Welcome to Kalamazoo College!
We are thrilled to welcome the parents and families of the Class of 2030!
At Kalamazoo College we appreciate and value the supporting role that families play in the education of their student. To continue that support we offer numerous sessions during the first two days of Orientation specifically for parents and families. The full schedule was mailed to parents as part of a larger mailing in June 2026. We also invite you to review the Prepare for Orientation section and the full 2026 Parent and Family Orientation Schedule below.
Note: Orientation is required for all new students so please make sure to arrive no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Prepare for Orientation
Before Orientation
- Orientation Packet and Room Assignments – Students will receive their packet via mail in June and their specific residence hall room assignment and roommate information via their Kalamazoo College email account in late July. Please encourage your student to check their Kalamazoo College email frequently, as email is the main communication method not only during the summer, but during the academic year as well.
- Health Verification – Please confirm that your student submits all required health documentation by the deadline of August 1, 2026.
- Lodging – Families Families and friends are not permitted to stay in the residence halls during Orientation, as students are extremely busy and we need them to focus on Orientation sessions and making connections with their roommates and peers.
During Orientation
- Student Check In – Residence halls open for new students to check in on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Early check in is not permitted. Families can arrive anytime during that time frame (students are not assigned specific arrival times). Please note that morning can be especially busy.
- Fall athletes, international students, and students participating in the LandSea program will have separate check in times per the requirements of their programs and will be notified in advance by the corresponding campus department.
- Review the full Parent & Family Orientation schedule below for information on activities. Note that the Parent and Family program concludes at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and we ask that families depart campus at that time.
Accessibility Information
Learn about accessible parking around campus along with barrier free access to campus buildings.
Accessible Parking & Campus Routes
Report an accessibility barrier to HR and Accessibility Services at K. We will address all concerns as soon as possible. Thank you.
Report an Accessibility Barrier
Getting Around Campus
All events listed in the Parent & Family Orientation Schedule have links to the location of events. For a map visit the Kalamazoo College Campus Map page.
Parent & Family Orientation Schedule 2026
Information Desk and Center Hours
Wednesday, September 9
Health Center | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location – Main Floor, Hicks Student Center
Health Center staff is available for health information verification as well as general consultation with students and families
Information Table | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for opening day schedules, maps, directions, suggestions for lunch and answers to your questions.
Spirit Shop Open – 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Hicks Student Center
Go Hornets! 20% off Kalamazoo College imprinted items.
Book Club Café | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of Kalamazoo Coffee, hot chocolate, tea or a specialty espresso. Choose from fast grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks. Credit/debit cards are accepted only.
Thursday, September 10
Information Table | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for schedules, maps, directions and answers to your questions.
Book Club Café | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Upjohn Library Commons
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of Kalamazoo Coffee, hot chocolate, tea or a specialty espresso. Choose from fast grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks. Credit/debit cards are accepted only.
Spirit Store Open | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Hicks Student Center
Wednesday, September 9
8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Student Move-In
Location: Residence Halls (please refer to the campus map for your student’s exact residence hall)
Note: Morning is extremely busy, so families are highly encouraged to arrive throughout the day for a more stress-free move in.
Resident Assistants (RAs) and first-year experience (FYE) Mentors will be stationed at check-in tables at each residence hall to welcome your student. Students will pick up their orientation folder from the FYE Mentors and then see the Residential Life staff to get their student ID, room key, check into their room, and get settled. Health verification must be completed before students can check in. Students with incomplete health requirements will be directed to the Health Center to complete any necessary requirements before they are permitted to check in.
8:30 a.m-2 p.m. | Student Health and Counseling Center
Location: Main Floor, Hicks Student Center
Health Center staff are available for health information verification as well as a brief consultation with students and families.
8 a.m-3 p.m. | Information Table
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for opening day schedules, maps, directions, suggestions for lunch, and answers to your questions.
9-5 p.m. | Hornet Spirit Shop Open
Location: Hicks Student Center
Welcome new Hornets! Stop by the Hornet Spirit Shop in the Lower Atrium of the Hicks Student Center to stock up on all your K gear!
9 a.m-2 p.m. | Book Club Open
Location: Upjohn Library
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a specialty beverage. Choose from fast grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks. Credit/debit cards are accepted.
11 a.m-1 p.m. | Lunch
Location: Welles Dining Hall in Hicks Student Center, or off campus
Students and their families are welcome to have lunch together on campus at the dining hall in the Hicks Student Center, or venture off campus to one of Kalamazoo’s excellent eating establishments (a list of restaurants is available at the information table). New students can use their student ID (which also serves as their meal card) for entrance to the dining hall. Families may pay (debit/credit card) at the dining hall entrance.
2-2:45 p.m. | Understanding Billing and Financial Aid
Location: Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
Join staff from Financial Aid and Student Accounts for a session to help understand the financial side of sending your student to college. This program will be repeated on Thursday.
3-4 p.m. | Convocation
Location: Lower Quad (Rain site: Stetson Chapel)
President Karlyn Crowley, Vice President for Student Development J. Malcolm Smith, Provost Danette Ifert Johnson, Chaplain Elizabeth Candido, faculty, staff, and President’s Student Ambassadors welcome students and their families. Convocation concludes with all new students signing the Matriculation Registry.
