Residence Halls and Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom
It’s time to check-in for Orientation (including students who moved in early!). Get your room key, MacPass (student ID), name tag, and orientation schedule here
Leonard Center, Schall Atrium
Stop by our resource fair to meet staff from the Center for Disability Resources, Student Employment, Academic Success, Information Technology Services, the Sustainability Office, Career Exploration, and more.
DeWitt Wallace Library
Leonard Center Fieldhouse
Enjoy an all-campus lunch with fellow new students and families at the Leonard Center Fieldhouse.
Meet at the flagpole (Rain: Weyerhaeuser Chapel)
Familiarize yourself with the Macalester campus by taking a student-led tour. There will be two tours at 12 - 1 PM and 1 - 2 PM.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Brought to you by the Center for Disability Resources and Café Mac leadership. Learn about inclusive food accommodation practices available to students dining on campus. This orientation event is for students and parents/guests who manage food allergies, sensitivities, celiac disease and medical diets. The event includes a tour of Café Mac that highlights need-to-know information: where to find ingredient labels at each food station, sourcing gluten free items, and a discussion of food safety practices. A question and answer session with General Manager Amy Tomes and Executive Chef Chad Plotnik will be part of the tour. Staff from CDR will be available to talk with students and families individually after the event.
Mairs Concert Hall
This session will cover a range of ways parents and families can help support their students in the transition to college. This event will feature speakers from a range of support resources on campus.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Incoming students are divided into orientation groups called Scottish Houses. Each house is led by student Orientation Leaders (OLs). The name of your House will be communicated to you during the summer and can be found on your Orientation name tag or on MacNav. Look for the sign with your Scottish House’s name.
Mandatory event for new students.
Leonard Center, Fieldhouse
President Suzanne Rivera will welcome new students and their families to the Macalester community.
Mandatory event for new students.
Leonard Center, Fieldhouse
Begin your Macalester journey by exploring the people, resources, values, and expectations that shape our community. You'll get an overview of what to expect during Orientation, learn how it is designed to support your transition to college, and hear from campus leaders and Orientation Leaders about finding belonging and asking for help along the way.
Mandatory event for new students.
Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, Lowe Dayton Arts Commons
We invite you to gather and mingle with fellow parents, staff, and faculty.
If your family will be departing on Monday, we recommend saying farewell at this time; however, there is no formal farewell program so parents/families are welcome to depart from campus whenever works best for their situation.
Kagin Lawn (Rain: Davis Court)
Various Residence Halls- check email from your RA
Bateman Plaza (Rain: Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center)
Join us for a cozy evening on Bateman Plaza and the Great Lawn, featuring fire pits (weather permitting), gooey s’mores, and live music from a DJ. It’s the perfect chance to unwind and connect with your fellow first-years after a busy first day!
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
FYC classrooms- check your name tag or MacNav
Get to know your FYC professor, hear about the course, and learn more about academic advising.
Mandatory event for new students.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Various locations - check MacNav
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations
Check out details at https://www.macalester.edu/orientation/2026-workshopandwellnessbreak/
DeWitt Wallace Library, Harmon Room
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
DeWitt Wallace Library, Harmon Room
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
Campus Center, 2nd Floor
Want to know more about learning languages at Mac? Please join us at the World Languages Fair. Chat with our language faculty, learn about study and travel opportunities that span the globe.
Briggs House
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
DeWitt Wallace Library, Harmon Room
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
Various locations - check MacNav
Mandatory event for new students.
DeWitt Wallace Library, Harmon Room
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
Mandatory event for transfer/exchange students
Campus Center, The Loch
Join the Center for Disability Resources team and our Mentor-Up mentors for a fun and welcoming opportunity to connect! This event is open to all students who work with the Center for Disability Resources, as well as anyone interested in learning more about our office and the Mentor-Up program. Come hang out, meet other students, enjoy coloring and other activities, win prizes, and grab some snacks. We look forward to seeing you there!
Campus Center, Café Mac
Leonard Center Portico/Shaw Field/Gym
Cheer on the Macalester Women's Volleyball team in their season opening match. Free desserts for first years will be available in the parking lot, along with opportunities to learn more about Mac’s club sports teams. Spirit competitions will take place during the game with prizes for winners.
Mairs Concert Hall
Mandatory event for new students.
Kagin Ballroom
This session is designed to help you understand why social justice and equity are central to Macalester's mission. In this session, you’ll learn about the offices leading this work and what this work looks like on our campus, and learn how to get involved. We’ll also share how our division supports and empowers you to build strong communities, deepen self-awareness, think critically and learn to navigate systems. Join us to learn about our programs, services, and all the ways you can plug in.
