About NRB
Starting classes, meeting peers, and exploring a new geographical area all at once may seem intimidating for many first-year students making the transition to college and campus life. But it’s not like that for incoming first-year students at Rensselaer.
Rensselaer officially welcomes new students and introduces them to the local community through a week-long series of events known as “Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond” (NRB), the official continuation of the orientation program. Created under The Rensselaer Plan in 2001, NRB is organized around three general themes: adventure/team building; cultural/historical; and community service opportunities—all designed to help students get to know one another.
A full copy of the schedule will be provided to you on your move-in day.
Saturday, August 24
7:30 p.m. Dining halls open for late dinner
9 p.m. Check Adventure Block Assignment Location
Check your RPI email for a detailed meet up location for tomorrow’s Adventure Block(s).
Sunday, August 25
7:00 a.m. Breakfast with your residence hall | see RA for time
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 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 p.m. NRB Welcome Fest
Join your residence hall and meet up with the rest of your class to meet President Schmidt, Grand Marshal, President of the Union, and Troy Government Officials for this RPI and Downtown Troy welcome event.
9:00 p.m. Student Living & Learning Block Party | Freshman Hill
Join your new hallmates for games, food, activities, and more!
Monday, August 26
7:00 a.m. Breakfast with your residence hall | see RA for time
8:00 a.m. International Student Welcome | Academy Hall Auditorium
ISSS will hold our International Student Welcome program as an opportunity for new international students to get to know each other and make connections, as well as meet the ISSS staff. This event is required for international students.
1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Honor the Code & Ethics
School of Engineering 1:00 p.m. - West Hall | School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences 1:00 p.m. DCC 337 | School of Science 3:00 p.m. West Hall & DCC 324
Absolute integrity is expected of every Rensselaer student in all academic undertakings, This session will provide a common understanding of this community standard based on principles of academic integrity, ethical behavior, and decision making. Attendance is mandatory.
1:00 p.m.(All but ENGR & HASS) and 3:00 p.m. (ENGR & HASS only) Relationships & Respect | EMPAC Concert Hall
In this session, students will lay the foundation for living in a community where respect and healthy relationships become the norm. We’ll also cover additional resources you may need in both every day and emergency situations.
4:30 p.m. Dinner with your residence hall | see RA for time
8:00 p.m. UPAC Presents: Hypnotist Brian Imbus | 86 field
10:00 p.m. UPAC Cinema Presents: Kung Fu Panda 4 | DCC 308
Tuesday, August 27
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Laptop Pickup | Folsom Library
If you ordered an RPI laptop as part of the mobile computing program, see your RA for the time designated for your residence hall to go pick it up.
11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Navigating the Dining Halls
Take a tour of the Commons Dining Hall and get comfortable knowing where different options are. Ensuring you know what your options can look like can increase confidence in meal choices and limit feelings of anxiety and impulse with seemingly limitless options. This program aims to educate students on MyPlate and ways to customize yours to fit dietary needs, preferences, and cultural traditions in the Rensselaer dining halls.
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Class finding tours
Meet your Learning Assistant (LA) outside of your building and bring your class schedule. Walk the academic side of campus so you are comfortable with where to go tomorrow for classes.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | International Students: Immunization/Health Requirements Review | DCC Great Hall
This is a time for Int'l students to review Immunization/Health documents. Bring the following: Immunization Records, Physical Exam Form, and Tuberculosis Screening.
6:00 p.m. Convocation | ECAV
Celebrate the official kickoff of the academic year. Join President Schmidt, faculty, and staff from the campus community for this time-honored tradition and for the first official viewing of the NRB 2024 video. Please dress to impress. See your RA for details.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Classes Begin
Beyond Blocks Begin
These programs are drop-by style, no registration required. We encourage you to visit as many as you can that interest you.
More info on beyond blocks is available here.
