Welcome to RU Orientation! Orientation takes place in two different parts. Part one happens over the summer during SOAR. Part two takes place the weekend before you start your first semester. Both parts present different and important information to set you up for success. Specifically, through Orientation you’ll:

• Learn about all the resources Rockhurst has to offer
• Meet faculty, staff, and student leaders who will introduce you to the spirit and traditions of RU
• Explore academic and campus involvement opportunities
• Meet new friends

Truly your Orientation to your new home begins as early as May 20, 2022 with our first SOAR session. Be sure to register and review the schedule.

Whether you are a transfer or a first-year student you’ll feel welcome among your fellow classmates and excited for what lies ahead. What better way to kick off your time here at RU! Throughout the summer, please look out for emails as well as information mailed to your home address. Please check your Rockhurst email at least once a week! Haven't set that up yet? Contact Computer Services if you need help!

New Student Orientation Details

For those living on campus staggered move in begins Thursday, August 18, 2022. Each new residential student will be assigned either a morning or afternoon move in time on Thursday, August 18, 2022 or Friday, August 19, 2022.  Welcome and Orientation events begin as soon as you move in.  

If you are living on campus, you will be assigned a day and time range to move in. Simply drive up to the front of the residence hall where you will be greeted by staff and students who will guide you through the move in process. There you will receive your key and other important information and begin settling in. Orientation details and a packet of information including your class schedule and another checklist of things to complete on your first few days on campus will be given to you at check in. Activities and events will keep you busy on campus once you’ve moved in until classes begin. Plan to stay on campus the entire time.

If you are not living on campus Orientation begins for you on Friday, August 19. We will have a special commuter welcome and check in. Plan on spending your weekend on campus. 

Remember the Important Checklist to Complete Before Orientation.

Fall Orientation Weekend Schedule

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2022 

7:30 a.m. Daily Mass, Mabee Chapel  

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Orientation check-in, Kinerk Commons 

Campus tours being offered while check-in is open 

9 a.m.-noon Move-in shift 1  

1-4 p.m. Move-in shift 2 

1-4 p.m. Resource fair, RockRoom 

4 p.m. Student panel/family panel, various locations 

5 p.m. Dinner for all students and families who have moved in, Kinerk Commons 

6 p.m. Game night, RockRoom 

6:30 p.m. Photo challenge, handout in orientation folder 

7 p.m. Movie night, Arrupe Auditorium   

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022 

7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Orientation check-in, Kinerk Commons 

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Campus tours offered 

7–10 a.m. Move-in shift 3 

9 a.m. Yoga on the Quad, Kinerk Commons 

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Resource fair, RockRoom 

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Move-in shift 4 

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Family open house, Magis Activity Center 101, please register here

2 p.m. Commuter student check-in and welcome, Arrupe 114 

3:30 p.m. University welcome for students and families from President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., Arrupe Auditorium 

3:40 p.m. University blessing, Cindy Schmersal, vice president for mission and ministry, Arrupe Auditorium  

3:45 p.m. Say your goodbyes 

4:10 p.m. Residence hall building meeting  

4:10 p.m. Commuter student social, commuter lounge 

5:10 p.m. Welcome gathering for all new students, Arrupe Auditorium 

6 p.m. Dinner in teams, TMDR 

6:45 p.m. Orientation kickoff, soccer field 

7:30 p.m. Block party, Lower Bourke  

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022 

8 a.m. Breakfast on your own, TMDR 

9 a.m. Team up and Finucane kickoff – Blessing and Katie Gregg, our core values speaker  

9:30 a.m. Finucane Service Project, travel, serve, reflect 

1 p.m. Lunch  

2 p.m. Dividing lines tour welcome, Arrupe Auditorium 

2:30 p.m. Dividing lines tour via bus 

4:30 p.m. Team meeting, reflection from Dividing Lines 

5 p.m. Cook out on the Quad, Kinerk Commons 

6:30 p.m. Pep rally, Mason Halpin Field House 

7:15 p.m. Walk to UMKC  

7:30 p.m. UMKC Men’s soccer game vs. Rockhurst  

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022 

8 a.m. Mindfulness 

8:30 a.m. Breakfast on your own, TMDR 

9:30 a.m. Team up  

10 a.m. Campus security and Title IX, followed by a team meeting 

11 a.m. Olympics  

1 p.m. Lunch and free time  

3 p.m. Team up 

3:15 p.m. Technology team meeting  

3:45 p.m. Area of study break out 

4-5 p.m. Meet your college  

-Pre-Med: Science Center 115 

-Pre-Professional: Van Ackeren Learning Center 

-Arts and Sciences: Arrupe Auditorium 

-Business: Conway Hall 

-Nursing: Sedgwick Hall 

5 p.m. Meet Your Major 

5:15 p.m. Student Success tabling 

6 p.m. University Mass, Mabee Chapel, optional 

7:15 p.m. Dinner on Lower Bourke, Class of 2026 photo 

8 p.m. Closing candlelight vigil

Discounted Hotel Accommodations