NSO Schedule

Residence Hall Move-In (AM to early afternoon)

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 in early August. Residence Life staff are excited to welcome you and assist your move-in process.

Student Employment Paperwork (morning) – TOMSON HALL 180

Do you have a work award built into your financial aid package? You will want to bring necessary documents to meet with HR and set yourself up for success.

Resource Fair (morning) – THE QUAD

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

Life on the Hill Panels (morning) – Boe chapel

Want to get a snapshot of what life at St. Olaf is like? Join us for either of our Life on the Hill panels to hear from current students on a variety of topics relevant to new Oles and their families.

Picnic Lunch (early afternoon) – the quad

Lunch is available continuously during this time. Come enjoy a taste of Bon Appétit!

Home football Game (afternoon) – KLEIN FIELD

Swing down to the football field to cheer on your Oles in their first competition of the season against Central College. Please note that due to other Move-In Day events, incoming students and their families will only be able to stay for a portion of the game.

Community Time (early afternoon)

Need to return to your residence hall room to grab something? Just 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.

A St. Olaf Welcome (mid-afternoon) – SKOGLUND

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. Plan to say your final “see-you-laters” at the close of the ceremony.

A Family Farewell (afternoon) – SKOGLUND

As students transition to the start of their New Student Orientation experience, families and guests are invited to hear from various College leaders 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 (afternoon) – 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 (late afternoon/early evening)

It is time to meet your SOAR Group! Led by two 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 (evening)

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.

Walk/run in the Natural Lands (morning) – THE ART BARN

Meet near the wind turbine for a guided walk or run in our beautiful Natural Lands! Student Naturalists and members of the Running Club will be present to lead groups on a quiet exploration.

Morning Worship/Volunteer choir  (morning) – Boe chapel

Come enjoy worship in our beautiful Boe Memorial Chapel with Pastor Matt and Pastor Katie. All are welcome! For those interested in singing, a volunteer choir will come together for the service – practice will begin at 9:15 AM.

SOAR Lunch (early afternoon)

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

What’s it All About (1:00 – 2:30 pm) – boe chapel

High Impact Training presents a series of short skits that explore the dynamics of living in a diverse community, touching on serious and potentially sensitive topics.

Class of 2027 Photo (afternoon) – mELLBY LAWN

Say cheese! The first official photo of the Class of 2028, taking place on Mellby Lawn, the same place you will have commencement in the spring of 2028.

Our Name and Story (kater afternoon)

Learn about the story of St. Olaf College and how you play a role in the continuing legacy of this place.

This session is part of a rotation series.

Community Safety Connection (afternoon)

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

This session is part of a rotation series.

Flex Time & Dinner (early evening)

Use this time to relax and recharge as well as grab some dinner at the Caf. Looking for folks to eat dinner with? We’ve set aside areas throughout the top floor of Buntrock for you to eat with other people who live in your residence hall.

Residence Hall Meeting (evening)

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

Night in Buntrock (nighttime)

Join your fellow classmates and get acquainted with the center of our campus community, Buntrock Commons! Sponsored by your Programming Board and the Lion’s Pause, stop on by for a variety of activities that feature all that social life on campus has to offer and have some fun in the process!

Ole Experience Workshops (morning) – Viking Theater

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Each session will be offered more than once so if you can be sure to catch the sessions you are most interested in!

9 – 9:30 AM – Student Employment 101
9:40 – 10:10 AM – Self Care in College
10:20 – 10:50 AM – Getting Involved on Campus
11:00 – 11:30 AM – Getting Involved on Campus

1:1: Advising Meetings (9:00 AM – 1:00 Pm)

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your Advisor at some point during Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning. Your SOAR leader will assist you in emailing your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

Lunch (11afternoon)

Enjoy some down town and lunch in the Caf.

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Setting Boundaries & Bystander Intervention (afternoon)

How can you be an engaged and informed member of our St. Olaf College community? The goal of this training is to mobilize students to be active bystanders and help promote a culture of consent and sexual respect on campus. Through different scenarios, true and false questions, video content, and statistics, this training covers a variety of relevant topics including consent, bystander intervention, Title IX, sexual harassment, and St. Olaf College resources.

This session is MANDATORY and is part of a rotation series.

