First Day in Friartown – June Orientation
First Day in Friartown is a one-day program required for all new students and their families.
New Friars will learn about academic, spiritual, and student life while building connections with peers, upper-class student leaders, and PC staff. Students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and develop their fall academic schedule.
Parents and families are invited to participate in a concurrent program focused on strategies to address the developmental and transitional issues commonly faced by new students and to have their questions answered by members of the PC community.
First Day in Friartown Program Dates
Students attend their First Day in Friartown based on their declared major. Each program date has a capacity. You are encouraged to register for your First Day in Friartown as soon as possible, beginning March 2, to ensure you find a date that best works with your schedule.
The chart below shows the dates available by academic major for freshmen students. All transfer students will attend orientation on June 17.
| Academic Major | Orientation Dates |
|---|---|
| Accountancy | June 9, June 15 |
| American Studies | June 9, June 15 |
| Art, Art History | June 9, June 15 |
| Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemistry/Secondary Education | June 9, June 15 |
| Biology, Biology Education, Enviornmental Biology | June 9, June 15 |
| Black Studies | June 9, June 15 |
| Catholic Studies | June 9, June 15 |
| Classics, History, History/Secondary Education | June 8, June 16 |
| Communication | June 8, June 16 |
| Computer Science, Data Science, Math, Math/Secondary Education | June 9, June 15 |
| Economics, Business Economics, Quantitative Economics | June 9, June 15 |
| Elementary and Special Education | June 8, June 15 |
| English, English/Secondary Education, Creative Writing | June 8, June 16 |
| Finance | June 9, June 10, June 11, June 16. June 17 |
| Global Studies | June 9, June 15 |
| Health Policy and Management | June 8, June 16, June 17 |
| Health Sciences | June 8, June 10, June 11, June 16, June 17 |
| Humanities | June 9, June 15 |
| Management | June 10, June 11, June 15 |
| Marketing | June 10, June 11, June 15 |
| Music, Music Education, Music Technology and Production, Liturgical Music | June 9, June 15 |
| Nursing | June 8, June 10, June 11, June 16, June 17 |
| Philosophy | June 9, June 15 |
| Physics, Pre-Engineering, Physics/Secondary Education | June 9, June 15 |
| Political Science | June 8, June 16 |
| Psychology, Neuroscience | June 8, June 16, June 17 |
| Public and Community Service | June 9, June 15 |
| Social Science | June 9, June 15 |
| Social Work | June 8, June 15 |
| Sociology | June 9, June 15 |
| Theatre | June 9, June 15 |
| Theology | June 9, June 15 |
| Undeclared | June 8, June 9, June 10, June 11, June 15, June 16, June 17 |
| Women’s and Gender Studies | June 9, June 15 |
Program dates are subject to change prior to March 2, 2026.
First Day in Friartown Registration
Students can for their First Day in Friartown in their admitted student portal starting March 2, 2026. Students must be enrolled (have paid the enrollment deposit) before they can register for their First Day in Friartown. It can take up to a week after enrolling for the registration option to appear in your application status portal.
Contact Molly Buckley within the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership with any questions about registering for First Day in Friartown at 401-865-1453 or orientation@providence.edu.
First Day in Friartown Schedule
First Day in Friartown is a one-day program. Tentative schedules for each of our sessions can be found below.
Student Schedule – Class of 2030
| Start Time | Session | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mass – Optional | |
| 8:15 AM | Check-In & Resource Fair | |
| 9:25 AM | Welcome Session | Dr. Steven Sears, Ed.D, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students Fr. Simon Teller, OP, Chaplain & Director of Campus Ministry |
| 10:05 AM | Small Group Meeting | |
| 10:35 AM | Academic Life at Providence College | Student Success Center Staff |
| 11:20 AM | Academic Advising | Faculty and Professional Advising Staff |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:15 PM | Large Group Meeting | |
| 1:40 PM | Life in Friartown | Maggie Valton, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Housing and Residence Life Staff |
| 2:20 PM | Your Place in our Beloved Community | Perla Castillo Calderon, Director of the Center for Moore Hall Tariq Jamal, Complex Director |
| 3:00 PM | Course Registration | Faculty and Professional Advising Staff |
| 3:30 PM | First Day in Friartown Send-off |
This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change. Information around check-in times and location will be included in your pre-arrival email. That email will be sent about one week before your First Day in Friartown session.
All students should plan to be on campus until 4:30 PM.
Student Schedule – Transfer Student
| Start Time | Session | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mass – Optional | |
| 8:15 AM | Check-In & Resource Fair | |
| 9:30 AM | Welcome Session | Dr. Steve Sears, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students Fr. Simon Teller, O.P., Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry |
| 10:05 AM | Small Group Meeting | |
| 10:35 AM | Academic Life at Providence College | Haley DelGreco, Assistant Director of Academic Advising/Coordinator for Students in Academic Transition |
| 11:20 AM | Life in Friartown | Maggie Valton, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Housing and Residence Life Staff |
| 11:45 AM | Your Place in our Beloved Community | Perla Castillo Calderon, Director of the Center for Moore Hall Tariq Jamal, Complex Director |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:15 PM | Academic Advising | Faculty and Professional Advising Staff |
This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change. Information around check-in times and location will be included in your pre-arrival email. That email will be sent about one week before your First Day in Friartown session.
All students should plan to be on campus until 2:00 PM.
