NSO Schedule

Residence Hall Move-In (8:00am-1:00 pm)

We can’t wait for you to move-in to your new home! All incoming students will have a designated move-in time slot that you will select on the Student Information System (SIS). Residence Life staff are excited to welcome you and assist your move-in process. Please no early arrivals as we will not open doors until 8:00 am.

President meet-and-greet & College Book signing (9:00am-12:00 pm) – QUAD

Take a moment to meet St. Olaf’s President, Dr. Susan Rundell Singer out on the campus Quad and have a chance to sign the College Book. There will be another opportunity to sign the College Book at the Closing Reception on Wednesday afternoon!

Resource Fair (9:00 AM-1:00 pm) – Buntrock Commons Crossroads

This is an opportunity to ask questions of offices and services available to you on campus and beyond. These include the Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Student Employment, Information Technologies (IT), Health Services, Public Safety, Transportation, and more!

COMMUNITY Lunch (10:30 AM-1:30 pm) – STAV, BUNTROCK COMMONS

Lunch is available continuously during this time. Come enjoy a taste of Bon Appétit! New Oles will use their meal swipe for the first time; family members will purchase a lunch ticket for only $5/person (with a $20 family limit). To save time in line, purchase tickets ahead of time!

TRANSITION time (1:30-3:00 pm)

Want a little time to travel around campus with your family? Take some time to wrap up and say goodbye to any guests that have traveled with you as they will be asked to depart campus after the next event. This is also a good time to drive back to the residence hall and load the car with items you will send back home (empty bins/boxes, etc)?

A St. Olaf Welcome (3:00-3:45 pm) – SKOGLUND GYMNAsium

Welcome to St. Olaf! This program is designed to welcome new students and their families to our community. Come learn a few campus traditions and hear from College leadership about their take on your journey ahead. Time to say your final “see-you-laters” at the close of the ceremony.

A Family Farewell (3:45-4:15 pm) – SKOGLUND gymnasium

As students transition to the start of their New Student Orientation experience, families and guests are invited to hear from the Dean of Students and Director of Alumni and Parent Relations about how to support your student from off the Hill and how stay connected with St. Olaf. This event is the final activity for families and guests.

Kickoff to Orientation (4:00-4:30 pm) – Tostrud ICE ARENA

Let’s get your New Student Orientation started! Today you begin your life on the Hill as an Ole, but what does that mean? What can you expect from your new community and how can you best contribute to it? Come learn more in your first meeting as the Class of 2028!

SOAR Group Activities & DInner (4:45-7:00 pm)

It is time to meet your SOAR Group! Led by two or three St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) Leaders, you’ll navigate much of NSO with your SOAR Group! During this time you’ll get to know your new classmates, take a tour of campus, and eat dinner together.

Residence Life Activities (7:30 pm) – residence Hall

Here at St. Olaf we are proud of our vibrantly residential community. You’ll end your first day in your residence hall meeting with professional and peer support staff and getting to know your roommate and neighbors.

OPEN MORNING

Spend some time setting up your room, chatting with your new neighbors, planning for the day, or getting out for a walk/run in the Natural Lands. We leave the mornings open for you to get your day started that’s best for you.

Morning worship/volunteer choir (10:30-11:30 Am) – boe chapel

Come enjoy Christian worship in beautiful Boe Chapel with Pastor Matt and Pastor Katie. Share your love of singing by being part of the volunteer pick-up choir — practice will begin at 9:15 am. Breakfast Before Boe happens in the Undercroft at 9:45 am!

SOAR Lunch (11:30 AM-1:30 pm) – STAV

Enjoy lunch with your SOAR groups and take steps to make initial connections with your College Advisor.

To be AN Ole: our Name & Story (1:00-5:00 pm) – Boe chapel

Learn the story of St. Olaf College and what it means to play a role in the continuing legacy of this place. Enjoy the story-telling of the Director of OSA and the First Year Class Dean (both Ole Alums!) while viewing special items from the college archives. This is part of a required four-part rotational series.

