First Days Schedule
Image: Students walking around on campus
2023 Schedule of Events
Friday, August 25 – Sunday, August 27, 2023
Key:
TF in the title indicates the session is transfer student-friendly
* A red asterisk in the title indicates required attendance for all new students
Please note: All meals are complementary for both new residential and commuter students. Hiram student ID required.
Bookstore hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| 1–5 p.m. Bates Hall | Arrival for New Eclectic Scholars Honors Program Students Room keys may be picked up from the Residence Life Office in Bates Hall located at 11715 Garfield Road. Unload, unpack, and settle in at your residence hall. |
| 5 p.m. Dining Hall Private Room | Dinner with Dr. Fiala Join your fellow honors program classmates for dinner with program director, Dr. Fiala. |
Bookstore hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
| 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kennedy Center | Camp Asbury (New honors students only) Meet in front of the Kennedy Center to load the buses for a day of teambuilding at Camp Asbury. |
| 9 a.m. to Noon Dean St. Tent & Residence Halls | Arrival for Remaining New Residential Students (TF) Even room numbers: 9-10:30 a.m. Odd room numbers: 10:30 a.m. to noon Follow the signage to check-in on Dean Street, where you will receive your residence hall room keys and First Days materials. Please stay in your vehicle. Once checked in, proceed to your residence hall where our student helpers will help you unload your belongings. Please keep a driver with your vehicle at all times. Have an optional non-perishable soup can handy to donate to the HAPPI Place food drive. |
| 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dining Hall | Lunch (TF) You and your supporters are welcome to dine on us! |
| 2 p.m. Hinsdale Arch | * New Commuter Student Check-In (TF) Report to the check-in table under the Hinsdale Arch. Students who are are not cleared will have limited time to visit campus offices. Be sure to return to the Arch by 3 p.m. |
| 2:45-3:45 p.m. Hinsdale Arch | * First Days Check-In (TF) Report to the check-in table under the Hinsdale Arch no later than 3 p.m. Here, you will connect with your Orientation Leaders and meet fellow students in your color group for introductions, teambuilders, and an orientation to restorative practices. |
| 4–5 p.m. Hayden Auditorium | * Matriculation Convocation (TF) Join other new students, faculty, and staff for the formal welcome to the Class of 2027. Supporters are encouraged to attend. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Hiram College – 2023 New Students Parents & Families Facebook group for those who may not be on campus. |
| 5 p.m. Colton Hall Stairs | * Class of 2027 Photo There will be a class photo taken immediately after the Matriculation Convocation on the stairs of Colton Hall. Supporters are welcome to take photos. |
| 5:30–6 p.m. | Farewell (TF) Take an opportunity to say your goodbyes. Supporters are encouraged to leave campus at this time. Students who do not have supporters on campus are encouraged to gather on the Miller/Whitcomb Lawn. |
| 6–7 p.m. Dining Hall | * Dinner (TF) Your Resident Assistant will guide you to dinner with the Orientation Team. Look for your assigned color group section. Don’t forget your student ID card! |
| 7:15–8:30 p.m. Residence Halls & Henry Lawn | * New Residential Student Floor Meetings & First Year Area Campfire Meet at your floor’s lounge to connect with your hall staff and new neighbors to review important communal living policies. Following the meeting, join the Orientation Team for a campfire and s’mores on the Henry Lawn. Rain Location: Booth-Centennial main lounge |
| 7:15–8 p.m. Commuter Lounge | * All Commuter Student Meeting (TF) New commuter students are invited to join returning commuters to learn about resources, parking, and programmatic initiatives for those who are living off campus. Attendees are eligible to participate in a raffle. Commuters are welcome to attend the new student campfire on the Henry Lawn following the meeting. |
Bookstore hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
| 8–10 a.m. Dining Hall | Breakfast (TF) Join us for breakfast at the dining hall. Don’t forget your student ID card! |
| 9–11 a.m. Library Lower Level | Tech & Trek: iPad Pick-Up & Boot Fitting (TF) All students who have not previously picked up their iPad or tried on their boots should attend this session at the time designated to their color group. If you already have an Apple device, then please bring your Apple ID and password. Red: 9 a.m. Orange: 9:20 a.m. Yellow: 9:40 a.m. Green: 10 a.m. Blue: 10:20 a.m. Purple: 10:40 a.m. |
| 11:45 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Field Station | * Field Station Picnic (TF) Join us for a variety of food truck vendors at the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station, one of Hiram’s not so hidden gems! Required transportation will be provided from the front of the Kennedy Center. You may wish to bring a blanket or an outdoor game of your choosing. Rain location: Coleman Athletic Center – Martin Fieldhouse |
