Welcome Week Schedule

We're excited to announce that North Central College Welcome Week has a free, official app which you can Download and be able to:

• View the Welcome Week agenda and plan your schedule
• Set up Virtual meet-ups with your fellow students to connect remotely
• Create and converse through various Discussion Topics in the Community Board
• Receive updates such as last minute room change from the organizers

After downloading, use your North Central College email when signing up in the app and choose a strong password.

Once you're signed up, you should be taken directly to your event!

If you aren’t directly added to the event and are asked for an event invitation code when accessing the event, please type in this invitation code: nccsp

Welcome Week Schedule 2021

Friday, August 20

8:00am - 2:00pm    New Student Move-In 

Various Residence Halls

Check your North Central College for more information about how you will move into your Residence Hall.

9:00am - 1:00pm   New Student Orientation 

Wentz Science Center Room 101

Not able to attend a Summer Orientation program? No problem! Attend this orientation program that will also incorporate the Welcome BBQ Picnic and Resource Fair. Reach out to orientation@noctrl.edu to let us know you and your family are coming. 

9:30am - 10:30am   Cardinal First Family Breakfast (for first-gen students and families)

Old Main Lawn (Wentz Concert Hall Lobby is rain location)

This welcome breakfast is for all incoming first-generation college students* and their parents. Students will meet several CardinalFirst Ambassadors (upperclass first-generation students),faculty and staff who were first-generation college students and Julie Carballo, director of First Generation Programs.

*First-generation student defined as neither parent having a four-year degree.

11:00am - 1:00pm   Welcome Picnic & Resource Fair

Jefferson Lawn, Wentz Science Center (Merner Fieldhouse is rain location)

You and your family are welcome to enjoy a picnic lunch with the campus community. A North Central College Resource Fair will also be held at the same time for you to meet with all of the great resources on campus. Be sure to get your questions answered here!

11:00am - 1:00pm    Commuter Student Check-In

Jefferson Lawn, Wentz Science Center (Merner Fieldhouse is rain location)

Students living off-campus can check-in, receive all Welcome Week materials, and meet the Commuter Student Services staff. Students will also have the chance to purchase parking permits at the Check-In location.

2:30pm - 3:30pm    Opening Convocation

Benedetti-Wehrli Football Stadium (Pfeiffer Hall is rain location)

Join the faculty along with your family in this traditional event, when you are formally welcomed into the North Central academic community. Students will line up in Championship Plaza, right outside the Stadium, at 2:30pm and the official ceremony will begin at 2:45pm. Families may arrive into the stadium and begin seating at 2:15pm.

Convocation is the conclusion of the family programming. Students will have time to say goodbye to families and join the rest of the Welcome Week festivities.

5:00pm - 7:00pm    Res Life Meet Your Neighbors & Dinner

Various Residence Halls

Meet your Resident Assistant (RA) and learn about campus services and upcoming events. Resident student meetings will be on assigned floors.

5:00pm - 7:00pm    Commuter Student Hangout: Meet Fellow Students and Get Dinner Together

Jefferson Lounge

Meet your Commuter Assistants (CA) and learn about campus resources and upcoming events. Get a chance to meet with other commuter students and learn about the great resources for our commuters!

7:00pm - 7:45pm    CARD (First Year Seminar) Class Group Meeting

Various Classrooms (Find your classroom on the Whova App)

Join your First-Year Mentor (FYM) who will provide you with an overview of Welcome Week. You will have a chance to get acquainted with other new students in your CARD section. 

8:00pm - 10:00pm     Red & White Night (Traditions Night)

Pfeiffer Hall, Merner Fieldhouse, Championship Plaza (Merner Fieldhouse is rain location)

Take part in a night dedicated to North Central College traditions and inspiring school spirit, including North Central’s fight song, Alma Mater and the parade, which dates back to 1912! End with inflatables, photobooth, s'mores, and more!

Saturday, August 21

10:30am - 12:30pm    Cardinal Playfair: Largest and Best Campus Activity

Jefferson Lawn

It's entertainment! It's fun! It's the perfect way to make new campus friendships. Cardinal Playfair is the best team-building experience that has a long-lasting effect on your campus experience. 

