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Orientation Events

NSO 2008 > Orientation Events

New Student Orientation is your time to settle into College House life, to learn about Penn and Philadelphia, to find out about the college experience, and to meet new people. We have planned many events for you to get acquainted with your new home. There are both mandatory and optional events, but we recommend you attend as much as possible in order to explore both Penn and Philadelphia.

The NSO calendar of events will be available when you move to campus. Your College Houses will have calendars, and they will also be available in multiple locations around campus. Make sure you check back on this website for important updates and changes.

View by Date:

Wednesday, August 27
Thursday, August 28
Friday, August 29
Saturday, August 30
Sunday, August 31
Monday, September 1
Tuesday, September 2

indicates Mandatory events

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School Events

Wednesday, August 27: Early Move-In for First-Year Students
Student Services Expo 9am-5pm Houston Hall	Come to your "one-stop shop" for essential services. See our Student Services Expo page for more information on services available at the Expo.
NSO Hospitality Booths 9am-5:30pm 34th and Walnut streets 37th and Locust Walk	PHINS and the Penn Parents Program will be available to answer all your questions!
Computer Connection Back-to-School Sale 9am-4pm Class of 1923 Ice Rink	Pick up your pre-ordered computer purchases.
Library Tour and Reception 12pm and 1:30pm Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Meyerson Conference Center, 2nd Floor	Learn how Penn's libraries give students the edge.
Highball to Hey Day: The Penn Experience 4pm-5pm Houston Hall, Hall of Flags	Join us for an entertaining look at Penn's history and traditions, as well as your role in Penn's exciting future through this interactive presentation. All participants receive a free Class of 2012 t-shirt. Reception to follow. Parents welcome! For more information, call (215) 898-2027. A repeat performance is given for students only on Sunday, August 31, 10am in Houston Hall.

Thursday, August 28: Move-In and Welcome
Student Services Expo 9am-5pm Houston Hall	Come to your "one-stop shop" for essential services. See our Student Services page for more information on services available at the Expo.
NSO Hospitality Booths 9am-3:30pm 34th and Walnut streets 37th and Locust Walk	PHINS and the Penn Parents Program will be available to answer all your questions!
Computer Connection Back-to-School Sale 9am-4pm Class of 1923 Ice Rink	Pick up your pre-ordered computer purchases.
Commuter Student Orientation 11am-12pm Houston Hall, Benjamin Franklin Room 218	Commuter students will benefit from this session about the resources available to them.
Proud Penn Parents Welcome Lunch 11am-1pm College Green Class of 1976 Patio	Join us for a new Penn Tradition! Meet and greet with Penn Parents Program volunteers, Penn Traditions Staff, and PHINS.
Greek Life 101 12pm and 2pm Houston Hall, Platt Rehearsal Room	This student led session provides general information for both students and parents about Penn’s fraternity/sorority system, one of the premier Greek systems in the country. Receive information about recruitment, scholarship, leadership, community service, and philanthropy as well as have all of your questions answered.
Library Tour and Reception 12pm and 1:30pm Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Meyerson Conference Center, 2nd Floor	Learn how Penn's libraries give students the edge.
Information Session for Multicultural Families 12pm-1:30pm Houston Hall, Golkin Room	A Q&A session on resources for Asian, Black, Latino, Native Americans, and multiracial students. Refreshments will be served.
College of Arts & Sciences Dean's and Departmental Reception 1:30pm-3pm Houston Hall, Hall of Flags	Meet the Dean and undergraduate chairs, and learn about various majors, interdisciplinary programs, and new areas of study.
Greek Life 101 2pm Houston Hall, Platt Rehearsal Room	This student led session provides general information for both students and parents about Penn’s fraternity/sorority system, one of the premier Greek systems in the country. Receive information about recruitment, scholarship, leadership, community service, and philanthropy as well as have all of your questions answered.
Penn Parent Orientation Panel 3pm Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce Street	Parents: Join our distinguished Penn panelists to learn about College Houses, safety, finances, and much more. Our Penn experts will provide an overview of relevant issues facing many Penn parents and families and answer your questions.
Creating and Maintaining a Strong Financial Identity 3pm Houston Hall, Ben Franklin Room 218	Penn experts offer an informative session, designed primarily for students, on managing money, protecting privacy, and preventing identity theft. Parents are welcome.
President & Provost's Welcome and Reception 4:15pm College Green Blanche P. Levy Park	Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ronald Daniels welcome Penn families from the steps of College Hall. Immediately following, join us on Wynn Commons, Perelman Quad (behind College Hall) for a reception, to meet and speak with the President and Provost, distinguished Penn faculty and staff, and representatives from the Penn Parents Program.
Dinner for Students 5pm-7pm	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons. Kosher buffet available.
College House Meetings 7pm-10pm	See your RA or GA for details.

