Weeks of Welcome Events
Welcome Class of 2023!
Our first Week of Welcome aims to connect you to some of the people, offices, and opportunities on campus and introduce you to the exciting, historical city of Boston before you begin classes on Monday, August 26. We have planned a number of events for you, beginning with a welcome barbecue on Thursday, August 22 in the evening. Additional activities include an academic fair, open houses across campus, a community service project, and opportunities to explore Boston.
Welcome to Boston College!
The following activities are designed to assist your transition to college life and connect you with many of the opportunities, offices, and people on campus. We invite you to take advantage of as many of these activities as you can. Please note that some of the events are mandatory for all first-year students and our DiscoverBoston and Eagles Give Back community service project require preregistration.
As an incoming Boston College student we want you and your classmates to have a healthy social, academic, and residential experience at Boston College. With this in mind we ask that all first-year students complete the Boston College Prerequisite courses by Friday, Aug 16.
Attention Orientation Session 7 Attendees: We have planned a series of events after Orientation Session 7 ends and before your classmates join you on August 22. All events are free for Session 7 students! We hope you will join us for one or more of these exciting events. View the schedule below.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 (Orientation Session 7 Students Only)
BC Community Dinner
5:30 p.m. | Maloney Hall 4th Floor Reception Area
Join members of the BC community, including members of our Jesuit community, for dinner and conversation. Learn more about the Jesuit community. *Note: pre-registration is required.
Roots with RHA
7:00-9:00 p.m. | Stokes Amphitheater (Rain Location: Stokes S195)
Create DIY plants for your dorm room and meet members of the BC Residence Hall Association (RHA).
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 (Orientation Session 7 Students Only)
Shop The Street
Shuttles Running 12:00-10:00 p.m.
Hop on a BC shuttle and experience the shops and restaurants of The Street in Chestnut Hill. Or, catch a movie at the Chestnut Hill Superlux. Buses running until 10:00 p.m.!
Lunch with BC Administrators
12:00 p.m. | Maloney 414
Join members of the BC administration, including Vice President for Student Affairs Joy Moore, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Formation, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Affairs Akua Sarr, and Women's Center Director Katie Dalton for small group conversations over lunch. Learn more about life at BC and how to make the most out of your first year on campus!
*Note: pre-registration is required.
Happy Healthy Hour
4:30-5:30 p.m. | Academic Quad
Mingle with Health Coaches from the Office of Health Promotion and enjoy food, beverages, and activities that feed your mind, body, and soul. Rain location will be the Health Hub, located in Gasson 025.
*Note: pre-registration is required.
Major League Baseball Outing: Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies
5:30 p.m. | Bus pick-up Newton Campus/Duchesne Stop
5:45 p.m. | Bus pick-up Upper Campus/College Road Stop
Join fellow first-year students at Boston's historic Fenway Park for a Red Sox/Phillies game on Wednesday, August 21. The bus will depart BC at 5:45 p.m. sharp. Tickets are free but limited, so RSVP now!
*Note: pre-registration is required.
Ice Cream Socials (Orientation Session 7 Only)
9:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Join the Office of Residential Life for some ice cream in your res hall! Locations are as follows:
- Hardey/Cushing: Hardey 1st Lounge
- Duchesne: Duchesne First Floor Lounge
- Keyes: Keyes North Lounge
- Cheverus/Kostka/Medeiros: Cheverus Lounge
- Claver/Loyola/Xavier/Fenwick: Fenwick 3rd Lounge
- Fitzpatrick/Shaw House/Gonzaga: Gonzaga Lobby
Thursday, August 22
★ Denotes Mandatory First-Year Event
First Year Move in
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Welcome Tents
Visit Welcome tents on Upper Campus, Newton Campus, and outside Conte Forum for refreshments, campus information, and giveaways.
