All information is subject to change. Specific sessions will be added as confirmed. Descriptions for specific events will also be added as we near Orientation.
U= Undergraduates
P= Parents
UP = Undergraduates and Parents
Thursday, August 25 | Friday, August 26 | Saturday, August 27 | Sunday, August 28
8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Orientation Headquarters Open, Library Patio. UP.
Your first stop when you arrive to campus as a commuter student! Residential students are welcome to drop by after they move in to their residence hall. Orientation headquarters services to help all new students and family members build a sense of community on campus by providing information, resources, and free materials you will need for Orientation Weekend.
9:00 a.m. - Residence Halls Open, Residence Hall Quads, UP.
If you are living on campus, go directly to your residence hall to check in. Hall staff and returning students will meet you there, issue you a key and nametag and show you to your room, where you can unpack, meet your roommates, and get settled. Once you're settled, be sure to stop by the Orientation Headquarters to receive useful information.
Move in time is based on room assignment. If your room assignment is even, you can move in between 9 am - 12 pm. If your assignment is odd, 1 pm - 4 pm.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Pilot Family Hospitality Tent, Pilot House Patio, P.
Located next to the UP Bookstore, Alumni & Parent Relations will be hosting a comfortable place to drop by have snacks, pick up some UP swag and meet other families.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Drop-in Hours for Academic Program Counselors. UP.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Departmental Open Houses, Various Locations. UP.
The following departments will hold open houses for new students and their families:
4:00 p.m. - New Student Athlete and Parent Meeting, Bauccio Commons Dining Room. UP.
Parents of new student athletes will meet with coaches and staff, and hear brief presentations about the athletic program, including information on academic advising, NCAA compliance, athletic training, physical health, and other initiatives.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Dinner on your own. UP.
It is important that all students eat dinner before evening activities begin at 6:00 p.m. Both the Pilot House and Bauccio Commons will be open. For a list of student recommended local restaurants, please stop by Orientation Headquarters located at the Clark Library Patio.
6:00 p.m. - All Aboard! New Student Social, Etzel Field. U.
This first social event for new students at UP is designed to help you meet and interact with the class of 2026. Dress in something comfortable as you will be moving around! When you look back on your first four days at UP, you will definitely think of this as one of the highlights! You will also learn from student leaders about the variety of extracurricular activities and opportunities for student involvement beyond the classroom.
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Meeting for Parents of New Resident Students, Residence Hall Lounges. P.
Parents of new resident students will meet with the hall staff and pastoral resident to learn about life in the residence hall. Topics will include navigating hall life, coping with homesickness, community standards, and hall policies.
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m . - Meetings for Parents of New Commuter Students. Franz 120. P.
Parents of new commuter students will meet to learn about life on campus as a commuter student.
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Parent and Family Social, Bauccio Commons Dining Room and Bluff Lawn. P.
After a busy day, join the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations for an evening of refreshments and snacks as they welcome you to campus and provide an opportunity for you to connect with other Pilot parents and University staff.
7:30 p.m. - Residence Hall Meeting and Quad Activities, Residence Hall Lounges. U.
This will be the first opportunity for residents to meet with hall staff and other new residents in the hall. After the meeting each quad will host a series of fun activities that will be sure to help you feel like a welcome addition to the community. Your hall staff will provide more details upon arrival.
7:30 p.m. - Commuter Student Social, St. Mary's Lounge. U.
Come meet and spend time with fellow commuter students. Learn about comfortable and convenient places on campus to gather with friends or study in between classes. Refreshments will be provided.
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Orientation Headquarters Open, Library Patio. UP.
If you haven’t already, check in at Orientation Headquarters to receive your Orientation materials. Orientation Assistants will be available to answer questions and guide you in the right direction.
8:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast, Chiles Center Plaza. UP.
Join us for complimentary pastries, juice, and coffee before you attend the President's Welcome!
9:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.) - President's Welcome, Chiles Center Arena. UP.
The President’s Welcome officially opens Orientation Weekend. This is a highlight of Orientation weekend that you and your parents wont want to miss. You'll be introduced to a host of university officials, meet university president Dr Robert Kelly, and learn more about the University's mission of Teaching and Learning, Faith and Formation, Service and Leadership.
