New Student Orientation 2024

8 a.m.-1 p.m.

New Student Orientation Check-In – HUB Lied Square

The Hixson Union Building (HUB) is your first stop on your Orientation journey! Drop by to pick up your Orientation checklist and name tag.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Move Into Your Residence Hall

Check into your room, greet your hallmates and meet students on the leadership staff in your residence halls.

9 a.m.-noon

Welcome Fair – The Loop

Let us welcome you to Whitworth and Spokane! Enjoy free samples from local restaurants, get information about local businesses, get your free bus pass, and greet representatives from campus services who look forward to helping you become involved in the Whitworth community.

9 a.m.-noon

Campus Tour – TBD

Explore campus with a current student who will share their experiences and introduce you to our facilities.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lunch – HUB Dining Hall

Students can begin their meal plan in the dining hall. Family members may join their student for an additional cost.

1-3 p.m. Whodunnit – various locations (meet in Robinson Teaching Theatre)

Join your fellow new students to explore campus and solve a real-time murder mystery for the chance to win over $300 in prizes!

1-1:45 p.m. Session 1: Meet Your University – Cowles Auditorium

Parents will receive a welcome from an assortment of administrators across campus, which include the president, vice president, provost and deans.

2:30-3 p.m. Transfer Student Welcome – HUB Crow's Nest

All transfer students are required to attend this welcome event where you'll hear from a panel of current transfer students. Snacks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

2-2:45 p.m. Session 2: Flourishing at Whitworth – Cowles Auditorium

Parents will hear from health & counseling services, student success services, academic support services, career services and more as to how their student will be cared for on campus. Additionally, a representative from the alumni & family engagement team will share information about their services. 

3-4 p.m. Meet Your Orientation Belonging Group – The Loop

Get to know the group you will be meeting with regularly throughout Orientation Week

3-3:45 p.m. Session 3: Supporting Your Student – Cowles Auditorium

Through skits, we will have some fun sharing what you can expect when your student texts, calls or comes home this year. Additionally, student financial services and the registrar's office will update parents and families about their services.

4:15-5 p.m. Resident Floor Meeting – residence halls

Led by your residence hall staff, this floor meeting will give you an opportunity to learn more about your home and neighbors. You will start to determine what activities you would like to do together during the upcoming year and build hall community. Don't miss it!

OR

Off-Campus Student Welcome – HUB Multipurpose Room (MPR)

How can you stay involved while living off campus? This gathering will introduce you to the off-campus senator. You will hear about opportunities to connect with other commuters throughout the year and ways to get involved with life on campus. Snacks provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

4-4:45 p.m. Session 4: Meet with your Student's First-Year Seminar (SC 125/325) Instructors – various classrooms

Meet the instructors for your student's transition seminar (SC 125 or 325) and learn about what kinds of services will be available to support your student as they pursue their academic goals at Whitworth. Along with other parents, you will learn about FERPA (the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act) and have the chance to ask lots of questions!

5-7 p.m. Dinner – HUB Dining Hall

5-5:45 p.m. Session 5: Meet and Greet with President Scott McQuilkin and his wife Janice McQuilkin – Library Patio

Various faculty will also be present at this event. (Refreshments provided)

Afterwards, parents and families are allowed to join their student for dinner at an additional cost.

6-7 p.m.

Legacy Dessert – HUB Crow's Nest

A gathering for alumni parents and their families. By invitation only.

7:30 p.m.

Residence Hall Meetings – residence halls (new students only)

Meet your fellow residents and residence hall staff, and learn about important campus-wide values.

8-10 p.m.

Traditiation Meetings – residence halls (new students only)

All new students are invited to join in on the fun of learning the traditions of their halls and meeting their fellow hallmates. Incoming off-campus students can join Oliver Hall.

8-10 p.m. 

Crafts Ahoy! (PrimeTime) – HUB MPR (new students only)

Ahoy there! As an alternative to Traditiation, join us for an evening of crafts, food and drinks in the HUB Multipurpose Room.

8 a.m.

Catholic Mass – Seeley G. Mudd Chapel

Join us in celebrating Mass hosted by Whitworth's Catholic Fellowship Club.

8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Dining Hall Opens for Breakfast - HUB Dining Hall

Parents and family may join their student at an additional cost.

9:30 a.m.

