New Student Orientation

Dominican University of California welcomed a new class of undergraduate students for a fun and activity-filled Orientation 2023 beginning with Move-In Day on Wednesday, August 16.

Students check in on campus from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Conlan Recreation Center on August 16 to begin the move-in process to the residence halls. From 4 -5:30 p.m. new residential students attended residential floor meetings in their dorms while their parents were invited to “Parent Wine Down” on the Caleruega Dining Hall Plaza for refreshments as Dominican staff provide information and answer questions for the upcoming school year. After dinner from 4:30-7 p.m. at Caleruega Dining Hall, there was a New Resident Student Mixer on the outdoor patio in the Fanjeaux Hall Student Union from 9-10:30 p.m. Refreshments were served.

The first full day of Orientation 2023 started with breakfast at Caleruega Dining Hall from 7:30-9 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, followed by Orientation check-in the Conlan Center gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. The annual University Welcome and Kick Off Event, featuring Dominican President Nicola Pitchford, was in the gym from 10-11 a.m. After that, students split into Orientation Groups throughout campus and meet their peer mentors before breaking for lunch.

The afternoon Orientation 2003 agenda on August 17 included a Student Life and Engagement session in Angelico Hall from 1:30-2:30 p.m., a “Living, Learning, and Belonging At Dominican” session with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from 2:30-4 p.m. in Angelico Hall, a “Downtown Farmers Market” in downtown San Rafael from 6-8 p.m. and “Downtown Movie” in the Smith Rafael Film Center from 8-10 p.m. Tickets were provided for the movie and a shuttle bus for both downtown San Rafael events was available for students at a pick-up location on the Alemany Library Lawn.

The second day for Orientation 2023 on Friday, August 18, was busy as well. Following breakfast, the “Penguin Gold Rush Morning Meet-Up” was in Angelico Hall from 9:30-10 a.m. before students were invited to Academic Sessions from 10 a.m. to noon across campus that included faculty and students from particular majors lending their expertise. There was a “Campus Resource Fair and Lunch” on Anne Hathaway Lawn from noon to 1:30 p.m. Food truck vouchers were provided. In the afternoon, there were Orientation Group meetings at various locations on campus from 1:30-3 p.m. followed by the “Penguin Gold Rush Hanging Out and Hooking Up: Healthy and Consensual Relationships” session from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Angelico Hall. The evening was capped by “CAB Neon Night,” a game night event hosted by the Campus Activities Board from 8-10 p.m. on the Alemany Library Lawn.

Day Three of Orientation on Saturday, August 19, began with brunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Caleruega Dining Hall then a Dominican Recreation Sports get together throughout campus from 1-4 p.m. that featured activities such as outdoor yoga, grass volleyball, soccer, swimming, and e-sports. Refreshments were provided at the Conlan Center pool. After dinner, transportation was provided from the Alemany Library Lawn every 15 minutes for a “Target Run” to visit the brand name chain store in San Rafael for shopping.

Orientation 2023 at Dominican concluded on Sunday, August 20. The day started with brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Caleruega Dining Hall. At 11 a.m. there was campus parking permit selection for residential students on the Caleruega Dining Hall Plaza. From 1-3 p.m. in Angelico Hall, there was a “Sundae Fundae” dessert served to all orientation groups with an opportunity to sign up for an escape room event. Before dinner, the last Orientation 2023 event was an Honors Orientation session for all incoming Honors students from 3:30- 5 p.m.

Classes for the 2023-24 academic year at Dominican began on Monday, August 21.