For full details, visit the Lawrence website.
Welcome Week will be here before we know it! Welcome Week starts on Monday, September 9, and ends Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Monday, September 9
Move Into Residence Halls (S,F)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Conservatory Orientation Help Desk (S,F)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Open for questions, locker assignments, and to assist with ensemble audition and placement test sign-ups
Student Life & Faculty Panel – Repeated Sessions (F)
11-11:45 a.m. and 1:30-2:15 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Cinema (204)
Engage with partners from Student Life about your student’s residential experience.
Family Lunch (S, F)
Noon-1:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Andrew Commons
Free to all students, families and supporters.
First Generation Celebration Luncheon (S, F)
12:15-1:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Somerset Room (324)
Free to all students, families and supporters of First-Gen Students.
Campus & Community Resource Fair (S, F)
12:30-2 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Mead Witter (226)
Stop by to visit with campus and community partners and learn more about connecting to our resources.
Campus Tour (S, F)
1:30-2:45 p.m. | Chapman Hall
Meet on the first floor near Admissions.
President’s Welcome (S, F)
3-4 p.m. | Lawrence Memorial Chapel (Location changed)
All students, families & supporters are encouraged to attend. This will also be live-streamed. Link to follow. (Students line up at 2:40pm by the Brokaw Bridge to process through arch. Families and supporters are welcome to line the walkway then follow to Memorial Chapel.)
Family & Supporter Reception (F)
4-5 p.m. | Music-Drama Center, Lobby (Location changed)
Families & supporters join us for light drinks and refreshments.
Class Of 2027 Class Picture (S)
4:15-5 p.m. | Chapel Stairs
Students will proceed across College Avenue after the President’s Welcome.
Transfer Student Meetings(S)
4:15-5 p.m. | Memorial Hall – Diversity & Intercultural Center
Family Dinner & Send-Off (S, F)
5-6:45 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Andrew Commons, or dinner on your own.
Enjoy a meal together before you say goodbye and launch your students into their Welcome Week Activities! Student meals will be covered by the University.
New Student Welcome & Kick-Off Event (S)
7-9 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Community Meetings (S)
9-10 p.m. | In assigned residence hall.
Late Night Snack – Pizza! (S)
10-10:30 p.m. | In assigned residence hall.
Tuesday, September 10
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
IDEAS Gathering
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Welcome and activities from our IDEAS Division (more info to follow).
Success at Lawrence
2:15 – 3 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Welcome and activities surrounding strategies on how to be successful at LU. Large group and breakout sessions.
Student Technology Session
3 – 3:45 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
All technology used at LU – how to access, what to use, how to connect.
Campus Tour with Orientation Leaders
3:45 – 5 p.m. | Varies
Optional Events & Programming
This will be a space reserved for athletic practices, conservatory auditions, personal time, and to attend sessions that pique your interest.
Conservatory Orientation Help Desk
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Conservatory Front Desk
All First-Year students who plan on being involved in the Conservatory in any way need to stop by at some point! Sign up for large ensemble auditions, get your locker assignments, and have your questions about the Conservatory answered.
Basic Keyboard Skills (BKS) Auditions
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Music-Drama Center 127, 142, 146 (depending on audition time)
Required for all First-Year students pursuing a Bachelor of Music (BM). Sign up ahead of time. A brief piano sightreading audition that determines which Basic Keyboard Skills class students will be placed into. It generally hinges on the amount of prior piano experience.
ALEKS Placement Testing
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Briggs Hall 2nd Floor
Choir Auditions
9 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music, Room 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Your Student Account and Financial Aid
10 – 10:45 a.m. | TBD
Be sure you know the basics of your Student Account and Financial Aid. We’ll cover how to read a Student Account statement and make the best use of your student account online, setting up permission for someone other than you to access your account and financial aid information, completing requirements if you are borrowing federal loans, and more. Bring your laptop and we’ll have time for you to get things set up with us. There will be prizes for participants!
Finding an On-Campus Job and Career Center
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. | Warch Cinema
How to find and apply for on-campus jobs, understand federal work-study, and use the Career Center.
Language Placement Testing
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Main Hall 105, 108
Conservatory Dean’s Welcome
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Memorial Chapel
All First-Year students who are interested on taking part in the Conservatory in any way are encouraged to attend! A fun and relaxing introduction to the Conservatory community and the opportunities it offers.
Evening Connect & Engage Programming
Optional, but highly encouraged
Warch Take Over
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center
Various activities throughout Warch (more information will be in our Presence APP.
