Orientation 2024

Fall Orientation Schedule for New Students (Residential & Commuter)
**Please note, schedule is subject to change

Map | Print Schedule

MOVE-IN DAY: Saturday, August 24

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. New Residential and Transfer Student Move-in

• New New Student Check-in – Four Corners
  (Intersection of Mountain Road/University Drive, adjacent to DiGregorio Hall)
• Drive-through Residence Hall & Health Check-In – Granite Parking Lot

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Commuter Student Arrival

• New Student Check-in – Four Corners
  (Intersection of Mountain Road/University Drive, adjacent to DiGregorio Hall)
• Drive-through Health Services Check-in – Granite Parking Lot
  

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Resource Tables Available

• General Information, Counseling & Information Technology Staff Assistance - First Year Area Courtyard
• Bookstore/Online Textbook Pre-Order Pickup - Rear of the Bookstore, Emily Flint Campus Center
• Post Office Key and Package Pickup - Post Office, Emily Flint Campus Center
• Student Employment Process - Pioneer Lounge, Emily Flint Campus Center
• Student Photo ID Pictures/Vehicle Registration - Pioneer Lounge, Emily Flint Campus Center
• Raven Card Deposits - Student Financial Services, Coles Hall

11:30 a.m. President's Welcome from Dr. Peter Eden – Orientation Tent - Cheshire Field
Hear from President Peter Eden as he welcomes the Class of 2028 and their families to Raven Nation!

12 - 1 p.m. Lunch on Cheshire Field – Orientation Tent - Cheshire Field

1:15 - 1:45 p.m. Parent & Family Session – Orientation Tent - Cheshire Field
Derek Scalia, Director of the Student Success Center, will offer insight into the first six weeks of college.

1:15 - 1:45 p.m. Student Session & Class of 2028 Group Photo – Peterson Manor Lawn
Join the Student Engagement and Raven Recreation Staff for a Class of 2028 photo, and information about upcoming programming and events.

2 p.m.  Parent & Family Goodbyes – Orientation Tent - Cheshire Field
It’s time to part ways for now, but remember, Fall Festival is right around the corner on September 28 - 29!

2:15 - 3:30 p.m.  Meet Your Fellow Ravens & Peer Group Meetings – Orientation Tent - Cheshire Field
During this time, we will cover introductions, the Role of the Peer Leader for Orientation and FYI Classes, and provide an overview of how to use the Raven Nation App. You’ll also learn more about the Orientation Schedule, Frequently Asked Questions, Raven Nation terms and ‘How to Raven’!

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. International Student Session – Student Success Center, 4th Floor of Library
Coordinator of International Students, Hope Driscoll, will meet with International Students for a mandatory F-1 immigration orientation.

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Commuter Student Session – Pioneer Lounge, Emily Flint Campus Center
Commuter students will join Director of Student Engagement and Raven Recreation, Doug Carty, for an overview of commuter student life at Franklin Pierce University.

5 - 6:30 p.m.  Dinner – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

7 - 8 p.m. Residential Floor Meetings– Residence Halls
Meet your Community Assistant, Residence Directors and new neighbors. Ask questions, be informed of best practices when sharing housing.

8 - 9:30 p.m. Playfair – Melissa Bisaccia Softball Field
Get ready to meet your new best friends! Playfair is a professionally facilitated, high-energy performance where the students are the stars of the show!

9:30 p.m. Optional Activities
Stop by the North Fields Activity Center “The Bubble” until 11 p.m. or play Beach Volleyball under the lights, across from Mountain View Residence Halls.

 

ORIENTATION BEGINS: Sunday, August 25

7:15 - 10:00 a.m.  Breakfast – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

8 - 10 a.m. Choose Your Adventure

• Take the Shuttle to Walmart Shuttle: Pick up in Granite Courtyard
• United Christian Church Shuttle: Jaffrey, NH 10 a.m. service
  (Shuttle will depart from the Granite Courtyard at 9:40 a.m.)
• Enjoy the Boathouse at Lakeside Park
• Take a guided short trail hike: Venture into the wild side of campus for a short trail loop. Please wear appropriate closed-toed shoes and bring a bottle of water. Meet at Four Corners
  (Intersection of Mountain Road/University Drive, adjacent to DiGregorio Hall)
• Play Lawn Games (Corn Hole, Kan Jam, Spikeball and Giant Jenga) on the Academic Triangle
• North Fields Activity Center (The Bubble) Opens at 9 a.m. Come down, learn our policies, work out or play.
  

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

12:40 p.m. Keynote Speaker, John Massaro '18 – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
John Massaro, former FPU Lacrosse Captain, Peer Leader and Club President, speaks about his experiences as a Raven.

1 p.m.  Get a Life! Community Engagement – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
What every student needs to know about college success and community engagement.

