Fall 2026 Orientation
At Orientation, you’ll settle into your new residence hall, meet your classmates, and familiarize yourself with the campus and community. Orientation is marked by fun events, great food, and lasting memories!
- September 3 (Move-In Day): Required for all students living on campus.
- September 4: Required for first-year students (optional for transfer students).
- September 5: The fun continues! More events are available for students. Required for all first-year and transfer students (specific transfer student event this day).
- September 8: Classes begin for all students.
See detailed schedules below.
Orientation Schedules
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
9:00 am-2:00 pm | Move-In | Residential first-year and transfer students
*family/guests welcome
Sodexo family lunch option
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | CSP Resources Lounge | Library
Get all of your last minute questions answered, take as much time as you need and also get a photo with your new Golden Bear! Meet resource departments like tutoring, SAS, helpdesk, and Financial Aid. Also, take a minute to visit our notes and care package station with your college student!
3:00 pm-3:30 pm | College Transitions | Buetow Auditorium
A special welcome and time set aside for all new residential student families to celebrate their student becoming a Golden Bear and hear about the transition to college.
*family/guests encouraged to attend
Meet Your Comet’s Crew | Knoll
While parents hear from campus leaders, students will meet their Orientation leader and learn about the rest of the week’s plans.
*students only
3:30 pm – 3:50 pm | President’s Ice Cream Social | The Fellowship Plaza
All new students and their families are invited to join Comet and student leaders for an ice cream treat.
*family/guests welcome
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm | Golden Bear Prayer | The Fellowship Plaza
CSP Ministry will lead a time of prayer and worship to welcome new students. There will be time for families to say goodbye to their students at this time.
*family/guests welcome
**4:00-4:45 pm | Your Hall, Your Home: Tips, Tricks & Meet the Team | Buetow
Meet Residence Life staff and other students who are living in all residence halls across campus. Staff will provide tips and tricks for successfully living on campus!
5:00 pm-7:00pm | Life in St. Paul | Knoll/BEC
Join your RA for dinner and learn about various partner businesses in St Paul.
7:00 pm- 9:00 pm | Grow your Connection| Dining Hall
Meet your RA and join Res Life grad assistants to create succulents for your dorm
room.
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Comet’s Crew Activities | Knoll/Community Lounge/Chatman Center
Play volleyball/basketball, complete a craft, or connect over board games
10:00 pm-10:30 pm | Evening Chapel | Chapel
Join CSP Ministry for the first chapel of the 2026-27 academic year!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
8:30 am-9:30 am | Orientation Check-in | Pearson Commons
The opportunity for all students to check in and receive their CSP welcome gifts.
9:30 am-10:00 am | Golden Bear Launch | Buetow
All new students will be welcomed during our Orientation kick-off event by President Friedrich, the Student Body President, and our Orientation leaders.
10:00 am-10:45 am | Meet Your Major | Various campus locations (BEC, Buetow, Pearson, LTC 214-215, LTC 218-219, Band room, Choir room)
Meet the people you’ll be in classes with and learn more about your major.
10:45 am-11:15 am | Comet’s Crew Meeting | Assigned Classrooms
All new students will meet their Comet’s Crew group. This is an opportunity to connect with your assigned Comet’s Crew group. CC leaders are current CSP students who will guide you through your orientation process. They will encourage, mentor, and help ease your transition to a new college campus.
11:15 am-11:45 am | Get Connected | Library & Knoll
Students will have the opportunity to meet faculty within their major, connect with an Academic Advisor to have their academic schedule reviewed, ask questions, and talk to various departments on campus that have programs to get involved. Every student who completes their checklist will be entered to win a 55’’ TV!
11:45 am-12:30 pm | Comet’s Cookout | Knoll
Enjoy food, friends, and fun. Tailgating-style on the Knoll!
12:30 pm-1:45 pm | CSP Olympics | Ganglehoff Center
Compete in different games, navigate an obstacle course, and get to know a new group of students as you enjoy CSP’s version of a team challenge course.
