Signature & Required Events

New Student Orientation is comprised of multiple events over the course of six days. As a new student, NSO is intended to instill in you a sense of belonging to Stanford and to show you the vast range and diversity of opportunities within the community around you. 

Below, note the signature events on the first day of NSO for students and families, as well as the required students events for the week of NSO.

*Indicates student attendance is required.

For Students and Families

New Student Arrival*

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Housing Service Centers and Residences
Welcome to Stanford! Check in at your Housing Service Center where you will pick up your SUID card and room key. Move in to your residence, meet your residence leaders, and receive your NSO packet. Transfers - you will receive your NSO packet at Kimball Hall. You are encouraged to arrive by 12:00 p.m. so that you can enjoy welcome events around campus in the afternoon. Begin wearing your NSO nametag, which will serve as your entrance ticket to all NSO events this week. Your NSO meal plan will begin today.
All new students are required to be checked in by 5:00 p.m. on this day. If you have questions or concerns, please contact approaching@stanford.edu.

Welcome Home

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Check with your RF for exact time | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball Hall
Come meet your Resident Fellow(s), residence staff, and your dormmates at this residence welcome for students and families.

Lunch

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Residence Dining Halls
Parents and families are invited to join their student in the residence dining halls for a complimentary lunch on this day.

Community Welcomes & Open Houses

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Various Locations
Community centers and offices will welcome new students and families by introducing you to staff, resources, opportunities, and programs.

133rd Opening Convocation Ceremony*

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Frost Amphitheater
New students and families will be welcomed to Stanford during this formal inauguration of the academic year. Walk over with your dorm and dress casually, as it may get hot. If you would like to sit with your guests, please meet them at Frost. This event is open to all, and no tickets are needed. Complimentary parking for guests is in the Galvez Parking Lot, located near Frost Amphitheater. This will be a large outdoor event; please note that Frost has a clear bag policy. Student entry: Lasuen Gate. Guest Entry: Galvez Gate.
Convocation will also be livestreamed and recorded.

The conclusion of Convocation will be the traditional time for families and students to say your goodbyes. Students will walk back to their dorms for their First Dinner and House Meeting (required). Families are invited to join the Stanford Parents' Club for the annual NSO Dinner with the Provost. (UPDATE 9/11/23: Tickets have sold out for the Dinner.)

For Students Only

First Student Dinner*

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. | Residence Dining Halls
Share your first dinner with your residential staff and new dormmates. Transfers meet at Gerhard Casper Dining Hall.

Opening House Meeting*

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball Hall
After dinner, participate in this first important and informative house meeting with your residence staff.

Discover Stanford*

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Memorial Auditorium
The Provost will offer guidance and perspective for creating a strong foundation within our Stanford community as you embark on your Stanford journey.

Transfer Welcome Lunch (Transfers only)*

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Galvez Mall
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Rick Shaw and Undergraduate Advising Director Dr. Alice Petty welcome new transfer students to Stanford at this annual event. Get to know your transfer cohort and current transfer students over a delicious lunch.

Designing Your First Quarter Advising Presentation (Frosh only)*

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Zoom
Your Undergraduate Advising Director in Academic Advising is a key advising resource for your first year. At this virtual presentation, meet your advisor and learn about preparing for your first quarter, choosing classes, working with your various advisors, and more.

Frosh Course Enrollment Opens*

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
2:00 p.m. | simpleenroll.stanford.edu
The New Student Advisement Enrollment Hold will be released for all frosh. All students have until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26 to register your Preliminary Study List in Simple Enroll. You can make changes to your study list until the Final Study List Deadline at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13.

Faces of Community*

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium and Residences
Take in the personal stories, reflections, and artistic performances of Stanford students—introducing you to the diversity of community. Faces of Community strives to be honest, engaging and thought provoking, and is a long-standing avenue for rich story-telling and expression at Stanford. This year’s speeches center on themes of self-discovery, community, mental health and navigating failure, and include some sensitive topics. Professional staff will be available during and after the program, should you need support. Opportunities for ongoing engagement will be shared and encouraged. Produced by the Office for Inclusion Belonging and Intergroup Communication (IBIC) and by the Institute for Diversity in the Arts (IDA).

Beyond Sex Ed: Consent and Sexuality at Stanford*

Thursday, September 21, 2023
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium and Residences
Students will share personal stories about sexuality and relationships, interspersed with a presentation on how human sexuality fits into our lives, community, and culture. This program is about cultivating empathy, agency, and the skills to connect with ourselves and one another. Professional staff will be available for support if you want to talk or if you have questions. Following the program, you will be invited to share your thoughts about the program in a facilitated discussion at your residence. Produced by the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education (SHARE) Office.

Introduction to COLLEGE (Frosh only)*

Thursday, September 21, 2023
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium
All frosh will need to fulfill the Civic, Liberal, and Global Education Requirement this year by taking two quarters of COLLEGE. But what is COLLEGE? At our first session, required for all frosh, faculty, fellows and students will introduce you to this exciting new program, which focuses on YOU — you as a student, you as a citizen, and you as denizen of the world.

Answers for Transfers (Transfers only)*

Thursday, September 21, 2023
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Lathrop Library, Room 282
Meet representatives from a wide variety of campus resources who will help you during your time at Stanford, including Bing Overseas Studies Program, Haas Center for Public Service, Financial Aid, Career Education, and more.

Welcome Reception & Class Photos*

Friday, September 22, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | The Oval
Meet members of the university faculty and staff and enjoy refreshments at this special reception for new undergraduate students at the Stanford Oval. Class photos will be taken at 11:30 a.m. We invite you to wear your neighborhood t-shirts for the class photo. Class of 2027 t-shirts designed by the Stanford Alumni Association will be handed out following the class photo.

Closing House Meeting (Frosh)*

Check with your RF/RA for exact date and time
Frosh - As NSO comes to a close, join your Resident Fellow(s) and residence leaders for a discussion about your collective role in creating a house community that will be inclusive, respectful, and fun for the year. Your house team will let you know the date and time this meeting is scheduled.