Welcome Receptions | Locations Across Campus
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meet administrators, student leaders, and faculty and learn about opportunities to get involved on campus. Visit at least six different programs for a chance to win Apple Airpods.
| Reception | Locations |
|---|---|
| Campus Activities Board |
Carney Hall Front Lawn |
| Campus Ministry |
McElroy Eagles Nest |
| Connors Family Learning Center |
O'Neill Library Room 200 |
| MCAS Deans |
Stokes South 139 Lounge |
| Discover the Arts |
Bonn Studio, Robsham |
| Health Promotion | Gasson 025 |
| Student Services |
Lyons Hall Lobby |
| Study Abroad Opportunities |
Hovey House Library |
| UGBC |
Carney Hall Front Lawn |
| Volunteer and Service Learning Center |
McElroy Room |
Montserrat Open House
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Come meet Montserrat upperclassmen. and familiarize yourself with the staff and the Montserrat House. Refreshments will be provided! Learn more about Montserrat.
Dinner/ Building Meetings/ Floor Meetings ★
Enjoy a BBQ dinner with Resident Assistants and classmates, then chill out with ice cream served by your very own Boston College Police Department.
| Residence Hall | Dinner | Building Meeting | Floor Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardey-Cushing / CKM | 6:30–7:15 p.m. | 5:00–6:15 p.m. | 7:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Duchesne / CLFX | 5:00–5:45 p.m. | 6:30–7:45 p.m. | 7:55–8:55 p.m. |
| Keyes / FSG / Williams | 5:45–6:30 p.m. | 8:00–9:15 p.m. | 6:45–7:45 p.m. |
Opening Night at the Margot Connell Recreation Center
8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. | Connell Recreation Center
Kick-off your semester in the brand new Margot Connell Recreation Center with a ton of games, activities, snacks, and even a photo opportunity with Baldwin! Come and explore to see all you can do in this beautiful new facility!
Grit 'N Wit Challenge Course
8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Alumni Stadium
At Grit 'N Wit you have the opportunity to try something different. To push yourself physically and mentally. To overcome challenges and obstacles. And help your teammates accomplish the same.
Friday, August 23
★ Denotes Mandatory First-Year Event
Welcome Tent
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Outside Conte Forum
University Welcome ★
10:00 a.m. | Conte Forum
University leaders will welcome the Class of 2023 to Boston College.
Opportunities Fair
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Conte Concourse
Faculty, staff, and students will provide information on specialized academic programs and majors/minors, volunteer opportunities, campus retreats, campus recreation, intramurals, student employment, and other opportunities available at Boston College. Explore the opportunities at your own pace and connect with people who can answer your questions and provide you with valuable information.
Portico Trip to Boston ★
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
All first year Carroll School students will meet their Portico Teaching Assistants in their assigned classroom locations prior to leaving for Boston.
Advising Meetings by School
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Pre-Major Advising Meetings ★
Session I: 12:00 - 12: 45 PM | Assigned Classroom
Session II: 1:00 - 1: 45 PM | Assigned Classroom
Session III: 2:00 - 2: 45 PM | Assigned Classroom
All Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences first-year students will meet their pre-major faculty advisors to discuss their academic plans and advising resources for their four years at Boston College. Students will receive an email with their advisor's name, session time, and session location prior to their meeting.
Connell School of Nursing Orientation and Lunch ★
11:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. | Gasson 100
Nursing students will meet their peer advisors for lunch and will be introduced to the Nursing faculty and technology resources.
Lynch School of Education Orientation and Lunch ★
11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Merkert 127
First-year students in the Lynch School of Education will begin with a welcome from Associate Dean of Undergraduates Julia DeVoy, then head to Campion Hall for breakout sessions with their advisors.
Career Fest
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Academic Quad
Join the Career Center for an afternoon of fun and games. Meet Career Center staff and learn about career resources available to you during your time at Boston College. We will have lawn games, art displays, relay races, and more!
Stand Up BC: Speak About It ★
4:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
A performance about healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent.
| Speak About It |
Time |
Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hardey / CKM | 4:00–5:00 p.m. |
Heights / Robsham |
| Duchesne / FSG / Williams |
5:45–6:45 p.m. | Heights / Robsham |
| Keyes / CLXF |
7:30–8:30 p.m. |
Heights / Robsham |
Movie Night: Crazy Rich Asians
8:30 p.m. | Stokes Lawn
Join the Class of 2023 for a showing of the movie Crazy Rich Asians “under the stars" on O'Neill Plaza. Free giveaways and snacks!
