Orientation 2025

Fenestra: Open Your Window of Opportunity

jerry price

Welcome From Jerry Price, Dean of Students!

Welcome to Chapman! We are so glad that you have chosen to be a part of our Chapman community of scholars. Read More

Jerry Price, Ph.D.
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs

Greetings from Your Fellow Panthers

Spring Orientation Schedules

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First-Year and Transfer Students

Tuesday, January 28th

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Residence Life Check-In
Location: Residence Halls
(Your exact day and time will be provided via email. Please reference the housing assignment email if you have questions that will be sent in January.)

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Orientation Check-in
Location: Beckman Hall Lobby
This check-in time is where you will receive your swag items as well as meet your Orientation Leaders and other campus resources. Checking in for Orientation will grant access to the events the following day.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Ceremony
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Opening remarks will begin at 5:15pm and will close at 6:00pm. This session will be a chance to mix & mingle with other incoming students and families as well as hear from university administrators to officially welcome you into the Chapman University community.


Wednesday, January 29th
9:45 – 11:00 am 
Fenestra Forum 
Location: Small Group Meeting Locations (see email from orientation@chapman.edu, will be sent to Chapman email on Monday, January 27th)    
Meet with fellow incoming students and your Orientation Leaders to ask questions about becoming a member of the Chapman University Community.  

11:15 am – 12:30 pm 
Departmental Major Meetings 
Location: See locations at the bottom of the schedule

12:30 – 1:30 pm  
Lunch 
Location: Attallah Piazza 

12:30 – 1:30 pm 
Student Services Fair 
Location: Attallah Piazza  
The following departments will be available during lunch for additional questions; Academic Advising Center, Tutoring and Learning Center, Registrar’s Office, Student Health Center, Student Psychological Services, Disability Services, Career and Professional Development, Center for Global Education, University Program Board (UPB), Fraternity and Sorority Life, Cross-Cultural Center, Student Organizations, Argyros Forum Student Union, Wellness and Recreation, Business Office, Center for Undergraduate Excellence, Student Government Association (SGA), Fish Interfaith Center, Leatherby Libraries, Dean of Students, Student Employment, The Wellness Project, and Promising Futures Program  

1:45 – 2:30 pm 
Academic Advising at Chapman for First Year Students  
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Stop by to have discussions with Chapman’s Academic Advisors who will share information and answer questions about resources and academic planning.

2:45 – 4:00 pm
Becoming a Healthy Panther (Mandatory) 
Location: Irvine Lecture Hall
As a new student, you will be faced with many personal decisions that will impact your college experience. This REQUIRED educational program will equip you with the necessary information to make informed and healthy decisions. 

4:15 – 5:00 pm  
Getting Involved 
Location: Argyros Forum, Room 208
Come learn about opportunities to get involved at Chapman! Preview some exciting ways you can immerse yourself into college life, hear from current student leaders about how getting involved has made their Chapman experience memorable, and connect with your peers who have similar interests! 

5:15 – 6:00 pm  
Candle Lighting Ceremony 
Location: Fish Interfaith Center 
Incoming Chapman students, parents, and families are invited to Fish Interfaith Center to celebrate the pillars of Chapman University symbolizing our intellectual, spiritual, social and physical life. This brief ceremony will end with a beautiful candle lighting as we bid goodbye to families and welcome you to the Chapman family! 

6:15 – 7:30 pm 
Spring Kick-Off & Chapman Traditions
Location: Argyros Forum, Great Room
You are invited to an evening of Panther fun! Join us on campus for appetizers, games, and socializing with your peers. It can be uneasy coming to a new school, but this event is sure to be filled with great food and even better company. Come celebrate the start of your Chapman experience with other transfer students this evening. Students will receive stoles, ribbons to tie onto their class fenestra, and learn about classic Chapman Traditions from Dean of Students, Dr. Jerry Price. Hors d’œurves to be provided. 


Thursday, January 30th
10:00 – 11:15 am  
Fenestra Forum 
Location: Small Group Meeting Locations (see email from orientation@chapman.edu, will be sent to Chapman email on Monday, January 27th)

11:30 am – 12:15 pm 
Wellness Collaborative Panel 
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 211
The Wellness at Chapman rotation takes a multidisciplinary approach to student well-being. Utilizing the 8- dimensions of well-being, the session will focus on resources available to support each dimension for Chapman students to find balance and thrive. Various Chapman departments will be represented on the panel to answer questions, highlight programming, and provide basic information about their resources on campus.

12:30 – 1:30 pm 
Lunch with your First Year Experience Peer Advisor
Location: Randall Dining Commons


 Friday, January 31st 

9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
International Student Orientation  
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 213
Exclusive orientation programming for our international students. This orientation is mandatory if you will be in the U.S. on an F-1 Visa. You will learn about Chapman’s programs and services, and our policies and procedures regarding immigration regulations, employment opportunities, and more!