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Various Locations
Check out details at https://www.macalester.edu/orientation/2026-workshopandwellnessbreak/
Line starts at Weyerhaeuser Hall, bell tower
200 tickets to the Minnesota State Fair will be available for First Year students! Line starts in front of Weyerhaeuser Hall, by the bell tower, starting at 12 pm. Students will need Orientation name tags to secure tickets. Tickets will be distributed as long as supplies last, they go fast! Students can attend any day, but are encouraged to attend on Sunday.
Markim Hall, Davis Court
An time to gather and have lunch with other students who took a gap year(s) after high school, who transferred to Macalester, or who are attending Macalester as exchange students.
Kagin Ballroom
This session is designed to help you understand why social justice and equity are central to Macalester's mission. In this session, you’ll learn about the offices leading this work and what this work looks like on our campus, and learn how to get involved. We’ll also share how our division supports and empowers you to build strong communities, deepen self-awareness, think critically and learn to navigate systems. Join us to learn about our programs, services, and all the ways you can plug in.
Mandatory event for new students.
Mairs Concert Hall
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Kagin, Fleming Room
Come and check out the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice (LSC) to learn more about the space and our programming, and meet other students who share your identities! We will provide snacks and guided conversation before you explore and connect on your own!
Various locations
Check out details at https://www.macalester.edu/orientation/2026-workshopandwellnessbreak/
Campus Center, Café Mac
Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, Chapel, Lower Level
Looking for Christian community while at Macalester? Come chat and reflect on new beginnings over s'mores, refreshments and a bonfire with student leaders and Chaplain Sorrel!
Campus Center/Bateman Plaza
Discover everything the Campus Center has to offer at the Campus Center Extravaganza, a lively night of mini golf, arcade games, creative crafts, and free snacks and more!
Mairs Concert Hall
Mandatory event for new students.
Kagin Ballroom
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Mairs Concert Hall
Mandatory event for new students.
Kagin Ballroom
Mandatory event for new students.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Kagin Ballroom
Watch your classmates demonstrate their talents or show off your own at this annual talent show!
Various locations
Check out details at https://www.macalester.edu/orientation/2026-workshopandwellnessbreak/
Campus Center, Café Mac
Weyerhaeuser Boardroom
Join us for an interactive lunch with members of the first-gen-to-college community at Mac. Make connections and ask anything about college life to make your transition a little smoother. No question is too small.
Various Locations - check name tag or MacNav to view your location
Mandatory event for new students.
Stadium Field
Mandatory event for new students.
Center for Religious & Spiritual Life, Chapel, Lower Level
Members of the Muslim community are invited to gather for conversation with MSA (Muslim Student Association) student leaders, a tour of prayer spaces, and Jumu’ah prayer led by Chaplain Neshet.
Kagin Commons, 1st Floor
Interested in the programming and support that International Student Programs (ISP) provides to international students at Mac? Come for snacks and activities.
Center for Religious & Spiritual Life, Chapel, Lower Level
Connect with other incoming Jewish students, Macalester Jewish Organization leaders, and Macalester’s Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman for a moment of Shabbat peace to round out orientation week. We’ll sing a little, schmooze, light candles, taste some challah, and eat a light pizza dinner.
Campus Center, Café Mac
Great Lawn
Enjoy the beautiful late summer weather by taking in an outdoor movie on the Great Lawn with free popcorn!
Campus Center, The Loch
Come join Director of Forensics Beau Larsen, Forensics Coach Casey Moerer, and student leaders from Mock Trial, Moot Court, ModelUN, Ethics Bowl and Policy Debate to hear about what it means to compete on a collegiate forensics team at Mac. Prospective students will learn about practice schedules, time commitments and how to join one of our teams!
Idea Lab, DeWitt Wallace Library
Can you create a breakthrough innovation in two hours or less? Join the Entrepreneurship & Innovation team for a fast-paced, hands-on challenge where you’ll meet new people, uncover opportunities, generate bold ideas, and build a prototype—all before time runs out! Along the way, you’ll experience the creative process behind programs like Macathon, the Live It Fund, MacNest, Mac Startups, and the Idea Lab. No business idea or entrepreneurship experience is needed—just bring your curiosity, creativity, and willingness to experiment!
Kagin Lawn (Rain: The Loch)
If you're planning to go to the Minnesota State Fair, today is the suggested day.
Kagin Ballroom
Kagin Ballroom
During this workshop, you will learn about how we are all working to decarbonize campus and reduce our waste. You will also learn how you can get involved in campus sustainability initiatives, and take advantage of resources on campus that will allow you to shop, eat, or travel more sustainably and affordably.
Leonard Center
Crawford Hall
Join us to learn more about and see a performance of the African Music Ensemble which performs traditional African music primarily from Ghana, but also from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Guinea, The Gambia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Meet at Free Swap, 1550 Summit Ave
Leonard Center, Alumni Gymnasium
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to gather for Opening Convocation to officially start the academic year. 11 a.m. doors open The program runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program starts promptly at 11:30 a.m.