Pre-Orientation Programs

Are you eager to arrive to campus? We don’t blame you! The University of Richmond offers a number of transition programs that occur just prior to New Spider Orientation. Instead of moving in on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 students who participate in a transition program move in on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

Don’t worry parents, families and supporters, we even offer a special parent and family orientation for students who participate in the pre-orientation programs. Most parents and families do not return to campus for the parent and family orientation program later in the week; the information shared at both is the same at both sessions.

There are no additional costs for students to participate in any pre-orientation program, and students move into their regular fall housing assignment.

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  • Outdoor Adventure Richmond

    Through Outdoor Adventure and Richmond (OAR) Program, students will have the opportunity to learn about our River City’s culture through exploring a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Students will hone their observation skills while hiking the trails of the James River Park System, enhance their perseverance while white water rafting on our Class III & VI rapids, gain teambuilding skills as they traverse the Challenge Course, grow their communication skills while orienteering, and develop problem-solving skills as they navigate the first few days on campus: all the while meeting and making new friends.

  • Thrive Orientation

    Thrive Orientation is a transition program for multicultural first-year students to help them build a community and familiarize themselves with the University of Richmond through a multicultural lens before New Spider Orientation (NSO). Students that participate in Thrive Orientation do not just leave with information, they leave with connections, friends, resources, and a network of support. Thrive Orientation is part of the Thrive Multicultural Experience, an enrichment initiative designed to cultivate, advocate, celebrate, and empower multicultural students throughout the different phases of their college experience.

  • The Richmond Endeavor

    The Richmond Endeavor is a living-learning experience for first-year students. Live together, take classes together and be part of an intellectual community your first-year! The Richmond Endeavor is designed for students to create meaningful bonds and friendships with their fellow classmates, develop a relationship with a faculty member during their first year at Richmond, and connect their interests both inside and outside of the classroom.

    Part of participating in Endeavor is arriving early to campus with the other transition programs.