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New Student Orientation Schedule

PNCA students at Opening Days

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | Move-in Day

8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

ArtHouse Move-in
ArtHouse
If you’re living in ArtHouse, this will be your opportunity to move-in to your new room! Communication from our Housing & Residence Life Office will be coming to provide more details.
Who should attend: Student moving into ArtHouse


5:00–6:30 p.m.

Farewell Dinner (optional)
Mediatheque/Atrium
Join us for dinner with your friends, family or guests who have helped you move-in and get settled (either on or off campus!) before we officially kick-off Orientation the next day! Orientation is just for our new students, so take this chance to hang with your guests before you start your PNCA journey.
Who should attend: ArtHouse residents and their families


6:45–8:00 p.m.

ArtHouse Building Meeting & 1st Floor Meetings
Mediatheque/ArtHouse floors
This mandatory meeting for ArtHouse residents will introduce you to the community and cover what to do when you have problems in the residence hall. We’ll go over vital policy information so you’ll know what expectations there are of you as a resident.
Who should attend: ArtHouse residents 


 

Thursday, August 21, 2025

9:00–10:00 a.m.

New Student Check-in
Atrium
Check-in for Orientation anytime between 9:00-10:00. You’ll receive your orientation tote, goodies and your student ID.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


10:00–10:30 a.m.

Welcome Program
Mediatheque
Join our faculty, staff and administration as we welcome you to PNCA.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


10:30–11:00 a.m.

Being a PNCA Student
Mediatheque
Jen Cole, the Jordan Schnitzer Dean at PNCA, will talk about what it means to be a student at PNCA.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

PNCA Passport

 ● Academic Support
 ● The Office of Career Design
 ● Library
 ● PNCA Academic Technology
 ● AES
 ● Student Affairs
 ● Registrar/Advising
 ● Financial Aid

 ● Student Accounts
 ● OIE
 ● Facilities
 ● Galleries/Exhibitions
 ● GRAC
 ● Foundation
 ● Campus Safety

Explore campus and find several offices and departments that will be helpful during your time at PNCA.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


12:30–1:45 p.m.

Lunch & Break
Atrium


1:45–2:00 p.m.

Admissions Welcome
Mediatheque
You’ve been working with them all throughout your PNCA journey so far, so come meet and be welcomed by our wonderful Admissions team as they hand you off to the next part of your adventure at PNCA!
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


2:00–2:45 p.m.

PNCA Labs & Studios
Mediatheque
In this session, you’ll learn more about the various labs and studios available to you as a student! Learn about what they do and how you can access them to make the most of your time here.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


2:45–3:30 p.m.

Culture of Critique
Mediatheque
One of the most important things you’ll do as a PNCA student is to engage in the critique of your peers’ work- and they’ll be critiquing yours in return! Learn more about our culture of critique at PNCA and how this skill will be used throughout your curriculum.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


3:30–4:30 p.m.

QPR Training
Mediatheque
Learn how to support someone in a mental health crisis through an evidence-based intervention called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). In this session, PNCA health coach Hunter Marcus will lead students through recognizing the warning signs of a mental health crisis, how to effectively intervene and persuade them to get help, and where to refer this person to so they can get the support they need. Anyone can learn these skills, no previous or professional experience necessary!
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


4:00–6:00 p.m.

Digital Tools Exemption Test (optional)
310/311 Computer Labs
If you wish to potentially test out of the Digital Tools class requirement, feel free to join us as Professor Ric Lanciotti administers this optional test.
Who should attend: Students wishing to exempt from the Digital Tools course


 

Friday, August 22, 2025

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Compassionate Communication
Mediatheque
In this session, you’ll learn how to employ communication techniques in a way that shows compassion to your fellow students. Communication is key as a PNCA student and this session will give you the tools to be a more effective communicator!
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


12:00–1:00 p.m.

Lunch
Atrium


1:00–3:00 p.m.

Programming Block
Various Locations

● AES (1:00-1:50)
● Health Coaching (2:00-2:30)
● Student Success (2:30-3:00)

We’ll cover some very important topics, such as navigating your on-campus resources and learning about navigating healthcare.
Who should attend: New to college students


1:00–3:00 p.m.

Transfer Student Session
Lemelson
Led by Dean Jen Cole, this session will focus exclusively on your experience as a transfer student. This session is only for transfer students, not students who are brand new to college.
Who should attend: Transfer students


3:00–4:00 p.m.

Speak About It: Consent Education
Mediatheque
Speak About It uses true storytelling and live performance to capture what healthy relationships and sex can and should look like. The show is performed by five actor-educators, and uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more.
Who should attend: New to college students


4:00–6:00 p.m.

Field Trips
Atrium
Variety of different small group field trips around the Portland area! Choose one of several locations and activities and get to know your city.
Who should attend: All new PNCA students


 

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