New Student Orientation
First, I want to personally welcome you to Herkimer! We’re so excited to have you joining our college community this fall.
As an online student, you may not be starting your semester here on campus, but we still want you to feel connected to Herkimer and, most importantly, know the people who are here to support you.
Online New Student Orientation | August 19 & 20
Rather than a large presentation, your Online Orientation will be a small-group welcome with your Academic Advisor. Your advisor will be one of your most important connections at Herkimer- someone who will help you navigate questions, make academic decisions, connect with resources, and support you throughout your journey with us.
During your session, your Academic Advisors will give you the ins and outs of being a successful Herkimer student- what you need to know, where to go when you need help, and the resources and people available to support you. Most importantly, there will be plenty of time to ask questions and make sure you feel ready for day one.
Choose the session that works best for you. You only need to attend one:
| NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION • GENERALS READY | |||
| August 24–26, 2026 | Classes begin August 27 | |||
| Three days to get connected, get prepared, and get ready to be a General! | |||
| DAY 1 • MONDAY, AUGUST 24 • MOVE IN, CHECK IN & TRANSITION | |||
| Time | What's Happening | Where | What You Need to Know |
| ALL DAY | Bookstore Open | College Bookstore (LB) | Pick up books, supplies, Herkimer gear, and anything else you need. |
| ALL DAY | Student Service Offices Open | College Center | Need to take care of some last-minute college business? Student service offices are available throughout the day to answer questions and help you get ready for classes. |
| 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Residential Student Orientation Check-In & Move In | College Center | RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS: Check in at the RMCC when you arrive-follow the signs! After check-in, get settled into your residence hall. |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Brunch & Dining 101 | Dining Center (RMCC) | Grab brunch and get comfortable with dining at Herkimer. Learn how meal swipes and Flex Dollars work, explore the food stations, and see what to expect when you visit the Dining Center. |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Cookies, Careers & Community Resources | Career Services Center and Lobby (LB) | Students & Families • Stop by Career Services to meet the team, learn about jobs and internships, and get the scoop on upcoming job fairs. Find out what documents students need for employment and connect with community partners. |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Academic Success Center: Campus Connections | Academic Success Center (LB) | Students & Families • Meet some of the people who will be part of your Herkimer support team. Learn about campus resources, getting involved, the transition to college, and FERPA- with plenty of time for questions. |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Explore the College Library | Library (LB) | Students & Families • Take a quick tour, meet the staff, discover helpful resources, and bring your questions. |
| 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Men's Soccer: Herkimer vs. SUNY Cortland | Wehrum Stadium | Families Welcome! Get your first taste of Generals spirit at this pre-season matchup. Come cheer on your fellow Generals! |
| 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Homebase Kickoff | College Center (RMCC) | STUDENTS ONLY• REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW STUDENTS (Residential and Commuter) Meet your Advisor, Generals Welcome Crew, and fellow students in your Homebase group. Get connected with icebreakers and team-building. |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Pace & Momentum Dinner | Dining Center (RMCC) | REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW STUDENTS (Residential and Commuter) • Enjoy dinner with your fellow Generals while we talk about starting strong, staying on track, and reaching graduation. You'll receive your Generals T-shirt- wear it Tuesday for the group photo! |
| 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Residential Student Meeting | Alumni Hall (RMCC) | REQUIRED FOR RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS • Important information to help you get settled and ready for residence hall life. |
| 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Walmart Shuttle | Housing Parking Lot | Need a few things? Hop on the shuttle for school supplies, residence hall essentials, snacks, and other last-minute items. |
| DAY 2 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 • CONNECTIONS & CAMPUS COMMUNITY | |||
| Time | What's Happening | Where | What You Need to Know |
| ALL DAY | Bookstore Open | College Bookstore (LB) | Stop in for books, supplies, and Herkimer gear. |
| ALL DAY | Get Connected: Device Setup | College Center Upper Lobby (RMCC) | Need help with your laptop, tablet, or phone? Get help connecting your devices and accessing Herkimer technology before classes begin. |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Transition Time | Dining Center (RMCC) | Start the morning with breakfast and get ready for the day ahead. |
| 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Generals Huddle | College Center (RMCC) | Start the day with your Advisor and Generals Welcome Crew. Preview what's ahead, ask questions, and get ready for the day's activities. |
