General information:

Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4. The first "required" event for both parents and students is at 3:00 p.m. Parents can anticipate leaving campus around 7:00 p.m. after the reception.

For more information specific to Parents and Families, click HERE.

Parent Orientation Program, Tuesday, September 4, 2012*:

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  “NEW STUDENT WEEK” WELCOME & REGISTRATION, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Welcome to Carleton! Make this your first stop when you arrive on campus. You’ll receive a welcome packet, meal tickets for lunch, and meet lots of friendly students and staff members who will get you pointed in the right direction. Just look for the HUGE tent on the Bald Spot near the Chapel and main entrance to campus. Can’t find it? Just look for the staff members in the blue t-shirts for assistance. For those arriving after 3:00 p.m., late check in will be available until 6:00 p.m. at the Sayles-Hill information desk.

8:00 a.m.  RESIDENCE HALLS OPEN
Your student will check-in at the main entrance of his or her residence hall. This is a chance to meet hall staff members and see where your student will soon be calling home. They will meet their roommate and begin to unpack their belongings. Students need to check-in at both the Welcome Tent and their residence hall.

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  STUDENT EMPLOYMENT, Sayles-Hill 251
Stop by anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., if your student has been assigned or plans to work on-campus. This is the perfect time to complete employment paperwork.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  OPTIONAL WALKING TOURS

Campus Tours, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Tours are approximately 45 minutes in length and begin at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m.
You may have toured campus briefly when your student was considering Carleton, but now it’s time to learn more. This campus tour will provide useful information about the College and assist you in finding locations during Parent Orientation and in subsequent visits.

Library Tours, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Tours are approximately 30 minutes in length and begin at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m.
You may have seen part of the Gould Library during previous visits, but now it’s time to see the rest. Join us for a comprehensive tour of the library and learn about the many different collections and how to get reserves, books, journal articles, DVDs, and more.

Weitz Center for Creativity Tours, Main Entrance/3rd and College Street
Tours are approximately 30 minutes in length and begin at 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
Steve Richardson, director of the arts will be available in the Commons at the conclusion of the tour to answer your questions. Tours provided by the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB).

Student Organic Farm Tours, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Tours are approximately one hour in length and begin at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Students will be eating some of this food throughout the year in the dining halls, so come see how it’s grown. Join the 2011 summer farm Interns on a tour of both the student organic farm and the “Eat the Lawn” campus garden. You’ll learn about how the farm is run and see what’s growing.

Wind Turbine Tours, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Tours are approximately 40 minutes in length (including transportation) and begin at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
You’ve probably heard about our sustainability claim to fame: Carleton’s 1.65 MW
turbine is the first of its kind to be owned by a college or university. Tours are scheduled to coincide with the steam plant tours, so consider taking a wind turbine/steam plant double-header tour. Space is limited to 16 participants due to the fact that the turbine is off campus. Please sign up at the Bald Spot Hospitality Tent prior to the start of the tour.

Steam Plant Tours, Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Tours are approximately 30 minutes in length and begin at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
This may be one of your only chances to see where Carleton’s lighting, water, heating, and refrigeration come from and how it gets to your student’s desk lamp, shower, heater, or mini-fridge. Get ready to see the facility plant’s maze of machinery and pipes and learn about boilers, heating, and more. Tours are scheduled to coincide with the wind turbine tours, so consider taking a wind turbine/steam plant double-header tour

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH, Dining East, Language & Dining Center
Lunch tickets are available for families and guests at the Welcome Tent. Students’ meals are included in their dining meal plan, so they should bring their OneCard.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  WELCOME RECEPTIONS
Choose one reception from the list below and join parents, students, and staff members in learning more about a specific program or aspect of student life at Carleton.

Office of Intercultural & International Life, Alumni Guest House Patio
The Office of Intercultural and International Life (OIIL) invites students and parents to an informal outdoor reception. Tours of Stimson House, Carleton’s intercultural center, also will be available. Enjoy some refreshments as we connect new students and their families to the Carleton community. Is your student interested in having an Intercultural Peer Leader? This is a great time to sign up. All are welcome. Rain location: Stimson House.

Spiritual Life at Carleton: Office of the Chaplain, Skinner Memorial Chapel
Want to know more about religious and spiritual life at Carleton and in Northfield? The chaplains and chaplain’s associates (student peer leaders) will be available to answer questions about the many services, discussions, and holiday events representing a wide variety of religious perspectives. Join us for treats in the Chapel.

TRIO/Student Support Services, 216 College Street
Visit the beautiful house of TRIO/Student Support Services at 216 College Street to learn how TRIO/Student Support Services supports students from low-income, first generation backgrounds and students with disabilities, and why this is important for everyone at Carleton.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS, Concert Hall

3:00 p.m.
The First Year at Carleton: A Primer for Parents
The beginning of a college career brings momentous transitions to students and their families. At this session, staff and faculty will describe the various resources for guidance and assistance available to Carleton students and make some suggestions about parents’ roles in a liberal arts education.

3:45 p.m.
Finances at Carleton: What to Expect in the Coming Year
This session is designed for you to meet staff members who are here to help answer your questions regarding college finances and financial aid as they relate to Carleton College. Presentation leaders: Rod Otto, associate dean of admissions/director of student financial services, Mike Kotchevar, senior assistant director of student financial services, and Debra Fawcett, accounts specialist.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  A CARLETON WELCOME,  Skinner Memorial Chapel
Hear from the President, the Vice President for Student Development & Dean of Students, and others for a true Carleton welcome with details about the incoming class; what it means to be a Carl; and what students will experience this week and the years ahead; singing, cheering, dancing, and laughter will be included! Parents, you will be sitting symbolically apart from the students, and you will be able to watch as they begin to interact in their New Student Week Group and celebrate being a Carl!

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  TIME WITH YOUR STUDENT
This is a great time for those last minute hugs and goodbyes before you attend the Parent Reception, as students head off to the first campus picnic of the year.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  PARENT RECEPTION, Weitz Center Commons
This is an opportunity to ask more specific questions about topics you heard about earlier in the day. Staff from the Division of Student Life will be available to address all those lingering questions regarding student life at Carleton. This is also a great time to meet some fellow Carleton parents. Enjoy light appetizers before you head home. A brief message will be delivered at 6:15 p.m.

7:00 p.m.  PARENTS DEPART CAMPUS