An orientation leader takes a family photo of a first year.

First-year Penn State Berks students move into residence halls on Aug. 23

Penn State Berks will welcome nearly 350 first-year students to its residential community as part of the campus' annual orientation program.

Penn State Berks will welcome nearly 350 first-year students to its residential community as part of the campus' annual orientation program on Friday, Aug. 23. Students will move into the residence halls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a welcome reception for students and their families in Tully’s Dining Facility, located on the second floor of the Perkins Student Center, from 3-4 p.m., which will be open to students, faculty and staff.

In an effort to establish connections with parents and families, the college will present a Parent and Family Orientation following the welcome reception, from 4-5 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This session will address how families can support their student. In the meantime, incoming students will attend a Residential Student Orientation from 4-7 p.m. This program is geared toward developing connections between new students and their neighbors in their communities, understanding policies, and providing keys to successful residence hall living. The evening’s events for all first-year, residential and commuter students include a residence hall rally, Crazy Bob’s trivia night, late-night sand volleyball and a late-night movie.

The college will hold its Welcome Weekend program for its more than 700 incoming first-year and transfer students, including 43 international students, on Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25. The two-day program will include speakers, breakout sessions, and activities to help ease the transition to college, including an extensive icebreaker facilitated by a team of Alumni Orientation Leaders. On Sunday, Aug. 25, there will be a special morning program for commuting students focused specifically on their needs and resources available at the college.

In addition, there will be a special orientation for incoming international students the week of Aug. 18. The Penn State Berks Welcome Weekend Program is staffed by more than 100 student orientation leaders, 20 resident assistants, and other members of the college community.

For more information, visit arrival.psu.edu/fall/berks or berks.psu.edu/welcome-weekend-overview, or contact Autumn Fritz, assistant director of community development, at 610-396-6098 or [email protected].