| 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Welcome to Herkimer | Sarkus Theater (RMCC) | Hear from Herkimer College leadership and officially kick off the day as part of the Herkimer community. |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Keynote Experience | Sarkus Theater (RMCC) | REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW STUDENTS (Residential and Commuter) A signature session focused on belonging, leadership, resilience, academic success, and responsible technology use. |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Get Hired: On-Campus Job Fair | Career Services Center and Lobby (LB) | Looking for a campus job? Career Services and Financial Aid will help you explore Federal Work-Study and other student employment or internship opportunities. On-the-spot interviews and hiring may be available! |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Ask an Advisor | Academic Success Center (LB) | Questions about your schedule, classes, or program? Stop by for schedule adjustments, curriculum changes, or other academic questions. |
| 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Student Break | Change into your Herkimer T-shirt and head to the College Center Quad for the group photo and afternoon fun. | |
| 1:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Battle of the Majors + NYS Foods | College Center Lobby/Quad | REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW STUDENTS (Residential and Commuter) Wear your Herkimer T-shirt! Represent your major in lawn games, relay races, spirit competitions, and faculty-vs.-student challenges. Meet faculty, staff, clubs, and intramurals- and enjoy famous foods of New York State prepared by our Dining Center! |
| 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Student Choice: Recharge & Explore | Various locations | Choose what you need: guided Nature Trail walks, Open Gym/Swim, Open Esports Lab, or Advisement Walk-Ins. |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Student Athlete Orientation | Amphitheater (RMCC) | REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ATHLETICS • Meet with Athletics and get important information for student-athletes. |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | ASAP Student Social | ASAP Center | ASAP STUDENTS ONLY • Connect with other ASAP students, meet new faces, and enjoy a casual get-together. |
| 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Fire & Ice Cream | Dining Center Lawn | Relax with a bonfire, lawn games and an ice cream social. |
| 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Walmart Shuttle | Housing Parking Lot | One more chance to pick up school supplies, residence hall essentials, snacks, or other last-minute items. |
| DAY 3 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 • PREPARE FOR SUCCESS | |||
| Time | What's Happening | Where | What You Need to Know |
| ALL DAY | Bookstore Open | College Bookstore (LB) | Last-minute books, supplies, and Herkimer gear are available. |
| ALL DAY | Get Connected: Device Setup | College Center Upper Lobby (RMCC) | Get help connecting your devices and accessing the Herkimer technology you'll need for classes. |
| 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Brunch, Books & Morning Huddle | Bookstore Atrium (LB) | Start at Homebase with your Advisor and Generals Welcome Crew. Review the final day, pick up your textbooks, and make sure you're ready for Day One. |
| 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM | Find Your Classes | Leave from Bookstore Atrium | Join an Academic Advisor and Generals Welcome Crew member for a campus walk to find your classrooms before the first day. |
| 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Generals Round-Up: Choose Your Sessions | Classroom Adminstration- top floor classrooms | Choose three! Session A: 10:45–11:15 • Session B: 11:20–11:50 • Session C: 11:55–12:25. Topics include communicating with faculty, Brightspace, navigating the College Library, responsible AI, time management, and more. |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | New Student Employee Orientation | Classroom Adminstration- top floor classrooms | REQUIRED FOR NEWLY HIRED STUDENT EMPLOYEES • Complete employment paperwork and learn what you need for your campus job. When finished, join Generals Round-Up Session C. |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | Dining Center (RMCC) | Grab lunch, connect with other students, and recharge before the afternoon activities. |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | The Generals Challenge | Start from Various RMCC locations | Explore Herkimer through an interactive campus scavenger hunt. Discover services, clubs, resources, and the people and places you'll want to know. |
| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Ask an Advisor | Academic Success Center (LB) | Last-minute academic question? Advisors are available for schedule adjustments, curriculum changes, and general questions before classes begin. |
| 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | The Generals Charge: Closing Ceremony | Alumni Hall (RMCC) | We did it! Wrap up Orientation with your fellow Generals as we celebrate the start of your Herkimer journey with prizes and a few final surprises. It’s the perfect way to close out Orientation and get ready for the first day of classes. |
| Now WE are GENERALSREADY! | |||
There’s no need to register ahead of time. When it’s time for the session you’d like to attend, simply click the link and join us!
Classes officially begin Thursday, August 27, and my goal is for you to begin feeling confident, connected, and knowing exactly where to turn when you need something.
Welcome to Herkimer. We’re very glad you’re here, and we look forward to seeing you at Orientation!
Katie Scanlon