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Orientation

Pre-Orientations

In addition to June-O and Aug-O, Denison offers a wide variety of optional Pre-Orientation programs prior to Aug-O which will help you expand your horizons, deepen your understanding of yourself, and connect with other first-year students who share your interests and passions. Students who participate in a Pre-Orientation experience a higher satisfaction with starting their first semester at Denison, feel a better sense of connection with peers, and get to know a few faculty and staff members as they transition to college.

Apply for Pre-Orientations in the Admitted Student Portal at connect.denison.edu by May 15.

All Pre-Orientation programs will take place off campus.

After the May 15 deadline, applications will only be considered if the program has not reached its capacity. Participants will be notified of acceptance in June, or on a rolling basis if applying after the deadline. For all Pre-Orientation programs, you will move into your fall residence hall assignment early. The fee for all Pre-Os is $250. Students in Questbridge, the Denison Columbus Alliance, and others determined to have eligible financial need by our Office of Financial Aid will have all fees waived.

Pre-Orientation participants will move in on Saturday, August 20, 2022, between 9 am-1 pm. Pre-Os will depart campus on Sunday, August 21, and return on Wednesday, August 24. The rest of the first-year class will arrive on Thursday, August 25.

Programs

DAO (Denison Art Orientation)

Explore the vibrant urban arts culture that only a big city can generate. Students will travel to Columbus, Ohio with faculty, staff, and student leaders. Participants will work with local artists in workshops that include dance, art, music, and theatre. Some time is also spent touring museums, public art, and the city. This program is not just for arts people - students who are energized by city life, interested in multicultural experiences, or like to think about how art can capture or change our experiences will have a great time.

DCO (Denison Canoeing Orientation)

Head into the wilderness of Ohio for an unforgettable adventure. Students will take part in a wilderness, paddling, and camping experience. The program is also an outdoor learning experience, designed to help students develop safe paddling skills, practice valuable skills in “Leave No Trace” camping, and learn about Ohio’s natural history and geography. The team will paddle canoes down the Mohican River and sleep at primitive campsites along its banks. *Previous canoeing experience is required.

DOO (Denison Outdoor Orientation)

Take part in a unique and challenging backpack hike through the wilds of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Students will gather in groups of eight, each led by a faculty-student staff team, as they explore a beautiful and inspiring landscape of hills and forests. Spending time together during the three-day hike is a great opportunity to make new friends, learn more about Denison, and have a lot of fun. DSO (Denison Service Orientation)

Students will participate in a service experience related to homelessness and hunger in the surrounding Licking County area. Experienced student leaders and faculty/staff leaders will guide participants through leadership training, group building, issues education, and direct-service. Service-Learning is an important area of emphasis at Denison University. Whether students have had previous service experience or not, this orientation is a great way to begin the transition to life at Denison, build strong friendships, and realize the possibilities available to them at Denison.

Paving the Way

Sponsored by The Center for Belonging & Inclusion, the 26th Annual Paving the Way (PTW), will be held in Columbus. Although its primary focus is to assist traditionally underrepresented student populations in transitioning to the academic, cultural, and social climate at Denison University, PTW encourages all entering students to participate in this program. Sessions will address holistic well-being, cultural and social identity development, personal development, and community building.

Beyond the Local: The Global Footprint of Central Ohio

Sponsored by the Center for Global Programs, students will embark on a journey through Central Ohio to explore the many, often hidden, globally networked features of the region. As they explore, students will build strong friendships, meet some of Denison’s amazing faculty, and begin to learn more about the global footprint of the capital city of Columbus.

LeaderShape

The LeaderShape Institute provides students with the opportunity for self-discovery and self-reflection. Not a typical leadership retreat, the Institute is grounded in helping individuals identify the values they hold that lead to making a difference in the communities around them. Through selfassessment, intensive small group discussions, team-building challenges, and more, participants will develop a vision for something they care about. By leading with passion, integrity, and a healthy disregard for the impossible, participants explore who they are and the impact that they want to have on communities working towards a more caring, just, and equitable society.

Contact the First-Year Office with questions about

Summer orientation programs and transition assistance

firstyear@denison.edu | 740-587-6224 First-Year Office: Higley Hall | Room 119

Denison by Design

Explore Columbus. Meet fellow Denisonians. Learn how to make the best of your Denison experience “by design.” Centered in downtown Columbus, this pre-orientation allows us to eat, sleep, and experience the possibilities our nearby metropolitan city offers. We’ll share in a few design workshops that will have you sketching your many possible futures, exploring the entrepreneur inside of you, and designing experiences for others that will serve you well as you start to get involved on campus. Have a great time with the Red Frame Lab, and we’ll prepare you to make the most of your Denison journey … by design.

Big Red Connections

Connect with recent Denison graduates in Columbus and Cleveland! Through this program, you’ll explore the sights and sounds of the cities, tour some of the top employers of Denison graduates, and make connections with fellow Denisonians. Alumni will share their favorite Denison experiences, how they spent their time on The Hill, including leadership roles and internships, and how they maximized their Denison experience to land their current jobs.

Playing a Fall Sport?

Some fall athletic programs begin practice before the opening of the University. Your schedule will not allow you to participate in a Pre-O if you are on the cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, or volleyball teams. Team members will receive details from their respective coaching staffs during the summer, including the date of the physical examinations for athletic team members. If you have any questions about participating in a varsity sport, please contact athletics@denison.edu.