Tuesday, September 16
Prior to the start of NSO, event times, locations, and any updates will be listed in the 2025 Approaching Stanford Canvas course (SUNet ID log-in required). Events for families on this day will also be listed on the NSO Family Event Schedule.
2025 NSO Student Program (PDF) 2025 NSO Family Program (PDF)
Use the searchable campus map, located on the Stanford Mobile app or campus-map.stanford.edu to find campus locations.
NSO Move-In Day Events for Students & Families
New Student Arrival
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Housing Service Centers and Residences, Transfers check in at Kimball
Go to your designated Housing Check-In Location to pick up your Stanford ID (SUID) card and room key. Please be prepared to show your government-issued ID. You will need your SUID card for the dining hall and access to your residence. (Do not punch a hole in your card.) Review Housing Check-In Locations and print the 2025 Move-In Instructions for maps and the NSO New Student Arrival Parking Pass.
After checking in, head over to your residence to move in. Pick up your NSO packet from your Resident Assistants (RAs) and begin wearing your NSO nametag, which will serve as your entrance ticket to all NSO events this week. To familiarize yourself with campus, review the Student’s Guide to Stanford Map in your packet.
Transfer Students: Between 8AM-12PM, stop by Kimball Hall to pick up your NSO packet and Stanford Transfers t-shirt.
For students in graduate housing: You have been affiliated with an undergraduate residential community for NSO and the year. Please pick up your NSO packet from this dorm. You have been provided an NSO meal plan through Sunday, so that you can eat in the dining hall with your peers in this dorm and attend programs with them throughout NSO.
NSO Welcome & Info Center
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Stanford Bookstore Patio, White Plaza
Your guests are invited to stop by the NSO Welcome & Info Center for a cup of coffee, to pick up a Stanford Family pin, and to meet the Stanford Parents’ Club. Representatives from Residential & Dining Enterprises and Vaden Health Center will be available to answer questions. A limited number of Convocation Guest Tickets will be available for those who missed the September 2 order deadline - guests should bring their photo ID.
Lunch
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Residence Dining Halls
Your student NSO meal plan begins today. Check your dining hall for exact meal times. Lunch for family members accompanying you is complimentary in the residence dining halls today.
NSO Moo-ve In Mingle
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | White Plaza
Welcome to the Farm! Students and families are invited to meet Stanford faculty, staff, and each other while taking selfies at our NSO photo stations. Browse our Farmer’s Market booths and check out the eateries in Tresidder Memorial Union. Complete the NSO Bingo Card with your friends for a special “moo-ve in” prize.
Green Library Tour
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Green Library East Entrance (near Red Hoop Fountain)
Take a tour of Green Library, the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. Find out how to get help with your research, scope out the best places to study, and experience a world-class library collection in one of Stanford’s 20+ libraries.
Residence Welcome
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball
Come meet your Resident Fellow(s), Resident Assistants, and your dormmates at this residence welcome for students and families. All transfers are invited to the Kimball Welcome.
135th Opening Convocation Ceremony (Required)
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Frost Amphitheater, NSO nametag required
President Jonathan Levin will welcome new students and families to Stanford at our formal inauguration of the academic year. Tickets are required - your NSO nametag will serve as your ticket to Convocation. A limited number of Convocation Guest Tickets will be available at the NSO Welcome & Info Center for guests who missed the September 2 order deadline.
Student Entrance & Accessible Guest Entrance: Lasuen Gate, at the corner of Lasuen St. & Roth Way
General Guest Entrance: Galvez Gate, at the corner of Galvez St. & Campus Drive
Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. Please note the separate entrances for new students and family members. All guest tickets will be checked at the Galvez Gate (except for guests needing the accessible entrance.) Plan to arrive early with ample time for ticketing, security check, and seating. Walk over with your dorm and dress casually, as it may get hot. Bring only a small water bottle, if needed. Frost’s Clear Bag policy will be enforced. Do not bring backpacks, large bags, or suitcases, as they will not be permitted. There will not be a bag check.
The conclusion of this event is the traditional time when students and families say their goodbyes. Students will be engaged with NSO for the remainder of the week.
First Student Dinner (Required)
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Residence Dining Halls, Transfers meet at Gerhard Casper Dining
Share your first dinner of NSO with your new dormmates. If family members accompanied you today, plan to say your goodbyes by 6:00 p.m. so that you can have dinner with your dorm.
Opening House Meeting (Required)
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball Lounge
Participate in this first important and informative house meeting led by your Resident Assistants (RAs). This first house meeting is required for all students.