Santa Fe Orientation and Convocation Fall 2025
We are pleased to welcome all of our Johnnies to our beloved community. This spring we are planning a full schedule of events and activities for everyone!
As plans and schedules are finalized, we will update this page, so check back often. In the meantime, please find important information and links below as you plan for your arrival in Santa Fe.
Housing & Orientation Details
Move-in/Housing
More details coming soon.
Convocation
This ceremony is a long-standing tradition at the college and serves as the formal induction into the St. John’s community. Families and friends are invited to attend in person or watch online.
Thursday, August 28 at 11 a.m. Rehearsal at 10 a.m., Evans Science Lab (ESL) Placita
- New Undergraduate Students and New Graduate Students
- Special welcome to our transfer students and readmits
- Families are welcome to join us in person or online for Convocation on Thursday, August 28. A livestream of the event can be viewed on YouTube.
Welcome Week
September 1—September 7
Full week of events–updated schedules will be provided in Welcome Packets upon arrival.
Class of 2029
Find answers to frequently asked questions on the Santa Fe Admitted Student Page.
Family Orientation Fall 2025
Saturday, August 23
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m.—3 p.m. Evans Science Lab (ESL) |
New Student Check-In and Move In: Check in with residential life and admissions to get access to your room and pick up your welcome packet. Check in will take place on the Evans Science Lab (ESL) Placita. |
| 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center | *Brunch: Stop by the dining hall for a delicious brunch by SAGE dining. |
| 3:30—4:45 p.m. Grassy Knoll | *Family Campus Tours: The admissions team will provide a tour for those who are interested in seeing the campus. |
Sunday, August 24
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 10—11:30 a.m. Grassy Knoll |
Family Brunch Reception: Join us for a farewell reception of brunch style bites with the President Walter Sterling and members of the Student Engagement team. |
New Student Orientation Fall 2025
Saturday, August 23
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m.—3 p.m. Evans Science Lab (ESL) |
New Student Check-In and Move In: Check in with residential life and admissions to get access to your room and pick up your welcome packet. Check in will take place on the Evans Science Lab (ESL) Placita. |
| 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center | *Brunch: Stop by the dining hall for a delicious brunch by SAGE dining. |
| 3:30—4:45 p.m. Grassy Knoll | *Family Campus Tours: The admissions team will provide a tour for those who are interested in seeing the campus. |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Dinner |
| 6—7:30 p.m. Visitor’s Circle–Pritzker Student Center |
Shuttle: Forgot something? No worries, catch the shuttle into town to grab supplies. |
| 8:30 p.m. Grassy Knoll | *Movie Night: Join students on the grassy knoll for s’mores, great conversations, and a movie hosted by your Student Engagement Ambassadors. |
Sunday, August 24
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m.—12 p.m. Visitor’s Circle–Pritzker Student Center |
*Santa Fe Artisan’s Market: The Railyard Artisan Market is dedicated to local artisans & small creative businesses and is one of New Mexico’s oldest and best-loved art markets. Sign-up on move-in day. |
| 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Brunch |
| 1—2 p.m. Meem Placita |
Student Support Overview: An introduction to the student engagement team, health and wellness, and food service team. Students will also be briefed on the student handbook & college expectations. This session will provide information essential to your safety as a student. |
| 2—2:45 p.m. Meem Placita |
Title IX: The Vice President of Student Engagement, Christine Guevara, provides students with an overview of Title IX regulations and the reporting process. |
| 2:45—3:30 p.m. Meem Placita |
Technology at SJC: Learn how to optimize your experience using technology, outside of the classroom, as a Johnnie. Additionally, we will cover the usage of technology for classes. |
| 5—7 p.m. Meem Placita |
Student Engagement Welcome Dinner: New students will meet the full student engagement team on the Meem Placita for introductions, live music, and New Mexico-style dinner catered by SAGE dining. |
| 6—7 p.m. Meem Placita | RA Skits: Meet the resident advisors (RAs) & learn some of the Community Standards via fun skits! Following the skits, you will have time to meet with your RA and fellow hallmates for a brief discussion. |
| 8:30 p.m. Neighborhoods as Assigned | RA Surprise Event: The RAs will host an event for all students! |
Monday, August 25
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Breakfast |
| 9—10 a.m. Meem Placita |
Public Safety: This session will be hosted by our Director of Public Safety and the public safety team. We will be focusing on safety on and off campus, and how we can care for each other as a community. |
| 10:15—11:15 a.m. Meem Placita |
Let’s Talk About Yes–Navigating Consent in Relationships: A workshop designed to educate college students on the importance of consent in relationships. The workshop aims to provide students with the tools and knowledge to navigate consent and establish healthy boundaries in their relationships. Through interactive discussions and activities, students will learn about the nuances of consent and how to communicate their boundaries effectively.
