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.
Move-In | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | East Campus Athletic Village (ECAV)
Students not participating in an NRB Overnight Trip should plan to move in on this date.
Dining Halls Open | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Meal plans are active and students can use their ID to swipe for a meal.
Free Time | 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
We encourage you to explore Troy and the surrounding area for dinner.
Floor Meetings (Students Only) | 8:00 p.m. | Residence Halls
Students should return to their residence hall for the night for a required introduction and safety briefing.
Student & Family Orientation Welcome | 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | EMPAC, Concert Hall
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. | Welcome: School of Engineering
- 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Welcome: School of Science, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, School of Architecture, and Lally School of Management
Resource Fair | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | '86 Field
Visit campus resource tables to meet staff from across the Institute that support the needs of our students. Note: 10:00 –11:00 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.
Breakout Sessions | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | EMPAC and DCC
For your convenience, a variety of 50-minute sessions are offered every hour, multiple times. Descriptions of these sessions can be found here.
Lunch | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | '86 Field
Lunch is available at the Resource Fair. Allergen and dietary friendly meals available.
RA Meet Up (Students Only) | 4:30 p.m. | Residence Halls
Wear your RPI T-shirt! If you haven’t received one yet, wear a grey, black or red shirt.
Class Photo | 6:00 p.m. | ECAV
Families are encouraged to join us from the stands to see the class photo tradition.
President Schmidt ’81 Welcome Remarks | 6:30 p.m. | ECAV
President’s Reception | 7:00 p.m. | ECAV, Terrace
This event is weather permitting.
Goodbyes for Students and Families | 7:30 p.m. | ECAV
Students' Events Begin
Dinner | 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Dining Halls
Open late for dinner.
Adventure Block Assignment | 9:00 p.m. | RPI Email
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.
Breakfast with Hallmates | 7:00 a.m. | See RA for Location
Adventure Blocks | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Location Emailed
See email confirmation for your pre-registered activity meet up time and location.
Break Before Dinner | 3:00 p.m.
NRB Welcome Fest | 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. | '86 Field
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.
Student Living and Learning Block Party | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Freshman Hill
Join your new hallmates for games, food, and activities.
Breakfast with Hallmates | 7:00 a.m. | See RA for Location
International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS) Welcome and Orientation | 9:00 a.m. | Academy Hall Auditorium
Meet ISSS staff while getting to know other international students in the RPI community. This is a required event for international students.
Real Talk: Bystander Basics | 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
College life can be complicated. This required program tackles real issues like alcohol use, consent, and relationships, giving you practical tools to step in, speak up, and support others. You’ll also learn about RPI resources so you know where to turn when it matters. It’s all about looking out for each other and building a stronger campus community.
- 9:00 a.m. | West Hall, Auditorium
- School of Engineering Majors: Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical, Materials, and Nuclear
- 11:00 a.m. | West Hall, Auditorium
- School of Engineering Majors: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer & Systems, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial & Management, and Undeclared Engineering Majors
- School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS)
- 1:00 p.m. | West Hall, Auditorium | All Schools Except Engineering* and HASS
* Students from the School of Engineering who participated in the ISSS Welcome this morning should attend this session.
Honor the Code & Ethics Session | 3:00 p.m. | Multiple Locations
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.
- West Hall, Auditorium: School of Engineering Majors: Aeronautical, Aerospace, Industrial & Management, Mechanical, and Nuclear
- Sage, Room 3303: School of Engineering Majors: Biomedical, Chemical, Computer & Systems, and Electrical Engineering
- DCC, Room 324: School of Engineering Majors: Civil, Environmental, Materials, and Undeclared Engineering
- DCC, Room 318: School of Science Majors: Computer Science and Mathematics
- DCC, Room 337: All Other School of Sciences Majors
- Carnegie, Room 113: Lally School of Management
- Academy Hall, Auditorium: School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS)
Dinner with Hallmates | 4:30 p.m. | See RA for Location
UPAC Presents: Hypnotist, Reed Tate | 8:00 p.m. | '86 Field
UPAC Presents: The LEGO Movie | 10:00 p.m. | DCC, Room 308
Laptop Pick-Up | 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. | ECAV
If you ordered an Institute laptop as part of the Mobile Computing Program, see your RA for your specific pick up time.
Dining Halls Open | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meal plans are active during lunch, just swipe your card and enjoy.
Activities Fair | 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | '86 Field
Visit 200+ tables featuring information on clubs and organizations including identity-based clubs, club sports, hobbies, professional development, performing arts, and fraternities and sororities.
Class Finding Tours | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | See LA for Details
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.
Convocation | 6:00 p.m. | ECAV – See RA for Details
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.