*Rain location: Margot Connell Recreation Center
Target Take Over
10:00 p.m. | Bus pick up at Duchesne stop on Newton Campus
10:00–10:30 p.m. | Bus pick up at Linden Lane
Saturday, August 24
★ Denotes Mandatory First-Year Event
Class of 2023 Photo ★
11:30 a.m. –12:15 p.m. | Alumni Stadium
Put on your SuperFan shirt and join your classmates for a Welcome Week tradition–Eagles on the Field!
Superfan 101★
12:15 p.m. | Conte Forum
Learn some of BC's traditions and pick up your pair of free SuperFan sunglasses! Join members of the Boston College Football Team, Spirit Squad, and Screaming Eagles Marching Band for an introduction to the SuperFan rituals and traditions of gameday!
Get Out of Your Bubble I-IV ★
1:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Robsham Theatre (Overflow: Heights Room)
"Get out of your Bubble" is a game show-style, fun and fast-paced presentation which introduces students to a new and more open way of seeing cultural differences. Through jokes, prizes, and facts the show gives students the tools to understand cultural difference and to maximize their potential in a changing world.
If you don't remember which orientation session/group you were in, and what Diversity Edu reflection/Get Out of Your Bubble session you are assigned, view the PDF below.
| Bubble I | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. |
| Bubble II | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
| Bubble III | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. |
| Bubble IV | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. |
Diversity Edu Reflections | 3:15–7:45 p.m | Classrooms in Gasson and Stokes
| Diversity Edu Discussions I |
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. |
| Diversity Edu Discussion II |
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. |
| Diversity Edu Discussions III |
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. |
| Diversity Edu Discussions IV |
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. |
| Orientation Groups |
Get Out of Your Bubble |
Diversity Edu Reflections |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation 1 (all groups); Orientation 2 (groups 1-24) | Session I: 1:30–2:30 p.m. | Session II: 2:45–3:30 p.m. |
| Orientation 2 (groups 25-36); Orientation 3 (all groups); Orienation 4 (groups 1-12) |
Session II: 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Session IV: 4:15–5:00 p.m. |
| Orientation 4 (groups 13-26); Oreination 5 (all groups) |
Session III: 4:30–5:30 p.m. |
Session I: 1:30–2:15 p.m. |
| Orientation 6 (all groups); Orientation 7 (all groups) |
Session IV: 6:00–7:00 p.m. |
Session III: 3:00–4:45 p.m. |
BC Boardwalk | Conte Forum
9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Join the Campus Activities Board (CAB) in Conte Forum for an evening full of activities. We will have giveaways, rides, games, and traditional carnival food!
Sunday, August 25
★ Denotes Mandatory First-Year Event
Bookstore Open House
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | McElroy
During this time, the Bookstore will be open exclusively for first year and new transfer students. We will have raffles and door prizes!
Eagles Give Back: Class of 2023
*Check in is at 10:45 a.m. at Gate C in Conte Forum.
Join your fellow eagles for a morning of community service with The United Way. Activities include a poverty simulation and packing school ready kids for Boston youth. Come lend a hand and get your free T-shirt!
Mass
11:00 a.m. | St. Joseph's Chapel
All students are welcome to campus Masses as we all nurture and celebrate the faith life of the Boston College community. For a list of places of worship for various faith traditions in the surrounding community, visit bc.edu/worship.
DiscoverBOSTON Excursions
1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Conte Circle
Journey into Boston with upperclassmen to learn more about the wonderful city of Boston and all it has to offer. Meet your excursion leaders and travel into the city as a group. Trips will last approximately three to four hours. Registration is required.
Optional Campus Tours
12:00 p.m. | Devlin Hall
Join a member of the Student Admission Program (SAP) for a tour around campus and get acquainted with buildings and classrooms before school starts on Monday. Tour will depart outside of Devlin Hall at 12:00 PM.
Mass
5:00 p.m. | St. Joseph's Chapel
All students are welcome to campus Masses as we all nurture and celebrate the faith life of the Boston College community. For a list of places of worship for various faith traditions in the surrounding community, visit bc.edu/worship.
Floor Meetings ★
6:00 p.m. | Residence Halls
Discussions with your Resident Assistants about the Boston College community and preparing for the college experience.