2:00-4:45 pm | Service Project | Off-site locations
Serve at Feed My Starving Children with your fellow Golden Bears! Transportation will be provided and those who attend will receive a complimentary meal voucher to have dinner when they return. (120 spots 2:30-4:15)Alternative options:
Advising 1:1 meetings
Meet with your academic advisor to go over your fall schedule. (optional, not required)Financial Aid 1:1 meetings
Meet with your financial aid representative to go over your financial aid package. (optional, not required)
5:00-6:30 pm | Meal Plan Dinner | Dining Hall
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Evening Chapel | Graebner Memorial Chapel
7:00 p.m.-8:00 pm | Comedy Sportz | Buetow
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm | Open Gym | Gangelhoff Center
Enjoy teaming up with your new classmates for an open gym. Basketball, volleyball, and soccer are all great options
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
9:30-10:00 am | Donut Social | Knoll
Come early enough to enjoy a donut on the knoll with Comet’s Crew!
10:00-11:15 am | Title IX and Alcohol Education Seminar | Buetow
11:15 am-12:00 pm | Comet’s Crew Meeting | CSP Classrooms
12:00 pm-1:00 pm | (“Golden Bear Bites”) Lunch with Student Life | Knoll
Taste of St. Paul. Enjoy a catered lunch with the student life team; a variety of food will be served from four different St Paul restaurants. Allergy-friendly options will be available.
1:30 pm-4:30 pm | (“Bears on the Beach”) Beach Day | Off-Campus
Bus transportation from campus to a local beach is provided. Join your peers and Comet’s Crew and enjoy downtime on the beach or to play lawn games; ice cream will be provided!
7:00 pm-9:00 pm Paint and Sip | Buenger Education Center
Join the Chatman Center team to create your own artwork and mix and mingle with your new peers!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
Returning student move-in will be 11 am-2 pm.
10:00 am | Campus Morning Worship | Chapel
Concordia students typically join with local congregations for their Sunday worship, but this morning we offer new and returning students the opportunity to worship together on campus.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | St. Paul Stroll | Meet at Pearson Commons
Join in on a walk through the neighborhood and get a treat at a local business.
3:00 pm-4:00 pm | Mario Kart Tournament and DIY Planners | BEC
Hang out and enjoy snacks while competing in a Mario Kart tournament and/or designing your own planner.
4:00 pm-6:00 pm | Fine and Performing Arts Open House | Pearson theatre lobby
Enjoy snacks and dirty sodas! Learn about our upcoming Theatre, Dance, Art, and Music programs and connect with our faculty and student leaders. They’ll also pass out information about upcoming events, auditions, how to join ensembles, and more! All are welcome, no experience required!
6:00 pm-7:30 pm | Esports Meet and Greet | Esports Arena – Marshall building
Enjoy free food, drinks, and check out our state-of-the-art facility in our Marshall building (behind the Holiday gas station across from the Gangelhoff). In addition to meeting current players and coaches on our Esports teams, you’ll have the opportunity to test out our equipment and play some games!
7:30 pm-9:00 pm | Bear Bingo | BEC
Join the Residence Life team for the best BINGO night! PRIZES galore will make a great night! Come play a game or two or ten! All students are welcome!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
10:00 am-11:00 am | Open Yoga | Dance Studio
Join fellow CSP students for a moment of movement and relaxation. Tula Yoga Studios will be on campus to lead a yoga class open to all levels. Please bring a mat if you have one.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm | Classroom Tours | Pearson Commons
Comet’s Crew will take you around campus to find where your classes are ahead of your first day! Got questions about D2L or Google Calendar? Comet’s Crew has you covered! Swing by this drop-in session to get the inside scoop on CSP’s online tools so you’ll feel ready to tackle your first week of classes—no stress, no pressure, just helpful tips when you need them.
3:00 pm-6:00 pm | Comet’s Labor Day Party | The Knoll
Join us for Comet’s Labor Day Party! Sand volleyball, bag tournaments, disc golf hole-in-one competitions, football toss, raffle prizes, free food, free sports drinks, and more! Come hang out and meet the CSP Intramural leadership team and learn about all of our one-day tournaments, fall semester sports leagues, Intramural job openings, and more! In addition, join in on arts activities and try your hand at clay sculpture, tap dancing, face painting, and more! Learn about and sign up for fall theatre, dance, music, and arts programs. All are welcome!
6:00 pm-7:00 pm | Residence Hall Floor Meetings | Residence Halls
All students who live in a CSP residence hall should plan to attend! Your RA will let you know where to meet.
7:30 pm-9:00 pm Silent Disco | BEC
-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
8:30 am-9:30 am | Orientation Check-in | Pearson Commons
The opportunity for all students to check in and receive their CSP welcome gifts.