12:30pm - 2:00pm   Lunch

2:00pm - 4:00pm    Cardinal Field Day

Jefferson Lawn, Rall Lawn, Championship Plaza

Show off your competitive edge and meet new friends at the same time. Play quick physical and mental games for your team to win. Teams will be determined when you get there, so come alone or with your new friends. 

4:00pm - 6:00pm    Break ("Take & Makes" Available)

Jefferson Lounge

Take that much needed break, get some dinner, and get ready for Casino Night! There are craft "take-and-makes" available for pick up at Jefferson Lounge

6:00pm - 8:00pm   Dinner

8:00pm - 11:00pm    Casino Night

Wentz Concert Hall, Madden Theater

With $1,000 in prizes, the odds are in your favor. You just have to join in the game with fun favorites like poker, roulette, craps and blackjack. Along with some free food and karaoke, it’s sure to be a good night!

Sunday, August 22

10:00am - 12:00pm     Outdoor Adventure (Choose between a Hike, walk down the Riverwalk, or walk through Downtown Naperville)

Start at Jefferson Plaza

Start at Jefferson Lawn and be introduced to your new surroundings. 

1:00pm - 2:30pm   A Shot of Reality

Pfeiffer Hall

A Shot of Reality is an alcohol awareness show that was created out of serious, painstaking research, but performed by two professional comedians who make the topic engaging. Covering multiple facets of responsible alcohol use, the show keeps students engaged with a powerful combination of levity and realistic discussion. This is many schools’ favorite program to satisfy alcohol awareness training, especially for orientation. A Shot of Reality has been performed all over the United States...and Texas.

2:30pm - 3:30pm Ice Cream Social

Jefferson Lawn

Come grab some ice cream and cool off with some fun and friends!

4:00pm - 7:00pm    "Booyah" Game Night (1990s Decade Themed Games)

Wentz Science Center 

Play a variety of games, including '90s arcade games, board games, trivia, and so much more. Valuable prizes will be given out!

7:00pm - 8:00pm   Break and Dinner

8:00pm - 10:00pm     SCREAM Movie in Merner

Merner Fieldhouse

Join us for this '90s movie classic! A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a new killer, who targets the girl and her friends by using horror films as part of a deadly game. First 50 people get a free blanket! Feel free to bring your own blanket to sit on, too!

Monday, August 23

8:00am - 9:00am      Breakfast

8:00am - 12:00pm    On-Campus COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics 

Cardinal Room (Merner Fieldhouse)

With your health as our top priority, we are hosting on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students, staff and faculty at no cost, with the first clinic taking place August 23-24. If you are able to get vaccinated prior to the on-campus clinic, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. However, if you are unable to get vaccinated before returning to campus, we strongly encourage you to register for a time slot at our on-campus clinic.

You may choose between Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines when registering in advance. Pfizer requires two doses. If you choose to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the August clinic, you will be able to sign up then to receive your second dose at the September clinic. Johnson & Johnson only requires a single dose, which will be available on either of the August dates.

9:00am - 10:30am    CARD "Class" with Faculty

Various Classrooms

Get excited to meet with your first North Central class! You’ll talk about the class and how you can set yourself up for success in fall semester. Look in your Welcome Week app for your CARD 101/102/200 classroom assignment. 

11:00am - 12:30pm    The Hook Up

Pfeiffer Hall

Hooking up can often sound like harmless fun, but it can also be a cover for some very unhealthy behaviors. This engaging discussion pulls back the covers on hooking up, clarifying when it’s actually sexual violence and how bystanders can protect potential victims from predators.

12:30pm - 2:00pm     Lunch

12:30pm - 2:00pm     Premier Scholars Program Meet-Up

2nd Floor--Harold and Eva White Activities Center

The Office of Multicultural Affairs will be hosting a welcome event for the 2021-2022 Premier Scholars! Students who are participating in the Premier Scholars Program will get to meet the Premier Team and pick up their t-shirts and prizes from Premier Week. For any questions, contact us at mca@noctrl.edu.

