Parent Orientation Parent Orientation Schedule
2019 Parent Relations Orientation Schedule
August 22-23, 2019
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Student Move-in: 8-11 a.m.
Your student’s assigned move-in time is based on his/her residence hall. Please check the Orientation website here for move in times. A team of helpful students will unload everything from your vehicle and deliver it to your student’s room. Plan to arrive on campus at your move-in time and not before. For easier parking and a smooth traffic flow, please follow the move-in schedule. Location: Page, Clark, Armington, Emerson, Van Kampen and Ocean View Halls
Welcome Center: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Come to the Welcome Center on the lawn in front of Kerrwood Hall to check in for Orientation at the Parent Tent and pick up nametags, schedules and handouts from Parent Relations staff and Parents Council members. Westmont departments host tables under the tent to provide information and answer questions. Location: Lawn in front of Kerrwood Hall
Parent Welcome Tent: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Meet fellow parents and Parents Council members, get answers to your questions and enjoy light refreshments and conversation. You’ll also find Parents Council members at Page, Emerson and Clark who can answer your questions. Location: Lawn in front of Kerrwood Hall adjacent to large Welcome Center tent
Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Be one of the first to see Spontaneous Response: The Innovative Ceramics of Don Reitz, which features the work of this legendary artist, who extended the definition and potential of ceramics in the last century. This exhibition provides a retrospective of his most important works. Location: Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
Campus Walking Tour: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
An informative and enjoyable walk around the campus will combine knowledge of our historic campus with personal student experience. Location: Front of Kerrwood Hall
Lunch
Your lunch time is determined by your student’s move-in time. Please follow the schedule below to alleviate congestion.
Move-in from 8-9 a.m. 11-11:45
Move-in from 9-10 a.m. 11:45-12:30
Move-in from 10-11 a.m. 12:30-1:30*
All Transfer Students 12:30-1:30*
Those attending the Legacy Reception or First-Generation Session with a move-in time from 10-11 may eat lunch starting at 12 noon. Lunch is included in the cost of Parent Orientation registration. Otherwise, you can pay at the door: Adults: $11.50, Children 2-10: $7.50; Westmont students on a meal plan: no charge. Location: Dining Commons
Campus Walking Tour: 1-2 p.m.
An informative and enjoyable walk around the campus will combine knowledge of our historic campus with personal student experience. Location: Front of Kerrwood Hall
Legacy Reception: 1-1:45 p.m.
Parents who are Westmont alumni and their students are invited to a dessert reception with President Gayle D. Beebe. A group photograph of children and grandchildren of Westmont alumni will be taken on Magnolia Lawn at 1:35 p.m. Location: Upper Magnolia Lawn (in front of the library)
Welcome Session: 2 p.m.
The entire Westmont community and guests are invited to this celebratory opening event of Orientation 2019. President Gayle D. Beebe will extend an official Westmont welcome followed by an introduction to this year’s Orientation Team. Location: Murchison Gym
Student Life: The Big Picture and How the Pieces Fit: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Westmont offers a holistic education, and many student experiences fit under the umbrella of Student Life. Select one of the following sessions to see the big picture of Student Life while learning about one aspect of the student experience.
- Career Development and Calling: Discover how you can work with us as we prepare your student for a major, a mission, and meaningful internships and careers. Presenters: Paul Bradford and Cassie Wicoff-Wiltsey of Career Development and Calling. Location: Page Hall Multipurpose Room
- Student Care: Learn how Westmont cares for all the emotional, physical and unique needs of students. Presenter: Stu Cleek, Dean of Students; David Hernandez, Director of Health Services; and Eric Nelson, Director of the Counseling Center. Location: Winter 210
- Chapel, Worship and Spiritual Development: Hear Scott Lisea ’88, our campus pastor and assistant to the president for church and community relations, present his vision of chapel, our community life and the spiritual development of your students. Location: Porter Theatre
Welcome Picnic Dinner for Parents and Families: 5-6:30 p.m.