9:30 am-10:00 am | Golden Bear Launch | Buetow
All new students will be welcomed during our Orientation kick-off event by President Friedrich, the Student Body President, and our Orientation leaders.
10:00 am-10:45 am | Meet Your Major | Various campus locations (BEC, Buetow, Pearson, LTC 214-215, LTC 218-219, Band room, Choir room)
Meet the people you’ll be in classes with and learn more about your major.
10:45 am-11:15 am | Comet’s Crew Meeting | Assigned Classrooms
All new students will meet their Comet’s Crew group. This is an opportunity to connect with your assigned Comet’s Crew group. CC leaders are current CSP students who will guide you through your orientation process. They will encourage, mentor, and help ease your transition to a new college campus.
11:15 am-11:45 am | Get Connected | Library & Knoll
Students will have the opportunity to meet faculty within their major, connect with an Academic Advisor to have their academic schedule reviewed, ask questions, and talk to various departments on campus that have programs to get involved. Every student who completes their checklist will be entered to win a 55’’ TV!
11:45 am-12:30 pm | Comet’s Cookout | Knoll
Enjoy food, friends, and fun. Tailgating-style on the Knoll!
12:30 pm-1:45 pm | CSP Olympics | Ganglehoff Center
Compete in different games, navigate an obstacle course, and get to know a new group of students as you enjoy CSP’s version of a team challenge course.
2:00-4:45 pm | Service Project | Off-site locations
Serve at Feed My Starving Children with your fellow Golden Bears! Transportation will be provided and those who attend will receive a complimentary meal voucher to have dinner when they return. (120 spots 2:30-4:15)Alternative options:
Advising 1:1 meetings
Meet with your academic advisor to go over your fall schedule. (optional, not required)Financial Aid 1:1 meetings
Meet with your financial aid representative to go over your financial aid package. (optional, not required)
5:00-6:30 pm | Meal Plan Dinner | Dining Hall
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Evening Chapel | Graebner Memorial Chapel
7:00 p.m.-8:00 pm | Comedy Sportz | Buetow
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm | Open Gym | Gangelhoff Center
Enjoy teaming up with your new classmates for an open gym. Basketball, volleyball, and soccer are all great options
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
9:30-10:00 am | Donut Social | Knoll
Come early enough to enjoy a donut on the knoll with Comet’s Crew!
10:00-11:15 am | Title IX and Alcohol Education Seminar | Buetow
11:15 am-12:00 pm | Comet’s Crew Meeting | CSP Classrooms
12:00 pm-1:00 pm | (“Golden Bear Bites”) Lunch with Student Life | Knoll
Taste of St. Paul. Enjoy a catered lunch with the student life team; a variety of food will be served from four different St Paul restaurants. Allergy-friendly options will be available.
1:30 pm-4:30 pm | (“Bears on the Beach”) Beach Day | Off-Campus
Bus transportation from campus to a local beach is provided. Join your peers and Comet’s Crew and enjoy downtime on the beach or to play lawn games; ice cream will be provided!
7:00 pm-9:00 pm Paint and Sip | Buenger Education Center
Join the Chatman Center team to create your own artwork and mix and mingle with your new peers!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
Returning student move-in will be 11 am-2 pm.
10:00 am | Campus Morning Worship | Chapel
Concordia students typically join with local congregations for their Sunday worship, but this morning we offer new and returning students the opportunity to worship together on campus.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | St. Paul Stroll | Meet at Pearson Commons
Join in on a walk through the neighborhood and get a treat at a local business.
3:00 pm-4:00 pm | Mario Kart Tournament and DIY Planners | BEC
Hang out and enjoy snacks while competing in a Mario Kart tournament and/or designing your own planner.
4:00 pm-6:00 pm | Fine and Performing Arts Open House | Pearson theatre lobby
Enjoy snacks and dirty sodas! Learn about our upcoming Theatre, Dance, Art, and Music programs and connect with our faculty and student leaders. They’ll also pass out information about upcoming events, auditions, how to join ensembles, and more! All are welcome, no experience required!
6:00 pm-7:30 pm | Esports Meet and Greet | Esports Arena – Marshall building
Enjoy free food, drinks, and check out our state-of-the-art facility in our Marshall building (behind the Holiday gas station across from the Gangelhoff). In addition to meeting current players and coaches on our Esports teams, you’ll have the opportunity to test out our equipment and play some games!