Campus Worship Service – The Loop

Join the Whitworth community in a worship service hosted by Whitworth Campus Ministry including student-led music and a sermon given by Dean of Spiritual Life and Campus Pastor Forrest Buckner. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets to stretch out on the grass as there are a limited number of chairs.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lunch – HUB Dining Hall

Families and guests are welcome to connect with their students over lunch one more time as we conclude the weekend for families but just begin the year for our students. Family members may join their students for an additional cost.

1-2 p.m.

Crossover Ceremony – The Loop

All new students and their families congregate in The Loop for the Crossover Ceremony. Vice President of Enrollment Management Josh Hibbard will present all incoming students to President Scott McQuilkin, who will formally accept these students as they are surrounded by their families and loved ones. We will sing "Amazing Grace," and the new students will cross under the traditional pinecone arch, where they will be welcomed into the Whitworth community by faculty, staff and fellow students.

2-2:45 p.m.

Family Farewell

This is students' opportunity to take pictures and spend final moments with their families before they depart. At this time, parents will leave campus and students will begin their orientation programming.

3-6 p.m.

Loop-a-palooza! – The Loop (new students only)

All new students will gather in The Loop to be welcomed by ASWU President Isaac Price as part of the Whitworth community. After this, students will kick off a block party complete with inflatables, games, a soda cart, crafts and live music!

5-7 p.m.

Taste of Home Dinner – HUB Dining Hall

New students are encouraged to wear whatever makes them comfiest for a comfort dinner in the HUB!

8-10 p.m.

Haul-In – residence halls

Face-off against other residence halls and impress each other with your newly learned songs and chants. Incoming off-campus students can join Oliver Hall.

8-10 p.m.

PrimeTime – residence hall lounges

Each residence hall will have a different activity going on every night for PrimeTime. It is a great place to meet other new students!

7-10 a.m.

Breakfast – HUB Dining Hall

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Returning Students Move In – residence halls

10-11:30 a.m.

Whitworth 101 – Cowles Auditorium

This meeting is mandatory for all new students, and attendance will be taken.

In this meeting, we will experience belonging as a community that respects the intersection of identities of its members. We will also explore Christian faith life at Whitworth and learn from Whitworth students' stories directly.

11:30 a.m.

Incoming Class Photo – Pine Bowl

11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Lunch – HUB Dining Hall

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Whitworth 102 – Cowles Auditorium

This meeting is mandatory for all new students, and attendance will be taken.

As part of our commitment to provide a safe and welcoming campus environment for all students, and as part of our institutional compliance obligations, new students are required to attend a presentation on understanding sexual harassment and consent as they are stated in Whitworth's Title IX procedures and behavioral expectations.

2:45-5:45 p.m.

Chemistry Mathematics Readiness Check – Eric Johnston Science Center 308 & 214

All students enrolled in General Chemistry I (CH 161) for Fall Term 2024 and who do not have an Introductory Chemistry college credit (CH 101) must take a Mathematics Readiness Check. This is given before every semester and should only be taken by those enrolled in CH 161. The purpose is to verify that students have the appropriate incoming skills in scientific mathematics to succeed in the CH 161 course. Students who do not pass will be dropped from Ch 161 and advised to take MA 130 (College Algebra). Please note: This event is offered twice, but attendance is only required at one session.

2:45-5:45 p.m.

Mathematics Placement Exam – Eric Johnston 308 & 214

All students enrolled in Pre-Calculus (MA 150) for Fall Term 2024 must take the placement exam. This exam is used to verify that students have the appropriate math skills to be successful in MA 150. Students who do not pass will be advised to take MA 130 (College Algebra). Calculators will be provided, and you may not use your own. Please bring a pen or pencil to your exam.

All students enrolled in Calculus 1 (MA 171) for Fall Term 2024 and who do not have a Pre-Calculus college-level credit (MA 150 equivalent) must take the placement exam. This exam is used to verify that students have the appropriate math skills to be successful in MA 171. Students who do not pass will be advised to take MA 150 (Pre-Calculus) or MA 130 (College Algebra) as determined by their exam score. Calculators will be provided, and you may not use your own. Please bring a pen or pencil to your exam.

Please note: This event is offered twice, but attendance is only required at one session.

3-4 p.m.

