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 17, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Housing Service Centers and Residences
Check in at your Neighborhood Check-In Location where you will 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.)
After checking in, head over to your residence to move in. Pick up your NSO packet from your residence leaders 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.
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.
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 17, 2024
Check with your RF for exact time | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball Hall
Come meet your Resident Fellow(s), residence student leaders, and your dormmates at this residence welcome for students and families. All transfers are invited to the Kimball Welcome.
Lunch
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
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 17, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Various Locations
Community centers and offices will welcome new students and families by introducing you to staff, resources, opportunities, and programs.
134th Opening Convocation Ceremony*
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Frost Amphitheater
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 Family Welcome Center for guests who missed the September 3 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.
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 9/3/24: Tickets have sold out for the Dinner.)
For Students Only
First Student Dinner*
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 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 17, 2024
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Residences, Transfers meet in Kimball Hall
Participate in this first important and informative house meeting led by your residence student leaders. This first house meeting is required for all students.
Discover Stanford*
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Frost Ampitheater
The Provost, Dean of Students, and Assistant Vice Provost for Residential Education 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 18, 2024
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Galvez Mall
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Rick Shaw and Undergraduate Advising Director Dr. Ingrid Anderson 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 18, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Check your email for the location from your UAD
Your Undergraduate Advising Director in Academic Advising is a key advising resource for your first year. At this presentation, meet your academic advisor and learn about preparing for your first quarter, choosing classes, working with your various advisors, and more.
Frosh Course Enrollment Opens*
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
4:15 p.m. | simpleenroll.stanford.edu
The New Student Advisement Enrollment Hold will be released for all frosh at 4:15 p.m., at which time you can enroll in your Autumn Quarter courses. Should you have any enrollment issues, please don’t worry. There will be opportunities later this week to address them before the first day of classes. Please reach out to your UAD.
You have until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, to register your Preliminary Study List in Simple Enroll. You can make changes to your study list (add or drop a class; adjust units on a variable-unit course) until the Final Study List Deadline at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11.
Faces of Community*
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
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 resilience, community, loss, belonging, shared truth-telling, 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 19, 2024
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.
What is College For?*
Thursday, September 19, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium
What is college for? Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Lanier Anderson will lead a lively conversation with Debra Satz, the Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, Arun Majumdar, the Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and YOU, our newest students, on the purpose of college. You will get to hear about opposing sides of this question as you listen to our faculty model civil disagreement through discussion, as well as share your own opinions and reflections. With opening remarks from Professor Dan Edelstein, Faculty Director of Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE).
Welcome Reception & Class Photos*
Friday, September 20, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | The Oval
Join your fellow classmates, President Jonathan Levin, and the Stanford Tree for a special welcome for new undergraduate students at the Stanford Oval. Class photos will be taken at 10:30 a.m. We invite you to wear your neighborhood t-shirts for the class photo. Class of 2028 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.