7:30 pm-9:00 pm | Bear Bingo | BEC
Join the Residence Life team for the best BINGO night! PRIZES galore will make a great night! Come play a game or two or ten! All students are welcome!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
10:00 am-11:00 am | Open Yoga | Dance Studio
Join fellow CSP students for a moment of movement and relaxation. Tula Yoga Studios will be on campus to lead a yoga class open to all levels. Please bring a mat if you have one.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm | Classroom Tours | Pearson Commons
Comet’s Crew will take you around campus to find where your classes are ahead of your first day! Got questions about D2L or Google Calendar? Comet’s Crew has you covered! Swing by this drop-in session to get the inside scoop on CSP’s online tools so you’ll feel ready to tackle your first week of classes—no stress, no pressure, just helpful tips when you need them.
3:00 pm-6:00 pm | Comet’s Labor Day Party | The Knoll
Join us for Comet’s Labor Day Party! Sand volleyball, bag tournaments, disc golf hole-in-one competitions, football toss, raffle prizes, free food, free sports drinks, and more! Come hang out and meet the CSP Intramural leadership team and learn about all of our one-day tournaments, fall semester sports leagues, Intramural job openings, and more! In addition, join in on arts activities and try your hand at clay sculpture, tap dancing, face painting, and more! Learn about and sign up for fall theatre, dance, music, and arts programs. All are welcome!
6:00 pm-7:00 pm | Residence Hall Floor Meetings | Residence Halls
All students who live in a CSP residence hall should plan to attend! Your RA will let you know where to meet.
7:30 pm-9:00 pm Silent Disco | BEC
-
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 – REQUIRED FOR RESIDENTIAL TRANSFERS
8:30 am – 2:00 pm | Transfer Residential Student Move-In
First-year and transfer student residential student. *family/guests welcome*
Sodexo family lunch option 11am-1 pm
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Golden Bear Lounge | Library
Meet departments, relax, coloring sheets, photobooth, other fun crafts
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | College Transitions | Buetow Auditorium
A special welcome and time set aside for all new residential student families to celebrate their student becoming a Golden Bear and hear about the transition to college. *family/guests only
Meet Your Comet’s Crew | Knoll
While parents hear from campus leaders, students will meet their Orientation leader and learn about the rest of the week’s plans. *students only
3:30 pm – 3:50 pm | President’s Ice Cream Social | The Fellowship Plaza
All new students and their families are invited to join Comet and student leaders for an ice cream treat. *family/guests welcome
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm | Golden Bear Prayer | The Fellowship Plaza
CSP Ministry will lead a time of prayer and worship to welcome new students. There will be time for families to say goodbye to their students at this time.
*family/guests welcome
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm | Your Hall, Your Home: Tips, Tricks & Meet the Team | Buetow
Meet Residence Life staff and other students who are living on campus. Staff will provide tips and tricks for successfully living on campus!OPTIONAL
5:00 pm – 7:00pm | Life in St. Paul | Knoll/BEC
Join your RA for dinner and learn about various partner businesses in St Paul.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Grow Your Friendship | Dining Hall
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Comet’s Crew Activities | Knoll/Community Lounge/Chatman Center
Play volleyball/basketball, complete a craft, or connect over board games
10:00 pm -10:30 pm | Evening Chapel | Chapel
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 – OPTIONAL
10:00 am – 10:45 am | Meet Your Major | Various campus locations
Meet the people you’ll be in classes with and learn more about your major.
10:45 am – 11:15 am | Comet’s Crew Meeting | Assigned Classrooms
All new students will meet their Comet’s Crew group. This is an opportunity to connect with your assigned Comet’s Crew group. CC leaders are current CSP students who will guide you through your orientation process. They will encourage, mentor, and help ease your transition to a new college campus.
11:15 am – 11:45 am | Get Connected | Library & Knoll
Students will have the opportunity to meet faculty within their major, connect with an Academic Advisor to have their academic schedule reviewed, ask questions, and talk to various departments on campus that have programs to get involved. Every student who completes their checklist will be entered to win a 55’’ TV!
11:45 am – 12:30 pm | Comet’s Cookout | Knoll
Enjoy food, friends, and fun. Tailgating-style on the Knoll!