Hugs & Farewell Reception (Immediately following)
Location: Outside Hicks Center (Rain site: Inside Hicks Center)
Refreshments served outside the Hicks Student Center. Parents and families, say “see you later” to your students when the reception concludes at 4:30 p.m. This is the last time when students and parents/families orientation schedules overlap.
4:30-5:15 p.m. | Supporting Your Student’s Transition
Location: Stetson Chapel
Join the President, Provost, Vice President for Student Development, and Dean of Students, along with several members of the Student Development staff for a conversation about how to help your student be successful in their transition to college. A brief Q&A will follow general remarks.
5-7 p.m. | Dinner
Location: Dining Center in Hicks Student Center or off campus
Students and their families are welcome to have dinner together on campus at the dining hall in the Hicks Student Center, or venture off campus to one of Kalamazoo’s excellent eating establishments (a list of restaurants is available at the information table). New students can use their student ID (which also serves as their meal card) for entrance to the dining hall. Families may pay (debit/credit card) at the dining hall entrance.
5:30-6:30 p.m. | First-Generation Student and Family Program
Location: Hicks Banquet Room
A special welcome for first-generation students (student whose parents did not complete a four-year bachelor’s degree; or in the case of a student who resided with and received support from only one parent, a student whose only such parent did not complete a four-year bachelor’s degree) and their families. Appetizers will be served, and information specifically for first-generation students and their families will be shared. There will also be a panel of upper-class first-generation students who will share their experiences and answer questions
Evening | Relax or Explore Kalamazoo
Families are welcome to just relax after a day of moving their students in or explore Kalamazoo. Information about downtown Kalamazoo is available at the information table in the Hicks Student Center. Students will be busy during the evening (events are for students only). Families are invited to stay overnight off campus at one of the many accommodations available in Kalamazoo (family members are not permitted to stay overnight in the residence halls during orientation).
Thursday, September 10
A variety of sessions for parents and families are available today and we hope you take advantage of them! Students will have different sessions occurring at the same time which are listed on their orientation schedule. Those sessions are for students only. Parents and families, we ask that you please attend the sessions designed for you listed on this schedule. Thanks!
7-9 a.m. | Breakfast | Welles Dining Hall or off campus
Families may pay (credit/debit card only) at the Dining Hall entrance. New students can use their student ID (which also serves as their meal card) to access the Dining Hall.
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Information Table
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
Stop by for schedules, maps, directions and answers to your questions.
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Book Club Open
Location: Upjohn Library
Stop by the first floor of the Upjohn Library and allow one of our baristas to serve you a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or a specialty beverage. Choose from fast grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks. Debit/credit cards are accepted.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Hornet Spirit Shop Open
Hicks Student Center
9-9:45 a.m. | Parent and Family Information Sessions I
Parents and families are invited to attend one of the following sessions (some sessions will be repeated and those are indicated with a + after the title):
More After 4: Preparing your student for life after K with the Office of Career and Professional Development+
Location: Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
Session will be repeated
The K Curriculum and the Liberal Arts: Classes, Requirements and the10-week quarter system+
Location: Banquet Room, Hicks Student Center
Session will be repeated
Academic Resources and Support for Student Success+
Location: Upjohn Library, 1st floor Learning Commons
Session will be repeated
All About Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away
Location: Stone Room
Session will be repeated
10-10:45 a.m. | Parent and Family Information Sessions II
Parents and families are invited to attend one of the following sessions (some sessions will be repeated and those are indicated with a + after the title):
Meeting for Families of New Hornet Athletes (athlete parents only)
Location: Hicks Banquet Hall
Faculty Panel: A discussion with faculty from a variety of disciplines
Location: Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
The Ins and Outs of Eating on Campus with Dining Services
Location: Atrium, Hicks Student Center
College Student Mental Health
Location: Stone Room
Session will be repeated
11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break
Location: On campus at Hicks Student Center Lower Atrium or Off-campus
Students and their families are welcome to have lunch together on campus at the dining hall in the Hicks Student Center, or venture off campus to one of Kalamazoo’s excellent eating establishments (a list of restaurants is available at the information table). New students can use their student ID (which also serves as their meal card) for entrance to the dining hall. Families may pay (debit/credit card) at the dining hall entrance.
1-1:45 p.m. | Parent and Family Information Sessions III
Parents and families are invited to attend one of the following sessions:
Understanding Billing and Financial Aid: The financial side of sending your student to college
Location: Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
The K Curriculum and the Liberal Arts: Classes, Requirements and the 10-week quarter system
Location: Banquet Room, Hicks Student Center
College Student Mental Health
Location: Stone Room
Academic Resources and Support for Student Success
Location: Upjohn Library, 1st floor Learning Commons
2-2:45 p.m. | Parent and Family Information Sessions IV
Parents and families are invited to attend one of the following sessions:
All About Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away
Location: Stone Room
More After Four: Preparing your student for life after K with the Office of Career and Professional Development
Location: Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
Civic Engagement: Learning, Working, Contributing to Community
Location: Upjohn Learning Commons
Questions
Questions about Parent and Family Orientation can be directed to orientation@kzoo.edu and will be answered by Adam Kubiak, Dean of Students. We look forward to seeing you on campus in September!