Sex, Shots, & Safety Carnival (1:00-5:00 pm) – The pause

Making good decisions that positively impact your living space, and those around you, make the college experience even more memorable. The Sex, Shots, & Safety Carnival will provide you with many health and well-being tips for your safety and for those that live around you! This is part of a required four-part rotational series.

A guide to the first day of classes (1:00-5:00 pm) – Buntrock Ballrooms/Kings Dining Room

Join your Success Coach as they provide a helpful guide to your first day of classes on the Hill! This is part of a required four-part rotational series

SOAR CHECK-in (1:00-5:00 pm) – SOAR MEETING location

As part of your four-part required rotational series, you will have time to check in with your SOAR group to catch-up on your first full day on campus.

FLEX TIME & DInner (5:00-7:30 pm)

Use this time to relax and recharge as well as grab some dinner at the Caf (aka Stav). At dinner, this meal is with your building RAs and JCs — be sure to look for the table signs that identify where your fellow residents are sitting.

Residence Life Activities (7:30 pm) – hoyme/Ytterboe, Mohn, & Ellingson/Thorson

Check in with your RA for specifics about your Residence Hall meeting place.

living in community: building home together (7:30 pm) – kildahl only – tomson 280

We love our Oles and the community we have built here together on campus; our continued healthy and safe environment depends on everyone’s contribution. Share time with members from our Public Safety team and our Area Coordinators to hear about about how we share a role in making the Hill a place we all can thrive.

night in Buntrock (8:30-10:30 pm) – buntrock commons

Come explore the center of it all, Buntrock Commons! You will enjoy fun activities in various spaces throughout the entire building, hosted by Programming Board.

ole experience workshops (9:00-11:30 am) – viking theater, buntrock commons

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Some sessions will be offered more than once. The final schedule will be sent to you in your daily morning email preview.

1:1 advising meeting – various locations

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your college advisor. This session will happen only once over the next three mornings. Please check directly with your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

Lunch (11:30 AM-1:00 pm) – STAV

Enjoy lunch in the Caf with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity Lunch for LGBTQ+ STUDENTS (11:45 AM-12:45 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Lunch seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that identify as LGBTQ+; come meet faculty and staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

Boundaries & Bystander intervention Workshop (1:00-2:20 pm OR 3:15-4:35 PM) – SOAR CLASSROOM

St. Olaf Peer Educators will lead individual SOAR groups in a crucial discussion about Title IX, boundaries, and the importance of being an active bystander. Check with your SOAR Leader for your specific location for your session. This is part of a two-rotation mandatory session.

SOAR CHECK-in (2:25-3:10 pm) – SOAR CLASSROOM

IDEA WORKSHOP (1:00-2:20 OR 3:15-4:35 pm) – Ballrooms/the pause

Led by the Taylor Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the IDEA Workshop will explore the value of embracing and advancing an inclusive & equitable campus community where everyone belongs. This is part of a two-rotation mandatory session.

SOAR CHECK-iN (4:40-5:00 pm) – SOAR leader-identified space

FLEX time & dinner (5:00-7:30 pm) – stav

Take some down time and enjoy dinner in the Caf with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity DINNER for BIPOC & Multiracial identities (5:30-6:30 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Dinner seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for BIPOC & multiracial students; come meet faculty and staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

Residence Life Activities (7:30 pm) – Hoyme/ytterboe, kildahl, & Ellingson/Thorson

Check in with your RA for specifics about your Residence Hall meeting place.

living in community: building home together (7:30 pm) – mohn only – BUNTROCK BALLROOMS

We love our Oles and the community we have built here together on campus; our continued healthy and safe environment depends on everyone’s contribution. Share time with members from our Public Safety team and our Area Coordinators to hear about about how we all share a role in making the Hill a place we all can thrive.

MOVIE on the QUAD (8:30-10:30 pm) – the QUAD

Nothing ends a day better than a feel-good movie outside with friends! Our Student Government Association (SGA) welcomes you with a movie on the Quad, including snacks and refreshments!

ole experience workshops (9:00-11:30 am) – viking theater, buntrock commons

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Some sessions will be offered more than once.

