Fall 2025 Orientation Schedule

Students smiling during NRB WelcomeFest

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, Terrace

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.

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