Guest Summer Orientation Schedule

DAY ONE

12:30 - 1:30PM: Orientation Check-in - After you get checked in for orientation, students will be directed to their residence hall for the night. Only students will be assigned a room for the night, guests and families should plan to stay at a nearby hotel.

1:45PM: Welcome to the Bulldog Community! - Our day begins with an overview of the Drake experience where you will learn about the university’s expectations of its students, and we will help you get excited about your student's new life at Drake.

2:05PM - Parents and Families – Your New Role with Drake - Learn about your student’s transition to Drake and how we see parents as our partners.

3:00PM - Break

3:30PM - Residence Hall & Drake Dining and Commuter Student Meetings

• Making Halls into Homes (Residence Life): All first-year students reside in a learning community which offers the opportunity to live in the same hall with other students who share your interests and priorities.  This session will high-light information you need to know about living in a residence hall covering things such as; what to bring and what not bring, basic policy and procedures, mail and packages, hall amenities, important dates and other odds and ends.... come learn about your new home.
• Commuter Student Meeting: Full-time students who are married or live within a 45-mile radius of Drake University with their parent(s)/legal guardian can apply for commuter student status. Join us to learn how to fill out the commuter student application, meet other commuter students and gain tips on staying connected to campus while living at home.

4:30 - 5:30PM: Breakout Sessions 

• 4:30 – 5:30PM (4:30 – 4:55PM and 5:00 – 5:25PM)                
  
  • Money Matters: Student Accounts & Financial Aid – Next Steps
  • You DU You: Finding Your Place at Drake
  • Student Services & Campus Safety
  • Ask the Experts: Wellness at Drake
  • Pre-Professional Advising & Support

5:30 - 6:30PM: Parent/Family Member Social - Join us for a social to meet and mingle with other parents and families of incoming students as well as Drake Staff and Administrators. Snacks and beverages will be provided.                       

DAY TWO

7:30 - 8:30AM: Breakfast in Hubbell Dining Hall

8:30AM: Bulldogs Belong Session: This session is designed to emphasize Drake's commitment to fostering a strong sense of belonging for every student.

• Be introduced to Drake's core values and how they create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. 
• Learn about the expectations of Drake students and how you can contribute to a positive and supportive campus culture.
• Discover the resources and support systems available to help you thrive at Drake, including the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

We believe that a strong sense of belonging is essential for student success, and we are dedicated to providing an environment where every student feels valued and supported. We look forward to welcoming you to the Drake family!            

9:30 - 11:15AM: Academic Program Overviews  - Come meet your college/school administrators, explore key academic and major requirements during a session with advisors, and connect with faculty! This is your opportunity to find out what you can expect in the classroom, discover resources, review your fall class schedule, and ask any questions you may have. *Structure and end times for these sessions will vary depending on student's major. More information will be shared at orientation check-in. 

10:30AM – 12:00PM: Farewell Reception/Services Fair: Stop by for some tasty snacks and get all your final questions answered from a variety of different departments represented at the Services Fair. Please be sure to bring your orientation lanyard to return in exchange for a special giveaway!