General information:

Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 10. The first "required" event for both parents and students is at 3:00 p.m. on September 10. Parents can anticipate leaving campus around 7:00 p.m. that evening after the reception.

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

Parent Orientation Program, Tuesday, September 10, 2013:

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 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, Severance Great Hall
Stop by anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. If your student has a job on campus or may want to in the future, this is the perfect time to ask questions and 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 New Student Week and beyond.    

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.

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 2012 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 1.65MW turbine turbine was the first of its kind to be owned by a college or university. This tour will highlight Carleton’s second wind turbine, the 1.68 MW Kracum Wind Turbine. This is scheduled to coincide with the steam plant tours, so consider taking a wind turbine/steam plant double-header tour. Space is limited to 15 participants due to the fact that the turbine is off-campus. Please sign up at the Bald Spot Welcome Tent.

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. This is 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 (LDC)
Free lunch provided for families at this location only. Students’ meals are included in their dining meal plan, so be sure to bring your 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. Are you interested in having an OIIL 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 Oto, 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,  Recreation Center
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 attend 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 meet staff from the Division of Student Life and ask all those lingering questions. This is also a great time to meet some fellow Carleton parents. Enjoy light appetizers before departing campus. A brief message will be delivered at 6:15 p.m. by Hudlin Wagner, Vice President for Student Development & Dean of Students.

7:00 p.m.  PARENTS DEPART CAMPUS