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm | Golden Bear Olympics | Ganglehoff Center
Navigate an obstacle course, race your peers on giant trikes, and get to know a new group of students as you enjoy CSP’s version of a team challenge course.
2:00 pm – 4:45 pm | Service Project | Off-site locations
Serve at Feed My Starving Children with your fellow Golden Bears! Transportation will be provided and those who attend will receive a complimentary meal voucher to have dinner when they return.Alternative options:
Advising 1:1 meetings
Meet with your academic advisor to go over your fall schedule.Financial Aid 1:1 meetings
Meet with your financial aid representative to go over your financial aid package.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Meal Plan Dinner | Dining Hall
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Evening Chapel | Graebner Memorial Chapel
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 pm | Comedy Sportz | Buetow
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 – REQUIRED FOR ALL TRANSFERS
9:30 – 10:00 am | Donut Social | Knoll
Come early enough to enjoy a donut on the knoll with Comet’s Crew!
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Transfer Student Check-in | BEC
Commuter and Residential transfer students check-in, receive a schedule, name tag, and welcome gift.
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Transfer Kick-Off and Success Session | BEC
Transfer student welcome! Hear from a current CSP transfer student and get to know fellow incoming transfer students.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Transfer Student Presentation | BEC
Transfer students receive key information about the campus and meet other
transfer students. All transfer students are invited to join us to learn about ways to have a successful school year and get involved on campus.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Classroom Tours & Gather Materials
Students have the opportunity to work with a tour guide to find their classrooms, as well as grab their student IDs and fill out parking permits for the upcoming school year.OPTIONAL
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch with Student Life | Knoll
Taste of St. Paul. Enjoy catered lunch with the student life team; a variety of food will be served from 4 different St Paul restaurants. Allergy-friendly options.
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Beach Day | Off-Campus
Bus transportation from campus to a local beach is provided. Join your peers and Comet’s Crew and enjoy downtime on the beach or to play lawn games; ice cream will be provided!
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Paint and Sip | Buenger Education Center
Join the Chatman Center team to create your own artwork and mix and mingle
with your new peers!SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 – OPTIONAL
10:00 am | Campus Morning Worship | Chapel
Concordia students typically join with local congregations for their Sunday worship, but this morning we offer new and returning students the opportunity to worship together on campus.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | St. Paul Stroll | Meet at Pearson Commons
3:30 pm-5:00 pm | Mario Kart Tournament and DIY Planners | BEC
Hang out and enjoy snacks while competing in a Mario Kart tournament and/or designing your own planner.
6:00 pm-7:30 pm | Esports Meet and Greet | Esports Arena – Marshall Building
Enjoy free food, drinks, and check out our state of the art facility in our Marshall building (behind the Holiday gas station across from the Gangelhoff). In addition to meeting current players and coaches on our Esports teams, you’ll have the opportunity to test out our equipment and play some games!
7:30 pm-9:00 pm | Bear Bingo | BEC
Join the Residence Life team for the best BINGO night! PRIZES galore will make a great night! Come play a game or two or ten! All students are welcome!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 – OPTIONAL
10:00 am-11:00 am | Open Yoga | Dance Studio
Join fellow CSP students for a moment of movement and relaxation. Tula Yoga Studios will be on campus to lead a yoga class open to all levels. Please bring a mat if you have one.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm | Classroom Tours | Pearson Commons
Comet’s Crew will take you around campus to find where your classes are ahead of your first day! No stress, no pressure, just helpful tips when you need them.
3:00 pm-6:00 pm | Comet’s Labor Day Party | The Knoll
Join us for Comet’s Labor Day Party! Sand volleyball, bag tournaments, disc golf hole-in-one competitions, football toss, raffle prizes, free food, free sport drinks, and more!
6:00 pm-7:00 pm | Residence Hall Floor Meetings | Residence Halls
All students who live in a CSP residence hall should plan to attend! Your RA will let you know where to meet.7:30 pm-9:00 pm | Silent Disco | BEC
Quick Resources
What is Comet’s Crew?
Comet’s Crew are student leaders who want to welcome you to campus! These students help you transition to campus life by introducing you to resources and leading you through events and activities throughout the weekend. They will also meet with you in a small group to answer questions and allow you to get-to-know your classmates.
Meet the Orientation Team
Contact: [email protected]