Honors Program Orientation – Seeley G. Mudd Chapel

This orientation session invites all students admitted with honors to learn general information about the program and meet students and faculty in the George F. Whitworth Honors Program. For any questions, contact Honors Director Bert Emerson (bemerson@whitworth.edu) or your departmental honors advisor.

5-7 p.m.

Dinner – HUB Dining Hall

7-9 p.m.

Throwback Time Machine – The Loop

Join our DJ host as they push "the big red button" and launch the Throwback Time Machine. You'll be transported back in time as they drop the biggest tracks of the past five decades! With original video, a huge dose of on-stage audience interaction, dance-offs, stage props galore and the impromptu communal karaoke session. Come dressed in your best decade outfit!

8-10 p.m.

PrimeTime – various residence halls

9-11 p.m.

Late Night Breakfast and Karaoke – HUB MPR (new students only)

New students are invited to party it up and sing their hearts out at this karaoke event! With karaoke of all kinds, students can expect to eat pancakes and have a fun night of music!

Regular Meal Schedule Begins. Regular Class Schedule Begins.

Noon

Job Help in the Career Center – Center for Career & Professional Development

The career peer coaches will be available during this time to assist students with whatever questions they have regarding finding on- and off-campus jobs as well as what to expect when they start their new jobs. No appointment necessary. 

6:30 p.m.

Neighborhood Meeting – HUB MPR 

If you live in a Whitworth Neighborhood house, this will be a time to meet with other groups and start putting together your programming for the year. 

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Floor Values Meetings – residence hall lounges 

Meet your neighbors and, as a floor, determine what values will shape your floor community this semester. Learn more about Community Behavioral Standards (CBS), what role they play in your larger community and how to make sure your voice is heard. 

8-10 p.m.

PrimeTime – residence hall lounges

9:30 p.m.

Student-Athlete Meeting – Weyerhaeuser 107 (Robinson Teaching Theatre) 

This is a mandatory meeting for returning new and potential varsity athletes.

We will cover NCAA and Whitworth requirements for participating in athletics as well as completing mandatory compliance paperwork. If you are interested in participating in varsity sports, please contact the coaching staff of your sport prior to coming to the meeting to receive information on all required meetings. Please bring a pen and your student ID number. 

Today, classes starting at 9:30 a.m. will end at 10:30 a.m. to allow time for the campus community to gather in the Fieldhouse for our Convocation. Classes will resume at noon. 

11 a.m.

Convocation – Fieldhouse 

This rich tradition is the formal beginning of the academic semester. Faculty will parade in their academic regalia, and President Scott McQuilkin will address the Whitworth community. 

3:30-5:30 p.m.

Intercultural Student Center (ISC) Reception – Hendrick Hall 

Come enjoy refreshments and visit the Eileen Hendrick Hall Building, the location for the Office of Student Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the intercultural student center and the office of international education.

4-6 p.m.

Dance Open House – HUB MPR 

Learn more about the range of dance opportunities at Whitworth, from classes to clubs! 

8-10 p.m.

PrimeTime – residence hall lounges

Time varies depending on residence hall. Contact your residence hall senator for more information.

Residence Hall Values and Community Behavioral Standards (CBS) Meeting – residence hall lounges 

This is an opportunity for you to decide the formal community values that will govern your living area. Make your voice count as your entire residence hall determines policies for your building such as quiet hours, visitation and more. 

10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Ministry Fair – The Loop 

Whitworth University has a great relationship with lots of churches and ministries in the greater Spokane area. You’re invited to come by The Loop and meet the amazing people from these ministries – they’re excited to connect with you! Find out about worship services, collegiate fellowship groups, and opportunities to volunteer and serve. This is a great chance to explore ways to get connected with a ministry during your time at Whitworth! 

5:30 p.m.

Off-Campus Student BBQ – Holmberg Park 

The Off-Campus BBQ is an event to kick off the new school year for all off-campus students. There will be food like burgers, hotdogs and snacks plus a raffle! Bring a blanket or a lawn chair to sit in, and meet your off-campus friends! Email aprather25@my.whitworth.edu with any questions. 

8 p.m.

Bingo – Cowles Auditorium 

Join us for ASWU’s first big event of the year for a chance to win prizes worth over $1,000! 

8-10 p.m.

PrimeTime – residence hall lounges