10:00 a.m. - University of Portland as a Partner with Parents, Chiles Center Arena. P.
This presentation will address key areas of student development in which both parents and the University can work together for each student’s success.
10:15 a.m. - Anchor Workshop #1 (Introductions), Various Assigned Classrooms. U.
Anchor workshops, one part to the Anchor, have approximately 20-25 first year students and will meet eight times throughout the weekend. The first meeting will be an opportunity to get acquainted with peers, discuss the purpose of orientation and what to expect, and to answer questions. Attendance at orientation Anchor sessions will be part of the attendance grade for the seminar class during the semester.
10:15 a.m. - Transfer Student Orientation #1, Dundon-Berchtold 031. U.
Transfer students will meet together independently from first-year students to learn about the University and resources available.
11:15 a.m. - Pilots Are, Various Assigned Classrooms. U.
This engaging presentation will highlight the diversity of our institution and how we can all come together, sharing our full selves, with our multitude of identities to create an inclusive and productive academic community.
11:15 a.m. - Parent Session Options. P.
12:00 p.m. - Lunch Pick-Up, Academic Quad. UP.
Stop by and enjoy this "grab-and-go" complimentary lunch.
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m... - WELL-come to the Bluff!, Academic Quad. UP.
Here at UP, we want you to know that you are more than the grade you get on an exam. We value the whole person, and we encourage you to take care of all the dimensions of your health and wellness. Start the year strong and join us to learn more about wellness resources and learn about a few ways to reduce your stress and take care of yourself. We’ll have lots of free food, games, and fun!
2:30 p.m. Transfer Student Orientation #2, Dundon-Berchtold 031. U.
2:30 p.m. - Parent Session Options. P.
3:30 p.m. - We are a Community Against Violence: Preventing violence once Green Dot at a time, Chiles Center Arena. U.
The University of Portland is committed to preventing interpersonal violence including: stalking, dating violence, and sexual assault. Green Dot is a strategy that gives every one of us the opportunity to do our part. As active bystanders, we have the power to prevent others from being hurt and to proactively create a culture that does not tolerate violence. Join us and learn what you can do. All new students are expected to attend this program.
3:30 p.m. - Parent Session Options P.
4:30 p.m. - Bite on the Bluff, Chiles Center Plaza. UP.
The annual Bite on The Bluff is coming back to UP! This year’s event is our 14th anniversary! The event is a pre-soccer game no host food festival featuring some of Portland’s best food trucks, like Voodoo Doughnut, Koi Fusion and MidCity SmashBurger. All vendors will accept debit/credit cards or cash. During Bite on the Bluff, the UP Bookstore will be providing a special VIP event with discounted pricing on popular UP logo merchandise and more. Stop by to pick up your game day gear!
7:00 p.m. - Men's Soccer Game vs. Central Arkansas, Merlo Field. UP.
The Pilots men’s soccer team will battle the Central Arkansas Bears. The first 2,500 fans will receive a UP branded reusable tote bag so make sure to get your tickets now as we are expecting a sell-out crowd. Visit https://portlandpilots.com/tickets or call the Pilots Box Office at x7525.
Orientation game prices: Stadium Chair - $26.00, Bench Back - $21.00, General Admission Adult Bleacher - $15.00, General Admission Children - $10.00, UP Students - free with student ID card.
9:00 p.m. - Karaoke Night, Pilot House. UP.
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Orientation Headquarters Open, Library Patio. UP.
8:45 a.m. - Academic Meetings for Parents and Families. UP.
10:00 a.m. - Anchor Workshop #2 (Campus Tour), Various Assigned Classrooms. U.
Students will learn about on-line platforms UP utilizes to enhance the academic and social experience on campus. Students will also take time to tour of academic buildings and learn about specific academic resources.
10:00 a.m. - Transfer Student Orientation #3, Dundon-Berchtold 031. U.
10:00 a.m. - Parent Session(s) P.
11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m - Lunch Pick-Up, Academic Quad. UP.
Fill your complimentary lunch bag with a sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, and beverage.
11:00 a.m. - Anchor Seminar #1 (6:00 p.m. sections), Various Locations. U.
