Welcome Week Schedule
Welcome Week Schedule 2022
Friday, August 19
8:00am - 12:00pm - New Student Move-In
Various Residence Halls
Check your North Central College email for more information about how you will move into your Residence Hall.
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 - 2:00pm - 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 - 2:00pm - 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. Look for the Student Involvement tent!
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Opening Convocation
Wentz Concert Hall
Join the faculty along with your family in this traditional event, when you are formally welcomed into the North Central academic community. .
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.
3:30pm - 5:00pm - Family Farewell Reception (Families & Guests Only)
Madden Theatre Lobby
Families can chat with some college administrators after saying "See you soon" to your new Cardinal with desserts and refreshments.
3:30pm - 5:00pm - Meet your First-Year Mentor and Transfer Connection
Various Classrooms
Meet your first-year mentor or your transfer mentor and start to get to know your fellow Cardinals. Learn about the fun events at Welcome Week and prepare yourself for a week of fun before classes begin!
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
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
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 20
9:00am - 10:00am - Yoga on the Lawn
Jefferson Lawn (Stevenson Hall, rain location)
All abilities welcome. Check out one of the many workout options throughout the year. Bring your own mat or use one of ours.
11:00am - 12:30pm - Cardinal Playfair: The Largest Game of Icebreakers
Jefferson Lawn
First meet up with your first-year or transfer mentor and then play the biggest and best game on campus! 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 - 2:30pm - Lunch and Take a Break!
2:30pm - 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 - 7:00pm - 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
7:00pm - 10:00pm - 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 21
10:30am - Off Campus Excursions
Leave from Wentz Concert Hall Lobby
Choose from options to create bonds with friends through off-campus excursions. Options include: Double Decker Bus Tour in Downtown Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago (Free with your Cardinal Card/Student ID), Hiking at Waterfall Glen, or swim at Centennial Beach. You'll be back on campus around 5:00pm to get ready for dinner and the evening activities.
Spots on each excursion are limited and given on a first come, first served basis, so sign up today using the link here!
7:00pm - 10:00pm - Choose one of two movies playing on campus!
Spiderman: No Way Home playing at Meiley Swallow Theatre
With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Netflix Original: The Perfect Date playing at Larrance Academic Center
A high school student creates an app to offer his services as a fake date to earn money for college, but his plan gets complicated when he develops feelings for someone.
Monday, August 22
8:00am - 9:00am - Breakfast
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.
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
2:00pm - 4:00pm - 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.
4:00pm - 4:45pm - "Conversations with the Cabinet" Ice Cream Social
Jefferson Lawn
Come meet the President's Cabinet and enjoy Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.
5:00pm - 7:00pm - Dinner and Break
7:00pm - 9:00pm - Live Music and Giveaways Hosted by Weekend Programming Board
Pfeiffer Hall
9:00pm - 10:00pm - Focus Worship Service
Koten Chapel in Kiekhofer Hall
Join our student organization, Focus, on their first worship service of the year. Focus is a non-denominational Christian worship group that aims to developing relationships with God and each other. More information will be available on site.
9:00pm -11:00pm - Late Night Rec Sports
Res/Rec Gym
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 23
8:00am - 10:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - 11:00am - 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.
11:30am - 2:00pm - Lunch on the Lawn
Jefferson Lawn
Join us on Jefferson Lawn for lawn 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.
Choose from a variety of options (feel free to attend more than one!)
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 - Student Success Open House
Oesterle Library
Your Student Success Coach team is an important component to your success at North Central College. Come meet the Success Coaches, 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.
Choose from these Campus Safety Presentations:
1:00pm - 2:00pm - Violent Intruder Presentation
Wentz Science Center Room 101
Unfortunately acts of violence on college campuses and within other public spaces have become all too common. Join Campus Safety for a one-hour training session on how to response if a violent intruder enters campus.
2:00pm - 2:30pm - Fire Safety
Wentz Science Center Room 101
Join us to learn about fire safety and tips for fire prevention with a residence hall. Students will learn prevention strategies, how to increase survivability during a fire and the polices on campus when a fire alarm is activated.
2:30pm - 3:00pm - Alcohol Awareness
Wentz Science Center Room 101
Join Campus Safety to learn about the impacts of alcohol on the body. Campus Safety will review the College’s policies on alcohol and students will have a chance to participate in a practical exercise, without alcohol, that demonstrates various levels of impairment.
Hangout with Us!
3:00pm - 6:00pm - Hangout with us!
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.
5:30pm - 7:30pm - 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.
7:30pm - 11:00pm - Get Ready for Classes Tomorrow!
Get a good night's rest and start your semester strong!