Welcome Week

New Student and Family BBQ

11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Take a breather from moving in to grab some food and connect with future classmates! 

Welcome Week Kick Off

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Alumni Gym
A formal kick off for students and families including a formal welcome from President Dell’Omo. Students will receive detailed information on Welcome Week.

Residence Hall Meetings

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Various locations
Get to know your residence hall staff and hallmates at this required session. Please see the above link for your location. 

Commuter Welcome

3 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Commuter Lounge
Commuting students will gather to meet the Association of Commuting Students and learn about ways to get connected on campus and the resources available to them.

SGA President’s Dinner

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
A welcome dinner hosted by your elected student leaders.

Class Photo

6:30 p.m.
Ben Cohen Turf Field
Come get your first Cranberry shirt and pose with your classmates for our annual class photo for the classes of 2026.

Becoming a Bronc 

7 p.m., - 8:30 p.m.
Ben Cohen Turf Field
Reconnect with your Orientation Leaders and make new friends as we come together as a class!

Outdoor Movie - Jurassic World Dominion

8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Residence Quad
Rain location: BLC Theater

Music Bingo Brunch

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Daly Dining Hall
Bingo with a twist! Come listen to your favorite tunes, win awesome prizes, and start your morning off right.

Eboné Bell: Diversity and Allyship

12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Yvonne Theater
A critical conversation exploring equity and inclusion as we work together to build a more inclusive Rider.

Lunch

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Daly Dining Hall

Cranchella

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Campus Green
Chill out on the Campus Green at this favorite Rider Welcome Week Tradition.  We’ll have inflatables, food trucks, crafts and more!

A Cappella Showcase

7 pm - 8 pm
BLC Theater
Join Rider's award-winning a cappella ensembles for a concert featuring four student-led groups performing pop music.

Hypnotist Eric Mira

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Alumni Gym
Prepare to be amazed as we welcome hypnotist Eric Mina to campus!

Residence Hall Pizza Party

9:15 p.m. 
Various residence halls
Gather in your residence hall for pizza. 

Orientation Small Group

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Fine Arts 205
Get all the "need to know" information to help you be successful at Rider. This event is for students who were unable to attend New Student Orientation in the summer. Attendance is required. 

Academic and Departmental Meetings 

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Various locations 
Meet your faculty and classmates at these mandatory meetings with your academic department. Please see the above link for your meeting location. 

Lunch

12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Daily Dining Hall

LGBTQIA+ Dessert Reception 

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
SRC Seminar Room
An opportunity for students who identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community (and allies) to connect with each other and upper class students and administrators.

Broncapalooza: Club & Org Involvement Fair

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Student Recreation Center courts
Learn more about Rider’s many Clubs and Organizations at SGA’s annual Broncapalooza Club Fair! 

New Asian Students Reception

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Mercer Room, Daly Dining Hall
A great opportunity for new students to make meaningful connections with Asian faculty/staff and other Asian students at Rider.  All are welcome! Please RSVP to assist with our planning.

Colorful Connections

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Pub
A social mixer for students of color, who wish to connect with like faculty, staff, and alumni (and allies), in hopes of creating mentoring experiences.

New Student Convocation (Postponed due to inclement weather)

Due to the threat of significant rain and potential thunderstorms, New Student Convocation is postponed. We will share a new date and time for the event as soon as possible.

Ask Me Tent and On Wednesdays We Wear Cranberry Kickoff

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Student Recreation Center (SRC) Atrium
Ease your first day of class jitters, connect with staff, and show your Rider pride.

Fitness Friday 

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
SCR sidewalk 
Join us on the sidewalk outside of the SRC for our Well-being Open House! Student-staff from the SRC and recreation programs will be available to answer questions about all of our upcoming programs and events this semester. The SRC staff will also be there to guide you through setting up your FREE SRC membership. Students who visit our table will be entered to receive one of three gift baskets. Items include yoga equipment, healthy treats, coloring books, cookbooks and more. 

Fraternity and Sorority Welcome Back BBQ

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Residence Quad
Grab some food and meet members from our 13 fraternities and sororities as we kick off the first weekend back on campus.

Rock Fest

7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Campus Green
An annual Rider tradition presented by the Student Entertainment Council featuring fireworks, live music, and food trucks!

Drag Race

7 p.m. 
Yvonne Theater
One of the most exciting events on campus is the annual Drag Race.  Student and local performers sass, shade, and style with amazing talent and pride!