Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond | August 24 - 26, 2026
RPI officially welcomes new students and introduces them to the local community through a series of required events known as “Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond” (NRB). NRB is the official continuation of the orientation program, and kicks off after the New Student and Family Orientation program.
Monday, August 24
7 a.m. | Breakfast with Hallmates | See RA for Location
9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Adventure Blocks | Location Emailed
Check your RPI email for your confirmed Adventure Block meet up time and location.
3 p.m. | Break Before Dinner
4:30–8 p.m. | NRB Welcome Fest | ’86 Field
This event marks your official welcome into the RPI community. This event features President Schmidt, the Grand Marshal, the President of the Union, and the Mayor of Troy, NY.
8–10 p.m. | Student Living and Learning Block Party | Freshman Hill
Join your new hallmates for games, food, and activities.
Tuesday, August 25
7 a.m. | Breakfast with Hallmates | See RA for Location
9 a.m. and 11 a.m. | Hey, You Good? RPI’s Bystander Intervention Program | See RA for Location
This required program helps students build practical bystander skills for supporting the well-being and safety of themselves and others. Through peer-led discussions and interactive activities, students practice recognizing when help is needed, exploring intervention options, and connecting with campus resources.
2 p.m. | Academics at RPI: Honor the Code & Ethics | Multiple Locations
This required seminar will provide a common understanding of our community standards based on principles of academic integrity, ethical behavior, and decision-making.
4:30 p.m. | Dinner with Hallmates | See RA for Location
6–8 p.m. | Class Finding Tours | 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.
8 p.m. | UPAC Presents Evening Programming | '86 Field
Details for this event will be announced soon.
10 p.m. | UPAC Movie Night | DCC 308
Details for this event will be announced soon.
Wednesday, August 26
8–11:30 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 p.m. | Activities Fair | ’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.
6 p.m. | Convocation | 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 2026 video. Please dress to impress.
This schedule is subject to change. Students and families will be provided a final printed schedule when checking in for move in.
