Spring Arrival Day
Whether you are living on- or off-campus, we are excited to welcome you to your new home beside the Genesee in January.
All incoming spring semester students are required to arrive on campus on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Arrival day check-in steps
Your arrival day will consist of two required steps, as well as optional evening activities. You'll pick up your campus ID card, your room key, and a welcome bag.
Residential Life check-in & move-in
Required if you are living on campus
Open: 12-8 p.m.
Location: your residential area office
Items to complete: Pick up your room key and campus ID card; move into your room
Welcome Week check-in
Required for all students
Open: 4-9 p.m.
Location: Wilson Commons, Campus Information Center (second floor)
Items to complete: Pick up your campus ID card (for commuter students), welcome bag, and Spring Welcome Week schedule
Getting to campus
Residential students
On Spring Arrival Day, you'll first need to complete your Residential Life check-in at your residential area office before you can move your belongings into your room. Drive (or direct your driver, if you're being dropped off) to your residential area office. After you complete your Residential Life check-in there, you can head to your residence hall to move your belongings into your room.
Travel delays
If you experience travel delays, contact your residential area office and the orientation team (orientation@rochester.edu) to let them know of your updated arrival time. Please expand the appropriate box below to view instructions for arrivals after 8 p.m.:
I am arriving to campus between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Direct your driver to your residence hall. Once you've arrived, call the Resident Assistant (RA) on duty (find their phone number). The RA will meet you to unlock your room, so you can move your belongings into your room.
Welcome Week check-in will be open until 9 p.m. at the Campus Information Center (CIC) on the second floor of Wilson Commons. If you're unable to check in before it closes, you'll be required to check in with the orientation team on Friday morning from 8:15-9 a.m. at the CIC.
I am arriving to campus after 2 a.m.
Direct your driver to your assigned residence hall and call the Department of Public Safety at 1-585-275-3333 to get access to your room for the night. (If you don't have a U.S. phone on you, look for a blue light phone outside of your residence hall in order to call the Department of Public Safety.)
On Friday, you will be required to check in with the orientation team from 8:15-9 a.m. at the Campus Information Center, located on the second floor of Wilson Commons.
Getting to campus (commuter students)
On Spring Arrival Day, you'll need to head to Welcome Week check-in in Wilson Commons. Please find your planned mode of transportation below for instructions on how to get to Welcome Week check-in on your arrival day.
Note: If you plan to attend the optional arrival day social event on Thursday evening (see more information below), please plan to arrive to check-in no earlier than 8 p.m. so you can consolidate your trips to campus. If you are not attending the Thursday evening event, please feel free to check in for Welcome Week on Friday morning between 8:15-9 a.m. instead.
Being dropped off by a car, taxi, Uber, Lyft, or hotel shuttle bus
Direct your driver to the Barbara J. Burger iZone at the back of Rush Rhees Library. Once they drop you off, follow the signs inside the Library to the Campus Information Center, located on the second floor of Wilson Commons.
View drop-off spot locationDriving a personal vehicle
You can park in Library Lot. After parking, cross Library Road to the back of Rush Rhees Library and follow the signs inside the Library to the Campus Information Center, located on the second floor of Wilson Commons.
View parking lot location
Required for all students
Welcome Week check-in
Wilson Commons, Campus Information Center (pictured)
4–9 p.m.
Check in for Welcome Week with the orientation team to pick up your campus ID card (commuter students only), welcome bag, and the Spring Welcome Week schedule.
Family members are encouraged to stop by check-in to pick up their own welcome item, too!
Spring Arrival Day
Parking instructions
Upperclass residential students (with permits): After you complete the move-in process, park in the assigned spot associated with your parking permit.
Commuter students and families: Park in Library Lot.
Evening activities
After you've completed your required check-in steps, it's time to relax and get settled on campus.
Dinner
5–7 p.m.
Douglass Commons, Douglass Dining Center
Get a taste of what campus has to offer at one of our campus dining centers. Use a meal plan swipe or your declining balance to enjoy all-you-can-eat dinner. Parents and families are welcome to join you for your meal—make sure to ask the orientation team for a meal voucher during Welcome Week Check-In.
Arrival day game night
8–10 p.m.
Wilson Commons, Havens Lounge (third floor)
Join your Orientation Leaders and fellow incoming students for a casual gathering–complete with pizza, music, and board games.