|
| 11:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Meem Placita |
Mental Health at SJC: Join Andrea Bassin, the Director of Counseling & Wellness Services, and her team for an informative presentation on the fundamentals of mental health awareness, achieving balance in life, and the mental health services available to students at our institution. |
| 12:30—1:30 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Lunch |
| 2—3:30 p.m. Grassy Knoll |
SJC Circuit Tour: During the SJC Circuit Tour, students will be divided into small groups to visit various offices on campus. They will have the opportunity to meet the staff and learn about the support services offered by each office. The tour groups will gather at the Fishpond before setting off on their respective tours. |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Dinner |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Pre-Seminar Pick-Up Volleyball: Join us for a game of pick-up volleyball before seminar, where all levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet other students, have some fun, and get active before settling down for the seminar. |
Tuesday, August 26
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center | *Breakfast |
|
9:30 a.m.—12 p.m. Visitor’s Circle–Pritzker Student Center |
Canyon Road and Downtown SF Excursion: We’ll be shuttling students down to Canyon Road for an art walk stroll that will then lead to a short walk to the Santa Fe Plaza. |
| 12:30—1:30 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Lunch |
| 1:30—2:30 p.m. Meem Placita | Academic Overview: Learn about SJC’s core academic practices and expectations from the Assistant Dean and Academic Support Coordinator. |
| 2:30—3:30 p.m. Meem Placita | An Introduction to the Johnnie Way: Join alumni to learn more about your place in the wider St. John’s community, dispel some myths, and hear how alumni can support you on your Johnnie journey. Sponsored by the Board of Visitors and Governors (BVG) and the Alumni Association Board (AAB). |
| 5 p.m. Student Activities Center Field | SACtivities and Dinner: Join us for an evening of fun games AND dinner on the SAC field. Dinner will end at 7pm. All other events may continue until dusk. |
Wednesday, August 27
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Breakfast |
| 10 a.m.—12 p.m. Meem Library |
Library Orientation: Groups of 30 students will rotate through a 30-minute library session. Please see your orientation name tag for your group and meeting time to start your tour. You’ll will meet in front of the library before proceeding in to meet Jennifer. After you finish your tour, you will be asked to do a short orientation survey before concluding the programming for the day. |
| 12:30—1:15 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Lunch |
| 1—2 p.m. Meem Placita |
Financial Aid and Billing: Acquire valuable tools and skills to effectively manage your college finances and navigate the FAFSA process. Learn how to make the most of your money, save time, and avoid costly mistakes. |
| 2—3 p.m. Meem Placita |
Closing Remarks, Reminders, and Final Game: We’ll end with some final remarks and a short game to help make sure you have a grasp on the resources and folks at SJC that are here to help you during your academic journey. |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Dinner |
Thursday, August 28
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Breakfast |
| 10 a.m. Evans Science Lab Portal (ESL) |
Convocation Practice and Photo |
| 11 a.m.—1:30 p.m. Evans Science Lab Portal (ESL) |
Convocation and Lunch: This ceremony is a long-standing tradition at the college and serves as the formal induction into the St. John’s community. Families and friends are invited to attend in person or virtually. A livestream link will be emailed to the campus community. |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Dinner |
| 5:30 p.m. Student Activities Center |
*Pre-Seminar Pick-Up Volleyball: Join us for a game of pick-up volleyball before seminar, where all levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet other students, have some fun, and get active before settling down for the seminar. |
| 7:30 p.m. Classrooms as Assigned |
First Seminar: Your study at St. John’s College begins with your first Seminar, a two-hour conversation. We hope it is thrilling! |
| 9:30 p.m. Meem Placita | Post-Seminar Mingle: Continue the conversation with students & tutors. Free donuts, coffee, and tea on the Meem Placita. |
Friday, August 29
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Breakfast |
| 8:45 a.m.—1 p.m. Evans Science Lab Portal (ESL) |
Community In Focus Day: Students, staff, and faculty are invited to participate in a morning of stewardship through community service projects. Both on- and off-campus opportunities will be available for sign-up during move-in day. To promote sustainability, please bring a reusable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. |
| 12:30—2:30 p.m. Student Activities Center Field (SAC Field) |
Welcome Party and BBQ: Students, faculty, and staff are invited to an afternoon of lawn games and delicious food. |
| 1:30 p.m. Student Activities Center Field (SAC Field) |
*Community Intramurals: Our legendary intramurals program will KICK-start tomorrow (get it?), but for today, we want everyone here to play in this "means vs. extremes" game. No experience necessary--smiles required. |
| 5—7 p.m. Dining Hall–Pritzker Student Center |
*Dinner |
| 7 p.m. Meem Placita |
Dean's Opening Lecture: In accordance with tradition, the Dean will deliver the opening lecture of the academic year. |
| 8:30 p.m. Meem Placita | Dean’s Lecture Question Period |
Saturday, August 30
Sunday, August 31
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Student Activities Center (SAC) |
A day of brief demonstrations of some of our classes at the Student Activities Center (SAC). All SAC classes are for beginners to advanced; everyone is welcome. This schedule is subject to change so please be sure to use the most up to date version that you’ll receive during move-in. |
| 10—10:45 a.m. | *Weight Room 101: Join Mary Anne Burke for an introduction to the SAC weight room, a brief understanding of what equipment is available and how to use it. Learn how you or one of our trainers can put a personalized fitness program together for a strong start to the year. |
| 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Meem Placita |
*Brunch |
| 12—12:45 p.m. | *Johnnie Strong: This coed, low-weight, high-repetition weightlifting class tones and strengthens the entire body, burning lots of calories. No previous weight-lifting experience is necessary, coaching is provided, and exercises are performed at safe ranges of motion. |
| 12:45—1:30 p.m. | *Iron Bookworm: Join SJC Tutor Krishnan Venkatesh for a combination of traditional calisthenics, martial arts conditioning, and Chinese and Indian wrestling exercises. Beginners and all levels welcome! |
| 1:30—2:15 p.m. |
*Fencing: The fencing club is offering a demonstration today! Learn how to get involved with the club, meet the club student leaders, and find out about practice times and lessons. Equipment provided. |
| 2:15—3:30 p.m. | *Ultimate Frisbee: Come out and learn one of our fall Intramural sports, ultimate frisbee! Ultimate combines elements of many other sports with a blend of running, throwing, and strategic positioning, it’s a thrilling game for players of all levels. For beginners, we will have several folks teaching skills on throwing as well as the basics of the game. For the more experienced players, just come out and play! |