Ever To Exhale Yoga
7:00 p.m. | Stokes Amphitheater
Come join us for a free sunset yoga session with Health Coach Paiton to relax your body, center your mind, and breathe through your stress. Feel free to bring your own yoga mat! We will also have several mats available to borrow.
*Ever to Exhale Yoga will be offered every Sunday starting 8/25 until 9/15 in Stokes Amphitheater.
Mass
8:00 p.m. | St. Joseph's Chapel, Trinity Chapel, St. Ignatius Church (lower church)
10:15 p.m. | Heights Room
Monday, August 26
Start of Classes
Transfer Student Welcome Reception
3:00–5:00 p.m. | 4th Floor Maloney Hall Reception Area
Event Registration
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies (Orientation Session 7 Students Only)
Wednesday, August 21
Join your fellow BC freshmen for a night out at Fenway park! Watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Philadelphia Phillies in one of America's most treasured ballparks. Tickets are free of charge to Orientation Session 7 students! Please see bus pick up times below:
5:30 p.m. - Duchesne Bus Stop/Newton Campus
5:45 p.m. - College Road Bus Stop/Upper Campus
Tickets are limited, so RSVP now! *Please note, this event is only available for students attending Orientation Session 7.
RSVP for your free ticket here!
DiscoverBoston Excursions
Sunday, Augus 25
1:30 p.m. | Conte Forum Bus Stop
The Division of Student Affairs is excited to welcome you to the Boston College community and offer you an opportunity to DiscoverBOSTON during Welcome Week. One of the great things about BC is the dynamic of its proximity to the city of Boston and the close-knit campus that allows for building relationships with fellow students and professors.
Upperclassmen and faculty members will lead small groups of first-year students on excursions into Boston. The destinations are spots that the leaders appreciate and want to share with you. Transportation will be provided via the MBTA.
This opportunity will be available on a first come, first served basis and pre-registration is required.
Please RSVP by filling out the online form to participate in this program. You will be contacted in mid-August with complete trip details.
Eagles Give Back: Class of 2023
Sunday, August 25
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Conte Forum
Join your classmates for a morning of community service with The United Way. Engage in a poverty simulation and work together to pack backpacks for Boston-area kits. *Check-in is at 10:45 a.m. at Gate C. To register, click here.
Boston College Prerequisites
As an incoming Boston College student we want you and your classmates to have a healthy social, academic, and residential experience at Boston College. With this in mind we ask you to complete the following online courses by Friday, Aug 16.
This online course seeks to promote diversity and inclusion by teaching students skills in addressing unconscious biases and stereotypical thinking. This module will provide the opportunity to think critically about your own perspective, as well as the perspective of others. DiversityEdu aims to create a foundation of shared ideas and language that will enhance further conversations around diversity, identity, and inclusion during your time at Boston College and beyond.
DiversityEdu (Canvas)
- To get started log in to Canvas at bc.edu/lms and enter your BC username and password. Select "Diversity Edu for Undergraduates".
- Complete the pre-survey, module, and post survey.
If you have any trouble with Canvas, please email canvas@bc.edu. Please note, the site is not configured for mobile viewing.
BC Safe
This interactive video program introduces some of the offices, regulations, and programs that have been designed to keep our community safe and secure. Included is one video module, with accompanying questions. You will need to watch the video and answer the questions to complete the module.
BC Safe (Canvas)
- To get started log in to Canvas at bc.edu/lms and enter your BC username and password. Select the "BC Safe" course.
- The site has one video module and an accompanying quiz.
- Once you have finished the module, please complete the final "Safety Acknowledgment," which will record your participation.
- If you have any trouble with Canvas, please email canvas@bc.edu. Please note, the site is not configured for mobile viewing.
Alcohol Edu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates
This online interactive science-based course provides detailed information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind, and issues related to sexual assault and consent. This is not an over-simplified, lecture, it is a thoughtful and educational program for adults committed to thinking about their life choices.
Students will receive an email on Monday, July 29th from Everfi titled “Online Course Assigned to You by Boston College”
Click on the orange “Log In” button within the email and click on the “Boston College Sign In”button on the bottom right to log in on the Boston College page.