Magician: Magician/Entertainer
8:30 – 10 p.m. | Warch CC – Somerset
Late Night Snack
10 – 10:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center (Outside)
Wednesday, September 11
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
Team Building Conversations
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Activities and discussion led by our Orientation Leaders – Naked Roommate Scenarios.
Success at Lawrence
2:15 – 3 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Welcome and activities surrounding strategies on how to be successful at LU. Large group and breakout sessions.
Campus Resources and Support Introduction
3 – 3:30 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Welcome and introduction of faces, places, spaces, and campus resource services. (Athletics, Wellness, Career Center, Financial Aid, Registrar, Library, CAS, Residential Education, SRL, etc). Short introduction – summary of services (3-5 minutes each).
Title IX: Speak About It, Active Bystander
3:30 – 5 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Live performance by five actor-educators, and uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more.
Optional Events & Programming
This will be a space reserved for athletic practices, conservatory auditions, personal time, and to attend sessions that pique your interest.
Conservatory Orientation Help Desk
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Conservatory Front Desk
All First-Year students who plan on being involved in the Conservatory in any way need to stop by at some point! Sign up for large ensemble auditions, get your locker assignments, and have your questions about the Conservatory answered.
Basic Keyboard Skills (BKS) Auditions
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Music-Drama Center 127, 142, 146 (depending on audition time)
Required for all First-Year students pursuing a Bachelor of Music (BM). Sign up ahead of time. A brief piano sightreading audition that determines which Basic Keyboard Skills class students will be placed into. It generally hinges on the amount of prior piano experience.
Choir Auditions
9 – 9:50 a.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Bachelor of Arts Music Department Meeting
9 – 10 a.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 004
Required for all First-Year Students who plan on majoring in Music as a Bachelor of Arts. Attend to meet music faculty and fellow first-years pursuing the degree, and to learn the details of the major.
Womxn in STEM Meet and Greet
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Steitz Atrium
We are excited to invite all female and nonbinary STEM students to a special event designed to connect you with each other and with faculty within our STEM community. This is a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with your peers and mentors, helping you build valuable connections and find your support network. Join us to engage with fellow students and faculty, and take the first step towards becoming an integral part of our vibrant and supportive STEM community. We look forward to seeing you there and kicking off a fantastic academic year together!
Finding an On-Campus Job and Career Center
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Warch Camus Center – Cinema
How to find and apply for on-campus jobs, understand federal work-study, and use the Career Center.
International Student Employment Overview
10 – 11 a.m. | Youngchild 121
Composition Department Meeting
10 – 11 a.m. | Music Drama 146
Required for all First-Year Students who plan on majoring in Music Composition or want to a part of the Comp Studio. Attend to meet the faculty and fellow first-years pursuing the degree, and to learn the details of the major.
Music Education Department Meeting
10 – 11 a.m. | TBD
Required for all First-Year Students who plan on majoring in Music Education. Attend to meet the faculty and fellow first-years pursuing the degree, and to learn the details of the major.
Film Trivia Kahoot with the Motion Picture Club
10:30 – 11 a.m. | Warch Camus Center – Cinema
First rule of motion picture club: you do not talk about motion picture club. Second rule of motion picture club: you do not talk about motion picture club. Third rule of motion picture club: come to Warch Cinema for film trivia Kahoot. Fourth rule of motion picture club: popcorn will be served.
STEM Student Mixer
10:30 – 11a.m. | Steitz Atrium
Dive into the world of STEM at Lawrence University with our student-led STEM Student Mixer! Connect with passionate current students as they share their research experiences, degree programs, and classes. Explore key areas in Steitz and Briggs, and gain insider tips on navigating student life.
Discover LUCC, Government, and International Relationships at LU
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. | TBD
Meet the president and vice president of Lawrence Community Council, Isabel Dorn, and Brooklyn Schara who will introduce first-year students to LUCC and the government/IR departments. You’ll learn what LUCC is, how you can get involved, and explore opportunities within the government and IR programs. Whether you’re considering a major or minor in these fields or just curious, this session will help you understand your options and get connected.
Global Languages and Cultures Coalition
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Warch West lobby table near Andrew Commons
Come to the Global Languages and Cultures booth to play trivia, eat candy, and find out more about what’s happening in language programs here on campus: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
Conservatory Studio Meetings
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
For all First-Year students of all majors who plan on taking private lessons. Come meet the faculty and fellow students in your department and studio, and also learn the details of lessons and studio class for the year.
- Brass / Percussion – trumpet, trombone, horn, low brass, and percussion.
