Student & Family Orientation | August 23 - 24, 2025
Welcome to Rensselaer! Our hope is for you to participate in as many programs as possible to ensure you connect with incoming and current members of the RPI community. We encourage you to try something new, get a feel for campus, and most importantly, have fun!
Please note: Schedules are subject to change.
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | East Campus Athletic Village (ECAV)
Move-In
Students not participating in an NRB Overnight Trip should plan to move in on this date.
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Free Time
We encourage you to explore Troy and the surrounding area for dinner.
8:00 p.m.
Floor Meetings (Students Only)
Students should return to their residence hall for the night for a required introduction and safety briefing.
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | EMPAC, Concert Hall
Student & Family Orientation Welcome
Start your day with an opening session from Provost Rebecca Doerge. Please attend during your assigned time based on your declared school.
- 8:30–9:45 a.m. | School of Engineering
- 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | School of Science, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, School of Architecture, and Lally School of Management
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | '86 Field
Resource Fair
Visit campus resource tables to meet staff from across the Institute that support the needs of our students. Note: 10–11 a.m. is reserved for our students and families who may benefit from a quieter resource fair experience.
Throughout the Resource Fair, campus tours will depart every 10-15 minutes from the stage area.
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | EMPAC and DCC
Breakout Sessions
For your convenience, a variety of 50-minute sessions are offered every hour, multiple times. Descriptions of these sessions will be posted soon.
4:30 p.m.
Floor Meetings (Students Only)
Wear your RPI T-shirt! If you haven’t received one yet, wear a grey, black or red shirt.
6:00 p.m. | ECAV
Class Photo
Families are encouraged to join us from the stands to see the class photo tradition.
6:30 p.m. | ECAV
President Schmidt ’81 Welcome Remarks
7:00 p.m. | ECAV
President’s Reception
This event is weather permitting.
7:30 p.m. | ECAV
Goodbyes for Students and Families
Students' Events Begin
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Dining Halls
Dinner
Open late for dinner.
9:00 p.m. | RPI Email
Adventure Block Assignment
Check your RPI email for a detailed meet-up location for tomorrow’s Adventure Block(s).
Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond | August 25 - 27, 2025
Rensselaer Polytechnic institute officially welcomes new students and introduces them to the local community through a series of required events known as “Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond” (NRB), the official continuation of the orientation program.
Please note: Schedules are subject to change.
7:00 a.m. | See RA for Location
Breakfast with Hallmates
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Location Emailed
Adventure Blocks
See email confirmation for your pre-registered activity meet up time and location.
3:00 p.m.
Break Before Dinner
4:30 - 8:30 p.m. | '86 Field
NRB Welcome Fest
Join student from your residence hall to meet up with the rest of your class, President Schmidt, the Grand Marshal and President of the Union, and Troy government officials.
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Freshman Hill
Student Living and Learning Block Party
Join your new hallmates for games, food, and activities.
7:00 a.m. | See RA for Location
Breakfast with Hallmates
9:00 a.m. | Academy Hall Auditorium
International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS) Welcome and Orientation
Meet ISSS staff while getting to know other international students in the RPI community. This is a required event for international students.
10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Relationships and Respect
Learn about the foundation for living in a community where respect and healthy relationships are the norm. The support resources available at RPI will also be shared for daily and emergency situations.
- 10:00 a.m. | School of Engineering
- 1:00 p.m. | All Schools Except Engineering*
* Students from the School of Engineering who participated in the ISSS Welcome this morning should attend this session.
3 p.m. | Multiple Locations
Honor the Code & Ethics Session
This required seminar for the School of Science, Lally School of Management, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the School of Engineering will provide a common understanding of this community standard based on principles of academic integrity, ethical behavior, and decision-making.
4:30 p.m. | See RA for Location
Dinner with Hallmates
8:00 p.m. | '86 Field
UPAC Presents: Hypnotist, Reed Tate
10:00 p.m. | DCC, Room 308
UPAC Presents: The LEGO Movie
8:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Laptop Pick-Up
If you ordered an Institute laptop as part of the Mobile Computing Program, see your RA for your specific pick up time.
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | '86 Field
Activities Fair
Visit 200+ tables featuring information on clubs and organizations including identity-based clubs, club sports, hobbies, professional development, performing arts, and fraternities and sororities.
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | See LA for Details
Class Finding Tours
Meet your Learning Assistant (LA) outside your residence hall to walk the academic side of campus to become comfortable with finding the location of your classes. Bring your course schedule.
6:00 p.m. | ECAV – See RA for Details
Convocation
Celebrate the official kick-off to the academic year. Join President Schmidt, faculty, and staff from the campus community for this time-honored tradition and the first official viewing of the NRB 2025 video. Please dress to impress.
