Santa Fe Orientation and Convocation Fall 2026

We are pleased to welcome all of our Johnnies to our beloved community. This fall 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.

Santa Fe Freshman Orientation Finding Meno Fall 2019

Housing & Orientation Details

Move-in/Housing

Thursday, August 21 from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

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 27 at 11 a.m. Rehearsal at 10 a.m.

Welcome Week

August 31–September 5

Full week of events–updated schedules will be provided in Welcome Packets upon arrival.

Class of 2030

Find answers to frequently asked questions on the Santa Fe Admitted Student Page.

New Student Orientation Spring 2026

All sessions are required unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk*

Schedule subject to change

Note: Pritzker Student Center was formally known as Peterson Student Center

Friday, August 21

Time & Location Event
9:30 a.m.—3 p.m., Evans Science Lab Portal (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. Bridge & Outdoor Program students, please check–in for orientation materials.
10 a.m.—1 p.m., Dining Hall, Pritzker Student Center *Brunch: Enjoy a delicious brunch catered by SAGE dining.
3—5 p.m., Grassy Knoll *Family Campus Tours: The Admissions team will provide a tour for those who are interested in seeing the campus.
5 p.m., Meem Placita Student Engagement Welcome Dinner: New students will meet the full student engagement team for a fun New Mexico style dinner catered by SAGE Dining.
6:30 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 & fellow hallmates for a brief discussion.
8:30 p.m., Neighborhoods as Assigned RA Surprise Event: New students will meet the President, Dean, Assistant Dean, Student Engagement team, and some peers over a casual dinner.

Saturday, August 22

Time & Location Event
8:30 a.m., Santa Fe Railyard—SJC Visitors Center *Santa Fe Farmers Market:The Student Engagement Ambassadors will be running a shuttle for new students to check out our farmer’s market at the railyard.
11 a.m., Grassy Knoll Picnic Brunch: We’ll have a SAGE catered lunch on the Grassy Knoll with music and great conversation.
12:30 p.m., Pritzker Student Center—Great Hall 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 and college expectations. This session will provide information essential to your safety as a student and will give you the opportunity to chat with student leaders about their experiences navigating resources.
1:30 p.m., Pritzker Student Center—Great Hall Title IX: The Vice President of Student Engagement, Christine Guevara, provides students with an overview of Title IX regulations and the reporting process.
2 p.m., Dorms as Assigned *Dorm Decorating: Decorate your dorm room and your residence hall with your RA, dorm mates, and other student leaders.
5—9 p.m., Visitor's Circle—Pritzker Student Center Shuttle: Forgot something or realize you need things for your dorm? We’ll be running shuttles to local stores, be sure to sign up at switchboard for a 90 min slot.
5 p.m., Dining Hall Dinner
7 p.m. *FREE TIME: Settle in, read for your practice seminar, or prepare for your first official seminar of the semester. We’ll have a movie playing on the grassy knoll for those who have the time to come.

Sunday, August 23

Time & Location Event
9:30 a.m., Visitor’s Circle—Pritzker Student Center *Canyon Road Walk: Student Engagement will be shuttling all new students down to Canyon Road to check out the galleries, restaurants and teahouse right in your own backyard (kind of). We’ll provide some light breakfast items to tie you over until brunch.
11:30 a.m., Dining Hall *Brunch
1 p.m., Pritzker Student Center—Great Hall 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).
1:45 p.m., Pritzker Student Center—Great Hall Technology @ SJC:Learn how to optimize your experience using technology, outside of the classroom, as a Johnnie. Bring your laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. Additionally, we will cover the usage of technology for classes.
5—7 p.m., Dining Hall—Pritzker Student Center *Dinner
9 p.m., Grassy Knoll *Outdoor Johnnie Movie Night: A screening of vintage films from what like was like at SJC back in the day. S’mores during, chill w/ music afterward.

Monday, August 24

Time & Location Event
8 a.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Breakfast
9 a.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.

10:30 a.m.

 Free Time to Read
11:45 a.m.—1 p.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center Lunch
1 p.m., Meem Library Library Orientation: Groups of 35-40 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. Please arrive 5mn before your start time. Iliad: 1PM; Moby Dick: 1:30PM
2:15 p.m., Pritzker Student Center—Great Hall Let's Talk About Yes – Navigating Consent in Relationships: A session designed to educate students on the importance of consent in relationships. The session aims to provide students with the tools and knowledge to navigate consent and establish healthy boundaries in their relationships.
3:30 p.m., Pritzker Student Center— Great Hall Healthy Relationships and Support: Join representatives from Esperanza Shelter for an important session about recognizing signs of dating violence in relationships. Learn how to reach out for help, support friends, and access the confidential resources that Esperanza provides—including free counseling, safety planning, and emergency shelter. This session will empower you with knowledge and tools to foster safe and healthy relationships and ensure you know where to turn if you or someone you know needs assistance.
5—7 p.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Dinner
7:30 p.m., Santa Fe Hall Classrooms Seminar in Practice: In this seminar, you'll discuss a short text that raises persisting human questions and reveals a variety of independent and complementary meanings. This seminar provides an opportunity to practice dialogue and engagement to provoke questions about civility, inclusion, and other community practices and norms. The bell ringing at 7:15PM is a reminder that you have seminar in 15 minutes. Be on time, which is a little early!
9 p.m., Grass Knoll Post Seminar Hangout: Keep the conversation going with tea or cocoa; student leaders will be available to answer questions and share best practices for getting the most out of seminar.

Tuesday, August 25

Time & Location Event
8 a.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Breakfast
9:30 a.m., Great Hall— Pritzker Student Center Academic Overview: Learn about SJC's core academic practices and expectations from the Assistant Dean and Academic Support Coordinator.

11 a.m.,  Great Hall— Pritzker Student Center

 Mental Health @ SJC: Join Julie Madrid and Jill Gerichter 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 p.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Lunch
1:30 p.m., Coffee Shop— Pritzker Student Center *Greek Study Guide: Work with Academic Assistants and your peers to memorize the Greek alphabet as you prepare for the year ahead. Bring your copy of Luschnig’s “Introduction to Ancient Greek.”
5 p.m., Student Activities Center Field (SAC) SACtvities: Enjoy dinner on the SAC field followed by games and music. For those not interested in the games, you can hang out with us and just listen to music or do some crafting!! Dinner ends at 7PM, the fun continues until dark.

Wednesday, August 26

Time & Location Event
8 a.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Breakfast
9:15 a.m., Visitor's Circle–Pritzker Student Center *Downtown SF Excursion: The Student Engagement Ambassadors will be running a shuttle to downtown Santa Fe for new students to explore the vibrant history, various shops, & restaurants.

11:15 a.m., Great Hall–Pritzker Student Center

 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. 
12 p.m., Dining Hall— Pritzker Student Center *Lunch
1:30 p.m., Great Hall— Pritzker Student Center Office of Personal & Professional Development: Learn about the career and life planning support available to you. We are here to help with jobs, internships, grad school, finding your direction – it’s never too early to start.
3 p.m., Classrooms as Assigned: Winiarski & the Fine Arts Building (FAB) Math in Demonstration: Practice demonstrating the first proposition of Euclid's Elements with our Math Assistants.
5–7 p.m., Pritzker Student Center *Dinner