2:00pm - 4:15pm     Say What?! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation and Discussion

Pfeiffer Hall

Students are a diverse group of people, not only in their character and opinions, but also in their gender, race, ethnicity, age, and abilities. Does your institution consider diversity and inclusivity to be important? Are your educators creating a welcoming and safe space for their students? Do your students know how to have an open, yet respectful dialogue? Catharsis Productions can help you create a respectful environment and an inclusive culture where everyone loves to work, study, and prepare for a professional environment. Catharsis Productions uses humor, interactive talk, and exercises to create an impactful and meaningful learning environment for all participants. Say What?! utilizes research from psychology and adult learning theory mixed with real-world discussion and examples of cultural differences happening around us.

4:30pm - 7:00pm     Dinner and Break

7:00pm - 9:00pm     Mission IMPROVable

Pfeiffer Hall

Mission IMPROVable is a four-person improv comedy team that performs a totally unique style of short form improv. Voted the 2014 Best Comedy Performers and the 2013 Entertainers of the Year, Mission IMPROVable is one of the top-ranked traveling comedy companies in the country. This Chicago and Los Angeles-based troupe has proven itself as a consistent presence in the college market. The members of Mission IMPROVable adopt the roles of secret comedy agents, ready to take you on a laughing roller coaster. The audience members are the co-agents and participate in hilarious theater games or “missions” by yelling out suggestions. The on-the-spot randomness provided by the audience makes each mission truly unique and hysterical. May your mission be a memorable one!

9:00pm -11:00pm     Late Night Rec Sports (Glow Ultimate Frisbee)

Merner Fieldhouse

Test your skills or learn a new sport through late night rec sports! We'll have lots of lawn games set up, but we'll also be testing your skills at Glow Ultimate Frisbee!

Tuesday, August 24

8:00am - 10:00am      Breakfast

10:00am - 11:30am    Mental Health Speaker Carli Bushoven

Pfeiffer Hall

Carli tragically lost her younger sister, Madison Holleran, to suicide on January 17, 2014, which was just two weeks after Carli’s first child was born. Beautiful, athletic, kind, and smart, Madison was thought by many to have “had it all.” Her death came as a shock to not only her family, but her friends, community, and people across the country – and became the catalyst for the NYTimes bestselling book “What Made Maddy Run?“ by Kate Fagan and published by Little, Brown and Company. 

11:00am - 1:00pm     Picnic in the Plaza

Rall Lawn

Join us on Rall Lawn for carnival games and food trucks sponsored by North Central College student organizations. Learn ways you can get involved on campus and grow meaningful relationships on campus. Join for food trucks and rainbow floats sponsored by Cardinal Safe Zone.

12:00pm - 4:00pm    On-Campus COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics 

Cardinal Room (Merner Fieldhouse)

With your health as our top priority, we are hosting on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students, staff and faculty at no cost, with the first clinic taking place August 23-24. If you are able to get vaccinated prior to the on-campus clinic, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. However, if you are unable to get vaccinated before returning to campus, we strongly encourage you to register for a time slot at our on-campus clinic.

You may choose between Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines when registering in advance. Pfizer requires two doses. If you choose to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the August clinic, you will be able to sign up then to receive your second dose at the September clinic. Johnson & Johnson only requires a single dose, which will be available on either of the August dates.

1:00pm - 3:00pm    Where are my classes?

Start at Jefferson Plaza

Orientation Staff will be all throughout campus to help you navigate your first day. Find out where your classes are located so that you can start your day on the right foot. 

1:00pm - 3:00pm    Academic Advisor Open House

Seybert Hall

Your academic advisor is an important component to your success at North Central College. Come meet the academic advisors, grab a cookie, and ensure that your classes are set up for the fall semester. Have a question? This is the time to make sure you get your answers.

3:00pm - 6:00pm    Have a Totally Tubular 80s Afternoon

Jefferson Lawn, Wentz Science Center

Choose from a variety of events including guided paint classes, rec sports tournaments, lawn games, eSports tournaments, or just to chill out. Check out the Welcome Week app for locations.

5:00pm - 7:00pm    College Honors Program Welcome Dinner

Old Main--Smith Hall (2nd floor)

First-year and new transfer students who have been accepted into the College Scholars Honors Program are invited to join us for a casual dinner.  We will introduce you to some key aspects of the Honors Program while you get to know your fellow College Scholars, some returning honors students, and faculty members. After dinner, you'll be invited to tour the Honors facilities at Ward Hall.

6:00pm - 11:00pm     Get Ready for Classes Tomorrow! 

Get a good night's rest and start your semester strong!