| 1:30–2:30 p.m. Price Gym | *Terrier Training Camp: Coleman Center Visit (TF) Meet the athletic staff to learn more about the Coleman Center, job opportunities within Athletics, and what it means to be a fan of the Hiram Terriers! Giveaways will be provided. |
| 2:45–3:45 p.m. Hayden Auditorium | * Terriers Together: An Introduction to our Community (TF) One of the best parts of our close-knit campus is our sense of community. Learn more about our expectations of you and what it means to be a new Terrier. Fall athletes who attended compliance training on Friday, August 18 are excused. |
| 3:45–4:45 p.m. Campus Green | * Restorative Practice Circle #2 (TF) Gather with your Orientation Leaders within your color group. Rain Location: Hinsdale Classrooms Fall athletes who attended compliance training on Friday, August 18 are excused. |
| 5–8 p.m. Martin Commons | First Days Festival Block Party (TF) Enjoy delicious food with friends and a variety of inflatable attractions, lawn games, and entertainment while making memories with your new classmates. Rain location: Coleman Athletic Center – Martin Fieldhouse |
| 7 p.m. Soccer Field | Women’s Soccer Scrimmage Cheer on the Terriers at their first home scrimmage against Thiel College. |
| 8:30 p.m. Hayden Auditorium | * Comedian & Weird Dad: Glen Tickle Glen Tickle is a comedian from New Jersey who has appeared on Dry Bar Comedy, Travel Channel, CoziTV, and can be heard on SiriusXM. He has millions of views on TikTok. He is a competitive Dr. Mario player, a bad violin player, and a competent juggler. And yes, his last name really is Tickle. |
Bookstore hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
| 8:30-9:30 a.m. Booth Centennial Lawn | Yoga for Beginners Meet on Booth-Centennial Lawn for morning yoga. Bring an optional yoga mat or blanket to participate with instructor and Yellow Group Orientation Leader Jillian Turcola. Rain Location: Coleman Center Dance Studio |
| Spiritual & Religious Life Options | |
| 10–11 a.m. Hiram Christian Church | Worship Service The Hiram Christian Church is an open, inclusive, compassionate community that has an emphasis on belonging, not belief. Join the College Chaplain, Rev. Christopher McCreight, for a Sunday morning service located across from the Hiram Inn. Casual dress is appropriate. The church will provide students with a goodie bag. |
| 10–11 a.m. Fisher All Faith Chapel & Meeting House | Fisher Chapel Open House The Norma and Frank Fisher All Faith Chapel and Meeting House is a non-denominational on-campus worship space. Opened in 2003, the facility hosts a variety of religious services and spiritual events of different theological traditions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Tour the facility at your leisure, but please remove your shoes upon entry. The chapel is located on Brown Street. |
| 10–11 a.m. Library – Meeting Room 2 | Interfaith Prayer & Meditation Room Open House Spearheaded by Student Senate in the 2022-2023 academic year, visit the newly created Interfaith Prayer & Mediation Room located in Meeting Room 2 of the Hiram College Library for an individual, relaxing spiritual experience. Please remove your shoes before entering. |
| 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dining Hall | * Brunch n’ Bingo (TF) Join us for the chance to win prizes and one of Hiram’s favorite traditions: bingo! Students are encouraged to bring their iPad to follow along with the livestream that shows the numbers being called. |
| 1–2 p.m. Campus Green | * Restorative Practices Circle #3 (TF) Gather with your Orientation Leaders within your color group. Rain location: Hinsdale Classrooms |
| 2–3 p.m. Various | Choose Your Own Adventure • Pre-Orientation Moodle Completion (TF) – Mandatory for students who have not completed their pre-Orientation steps. Bring your iPad to the Library. • Hazing Prevention module (TF) – Check your email for further instructions after August 17. • Experience our new Sensory Room in the Lower Level of the Library. • Enjoy a break |
| 3–5 p.m. Hinsdale Arch | * The Great Game: Scavenge Your Class Schedule (TF) Meet under Hinsdale Arch to walk your class schedule using the Great Game App. OLs will be placed across campus to assist you in finding your classrooms. |
| 4:30–6:30 p.m. Dining Hall | Dinner (TF) Join your classmates for dinner. |
| 7:30 p.m. Hayden Auditorium | * Hypnotic Intoxication with Keith Karkut (TF) Hypnotist Keith Karkut has been practicing hypnosis for over 21 years. His first show took place while he was a student studying Communications at East Stroudsburg University in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a college student, Keith realized the true powers of the mind and how certain addictive substances affect it. Open to all Hiram students and required for new students. |