1:1 advising meeting – various locations

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your college advisor. This session will happen only once between Monday-Wednesday. Please check directly with your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

Lunch (11:30 AM-1:00 pm) – STAV

Enjoy lunch in the Caf with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity Lunch for OUT OF STATE (11:45 AM-12:45 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Lunch seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that come from out of state; come meet staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

COMMON READ (1:00-4:30 pm) – SOAR CLASSROOM

Get your first exposure to a classroom experience as your attend this mock class discussion using the Common Read book Against Technoableism as the basis of your discussion. Please have the book read by this session so you can engage meaningfully in this program. This session is one of a three-part required rotation.

library Quest: Resources for YOU (1:00- 4:30 Pm) – Rolvaag Library

Come on a quest to discover all the resources our amazing library and information technology services provide you as a student. This session is one of a three-part required rotation.

SOAR CHECK-in (1:00-4:30 pm) – SOAR MEETING location

As part of today’s three-part rotational series, you will have time to check in with your SOAR group to catch-up on your programs this afternoon. This session is part of the required three-part rotation.

CLASS OF 2028 photo (4:30-5:00 pm) – mellby lawn

An annual tradition during New Student Orientation, come take the first official photo of your class taking place on Mellby Lawn, the same place you will have commencement in the spring of 2028.

FLEX time & dinner (5:00-7:30 pm)

Take some down time then come and enjoy dinner in the Caf with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity DINNER for first gen STUDENTS (5:30-6:30 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Dinner seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for First Gen student; come meet faculty and staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

Residence LIFE Activities (7:30 pm) – MOHN & kildahl

Check in with your RA for specifics about your Residence Hall meeting place.

living in community: building home together (7:30 pm) – ELLINGSON/THORSON and Hoyme/Ytterboe – BUNTROCK BALLROOMS

We love our Oles and the community we have built here together on campus; our continued healthy and safe environment depends on everyone’s contribution. Share time with members from our Public Safety team and our Area Coordinators to hear about about how we all share a role in making the Hill a place we all can thrive.

NIGHT IN SKOG/TOSTRUD (8:30-10:30 pm) – Skoglund/TOSTRUD athletic & Rec facility

Get active and discover the myriad ways to use the athletics and recreation facility on campus! The event is hosted by the Programming Board and Campus Recreation and is a chance for you to learn all about Intramurals, Rec and Club, programs as well as try out the variety of spaces open for students to use.

ole experience workshops (9:00-11:30 am) – viking theater, buntrock commons

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Some sessions will be offered more than once.

1:1 advising meeting – various locations

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your college advisor. This session will happen only once between Monday-Wednesday. Please check directly with your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

scavenger hunt (9:00 AM-1:00 pm) – various campus locations

Get more comfortable with resources on campus by completing our Scavenger Hunt! All you need is to download the Goosechase App, grab some friends, and explore the Hill! Prizes will be awarded!

Lunch (11:30 AM-1:00 pm) – STAV

Enjoy lunch in the Caf with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity Lunch for STUDENTS with interfaith interests (11:45 AM-12:45 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Lunch seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that have an interest in interfaith connections; come meet staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

First Lecture (1:00-1:45 pm) – boe chapel

Hear a special welcome message from a member of the St. Olaf Faculty, Dr. Anthony Bateza, as you gather as an entire class for the last time (until commencement!)

PResident’s closing reception (1:45-4:00 pm) – boe plaza and green space

Spend time with President Rundell-Singer and enjoy some cupcakes and refreshments while playing yard games. This is a second chance to sign the College Book and grab a copy of your class photo!

FINAL SOAR CHECK-in (4:00-5:00 pm) – soar classroom

Dinner (5:00-7:00 pm) – stav

Enjoy dinner with hall neighbors or SOAR peers.

affinity DINNER for STUDENTS with disabilities (5:30-6:30 pm) – kings dining room (KDR)

Dinner seating is set in the King’s Dining Room for students with disabilities; come meet staff contacts on campus as well as fellow class members in this community. Grab your food in Stav and bring it over to the KDR.

Open evening

Unwind from and amazing and informative NSO experience and get ready for the start of classes tomorrow morning!