Pre-Welcome Programs

Traditionally occurring one to three days prior to Welcome Week, new students are encouraged to participate in a Pre-Welcome Program. Organized by interests and identity spaces, programs offer students the opportunity to meet and connect to fellow new students in small groups. From outdoor adventure to on-campus acclimation, there are programs for all interests! For questions, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.

Pre-Welcome Highlights

  • Familiarize yourself with campus and resources that will support your transition to Syracuse University.
  • Build community with other incoming students and student leaders.
  • Develop skills that will help you succeed during your first year on campus.

Move-In

Students participating in any Pre-Welcome Program will have a dedicated time to move in.

  • Move-In Dates:
  • Move-In Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Registration

Please note that due to the nature of program schedules, students should only register for one Pre-Welcome Program.

Join your peers on a multi-day paddling and portage trek through the Adirondack Mountains! The program will consist of paddling 5-13 miles, portaging canoes 1-2 miles, setting up camp, camp chores, intrapersonal and interpersonal development activities, group development activities, journaling and much more. You will leave ready to start the semester with a strong community and new outdoor skills.

This program is highly focused on leadership development through experiential education, and requires active participation and engagement by all participants, in all activities. The expectation is that all will contribute to the overall daily tasks and activities. 

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Exploring the beautiful Adirondack Mountains by canoe and foot.
  • Paddling some of the most beautiful water and experience one of the most wild places remaining in New York State.
  • Witnessing sunrises, sunsets, loons and beautiful waters as the backdrop of each day.
  • Connecting with other new Syracuse University students and develop relationships before the beginning of the fall semester.

Registration

Register for WILD!

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.

The LOOP: Adirondack Adventure program is designed to give incoming first-year students a jump-start on their college experience while engaging in outdoor adventure activities, including a low and high element challenge course, hiking, flat-water kayaking and canoeing, campfires and starry night hikes. This program provides an opportunity to go off campus to the serene setting of the Oswegatchie Educational Center, located within the majestic Adirondack Park region of New York.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Taking on the challenge course at the Oswegatchie Education Center.
  • Paddling and hiking through the Adirondacks.
  • Opportunities to build connections with other first-year students though group activities.
  • A white water rafting trip down the Black River.

Registration

Register for LOOP: Adirondack Adventure!

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.

The BIPOC Connections program provides incoming first-year and transfer students who identify as Black, Indigenous and Person of Color (BIPOC) an opportunity to connect with peers who hold this identity while learning more about the student of color experience at Syracuse University. Facilitated by Orientation Leaders (OLs), you will travel to various spaces across campus, engage in meaningful conversations surrounding this identity and learn more about campus resources to support your college transition.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Connecting with other students, staff and faculty of color.
  • Touring the Barner-McDuffie House, a space that represents mutual understanding and support on campus and is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Learning about the history and current student of color community on campus.
  • Becoming familiar with important resources on campus to support you during your time at Syracuse University.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color. However, the program is open to anyone regardless of their race, ethnicity or national origin.

Registration

Register for BIPOC Connections!

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

The Christian Student Welcome Pre-Welcome Program, hosted by Christian Outreach, is designed for students who want to start college with new friends and peer mentors to support you in your goals to love God, serve others and share Christ.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Developing community with other Christians on campus at Syracuse University.
  • Preparing spiritually for the fall semester.
  • Building mentor and friend relationships with returning student leaders.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students who identify as Christian. However, the program is open to anyone, regardless of their religion or religious beliefs.

Registration

Register for Christian Student Welcome!

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Devon Bartholomew, Christian protestant chaplain, or call 716.983.7786.

Are you the first in your family to attend college? The 'Cuse First program is designed for incoming first-year and transfer students that identify as the first in their family to attend college or their parent(s), supporter(s) or legal guardian(s) did not receive a college degree. Facilitated by Orientation Leaders (OLs) who also hold a first-generation (first-gen) identity, you will have opportunities to meet other first-gen students, explore what it means to be a first-generation college student and understand how to navigate Syracuse University!

Please note that the first-gen definition is complex and even if you do not feel as if you fit within that scope, you may personally identify as a first-gen student based on your own unique experiences. Taking that into consideration, we highly encourage those interested to register for the program.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Exploring the first-generation college student identity.
  • Connecting with other first-gen college students, staff and faculty.
  • Learning about important campus resources and attending events that will support your transition to campus life.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that are unique to first-generation identifying college students. However, anyone is welcome to participate.

Registration

Register for 'Cuse First!

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

Syracuse Hillel FreshFest is Syracuse University's largest Pre-Welcome Program hosted by Hillel, the Jewish chaplaincy at Hendricks Chapel!

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Learning about campus and cool spots around Syracuse.
  • Meeting upper-division student mentors.
  • Socializing with other first-year students.
  • Enjoying a family breakfast in the JMA Dome.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students who identify as Jewish. However, the program is open to anyone regardless of their religion or religious beliefs.

Registration

Register for FreshFest!

Registration Deadline

Monday, July 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Jillian Juni, Syracuse Hillel executive director, or call 845.558.8987.

The Indigenous New Student Orientation is designed for all Indigenous first-year and transfer students to get a head start on campus.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Learning about campus resources and Indigenous-specific support.
  • A trip to the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center.
  • Connecting with other Indigenous students.
  • Dinner with Syracuse University Native faculty and staff.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students identifying as Indigenous. However, the program is open to anyone regardless of their race, ethnicity or national origin.

Registration

Register for Indigenous New Student Orientation!

Registration Deadline

Monday, July 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Bailey Tlachac, Native Student Program program coordinator, or call 315.443.0258.

The LOOP: Odyssey Adventure Program will be sure to kick your first year into high gear! During the program, you will get an opportunity to experience the high ropes challenge course, the 25-foot "Leap of Faith" and more. Together we will develop important skills for college such as positive relationship and trust building, effective communication, resiliency and determination as well as the ability to think through and solve problems both as an individual and a contributing member of a larger community. 

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Experiencing a high element challenge course, including the 25-foot "Leap of Faith".
  • Team-building activities and initiatives.
  • Building community with your peers and preparing for your first year on campus.

Registration

Register for LOOP: Odyssey Adventure!

Registration Deadline

Monday, July 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Ryan Szuch, Barnes Center at The Arch outdoor education coordinator, or call 315.443.1130.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Meeting and building community with other first-year Honors students.
  • Connecting with Honors advisors and staff members.
  • Participating in an overnight retreat, where you will learn more about basic Honors requirements.

Registration

Students in the Renée Crown University Honors Program should access their Syracuse University email account (i.e., @syr.edu) for more information regarding registering for the program.

Registration Deadline

Friday, June 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Robin Berkowitz-Smith, Renée Crown University Honors Program advisor, or call 315.443.2759.

The Muslim Student Life program is designed with the needs of Syracuse University's incoming Muslim students in mind. Sessions will include study tips, learning how to navigate Syracuse University, becoming familiar with the area and various resources, learning how to balance your academic and spiritual life and needs and more! This program is led by Muslim student leaders known as Muslim Student Life Mentors. Muslim Student Life Welcome is the best way to settle on campus and connect with other Muslim students!

Highlights of this program include:

  • Making connections with new and current Muslim students.
  • Receiving advice from your peers.
  • Finding resources on campus.
  • Exploring campus and the city before the first day of class.

This program is specifically designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to Muslim students. However, the program is open to anyone regardless of their religion or religious beliefs.

Registration

Register for Muslim Student Life Welcome!

Registration Deadline

Thursday, July 25, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Amir Duric, Muslim Chaplain and executive director, or call 856.266.8625.