Departmental Major Meeting Locations:  

Argyros College of Business & Economics: Beckman Hall, Room 102

Attallah College of Educational Studies: Reeves Hall, Room 001

Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences: 

Health Sciences: Beckman Hall, Room 103

Psychology: Crean Hall, Room 149

Dodge College of Film & Media Arts: DMAC 123

Schmid College of Science & Technology: Keck Center, Room 156

Fowler School of Engineering: Swenson Hall #N107/109, Ideation Zone

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: 

Creative Writing & English: Smith Hall, Room 203

Political Science: Roosevelt Hall, Room 203

Sociology: Roosevelt Hall, Room 121

School of Communication: Beckman Hall, Room 210

Exploratory: Beckman Hall, Room 211

First-Year and Transfer Families

Tuesday, January 28th
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Orientation Check-in
Location: Beckman Hall Lobby
This check-in time will give you the chance to meet campus partners as well as receive your swag items. You will also receive your wristband that will grant you access to the events the following day.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Ceremony 
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Opening remarks will begin at 5:15pm and will close at 6:00pm. This session will be a chance to mix & mingle with other incoming students and families as well as hear from university administrators to officially welcome you into the Chapman University community.


Wednesday, January 29th
 9:45 – 10:30 am 
Just for Families 
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Join Colleen Wood, Assistant Vice President and Associate Dean of Students for this interactive session that will introduce you to the Class of 2028/29 and the student and campus services that address and promote student safety, health, and well-being. 

10:45 11:30 am
Family/Student Panel 
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Join current Chapman students and parents to discuss how families can support their new Panther. Learn about the important role family plays in the college experience, discuss what it means to be involved in the Chapman community, and most importantly, have all your questions answered. 

10:45 11:30 am
Orientación Española
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 201
Venga a hablar con el personal de todo el campus para escuchar cómo hacer la transición para ser un padre Chapman.

11:45 – 12:30 pm 
Academic Advising at Chapman 
Location: Beckman Hall, Room 404
Join staff members from Academic Advising to discuss how families can support their new Panther on their Academic journey. Learn about the important role family plays in academics and resources you may direct your students to utilize throughout their time at Chapman.

12:30 – 1:30 pm 
Lunch 
Location: Attallah Piazza 

12:30 – 1:30 pm 
Student Services Fair 
Location: Attallah Piazza  
The following departments will be available during lunch for additional questions; Academic Advising Center, Tutoring and Learning Center, Registrar’s Office, Student Health Center, Student Psychological Services, Disability Services, Career and Professional Development, Center for Global Education, University Program Board (UPB), Greek Life, Civic Engagement, Cross-Cultural Center, Student Organizations, Argyros Forum Student Union, Julianne Argyros Fitness Center, Business Office, Center for Undergraduate Excellence, Student Government Association (SGA), Fish Interfaith Center, Leatherby Libraries, Dean of Students, Student Employment, The Wellness Project, and Promising Futures Program 

1:45 – 2:30 pm
Student Business Services and Financial Aid Workshop  
Location: Argyros Forum, Room 208
Representatives from the Student Business Services Office and the Office of Financial Aid will answer questions regarding billing, loans, and scholarships. Both families and students are welcome to attend.  

2:45 – 3:45 pm  
DEI Welcome Session & Mixer
Location: Argyros Forum, Room 304 – Cross Cultural Center
All Chapman Family members are invited to join us at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Welcome Session! During this event you will have the opportunity to make connections with other Chapman Family members and meet staff members who will be a resource to your student during their time at Chapman. 

4:00 – 5:00 pm  
Family Reception with Fish Interfaith 
Location: Fish Interfaith Center  
Please join the staff members from the Fish Interfaith Center to hear about the events and services they offer while enjoying light appetizers and refreshments.

5:15 – 6:00 pm 
Candle Lighting Ceremony 
Location: Fish Interfaith Center  
Incoming Chapman students, parents and families are invited to Fish Interfaith Center to celebrate the pillars of Chapman University symbolizing our intellectual, spiritual, social and physical life. This brief ceremony will end with a beautiful candle lighting as we bid goodbye to families and welcome you to the Chapman family! 

Get Ready for Orientation!

Welcome to Chapman

New beginnings at #chapmanu

As new Panthers, you will encounter new people, beginnings and experiences. In order to document the tremendous transition to college, post photos on Instagram with #chapmanu. We want you to connect as you share your experiences digitally through social media! 

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Share Your Panther Spirit

Add paw prints to your Instagram stories and tag @ChapmanU!