University's greatest academic and research resources at Rush Rhees Library with these guided tours. The tours depart at 1:30, 2, and 2:30 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. Please note: Tours can only accommodate 15 people at a time.

Location: Tours depart from the flag poles at the west end of Eastman Quad

Join a Rochester Meridian (one of our incredible campus tour guides) for a walking tour of the River Campus. They'll highlight academic and student services locations along the way, but feel free to ask them about any spot on campus. The tours depart at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.

*The 4:30 p.m. tour will be accompanied by Mandarin Chinese interpreter.

Location: Douglass Commons, Douglass Dining Center & Susan B. Anthony residence halls, Danforth Dining Center

Grab your family members and join a University of Rochester staff or faculty member for dinner!

Sign up in the Parent & Family Lounge on the fourth floor of Wilson Commons by 3:30 p.m., and then meet your dinner companion at the clock tower in Dandelion Square at 5 p.m. From there, head off to enjoy a meal in either one of campus' all-you-can-eat dining centers.

Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers, while entrance for family members and guests is $10.95 USD each.

Location: On-campus dining locations or off-campus

Use a meal plan swipe for an all-you-can-eat dinner at Danforth or Douglass Dining Centers or a meal at Rocky's Sub Shop or The Pit. You can also use your declining balance to purchase items a la carte at Starbucks, The Pit, and Rocky's. Guests can enter the dining centers for $10.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at other locations.

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Douglass Dining Center or pick up something to-go at Starbucks. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access Douglass Dining Center and their declining balance to purchase items at Starbucks. Guests can enter Douglass Dining Center for $8.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at Starbucks.

Location: Wilson Commons, Bridge Lounge (fourth floor)

Take a break and have a seat! This space, reserved especially for parents, families, and student supporters, will feature ample seating, snacks, beverages, and friendly faces to help you feel refreshed throughout arrival and move-in day. Make sure to stop by the Welcome Week team table to pick up your own unique welcome item and learn more about Tuesday and Wednesday's events.

This is also where you can sign up for Tuesday's UR Family Lunches and Dinners, where you and your student can dine with a Rochester staff or faculty member at one of campus' all-you-can-eat dining centers. Please note: sign-up is required by 10:30 a.m. (for lunch) and 3:30 p.m. (for dinner). Then, you'll meet your dining companion at 12 p.m. (for lunch) or 5 p.m. (for dinner) at the clock tower in Dandelion Square.

Location: Buses depart from the back of Rush Rhees Library

If you have traveled to Rochester by plane, your student might need a few things to get them through their first week on campus. Take a quick trip to Target or Walmart to grab some basic supplies.

Buses depart every half hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and stop at both stores before heading back to campus. Please note: the buses will be yellow buses, not standard UR shuttle buses. The last pickup from Target is at 3:50 p.m. and the last pickup from Walmart is at 4 p.m.

Location: Wilson Quad

Is your student's new dorm looking a little barren? Bring some life to their room with the perfect piece of greenery from the plant sale, hosted by Wilson Commons Student Activities. Prices range from $5 to $30 USD.

Location: Morey Hall, Room 321

Get expert tips from leaders in the Center for Advising Services, Greene Center for Career Education and Connections, and International Services Office on how to foster your student's personal growth, professional success, and happiness while they are studying in the U.S. All are welcome.

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch at Danforth or Douglass Dining Centers or pick up something at Starbucks, Rocky's Sub Shop, or The Pit. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers and their declining balance to purchase items at other dining locations (swipe meals available at Rocky's and The Pit after 3 p.m.). Guests can enter the dining centers for $9.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at other locations.

Location: Douglass Commons, Douglass Dining Center & Susan B. Anthony residence halls, Danforth Dining Center

Grab your family members and join a University of Rochester staff or faculty member for lunch!

Sign up in the Parent & Family Lounge on the fourth floor of Wilson Commons by 10:30 a.m., and then meet your lunch companion at the clock tower in Dandelion Square at 12 p.m. From there, head off to enjoy a meal in either one of campus' all-you-can-eat dining centers.

Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers, while entrance for family members and guests is $9.95 USD each.

Location: Buses depart from the back of Rush Rhees Library

Spend the afternoon exploring one of Rochester's most beloved cultural institutions with your student and family members through complimentary tours of the University's Memorial Art Gallery. Shuttle buses depart every 30 minutes between 1 and 3 p.m. The last shuttle back to campus departs from the Memorial Art Gallery at 3:45 p.m.

