Belles Beginnings is our traditional, new-student orientation for students and parents during move in. In-person, student and family orientation will begin on Thursday, August 21. Parents and families will be welcome to join us for some programming on the morning of Friday, August 22. Following lunch our student-only Belles Beginnings Orientation activities and programming will begin. We are committed to making this transition smooth, informative—and fun—and cannot wait to have our new Belles join us in August.
Thursday, August 21
Move-in
Students can move in from 9:00 am to 4:00pm. Check-in will be in the Student Center.Transfer Student Reception
Welcome Week Group Meet Up
Students will be able to meet their Welcome Week Leaders and other students in their group.Dinner
Dinner in Noble Family Dining Hall or on your own.Closing the Circle, First Walk Down The Avenue and Power of Saint Mary's
Parent and Family Session and Mandatory Student Meetings
Parents and guests will get to attend a session to ask questions and hear from staff. Students will attend their mandatory Residence Hall Meeting. Commuters will meet with their Welcome Week Leaders.Goodbye Celebration
Goodbye Celebration is an event to spend with family to make those final memories before students begin their new journey!Friday, August 22
Ecumenical Prayer Service
Parents and families are welcome.(Optional) Meet Our Campus
Offices and resources around campus will be open to answer any questions. Parents and families are welcome.Student-Only Programming Begins
Student-Only Programming
Some sessions will be required.Student-Only Programming
Fall Convocation and additional programming.Classes Begin
Student Involvement Fair
The full schedule for Belles Beginnings will be published here in early July.
BelleTower is our student club, student organization and events hub.
You can use BelleTower to:
· Learn about clubs/organizations and join them if you are interested
· Explore leadership opportunities and ways to get involved
· Check out the Calendar of events
· Find programs with the best food and/or giveaways
You are embarking on a journey that so many belles have traveled. Belles Beginnings is just one of the first traditions you get to be a part of!
Here, you'll experience the best of all worlds—in a college town like no other.
You will need to download Corq and SMC Safe before arriving on campus.
You can download them with the links below:
Early Arrival Information
Students moving in early for Fall Athletics, the Notre Dame Marching Band, ROTC, Belles Connect, and Kessler Scholars will receive more information from their specific organization as things are finalized. Fall Athletes, Belles Connect and Kessler Scholars will be expected to move in on August 17, while Notre Dame Marching Band and ROTC students will be able to move in on August 20.
Fall athletes, Notre Dame Marching Band and ROTC students will have mandatory orientation expectations on the evening of Wednesday, August 20 to support missed programming during orientation weekend. Information regarding these required meetings will be listed in the final Orientation Schedule, released in early July.
Belles Connect and Kessler Scholar students will be expected to attend all Belles Beginning Orientation programming as normal.
Parent Information
The Parent and Family portion of Belles Beginnings will predominantly occur on Thursday, August 21, followed by some optional programming on Friday morning. All family involvement in orientation will conclude following lunch on Friday, August 22.
More information will be sent about virtual parent programming that will happen during the Fall Semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
+When is in-person Orientation?
+What outfit should I wear for the Power of Saint Mary's?
+When do meal plans start?
+If I am living off campus or am a transfer student, should I still attend orientation programming?
+Should I still attend Belles Beginnings if I am required to move in early?
+What else do I need to know about move-in?