Friday, August 29: Welcome to Your School
Breakfast 7am-9am	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons. Kosher buffet available.
Placement Exams	Visit the Placement Exams page for an up-to-date listing of the times and locations for the different exams.
Student Services Expo 9am-12pm Houston Hall	Come to your "one-stop shop" for essential services. See our Student Services page for more information on services available at the Expo.
Computer Connection Back-to-School Sale 9am-12pm Class of 1923 Ice Rink	Pick up your pre-ordered computer purchases.
Resources for Students with Disabilities 9am-10am Houston Hall, Brachfeld Room 225	Find out about services, resources, and policies.
School-Specific Events and Lunch 9am-5pm	Check your specific school for details. College \| Engineering \| Nursing \| Wharton
Dinner 5pm-7pm	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons. Shabbat dinner 8:30pm-10:30pm in Steinhardt Hall.
Penn Library Social 7pm-9pm Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center	Make all the noise you want with Van Pelt's legendary DJ. Stop by for dancing, food, free t-shirts, and a chance to win great prizes. Everyone is still talking about last year's party. Check out the video.
PennFest 2008 9pm-12am Wynn Commons and Houston Hall	Get a taste for all the city has to offer at this indoor/outdoor festival jammed with a full-service casino room, Penn Quizzo, giant inflatable games, several DJs, free giveaways, performance artists, and delicious treats from Philly vendors and restaurants. While there, be sure to snap a photo with Penn's own festival-loving founder, Ben Franklin!

Saturday, August 30: Welcome to Your City
PennLife Sketches/ Safe Living Workshop 10:30am-3:30pm Irvine Auditorium and Zellerbach Theatre	These back-to-back sessions, held in two different locations, cover safety, security, and social issues on campus. Location of programs as follows: 10:30am Zellerbach Theatre & 1:30pm Irvine Auditorium Red NSO Wristbands: Du Bois, Fisher Hassenfeld, Hill, Riepe College Houses, and commuting students. 10:30am Irvine Auditorium & 1:30pm Zellerbach Theatre Blue NSO Wristbands: Gregory, Harnwell, Harrison, Kings Court English, Stouffer, Rodin, and Ware College Houses
Lunch 12pm-1:30pm	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons. Cholent lunch 11am-1pm at Steinhardt Hall.
PennTracks 3:30pm-5:30pm	Explore fascinating downtown neighborhoods in guided walking tours. Leave from your College House. See your RA or GA for details.
An Evening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art 5:30pm-9:30pm	This is the gala event of NSO! Join your classmates for dinner and dessert at one of the world's greatest museums. Enjoy live music while you browse the galleries. See the steps where Rocky made his famous run. Take in a spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline. Food service will be provided until 8:30pm. Casual attire recommended. For further information, including information about shuttle buses, visit our PMA page.
Late Night at the Pottruck Center 9:30pm-12am Pottruck Center	Explore Penn's state-of-the-art fitness center. Play basketball, swim, get an aerobic workout, or if you're really brave, tackle the 40-foot climbing wall!