Parent & Family Schedule – Class of 2030
| Start Time | Program | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mass – Optional | |
| 8:15 AM | Check-In & Resource Fair | |
| 9:25 AM | Welcome Session | Dr. Steve Sears, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students Fr. Simon Teller, O.P., Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry |
| 10:15 AM | Parents & Families as Partners | Jacqueline Kiernan MacKay, Director of PC Parent & Family Program Rosemary Fernandes Mugan, PsyD, Executive Director of the Personal Counseling Center Catherine Kelleher, RN, Executive Director of the Student Health Center Beth Sculley Terrell, Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life and Housing Maggie Valton, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership |
| 11:15 AM | Campus Tour – Optional | |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch | |
| 12:30 PM | Academics at Providence College | Academic School Deans |
| 1:30 PM | Purpose, Path, and Career: A Family Conversation | Dr. Steve Sears, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students Eileen Wisnewski, Executive Director of The Chirico Career Center |
| 2:00 PM | Tuition & Aid: Next Steps, Q&A | Julia Fagundes, Financial Aid Counselor |
| 2:25 PM | Break | |
| 2:35 PM | Public Safety & Emergency Management | Chad Carnegie, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Chief of Public Safety Michael P. Moricas, Director of Emergency Management |
| 2:55 PM | Preparing for Difficult Conversations | Tiffany Gaffney, Associate Dean of Students/Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Edward Laprey, Director of Recreational Sports Martin Connell, Director of the Office of Community Standards |
| 3:30 PM | First Day in Friartown Send-off |
This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change. Information around check-in times and location will be included in your pre-arrival email. That email will be sent about one week before your First Day in Friartown session.
All parent and family members should plan to be on campus until 4:30 PM.
Parent & Family Schedule – Transfer Students
| Start Time | Program | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mass – Optional | |
| 8:15 AM | Check-In & Resource Fair | |
| 9:25 AM | Welcome Session | Dr. Steve Sears, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students Fr. Simon Teller, O.P., Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry |
| 10:15 AM | Parents & Families as Partners | Jacqueline Kiernan MacKay, Director of PC Parent & Family Program Rosemary Fernandes Mugan, PsyD, Executive Director of the Personal Counseling Center Catherine Kelleher, RN, Executive Director of the Student Health Center Beth Sculley Terrell, Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life and Housing Maggie Valton, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership |
| 11:15 AM | Campus Tour – Optional | |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch | |
| 12:30 PM | Academics at Providence College | Academic School Deans |
This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change. Information around check-in times and location will be included in your pre-arrival email. That email will be sent about one week before your First Day in Friartown session.
All parents/families should plan to be on campus until 2:00 PM.
Planning for First Day in Friartown
If you’re planning to stay in Providence, the College provides a list of local hotel accommodations.
The city of Providence is filled with fantastic restaurants, a sampling of which can be found on our Providence Restaurant Guide.
First Day in Friartown FAQ
Is it Mandatory to Attend Orientation?
Yes. It is mandatory for all new students to attend First Day in Friartown and Fall Orientation. This includes transfer and commuter students.
Attendance in Preparing for Friartown and Pre-Orientation is not mandatory.
What are the components of the Orientation Experience at Providence College?
First Day in Friartown: a mandatory one-day session (8:15 AM-4:30 PM) that occurs in June. Students will connect with peers and student leaders, register for their coursework, and learn PC traditions.
Pre-Orientation: a set of optional experiences that students can engage with to make peer connections and immerse themselves in the Provide College community prior to fall orientation/move-in.
Fall Orientation: a mandatory experience for all incoming students. It takes place immediately following move-in and throughout the first four days that the student is on campus before classes begin.
How do I sign up for my First Day in Friartown?
Students will register for their First Day in Friartown session online, using their enrolled student portal.
Students must have paid the admission’s deposit to register for First Day in Friartown.
Students may have to wait 24-48 hours after paying the admission deposit to see the registration button.
How do I decide which session to register for?
First Day in Friartown sessions are organized by the student’s declared major. Students will only be able to register for a day that corresponds with their declared major.
We encourage everyone to register for their session early to avoid missing out on their preferred date. Sessions do fill up and we do not have the capacity to over-register students into sessions.
Why can’t I just attend any of the First Day in Friartown sessions?
During their First Day in Friartown, students will meet with faculty/representatives from their academic department. These representatives are only available on their major’s corresponding dates.
What if I cannot attend any of the First Day in Friartown sessions?
You must contact Molly Buckley within the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 401-865-1453 to discuss options for fulfilling this required experience.
Are First Day in Friartown sessions offered virtually?
We offer a virtual option for students who would have to travel at least 250 miles or students with overwise extending circumstances.
You must contact Molly Buckley within the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 401-865-1453 to register for our virtual option.
What happens to my First Day in Friartown session if I switch my major?
If you intend to change your major, you should do so before registering for your First Day in Friartown.
If you change your major after registering for your First Day in Friartown, you should call our office (401.865.1085) to reschedule your session date after the change is approved by the College.
What if I need to change the First Day in Friartown session I signed up for?
You must contact Molly Buckley within the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 401-865-1453 to reschedule your First Day in Friartown.
When do I register for classes?
Students will meet with faculty and professional advisors to receive their fall schedule during their First Day in Friartown.
Do transfer students participate in Orientation?
Yes! Transfer students will register for a specific First Day in Friartown session tailored to their needs and will have an intentionally designed experience for Fall Orientation.
Do commuter students participate in Orientation?
Yes! Commuter students will fully participate in their First Day in Friartown session and Fall Orientation program.
Do parents/family members participate in First Day in Friartown?
Parents/family members are encouraged to attend the concurrent parent/family program during their student’s First Day in Friartown orientation Day.
Students can register up to two parents/family members for the program.
The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership
Slavin Center 106
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
401.865.2211
activities@providence.edu