You may log in and out of the course at the end of each section. Section ends are marked with a “Next” button. DO NOT log out until you click the “Next” button or you will have to repeat the section you have just completed.
To log back into your account, always access Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates through the email sent to you from Everfi.
For problems logging in or for additional information regarding Alcohol Edu, please contact Amanda Kuron, at kuron@bc.edu or 617-552-6833. For questions related to Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, please contact Melinda Stoops, at Melinda.Stoops@bc.edu or 617-552-3482.
For all other Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates technical/computer-related issues click on the “Help” button located in the upper right-hand corner of every Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates screen (available 24/7) or call 1-866-384-9062.
| Event Name |
Date/Time |
Location |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Student Event |
Monday, August 26 | 3:00–5:00 p.m. |
4th Floor Maloney Hall Reception Area |
| Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center BBQ |
Thursday, August 29 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. | TBD |
| Student Involvement Fair |
Friday, August 30 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
Stokes Lawn |
| First Home Football Game: BC vs. Virginia Tech |
Saturday, August 31 | 4:00 p.m. |
Alumni Stadium |
| Taste of Off-Campus |
Wednesday, September 4 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. |
Cadigan Alumni Center Front Lawn |
| Mass of the Holy Spirit |
Thursday, September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | O'Neill Plaza |
| Art After Dark at the McMullen Museum |
Friday, September 6 | 6:00–10:00 p.m. |
McMullen Museum |
| Multi-Faith Mixer | Sunday, September 8 | 3:00–5:00 p.m. |
66 Commonwealth Ave Multi-Faith Chapel |
| Student Affairs Open House |
Tuesday, September 10 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. | 4th Floor Maloney Hall Reception Area |
| Career and Internship Fair |
Thursday, September 12 | 1:00–5:00 p.m. |
Conte Forum |
| Marching Block Band Party |
Tuesday, September 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Gabelli Plaza |
| Healthapalooza | Wednesday, September 18 | 11:30–2:30 p.m. |
O'Neill Plaza |
| CAB Stokes Set Concert |
Saturday, September 21 | TBD | TBD |
| Parents Weekend |
September 27–29 |
See event schedule |
Weeks of Welcome Goals:
- Help students feel welcomed on campus.
- Connect students with some of the resources and opportunities on campus.
- Help first year students to meet/interact with other first-year students, faculty members, their academic advisor and upperclass students.
Weeks of Welcome Learning Outcomes
After participating in Welcome Week, first year students will be able to:
- identify who they can go to for help/support in their residence hall.
- understand the policies and expectations associated with living in a residence hall.
- recognize the variety of academic opportunities available at BC.
- identify where/who they can go for academic support on-campus.
- identify one or more people at BC first year students can go to for support, or help.
- know how to navigate around the BC campus (dining, transportation).
If you are taking Language Placement Exams, please contact the below individuals to make an appointment.
| Language | Contact | E-mail |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Professor Lydia Chiang |
chiangs@bc.edu |
| German Studies |
Professor Michael Resler |
resler@bc.edu |
| Korean |
Dr. Seung Hee Jeon |
jeonse@bc.edu |
| Japanese | Mrs. Ritsuko Sullivan |
ritsuko.sullivan@bc.edu |
| Modern Greek |
Mr. Andreas Triantafyllou | triantaa@bc.edu |
| Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Hebrew, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Ukranian, other languages |
Franck Salameh |
salameh@bc.edu |
STUDENT PICKUP Dates & Times:
Location: McElroy Room 237 ( Main Campus resident halls )
Saturday August 17th from 11am-3pm
Sunday August 18th from 10am-12pm
Monday-Friday August 19th-23rd from 9am-4pm
Newton Location: BC Law Bookstore-( Newton resident halls ) Basement of Stuart Hall, Across from the mailroom
Saturday August 17th from 11am-3pm
Sunday August 18th from 10am-12pm
Monday-Friday August 19th-23rd from 9am-3pm
For all pickups occurring after August 23rd arrangements for pick up need to be made by calling Chris Bergin at 617-552-4980
Meet some of our Welcome Week Ambassadors!
Facts & Figures
30
46
Offices Represented at the Opportunities Fair
1,000
Students Participate in DiscoverBoston
12
Welcome Receptions Across Campus