IDEA Workshop (afternoon)

IDEA stands for inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism, and the IDEA Workshop is just one way that you as a new Ole will engage in meaningful reflection and action around topics of difference and justice. In this first of three sessions, you will take time to reflect on the identities that make you who you are and gain a deeper understanding of the Class of 2028.

This session is part of a rotation series.

SOAR Catch-up (2:afternoon)

Take a break and connect with your SOAR group.

Flex Time & Dinner (evening)

Use this time to relax and recharge as well as grab some dinner at the Caf. 

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that identify as BIPOC and/or Multiracial.

Residence Hall Meeting (evening)

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

Movie on the Quad (late night)

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 – popcorn included!

Ole Experience Workshops (morning) – viking theater

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Each session will be offered more than once so if you can be sure to catch the sessions you are most interested in!

9 – 9:30 AM – Student Employment 101
9:40 – 10:10 AM – Money Matters
10:20 – 10:50 AM – Self Care in College
11:00 – 11:30 AM – Navigating Northfield (& Beyond)

1:1: Advising and SOAR Meetings (9:00 AM – 1:00 Pm)

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your Advisor at some point during Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning. Your SOAR leader will assist you in emailing your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

Lunch (11early afternoon pm)

Enjoy some down time and lunch in the Caf.

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that are joining our community from outside of Minnesota.

Essentials for Academic Success (afternoon)

The jump from high school to college academics can feel overwhelming for everyone at some point. Fortunately there is a lot of support on campus to guide and assist you with this transition. Listen in as our Academic Success Center hosts a student panel of current Oles that will share some tips and advice on how to wind your way through the ups and downs of your scholarly pursuits!

This session is part of a rotation series.

STO 101 (afternoon)

Get your first exposure to a classroom experience as your attend this mock class discussion, using a special object that symbolizes your journey here on campus.

This session is part of a rotation series.

SOAR Catch-up (3:00 – 4:00 pm)

Take a break and connect with your SOAR group.

Ask an Ole: Life on Campus (4later afternoon) – Boe chapel

Come get a glimpse of life on campus as created by student director Auggie Lehn and their cast of student actors. These short skits will cover a variety of topics from schedule balancing to roommate relationships. These skits will be followed by a Q&A panel led by current Oles.

Flex Time & Dinner (evening)

Use this time to relax and recharge as well as grab some dinner at the Caf. 

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that identify as First-Generation college students.

Residence Hall Meeting (evening)

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

Night in Skog & Tostrud (late night)

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

Ole Experience Workshops (morning) – Viking Theater

You spoke and we listened! Check out any of these workshops that cover topics you identified of high interest to you. Each session will be offered more than once so if you can be sure to catch the sessions you are most interested in!

9 – 9:30 AM – Pre-Health at St. Olaf
9:40 – 10:10 AM – Pre-Health at St. Olaf
10:20 – 10:50 AM – Money Matters
11:00 – 11:30 AM – Navigating Northfield (& Beyond)

1:1: Advising and SOAR Meetings (9morning)

Every student will have one, 30-minute 1-on-1 session with your Advisor at some point during Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning. Your SOAR leader will assist you in emailing your advisor for the exact time and place of your meeting.

Resource scavenger hunt (9:afternoon)

Learning how to navigate the Hill is important! Download the GooseChase mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, form a team with some fellow Oles, and see how many resources you can find! The top-scoring teams will win prizes!

Lunch (11early afternoon)

Enjoy some down time and lunch in the Caf.

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for students that wish to connect from different religious, spiritual, and non-religious backgrounds.

First Lecture (afternoon) – Boe Chapel

Class is in session – though no note-taking is required! Hear a special welcome message from a member of the St. Olaf Faculty and commit to your Honor Code agreement.

Final SOAR Catch-up (2:3afternoon)

Come together one last time as a SOAR group to catch up on any last-minute needs as you prepare to start classes tomorrow morning.

Closing Celebration (3afternoon)

Let’s celebrate! Hosted by President Rundell Singer this is a time to enjoy the last few moments of NSO before classes start the next morning. While there, you’ll join generations of Oles before you by signing your name in the College Book!

Flex Time & Dinner (evening)

Use this time to relax and recharge as well as grab some dinner at the Caf. 

An affinity lunch is set in the King’s Dining Room for Students with Disabilities.

Open Evening (evening)

That’s a wrap! Take time to relax and rest up to prepare for your first day of classes!