New Student Orientation Schedule
New Student Orientation takes place August 23-27, 2025!
We are so excited you chose to attend Goucher for your college experience! Goucher College strives to foster a warm and inclusive environment for all students.
New Student Orientation is your steppingstone to get involved on campus. We want to
make the start of your semester as smooth as possible, so don't hesitate to ask questions.
We are here to help. Should you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate
to reach out at firstyear@goucher.edu.
Fall 2025 New Student Orientation Schedule
The term “new student” refers to all students beginning their college journey this fall. This schedule is specifically for new first-year students.
During Orientation, you’ll be guided by a Goucher Guide—a peer mentor who will help you get to know the campus and feel at home. All new first-year students are required to attend orientation sessions. If you are also involved in another program (such as an athletic team), your instructor or coach is already aware of your orientation commitments.
Our goal is to provide you with the resources, information, and support you need to succeed at Goucher. For help finding session locations, check with your Goucher Guide or use the campus map (PDF).
We want you to leave Orientation feeling welcome, supported, and excited as you begin your college experience!
Saturday, August 23
9 am – Noon
Residential Student Move-In
First Year Village
1 – 2 pm
Commuter Student Check-In
Lobby, Mary Fisher Hall
1 – 2 pm
New Student-Athlete Meet & Greet
First Floor Gymnasium, Decker Sport & Recreation Facility
2 – 2:45 pm
Welcome to Orientation / Meet Your Goucher Guide
Hyman Forum, Ungar Athenaeum
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Welcome to Goucher & Class Photos
Winslow Great Lawn
3:30 – 3:50 pm
Line Up for New Student Convocation
Hyman Forum, Ungar Athenaeum
4 – 5:45 pm
New Student Convocation & Faculty Welcome Reception
Kraushaar Auditorium & Dorsey Student Center Courtyard
6 – 7:30 pm
Dinner with your Guide Group
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher Hall
7:15 – 9 pm
Welcome Home Meetings
Residential Hall Lobbies for Residential Students, Batza Room of the Athenaeum for
Commuter Students
8 – 10 pm
Late Night @ Goucher: Welcome Home Party
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Sunday, August 24
8:15 – 11 am
Dance Placements
Todd Dance Studio, Decker Sport & Recreation Facility
11:15 am – Noon
Goucher Guide Group Meeting
Various Locations
Noon – 1:15 pm
Lunch with your Goucher Guide Group
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher Hall
1:30 – 4:30 pm
Your Next Chapter Workshops
Various Locations
5 – 7:30 pm
Dinner with your Guide Group
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Affinity Spaces — Disability Visibility, Religious & Spiritual Life, Black Joy, Lavender
Various Locations
9 – 11 pm
Late Night @ Goucher — Movie Night: Hairspray!
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Monday, August 25
7:30 – 9 am
Optional Grab & Go Breakfast
Student Market, Mary Fisher Hall
9:30 – 10:15 am
Goucher Guide Group Meeting
Various Locations
10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Your Next Chapter: Safe and Accountable Gophers
Merrick & Kelley Lecture Hall
12:15 – 1:45 pm
Lunch & Campus Resources Fair
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher Hall & Hyman Forum, Ungar Athenaeum
2 – 4:45 pm
All About Equity & Inclusive Excellence
Merrick Lecture Hall
5 – 7 pm
Dinner with your Guide Group
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher
7:15 – 8:45 pm
Playfair!
Winslow Great Lawn (if rain: Gymnasium, Decker Sport & Recreation Facility)
9 – 10:30 pm
Late Night @ Goucher: Quinn’s Ice & Chill
Athenaeum & Mary Fisher Patio
Tuesday, August 26
7:30 – 9 am
Optional Grab & Go Breakfast
Student Market, Mary Fisher Hall
8:30 am
Foreign Language Placement Exams
Various Locations
10:15 – 11 am
Goucher Guide Group Meeting
Various Locations
11 – 1:15 pm
Lunch & Meet Your Major Academics Fair
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher Hall & Hyman Forum, Ungar Athenaeum
1:30 – 5:15 pm
Your Next Chapter Workshops: All About Academics
Various Locations
5:30 – 7 pm
Dinner with your Guide Group
Dining Hall, Mary Fisher Hall
7:15 – 8:45 pm
First Floor Meeting for Residential Students
Residential Halls
7:15 – 8:45 pm
Commuter Student Happy Hour with Undergraduate Commuter Club
Courtyard, Alumni/ae House
9 – 10:30 pm
Late Night @ Goucher: Taco Tuesday Glow Night
Athenaeum and Great Lawn
Wednesday, August 27
**Don’t forget to wear your class color shirt today**
7:30 – 9 am
Optional Grab & Go Breakfast
Student Market, Mary Fisher Hall
8 – 10 am
Equestrian Riding Evaluations
Goucher Stables
9 – 10 am
Office of Accessibility Open House
Merrick Lecture Hall
9:45 – 10 am
Goucher Guide Group Meeting
Various Locations
10 am – 12:45 pm
Your Next Chapter: Academic Resources
Various Locations
12:45 – 2 pm
Lunch with your Guide Group
Mary Fisher Dining Hall
2:15 – 3:30 pm
First Year Student Book Discussion of “Behind You is the Sea”
Various Locations
2:15 – 3 pm
Transfer & Exchange Student Welcome Reception
Alice’s Cafe, Ungar Athenaeum
3:45 pm
Line Up for Opening Celebration
Academic Quad
4 – 5:30 pm
Opening Celebration!
Dorsey Center Circle
6:30 – 9 pm
Welcome Week: Shopping After Dark
Decker Sports and Recreation Center
Additional Schedules & Resources
Orientation Schedule for Families (PDF)