Relax on Kerrwood Lawn and enjoy a great meal. Hear a brief welcome message from a professor. Meet other parents as well as faculty and staff. Please note that students will eat dinner with their Orientation small groups. Location: Kerrwood Lawn
Out-of-State Parent Gathering*: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
If you live outside of California and would like to meet and connect with other out-of-state parents, join us. Washington Parents Council members Megan and Michael White will lead the session and provide a time for questions and answers. Other staff and out-of-state Parents Council members will share insights. *All parents are welcome. This information could be helpful for all families who live farther away from campus. Location: Porter Theatre Patio
Friday, August 23, 2019
Continental Breakfast for Parents and Families: 8:45-9:15 a.m.
Location: Page Hall Patio
President Beebe Welcomes Parents and Families: 9:15-10 a.m.
President Gayle D. Beebe welcomes you to the Westmont community, examines the value of a Westmont education in today’s world and highlights the college’s priorities. He will answer questions, and members of his executive team will add insights and suggest ways to support your student. Location: Page Hall Multipurpose Room
The Core of the Classroom: 10:15-10:50 a.m.
Provost Mark Sargent will share the unique qualities of a Westmont education. Professors and students will highlight the special nature of faculty-student relationships at Westmont. Location: Page Hall Multipurpose Room
Parents Council Perspectives: 10:50-11:30 a.m.
Meet our Westmont Parents Council members and learn how they’ve navigated their student’s college life, gain practical parental insights about the Westmont experience and get answers to your questions. Location: Page Hall Multipurpose Room
Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visit the museum and see Spontaneous Response: The Innovative Ceramics of Don Reitz. Location: Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lunch is included in the cost of registration for Parent Orientation. Otherwise, you may pay at the door: Adults: $11.50, Children 2-10: $7.50; Westmont students on a meal plan: no charge. Location: Dining Commons
Intercultural Programs Picnic: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Students of color, international, missionary and third-culture students, and Cultural Diversity awardees and their families are invited to hear about the programs and opportunities associated with Westmont’s commitment to diversity. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. Location: Magnolia Lawn
Your Student's Employment: Now and Later: 12:50-1:20 p.m.
Julissa Delgado from Career Development and Calling will discuss the importance of gaining work experience during college and the ways their office can help your student prepare. They will focus on the kinds of positions available on campus, using Handshake to find employment, who qualifies for work-study, how work-study functions, and the original documents every student must submit before beginning work. Location: Page Hall Multipurpose Room
Living in Community: Your Student’s First Year: 1:30 p.m.
Meet the Residence Life staff who will live with your student and learn more about residence life philosophy and programs. Locations: Clark Hall families on Kerrwood Lawn; Page Hall families in Page Multipurpose Room; Emerson Hall families in Porter Theatre; and transfer student families in Armington C Lounge
Service of Commitment: 3 p.m.
Join professors robed in traditional academic regalia for this formal ceremony of welcome into the Westmont community. Students will sit separately from parents and take their First Walk at the end of the service, which anticipates their Last Walk at Commencement. This is the last scheduled event for parents. Location: Murchison Gym
Families Say Goodbye: 4:30-5 p.m.
Students and families say goodbye before students head off to dinner with their section, and families leave campus. Location: Kerrwood Lawn
Bookstore Hours:
Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Class Verse for Class of 2023: “Let your roots grow down into Him . . .Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught.” Colossians 2:7
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, August 26: First day of classes
First-Year Parents Weekend: November 1-3
*The above schedule is subject to change. Please check back for updates. Also check the Orientation website to see your student’s schedule and other information they need to know before coming to campus in August.
Put the schedule on your phone by downloading the Guidebook app, Westmont Community Guide, available in iOS, Android and web platforms. Use the app as your primary guide to Parent Orientation and beyond. Review the parent schedule and click the + sign to add events and sessions that interest you to “My Schedule.” Explore the link to frequently asked questions and your student’s orientation schedule. All parent sessions and events are included in your registration fee.