Everything you need to know about moving onto Northeastern’s Oakland campus
How do students and families get to campus? When is orientation, what is convocation, and how many activities are planned for the first two weeks?
Hundreds of students from the Bay Area and around the world will be moving onto Northeastern University’s campus in Oakland, California, on Thursday, Aug. 29, Friday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Sept. 1.
On Thursday, approximately 450 first-year students will arrive between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The next day, about 400 Global Scholars — students who will spend a semester in Oakland — will arrive during the same times.
And on Sunday, Sept. 1, returning students and graduate students will check in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For students arriving after business hours, security gate staff will call a member of the residential life staff, who will greet the student and check them into their room.
Once settled, students will participate in orientation, convocation, Welcome Days, and two additional weeks of academic and extracurricular activities.
Here’s everything you need to know — frequently asked questions and answers — about moving onto the Oakland campus.
How will I get to campus?
Of course, students and their families are welcome to drive to campus. Volunteers will be ready to greet them there.
For Global Scholar students flying into San Francisco International Airport on chartered flights, teams will be ready to meet them and direct them to chartered buses.
Back to School
What is orientation?
Student orientation will take place from Saturday, Aug. 31, through Tuesday, Sept. 3.
During this time, students will be introduced to all parts of campus life from academics to extra-curricular activities.
There are sessions on wellness, student engagement, living in the community and resources, as well as career workshops and advising appointments.
What is convocation?
Convocation is an event held at the beginning of every academic year to introduce new undergraduate students on all campuses to the university.
This year, convocation will be held live on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
In Oakland, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Madigan will welcome students to campus at 7:30 p.m. PDT on Holmgren Meadow.
Welcome Days
Several community activities are planned for Monday, Sept. 2, and Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Events include yoga on the meadow, a scavenger hunt, leadership training and Labor Day cookout.
There will also be campus tours, open gym hours, music and outdoor games.
Weeks of Welcome
In addition to Welcome Days, the Oakland campus also has Weeks of Welcome planned from Sept. 4-15.
The schedule of events includes a resource and job fair, club and community fair, a group fitness event, pool party and drive-in movie.
Students can also take a tour of the campus farm, take first-day-of-school photos and tour downtown Oakland.
Some housing information
- First-year undergraduate students are required to live in university housing unless a residency waiver request is approved.
- There is no curfew for on-campus housing. Exterior doors are always locked and each resident has their own key and/or keycard.
- Resident assistants will host community meetings within the first weeks after orientation.
- Students do not have to move out during any breaks during the academic year, including winter and spring break. Dining services will also remain open.