2:15 p.m. Housing, Conduct, Counseling & Wellness - Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
Director of Residential Life and Community Standards, Heather Ventresco, and Director of Counseling and Joint Health Services, Nicole Newell, share important policies, information and guidance for campus life.

3 p.m.  Campus Safety, Rindge Police, and Fire Departments – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
Campus Safety, Rindge Police and Rindge Fire Department discuss important local
ordinances and safety on campus.

3:30- 5:30 p.m. Raven's Carnival – Sodexo Field
Prior to kickoff, join your fellow Ravens at Sodexo Field. Inflatable Ninja Warrior Course, “Monstah” Cookie Truck ice cream sandwiches, photo booth, half-time events, and prizes!

4 - 6 p.m. Defending Three-Time National Champion Men’s Soccer vs. Babson College – Sodexo Field
Join Raven Nation and show your Pierce Pride! The first 200 Ravens in attendance receive a Raven Nation t-shirt.

5 - 7 p.m. Dinner – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

7 - 8:30 p.m. Zero Shades of Grey – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
Zero Shades of Gray applies the Collegiate Empowerment best practices of delivering a high-energy, interactive, engaging, and fun experience that is totally relevant and hits the biggest points of how to approach sexual assault for first year students.

8:30 p.m. Robert Channing – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
As seen on TV around the world, renowned hypnotist, mentalist, comedian and speed
painter, Robert Channing brings his unique brand of wit, comedy and entertainment to Franklin Pierce!

Orientation CONTINUES: Monday, August 26

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Academic Convocation  – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
Faculty, staff and administration greet the incoming Class and kick off the new academic year.

11 a.m. First Year Inquiry (FYI) Meetings with Faculty and Peer Leaders – Orientation Tent, Cheshire Field
Meet your professor and first-year advisor to discuss the academic transitions to college.

12 - 1 p.m.  Lunch – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

1 - 2 p.m.  Academic College Ice Cream Social 

Meet with your fellow students in your major and share some ice cream.

• College of Business - Monadnock Hall
• College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences - Petrocelli Hall
• College of Health & Natural Sciences - Marcucella Hall
• Undeclared/Still Exploring - Student Success Center, 4th Floor of the Library

3 - 4:45 p.m. 20th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta – Peterson Manor Lawn
A tradition since 2004, compete with your peer group to craft a cardboard boat only using cardboard, duct tape and plastic wrap. Prizes awarded for best design, best team effort, and fastest time.

5 - 6:30 p.m. Dinner – Marketplace Café, Emily Flint Campus Center

8:30 - 10 p.m. Movie Night: Student Engagement hosts a showing of “The Fall Guy” – Peterson Manor Lawn (Rain Location - Spagnuolo Hall)

 

Kick off the fall semester: Tuesday, August 27

8 a.m. Classes Begin for the 2024 - 2025 Academic Year 

8 - 9 a.m. Flow in to the Fall Semester – Library Café Patio (Rain Location - Spagnuolo Hall Atrium)
Start your first day of classes with Michelle Davis, yoga teacher and Reiki II practitioner. Michelle draws inspiration from the natural world and its power to heal, transform and connect people. Mats and towels provided.
Sessions continue Thursday, August 28, Tuesday, September 3, and Thursday, September 5.

Welcome Activities & Events

Map | Print Schedule

Friday, August 30  

4 - 6 p.m. Engagement/Club Fair, Freshman Courtyard

This is your chance to join or start a club, learn more about student programs, and meet the professional staff who advise the process. We have nearly 40 student organizations across campus - get involved!  

Saturday, August 31

2 - 5  p.m. "Rec Fest" Streetball Tourney, Outdoor Basketball Courts across from Northwoods Apartments

Find some friends, make a team, and compete 3 vs. 3 to be the semester’s first intramural champions. Don’t play? Join us as spectator, listen to the live DJ, and get some swag from the airbrush artist. Be sure to sign up at the Engagement/Club Fair!

Sunday, September 1

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oozeball Mud Volleyball Tournament, behind Lakeside Education Center Boathouse

Rototilled to perfection, the mud volleyball awaits your 4v4 team for a best of 3, single elimination tournament. Intramural Champion T-shirts for the winners. Everyone is encouraged to rinse off in the lake after!

Saturday, September 7

11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.  52nd Annual Grand Monadnock Climb 

Each year, the Franklin Pierce Community comes together to hike our favorite mountain, Mount Monadnock. Transportation leaves from Peterson Manor Lawn at 11 a.m.

Students should bring close-toed shoes, a day pack, an extra clothing layer (it can get chilly at the top) and water/snacks. Members of faculty, staff, and administration will be present along the trip. The goal for the day is not necessarily reaching the summit, so climb as high as you’d like before heading back down to the shuttles. A commemorative 32oz Nalgene bottle provided for all participants!