Sunday, August 31: Explore. Engage. Evolve.
Highball to Hey Day: The Penn Experience 10am-11:30am Houston Hall, Hall of Flags	See description on Wednesday, August 27. A light breakfast will be served.
Penn Reading Project Panels and Lunch 11:45am - 3:15pm Irvine Auditorium	The Penn Reading Project (PRP), sponsored by the Council of Undergraduate Deans, is an opportunity for the Class of 2012 and Penn faculty from all disciplines to share a unifying intellectual experience. This year's text is Neil Shubin's Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5 Billion-Year History of the Human Body. Shubin, a renowned paleontologist and anatomy professor, discovered "Tiktaalik," a prehistoric crocodile-like animal that may represent a missing link in the tree of life. In Your Inner Fish, he continues his exploration of evolution as he investigates fundamental questions of origins, development, and human existence. The choice of this year's PRP book reflects Penn's commitment to the Year of Evolution, a commemoration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday that also examines the concept of change across many disciplines. The year will bring many programs and events for the entire Penn community; visit the PRP website throughout the year for more information. 11:45am - Panel in Irvine Auditorium 1:30pm - Lunch Red NSO Wristbands: Du Bois, Fisher Hassenfeld, Hill, Riepe College Houses, and commuting students 11:45am - Lunch 1:30pm - Panel in Irvine Auditorium Blue NSO Wristbands: Gregory, Harnwell, Harrison, Kings Court English, Rodin, Stouffer, and Ware College Houses
Penn Reading Project Discussion Groups 3:30pm-5:00pm Location: See your RA or GA, or consult the Penn Reading Project website.	Discuss Your Inner Fish in a small group led by a Penn faculty or staff member.
Penn Reading Project Picnic 5pm-7pm Hill Field Rain Location: Hill, Kings Court English and 1920 Commons dining halls.	Enjoy a picnic with your PRP group and the rest of your class. Kosher buffet available.
Penn Bookstore Social 7pm-9pm Penn Bookstore	Welcome to Penn's comprehensive bookstore. Enjoy live music and desserts in the 2nd floor cafe. Win textbook scholarships!
Comedy Night at Irvine 9pm or 11pm Irvine Auditorium	Enjoy an evening of laughs with professional stand-up comics Alexandra McHale and Sheng Wang. Attend with your College House and be sure to arrive early as seating is limited. Read more about our comedians. 9pm Red NSO Wristbands: Du Bois, Fisher Hassenfeld, Hill, and Riepe College Houses, and commuting students 11pm Blue NSO Wristbands: Gregory, Harnwell, Harrison, Kings Court English, Stouffer, Rodin, and Ware College Houses

Monday, September 1: Welcome to Your Home
Placement Exams	Visit the Placement Exams page for an up-to-date listing of the times and locations for the different exams.
College House Activites 9am-9pm	Ask your RA,GA, or House Dean for a schedule.
Open House at The Kelly Writers House 5:30pm-7pm Kelly Writers House	Visit Penn's hub for writers and talk to community members and student leaders about how to get involved in literary magazines, literacy outreach, writing groups, poetry readings, and more. Meet representatives from the KWH Planning Committee, the Common Press, F-Word, Penn Review, Quake, The Green Couch, First Call, and Write-on, among others.
Speakeasy: Poetry, Prose, Anything Goes! 7pm-9pm Kelly Writers House (in the Garden)	An open-mic night featuring performances by the class of 2012 and others. Share your amazing talents with your classmates! All kinds of readings/performances are welcome. Bring your poetry, your guitar, your award-winning essay – or just come to hangout and listen. There will be raffle prizes from local merchants and restaurants.
Toga Party at the University Museum 9pm-11:30pm University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology	The ancient world reveals its mysteries to toga-clad students. Visit our Toga Party page for details.

Tuesday, September 2: Welcome to Your Academic Community
Breakfast 7:30am-10am	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons.
Placement Exams	Visit the Placement Exams page for an up-to-date listing of the times and locations for the different exams.
School-Specific Events 9am-5pm	Check your specific school for details. College \| Engineering \| Nursing \| Wharton
Lunch 11am-2pm	Hill College House, Kings Court College House, and 1920 Commons. Kosher lunch at Steinhardt Hall from 11:30am-2pm.
Student Organization Fair 12pm-4pm Locust Walk	Get information from over 400 student groups and Resource Centers on campus. Weather permitting. Visit the Student Organization Fair page for an up-to-date listing of the groups participating.
NSO Proseminars 1pm-6pm	Led by faculty, staff, and alumni, these informal sampler courses offer a taste of the wide variety and imagination of academic discourse at Penn. Students may register for Proseminars online through Penn InTouc h. Check the Proseminars page for up-to-the-minute information.
Dinner 4pm or 5:15pm	Two seatings. Ask your RA or GA for details. Kosher dinner at Steinhardt Hall, 4:30pm-6pm.
Convocation 7pm-8:15pm College Green Blanche P. Levy Park	This symbolic opening of the academic year includes addresses by the President and Provost of the University, and signifies the formal induction of the Class of 2012 into the Penn community. This is one of the few times your entire class will meet as a whole.
President & Provost's Dessert Reception 8:15pm-9:30pm Wynn Commons & Houston Hall	Join University President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ronald Daniels as they host a fabulous dessert reception for the Class of 2012. Faculty, staff, and student leaders will also be there to greet you.