Location: Tours depart from the front steps of Rush Rhees Library

Explore some of the University's greatest academic and research resources at Rush Rhees Library with these guided tours. The tours depart at 1:30, 2, and 2:30 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. Please note: Tours can only accommodate 15 people at a time.

Location: Tours depart from the flag poles at the west end of Eastman Quad

Join a Rochester Meridian (one of our incredible campus tour guides) for a walking tour of the River Campus. They'll highlight academic and student services locations along the way, but feel free to ask them about any spot on campus. The tours depart at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.

*The 4:30 p.m. tour will be accompanied by Mandarin Chinese interpreter.

By invitation only

Location: Douglass Commons, Douglass Dining Center & Susan B. Anthony residence halls, Danforth Dining Center

Grab your family members and join a University of Rochester staff or faculty member for dinner!

Sign up in the Parent & Family Lounge on the fourth floor of Wilson Commons by 3:30 p.m., and then meet your dinner companion at the clock tower in Dandelion Square at 5 p.m. From there, head off to enjoy a meal in either one of campus' all-you-can-eat dining centers.

Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers, while entrance for family members and guests is $10.95 USD each.

Location: On-campus dining locations or off-campus

Use a meal plan swipe for an all-you-can-eat dinner at Danforth or Douglass Dining Centers or a meal at Rocky's Sub Shop or The Pit. You can also use your declining balance to purchase items a la carte at Starbucks, The Pit, and Rocky's. Guests can enter the dining centers for $10.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at other locations. Or, venture out on your own for dinner at some of Rochester's most delicious restaurants!

Recommendations coming soon

Please note: All first-year students living on campus must be back on campus for their required residence hall meeting by 9 p.m.

Location: Douglass Commons, Feldman Ballroom

Join University staff and leaders to celebrate the beginning of your student's University of Rochester journey and connect with fellow families of students new to the U.S. All are welcome.

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Douglass Dining Center or pick up something to-go at Starbucks. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access Douglass Dining Center and their declining balance to purchase items at Starbucks. Guests can enter Douglass Dining Center for $8.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at Starbucks.

Location: Strong Auditorium

Join University student life and academic leaders to learn more about the resources available to both your student and your family. After an introduction from University leadership, you’ll have the chance to ask questions.

Location: Wilson Commons, Bridge Lounge (fourth floor)

Take a break and have a seat! This space—reserved especially for parents, families, and supporters—will feature ample seating, snacks, beverages, and friendly faces to help you feel refreshed throughout the last day of family events.

Location: Eastman Quad

Convocation signals the start of your student's academic career at the University. It provides the opportunity for President Sarah Mangelsdorf and the rest of the faculty and staff to formally welcome your student to the University. All students will sign their class roll immediately following the ceremony. This event is required for all new students.

Please note: The convocation ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. We ask that you make sure you and your family are seated no later than 9:20 a.m.

Location: Wilson Commons, May Room (fifth floor)

Connect with fellow new Yellowjacket families and enjoy light refreshments as you learn more about Welcome Week and your student's first year at the University of Rochester.

Location: On-campus dining locations

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch at Danforth or Douglass Dining Centers or pick up something at Starbucks, Rocky's Sub Shop, or The Pit. Students can use a meal plan swipe to access the dining centers and their declining balance to purchase items at other dining locations (swipe meals available at Rocky's and The Pit after 3 p.m.). Guests can enter the dining centers for $9.95 USD per guest, and will need to purchase items a la carte at other locations.

Location: Hutchison Hall, Hubbell Auditorium

Explore the innovative way in which your student will learn at the University of Rochester as you hear directly from faculty about their involvement in different areas of the University. They will discuss the implementation of the Peer-Led Team Learning Workshop program; the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program; and first-year exploratory courses in the engineering curriculum.

Location: Douglass Commons, Feldman Ballroom

Explore the variety of campus resources and services available to you and your student at the Welcome Week resource fair. Please note: This event is required for all new students. Your student has an assigned attendance time for this event, based on their wristband group. Wristbands will be handed out at Welcome Week check-in. 

Location: Wegmans Hall, Room 1400

The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections can help your student build habits to explore their interests and make decisions about what they want to do next and in the future. Join Greene Center staff as they share how the University of Rochester community works together to support your student as they explore careers, gain experience, and connect with alumni and employers.

Location: Goergen Hall, Sloan Auditorium (Room 101)

You've applied Band-Aids, made chicken soup, counseled them through tough times, and helped them to identify their resources for many years. While no one compares to you, the University of Rochester provides noteworthy alternatives while your student is away at school. Come to this session to hear from staff who are there for your student during those inevitable bumps in the road. Also, learn about resources available to you as you transition into this new chapter.