This session will offer a soft start to students' academic experience at UP through a faculty-led introduction to the big ideas, big questions, and academic values that are the foundation of a UP education. Students will be directed from their smaller student-led workshop groups to meet in a classroom setting with a faculty member who will teach their larger Anchor Seminar section throughout the Fall semester. (Note that while students in 6:00 p.m. Anchor seminar sections meet with their class during this time, students in 7:00 p.m. sections will have a guided task to learn more about the campus and the university's educational mission.
12:30 p.m. - Anchor Seminar #1 (7:00 p.m. sections), Various Locations. U.
This session will offer a soft start to students' academic experience at UP through a faculty-led introduction to the big ideas, big questions, and academic values that are the foundation of a UP education. Students will be directed from their smaller student-led workshop groups to meet in a classroom setting with a faculty member who will teach their larger Anchor Seminar section throughout the Fall semester. (Note that while students in 7:00 p.m. Anchor seminar sections meet with their class during this time, students in 6:00 p.m. sections will have a guided task to learn more about the campus and the university's educational mission.)
1:30 p.m. - Anchor Workshop #3 (Preparing for the First Day of Class), Various Assigned Classrooms. U.
After hearing from members of the faculty, Anchor leaders will wrap up the day by discussing academic expectations, preparations for the first day of class, and how to transition successfully into the University of Portland academic community.
1:30 p.m. - Transfer Student Orientation #4, Dundon-Berchtold 031. U.
2:30 p.m. - Optional Sessions UP.
3:30 p.m. - Optional Sessions. UP
5:00 p.m. - Orientation Mass, doors open at 4:30 p.m.., academic procession begins at 4:45 p.m.., Chiles Center Arena. UP.
Father John Donato, C.S.C. President of Student Affairs will preside, and Father Peter Walsh, C.S.C. Director of Mission and Ministry, will deliver the homily as we join together in prayer to welcome and bless the Class of 2026. New students are invited to sit together as a class. All faiths are welcome to this celebration of Catholic Mass.
6:00 p.m. - Dinner on Your Own and Farewell to Parents. UP.
8:15 p.m. - PlayItUP, Residence Hall Students gather at Quad Lawns, Commuter Students gather at St. Mary's Lounge. U.
Enjoy time with your classmates in teams working together all across campus to solve puzzles in The Great Game!
7:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Air Force ROTC Onboarding Activities, Kenna Basement. U.
8:00 a.m. - Auditions for University Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Pep Band, Buckley Center Auditorium. U.
All interested brass, wind, percussion, and string players are encouraged to audition. To schedule an audition, and for further information, please contact: For brass/woodwinds/percussion: Patrick Murphy at murphyp@up.edu, or 503.943.8789. For strings: Rebekah Hanson at hansonr@up.edu, or 503.943.7153.
8:00 a.m. - Auditions for University Choir, Mago Hunt Recital Hall. U.
All interested singers are encouraged to audition. To schedule an audition, and for further information, please contact David De Lyser at delyser@up.edu, or 503.943.7382.
10:00 a.m. - Auditions for University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos, Mago Hunt Theater. U
All interested students are encouraged to audition. To schedule an audition, and for further information, please contact Don Norton at nortond@up.edu or 503.943.8766.
12:00 p.m. - Commuter Student Picnic, St. Mary's Lounge. U.
Spend time getting to know fellow commuter students. Lunch will be provided.
1:00 p.m. - Women's Soccer Game vs. Montana, Merlo Field. U.
3:30 p.m. - Anchor Workshop Check In, Various Assigned Classrooms. U.
Students will check-in with their Anchor workshop to debrief the day and prepare for the Can I Kiss You? presentation.
4:00 p.m. - Can I Kiss You?, Chiles Center Arena. U.
Since you come to the Bluff from different experiences and backgrounds, UP wants to be sure all students understand consent. Consent is fundamental to relationships not only while you are a Pilot, but as you move into the world after UP. This program, Can I Kiss You?, provides an interactive approach to discussing the importance of consent, its definition, and how to obtain consent from another person.
7:00 p.m. - Study Abroad, Buckley Auditorium. U.
8:30 p.m. - Bell Tower Ceremony, Bell Tower Plaza. U.
Orientation Weekend culminates in a ceremony at the iconic Bell Tower. All new students are invited to gather together for this special tradition. The candle light ceremony will include a celebratory peal of the bells and the singing of the University’s alma mater.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
