Residential Campus
Wildcat Welcome
Dr. Jon Long
Dean of Students
Office of Student Affairs
2025 Schedule
Here’s a schedule to help you acquaint yourself with Baker and all things Wildcat when you get to campus this fall. It’ll be time to settle in, learn the ropes, and make new friends before you know it.
Wednesday, August 6
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Athletic Assistant Move-In
Residence Halls
Check-in will will be at your assigned residence hall. Please have student ID ready.
Friday, August 8
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country Move-In
Harter Union Circle Drive
Check in at the circle drive and follow instructions from Residence Life staff. More information will be sent to your student email.
Saturday, August 9
1:30 p.m. | Mandatory Student-Athlete Orientation and Residence Hall Area Meetings for New Student Athletic Assistants and New Student-Athletes: Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country
Rice Auditorium
New student-athletes will have the opportunity to meet fellow Wildcat student-athletes, hear updates from athletics staff members, and learn about campus resources. Residence Life staff members will discuss what living in a residence hall is like. Topics will include roommates, building community, programming, and tips for how to make the hall your home away from home.
Saturday, August 16
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | New Student Move-In
Harter Union Circle Drive
Check in at the circle drive and follow instructions from Residence Life staff. More information will be sent to your student email.
1:30 p.m. | First Roar
Collins Gym
Students, parents, families, and guests will join faculty and staff and the Baldwin community for the official welcome to Baker University and kickoff to Wildcat Welcome! Hear from President Fournier and Student Body President Meg Qualls, learn about the community and ways to get involved on campus, and more. Then, students will take their ceremonial walk through their class gate to officially start their journey as Wildcats.
2:30 – 3 p.m. | Commuter Student ID Pickup
Senatus Romanus Gate Lawn
Visit the commuter student table to pick up your ID and receive a gift!
3 – 5 p.m. | Fraternity Open Houses
Senatus Romanus Gate Lawn
Families and new students take a tour of the four Interfraternity Council fraternity houses. Maps can be obtained at the fraternity life information table outside of Collins Gym!
- Delta Tau Delta (𝝙𝚻𝝙) – 604 Fifth St.
- Kappa Sigma (𝚱𝚺) – 1215 Eighth St.
- Sigma Phi Epsilon (𝚺𝚽𝚬) – 412 Sixth St.
- Zeta Chi (𝚭𝚾) – 903 Eighth St.
3 – 5 p.m. | Sorority Open Houses
Senatus Romanus Gate Lawn
Families and new students take a tour of the three Panhellenic Council sorority chapter houses. Maps can be obtained at the sorority life information table outside of Collins Gym.
- Alpha Chi Omega (A𝚾Ω) – 403 Eighth St.
- Delta Delta Delta (𝝙𝝙𝝙) – 816 Fremont St.
- Zeta Tau Alpha (𝚭𝚻A) – 503 Ninth St.
5 – 6:30 p.m. | Back-to-School Picnic
Harter Union Cafeteria
Enjoy a meal with your new Baker family! This meal is free for students, parents, and guests. Feel free to say “see you soon,” and plan your return trip for Family Weekend on the weekend of September 12!
6:30 p.m. | Mandatory Residence Hall Area Meetings
Rice Auditorium
Residence Life staff members will discuss what living in a residence hall is like. Topics will include roommates, building community, programming, and tips for how to make the hall your home away from home.
7 p.m. | Class of 2029 Photo
Steps of Parmenter Hall
A picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of Baker history by having your photo taken with your new classmates. Current class photos can be found in the lobby of the Harter Union.
7:15 p.m. | New Student Welcome & Playfair
Collins Gym
Be part of this annual tradition! Join the Class of 2029 in a night of fun. Get to know your new community with entertainment and more from your orientation and Playfair teams!
11:59 p.m. | Deadline to Register for Sorority Recruitment
Sunday, August 17
Noon | Sorority Potential New Member Orientation
Alumni Center
Meet in the Alumni Center before the Meet the Greeks Fair to meet the Sorority Ambassadors, review the schedule for recruitment, and learn more about each sorority’s philanthropy.
1 – 3:15 p.m. | Meet the Greeks Sorority Recruitment
Alumni Center
Visit all three sororities to learn more about their philanthropies, get to know the members, and have some fun with yard games!
1 – 4 p.m. | Meet the Greeks Fraternity Recruitment
Hartley Plaza
Join all the fraternities for assorted games, fun, and refreshments, provided by the Interfraternity Council. All students are welcome, whether interested in Fraternity Life or not!
6 p.m. | Involvement Fair & Part-Time Job Fair
Collins Gym
Meet over 50 student organizations and local businesses as you learn how you can get involved on campus and in the community, as well as find a part-time job. You will have the opportunity to sign up to join organizations, win prizes, and more!
8 p.m. | Headphone Disco
Hartley Plaza
End the second day of Wildcat Welcome by jamming out to your favorite songs with new friends at the Headphone Disco Dance Party! Sponsored by Student Activities Council.
Monday, August 18
9 a.m. | Math Placement Test
Mulvane 401
Students who want to take a math placement exam should register by emailing mathplacement@BakerU.edu.
10:30 a.m. | BK Course Meetings – Mandatory
Rice Auditorium
Get to know your Baker Experience instructors and classmates while you learn more about your next steps in preparing for your first week of classes.
11 a.m. | Advisor Meetings – Mandatory
Rice Auditorium
Meet your academic advisor and learn more about advising at Baker.
12:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Sorority Recruitment
Alumni Center
Meet in the Alumni Center to attend the third day of recruitment events. Students will visit all three chapter houses and learn more about their sisterhood.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | SAC Fun Fest
Hartley Plaza
Join Student Activities Council for a night of fun games, food, crafts, and more!
Tuesday, August 19
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Sorority Recruitment
Alumni Center
Meet in the Alumni Center to visit one or two chapters during their preference events to hear more about the experiences of our chapter members firsthand.
1 – 3 p.m. | Academic Open House
Various Locations
Browse the different academic and support areas to learn more as you prepare for your first semester at Baker!
3 p.m. | Preprofessional Programs Orientation
Pre-Healthcare – Mulvane 211
Pre-Engineering – Mulvane 401
Pre-Nursing – Mulvane 114
Join faculty from our preprofessional programs to get acquainted and learn more before your first day of class.
4 p.m. | Mandatory Student-Athlete Orientation
For all new student-athletes who did not participate in orientation on August 9.
Rice Auditorium
New student-athletes will have the opportunity to meet fellow Wildcat student-athletes, hear updates from athletics staff members, and learn about campus resources.
5:30 p.m. | Sorority Bid Day
Hartley Plaza
Meet at Hartley Plaza for sorority bid distribution and to meet your new sisters!
Wednesday, August 20 (First Day of Classes)
First Day of Classes
Information Station
Hartley Plaza
Not sure where a specific classroom is located? Need help navigating the first day of classes? Stop by the Information Station in Hartley Plaza. Orientation leaders, faculty, and staff members will be available throughout the day to answer your questions.
Thursday, August 21
Information Station
Hartley Plaza
Not sure where a specific classroom is located? Need help navigating the first day of classes? Stop by the Information Station in Hartley Plaza. Orientation leaders, faculty, and staff members will be available throughout the day to answer your questions.
11 a.m. | University Chapel Service
Osborne Chapel
Come enjoy the first chapel service of the fall semester.
Friday, August 29
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Bid Acceptance
Harter Union Lobby
Drop off your bid card and pick up your first shirt with the letters of your chapter. This shirt is just the beginning of your brotherhood experience at Baker!