- Piano – all keyboard instruments
- String – violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, and guitar
- Voice – all voice parts
- Woodwind – flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon
Choir Auditions
12:10 – 1:20 p.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Pre-Health Info Session
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | TBD
Evening Connect & Engage Programming
Optional, but highly encouraged
SEAL Activities: Casino Night!
7 – 10 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Somerset & Pusey
Casino Night – fun, games, and prizes.
Women’s Soccer vs. Macalaster
7 – 9 p.m. | Banta Bowl Field
Volleyball vs. Alverno
7 – 8 p.m. | Alexander Gym
Late Night Snack
10 – 10:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Outside near bridge
Thursday, September 12
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
EPIC Experiences
1:30 – 5 p.m. | Stansbury Theater
Locations and experiences will be assigned and communicated.
Optional Events & Programming
This will be a space reserved for athletic practices, conservatory auditions, personal time, and to attend sessions that pique your interest.
Choir Auditions
9 – 10:50 a.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Women’s Leadership Coalition
9 – 10:30 a.m. | Warch Campus Center – Pusey
This program is designed to empower young women to explore their leadership potential and how to find the tools needed to enhance their leadership skills. Participants will learn more about themselves as a leader and how to further develop the leader within.
Pre-Engineering Advisory (Physics Department)
9 – 9:45 a.m. | Youngchild 115
Join us to learn about the pre-engineering (3-2 dual degree engineering) program at Lawrence. Meet other students interested in the program and the campus coordinators. Enjoy some treats and hands-on activities.
Aquatic Skills Lessons
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center – Pool
Students wishing to participate in a club or intramural activity that will take place in or on water must display proficiency in treading water, swimming 50 yards, and floating on the surface of the water. Activities covered include rowing (Lawrence University Rowing Club) and canoeing (Outdoor Recreation Club). This basic skills test will ensure that individuals will be able to operate safely in an aquatic environment. Come dressed in a t-shirt and shorts.
Piano Placement Auditions
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | TBD
Open to all non-piano performance major university students who have an early advanced background in piano and are interested in taking piano lessons from our piano faculty. Students with less advanced skills can instead take lessons or classes from Anna Reiser and/or Catherine Walby.
Wellness Open Gym: Basketball Intramurals, LU Cheer Team, & LU Rock Climbers
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center
Unleash the excitement at our Wellness Center Open Gym and meet our sport intramural teams, LU Dance Team, LU Rock Climbers, and Cheer Team while enjoying fun activities and thrilling demos. Connect with fellow students and discover your passion for campus life!
- Basketball – 10 – 11 a.m. | Gym
- Cheer – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Multipurpose Room
- LU Rock Climbers – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Gym
Life at Lawrence (International Student Services)
10 – 11:30 a.m. | TBD
Campus Safety: What You Need to Know
10 – 10:30 a.m. | Campus Safety Office
Come get an overview of the services offered by Campus Safety, including what they can and cannot do. Important shuttle information will also be covered to help you navigate the campus securely and efficiently.
Diversity Collaborative Connect (SOL)
10 – 10:30 a.m. | Memorial Hall – Diversity Center
Join us for a welcoming social event where you can connect with our diverse student organizations, including the African Caribbean Union, Alianza, Beta Psi Nu, Black Student Union, Community of Diversity Affairs, Hillel, Pan-Asian Organization, Lawrence International, PRISM, and Vietnamese Culture Organization. Enjoy engaging conversations, delicious refreshments, and exciting activities while learning about cultural, social, and support groups at Lawrence.
Welcome Week Choir
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | TBD
All First-Year Students are welcome to join this casual singing group! Come sing in a choir with your fellow First-Years, and perform at the end of the week.
“Is It Cake?” Library Edition
11 – 11:30 a.m. | First floor of Library
We bet there are some things about the library at Lawrence you never knew could be part of a library. Come find out more! And there might be cake. Maybe.
Aquatic Skills Lessons
11 – 11:45 a.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center – Pool
Students wishing to participate in a club or intramural activity that will take place in or on water must display proficiency in treading water, swimming 50 yards, and floating on the surface of the water. Activities covered include rowing (Lawrence University Rowing Club) and canoeing (Outdoor Recreation Club). This basic skills test will ensure that individuals will be able to operate safely in an aquatic environment. Come dressed in a t-shirt and shorts.
Your Student Account and Financial Aid
11 – 11:45 a.m. | TBD
Be sure you know the basics of your Student Account and Financial Aid. We’ll cover how to read a Student Account statement and make the best use of your student account online, setting up permission for someone other than you to access your account and financial aid information, completing requirements if you are borrowing federal loans, and more. Bring your laptop and we’ll have time for you to get things set up with us. There will be prizes for participants!
