Parent and Family Orientation Schedule
Contact
OrientationCampus Center 2nd Floor 651-696-6842
651-696-6447 (fax)
orientation@macalester.edu
Orientation for parents and families of new students will be a mix of online and in-person sessions this year. Throughout the offerings below, parents and family members will learn more about the Macalester campus, hear from Macalester faculty and staff, understand the resources available to their student, and learn how to best support their student in their time transition to college.
This schedule is tentative and subject to change – check back as the summer progresses for more information!
If you cannot attend a specific session, recordings of these programs will be available and added to this website. Questions? Email orientation@macalester.edu.
Virtual Offerings
-
Parents & Families Orientation Overview and Introduction to Student Affairs (7-8 pm CST)
Join the Orientation staff for an overview of what to expect during Orientation this year and learn more about the web of support available to students through the Division of Student Affairs.
Click here to watch recording: Parents & Families Orientation Overview and Introduction to Student Affairs
-
Living on Campus (7-8 pm CST)
Join staff from Residential Life, Public Safety, MacPass, and Center for Student Leadership & Engagement to gain a clearer sense of what your student can expect when living on campus at Macalester and what resources are available to them. We will end the session with a Q&A.
Click here to watch recording: Living on Campus
-
Health and Well-being at Macalester (7:00-8:30 pm CST)
Have questions about health and wellness resources for your student at Macalester? Join us for this informational session and engage in Q&A with staff.
Click here to watch recording: Health and Well-being at Macalester
-
Career Exploration at Macalester (7:00-7:30 pm CST)
It’s never too early to start supporting your student’s career development! Get to know Career Exploration staff and learn about the hallmark programs they offer.Introduction to Division of Institutional Equity (7:30-8:00 pm CST)
Institutional Equity at Macalester welcomes the class of 2028 and your families! We will share information about programs and resources available to students and answer questions about life at Macalester. Institutional Equity includes the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice, and the Title IX Coordinator and Non-Discrimination Officer.Click here to watch recording: Career Exploration and Institutional Equity
In-Person Offerings
-
8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Move-In and Check-InResidence Halls and Kagin Ballroom (Check-in)
It’s time to check-in for Orientation (including students who moved in early!) Parents and families check in here, too. Get your room key, MacPass (student ID), name tag, and orientation schedule here.
More detailed Move-In Day instructions will be shared in August.
10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M.
Library Open HouseDeWitt Wallace Library
10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M.
Resource FairLeonard Center, Schall Atrium
Stop by our resource fair to meet staff from Disability Services, Student Employment & Payroll, Information Technology Services, the Sustainability Office, Career Exploration, and more.
11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Zero Waste LunchLeonard Center Field House
Enjoy an all-campus lunch with fellow new students at the Leonard Center Field House.
12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Campus ToursGreat Lawn, Flag Pole
Familiarize yourself with the Macalester campus by taking a student-led tour.
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.
Café Mac Tour: Navigating Food Allergies and SensitivitiesRuth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Café Mac
Brought to you by Disability Services and Café Mac leadership. Learn about inclusive food accommodation practices available to students dining on campus. This orientation event is for students and parents/guests who manage food allergies, celiac disease and medical diets. The event includes a tour of Café Mac that highlights need-to-know information: where to find ingredient labels at each food station, sourcing gluten free items, and a discussion of food safety practices. A question and answer session with General Manager Amy Tomes and Executive Chef Chad Plotnik will be part of the tour. Staff from Disability Services will be available to talk with students and families individually after the event.
2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Supporting Your Students’ Transition to CollegeJanet Wallace Fine Arts Building, Mairs Concert Hall
This session will cover a range of ways parents and families can help support their students in the transition to college. This event will feature speakers from a range of support resources on campus.
4:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Orientation WelcomeLeonard Center Fieldhouse
President Suzanne Rivera will welcome new students and their families to the Macalester community.
4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Parents and Families ReceptionJanet Wallace Fine Arts Center, Lowe Dayton Atrium
We invite you to gather and mingle with fellow parents, staff, and faculty.
5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Dinner on Your Own and Family Farewell to StudentsLocation on your own
If your family will be departing on Monday, we recommend saying farewell at this time; however, there is no formal farewell program so parents/families are welcome to depart from campus whenever works best for their situation.