Black Student Social
11: 30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Sankofa Living Room
Choir Auditions
12 – 1:20 p.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Evening Connect & Engage Programming
Optional, but highly encouraged
SEAL Activities: CA led Campus Activities
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Various Locations
Various indoor and outdoor activities across campus. Will be posted in the Presence App.
Late Night Snack
10 – 10:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Outside near bridge
Friday, September 13
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
First Year Studies
11:10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Location Varies
DOS Handbook, Policies, and Academic Integrity
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Somerset
DOS Overview, policies, handbook, and academic integrity. Sign the Honor Code and do the “letter to self”.
Tour Alexander Gym
2:15 – 5 p.m. | Banta Bowl, Alexander Gymnasium, 1025 Building
Speaker, Team Building Activities, Tour of Athletic Facilities, and 1025 Building. Walk to Banta Bowl (2:15 – 2:45 p.m.); Speaker, Team Building Activities, Tour of Athletic Facilities (2:45 – 4:30 p.m.); walk back to Warch Campus Center (4:30 – 5 p.m.).
Optional Events & Programming
This will be a space reserved for athletic practices, conservatory auditions, personal time, and to attend sessions that pique your interest.
Choir Auditions
8:30 – 9:50 a.m. | Shattuck Hall of Music 156
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in a choir. Present your assigned audition materials to be placed in one of the large choral ensembles. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Pool Open House
9 – 11 a.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center – Pool
Did you know we have a POOL? Students are invited to come down to the 1st Floor of the Wellness Center to see our facility and the options available at the natatorium. Lanes lines will be moved to allow for hitting around a beach ball, diving boards will be open, and swimming aids (floating equipment) will be available for use for those wanting to get some exercise. Towels are available at the Wellness Center Desk to borrow so just bring yourself and a suit if you want to get wet!
Wellness Open Gym: LU Rock Climbers, Soccer Intramurals and LU Dance Team
9 – 11 a.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center
Unleash the excitement at our Wellness Center Open Gym and meet our sport intramural teams, LU Dance Team, LU Rock Climbers, and Cheer Team while enjoying fun activities and thrilling demos. Connect with fellow students and discover your passion for campus life!
- LU Rock Climbers: 9 – 10 a.m. | Gym
- Soccer: 10 – 11 a.m. | Gym
- LU Dance Team: 10 – 11 a.m. | Multipurpose Room
Welcome Week Choir
10 – 11 a.m. | TBD
All First-Year Students are welcome to join this casual singing group! Come sing in a choir with your fellow First-Years, and perform at the end of the week.
“Is It Cake?” Library Edition
10:30 – 11 a.m. | First floor of Library
We bet there are some things about the library at Lawrence you never knew could be part of a library. Come find out more! And there might be cake. Maybe.
Evening Connect & Engage Programming
Optional, but highly encouraged
Shabbat Dinner
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Esch Hurvis Center for Spiritual and Religious Life
SEAL Activities: Indoor/Outdoor Activities Night led by Student Leaders
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Various Locations
Capture the Flag, Glow in the Dark Volleyball, Spikeball & Connect 4, Trivia, Board Games, Karaoke in the Viking Room. Various Locations – will be posted in the Presence App.
Late Night Snack
10 – 10:30 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Outside near bridge
Saturday, September 14
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
Appleton Farm Market
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Appleton Downtown
Students will attend with their Orientation Leaders.
Optional Events & Programming
This will be a space reserved for athletic practices, conservatory auditions, personal time, and to attend sessions that pique your interest.
Football vs. Cornell
1 – 4 p.m. | Banta Bowl
Band Auditions
4 – 6 p.m. | TBD
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in either Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or LSO as a wind player (ensemble varies by placement). Present your assigned audition materials to be assigned your parts for LSO. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
String Auditions
5 – 7 p.m. | TBD
Required for all First-Year students who plan on participating in LSO as a string player. Present your assigned audition materials to be assigned your parts for LSO. Sign up for your specific time slot at the Conservatory Help Desk ahead of time.
Evening Connect & Engage Programming
Optional, but highly encouraged
Women’s Soccer vs. Macalester
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Banta Bowl
Men’s Soccer vs. Lakeland
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Banta Bowl
Blu’s Bash
7 – 10:30 p.m. | Main Hall Green
Welcome back bash with games, mini-golf, photo booth, silent disco, giveaways, live music, and more!
Sunday, September 15
Required Programming for all New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
First Year Dinner: First-Year Dinner
5:30 – 7 p.m. | Warch Campus Center – Somerset
Culminating welcome week!