Discoveries Orientation Fall 2025

Admissions and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) invite you to join us for a free pizza party! Stop by I-House between 4-6pm on September 1st for pizza dinner and to meet other newly arrived international students. Hope to see you there!

Orientation for incoming exchange students covering DU introduction, billing, health, academics and more.

Parents, families, and support systems are invited to drop by the Welcome Lounge for Campus tours, and to write a note to their student on the “Wish Wall.”

Veterans and Military Resources (VMR) a department in the Dean of Students Office in the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Denver (DU), in partnership with your school certifying officials from the Registrar's Office, will bring you essential information about how your GI Bill is used at the University of Denver, ways to get involved in student life, and resources available to you!
Each session is identical; you can expect the same information from both.

Students move in based on housing assignments.

Orienation for incoming undergraduate international students covering Immigration/Visa Paperwork, and more.

Tour for parents, families, and support systems. Departs from Parent & Family Welcome Lounge

Veterans and Military Resources (VMR) a department in the Dean of Students Office in the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Denver (DU), in partnership with your school certifying officials from the Registrar's Office, will bring you essential information about how your GI Bill is used at the University of Denver, ways to get involved in student life, and resources available to you!
Each session is identical; you can expect the same information from both.

Students and their families in these programs are invited to participate in a welcome and orientation for these specific programs. These programs have communicated with their students to share time and location details.

Students will have the opportunity to connect with and learn about Student Disability Services on campus.

1:00-1:50pm: Coaching your Student Through the DU Curriculum
2:00-2:50pm: From Emptying the Nest to Flocking Together: Student and Family Well-being During the Transition to College
3:00-3:50pm: Navigating the Transition

Meet the Director of Spiritual Life and representatives from Religious and Spiritual student orgs; learn about campus resources and ways to get involved; grab a map of campus reflection and prayer spaces; and be sure to add a heart or a message of hope to our Interfaith Chalk-In canvas!

Campus offices have been invited to table to provide visibility to the parent audience of their offices and their work.

All residential students will participate in their floor meetings. Resident Mentors will share their respectice floor locations. At the conclusion, Resident Mentors will walk their students to Magness Arena for Convocation.

Non-residential students will connect with other new commuter and non-residential students.

Any non-residential student can go to the ID Card Office in Driscoll Commons, Garden Level.

Official welcoming of new students and their families. “Ringing in” of new students to follow as students and families depart Magness Arena for Crimson Cookout.

Welcome to the DU Community! Join faculty, staff, and the entire DU Community as we welcome new students and their parents and families to the university. We will have a catered BBQ dinner, music, and activities for all to enjoy! Join us at Discoveries After Dark to continue the celebration.

Welcome reception for all incoming students and families hosted by the Student Inclusion & Belonging (SIB) team. We will introduce students to the SIB staff (The Cultural Center and First@DU), as well as student affinity group leaders and other campus resources to welcome students from diverse backgrounds to DU.

Unwind and get creative at our first Discoveries After Dark event! Join us for a relaxed evening of DIY fun—make friendship bracelets, pot a Spider plant, sip a mocktail, stuff your own DU Pillow, and/or design your own vision board! A great way to meet new friends and ease into campus life.

Dining Hall open

Find your 4D Peer Mentor on Campus Green! Know your mentor first name. If you don't know it, look up your FSEM so we can help you.

Students meet their 4D Peer Mentor and get acclimated to the Discoveries Orientation Schedule

New first year students will meet with their FSEM faculty. Transfer students will go to Transfer Student Orientation.

Specialized orientation sessions for new transfer students.

Dining Hall open

Dining Hall open

Students will breakout into large lecture rooms to hear from the 4D Peer Mentors about all things essential to their DU Student Experience! Real Talk at DU: Safety, Respect, and Smart Decisions

As we do annually, the students will congregate on the lacrosse field to meet their 4D Peer Mentor and form the classic DU to take their class photo.

Information sessions from various campus departments and services, served in an option of two, 30 minute resources flash talks, with transition time in between. (4:15-4:45pm and 5:00-5:30)

Dining Hall open

Bring your food to this 1 hour informational session to learn critical information about your Honors Program.

Informal drop-in session and mingle for PLP students

Bring your food to this 1 hour informational session to learn critical information about your Honors Program.

Step back in time for a night of throwback fun at the Ritchie Center! This Discoveries After Dark event features human curling, broomball, club sports, e-gaming, and plenty of food. Whether you're feeling competitive or just want to hang out, there's something for everyone at this high-energy, retro-themed evening.

Dining Hall open

Students meet their 4D Peer Mentor and get acclimated to the Discoveries Orientation Schedule

New first year students will meet with their FSEM faculty. Transfer students will go to Transfer Student Orientation.

Specialized orientation sessions for new transfer students.

Dining Hall open

Dining Hall open

Graduate International students will go through important training and information about their new student experience.

Students will breakout into approximately 25 rooms with their FSEM or Transfer Small Group and learn about how to dialogue across difference at the University of Denver.

All new students (FTFY & TR) students will attend the College Receptions during this time.

Informal drop-in session and mingle for Honors students.

Dining Hall open

Experience the magic of the boardwalk at this vibrant Discoveries After Dark event! Enjoy balloon art, trivia, and prizes, face painting, coconut tree climbing, axe throwing, mechanical surfboards, and sand art. It’s a night full of fun, color, and community you won’t want to miss!

Dining Hall open

Full details can be found here: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/new-student-family/new-students/graduate

FSEM destinations are a highlight of the DU Discoveries experience as they introduce students often to the Denver Community, as well as giving them time to dive in deeper with their peers and professor.

FSEM Small Group Rooms or place determind by 4D Peer Mentor will do one final reflection for the Letter to Future Self 4D Reflection Activity. This letter to their future self will be passed back out at a future time in partnership with the FSEM faculty or the Transfer Small groups.

Dining Hall open

Dining Hall open

Keep the energy going with Friday Night Live, part of the Discoveries After Dark series! Enjoy a live hypnotist show, drag bingo, and classic casino games like blackjack and craps. It’s a night full of laughs, surprises, and chances to win big—don’t miss out!

First Ascent to Kennedy Mountain Campus

Residential returning students move back in to their residence halls

Take advantage of free things to do in the Denver Area! Ride the RTD to a few iconic spots, or stay on campus and enjoy a class hosted by the KMC Rec and Wellness team. DON'T FORGET YOUR STUDENT ID!

All activities will leave from the University of Denver lightrail station.

The following activities can be engaged with at any time during the day you'd like, but several peer mentors will be leading groups of interested folks at some set times:

DENVER ART MUSEUM (Free day all day!):
Join Peer Mentors at the University of Denver Lightrail station BY 11:15AM and look for your friendly Peer Mentors! They will lead a group to the museum should you wish to join them.
You will take the 11:26AM train (E Line) North towards Union Station and get off after 3 stops at Alameda Station then walk one minute to the Alameda Bus Station (Gate B along Cherokee st.). From there you will take the 52 bus at 11:40am (or 30 min later if you miss it) towards Ward and 64th Avenue, getting off at Cherokee St & W 14th Ave, just 2 min walk from the museum. Alternative route would be taking the same H Line 4 stops and getting off at 10th and Osage Station, followed by 1.2 mile walk (group preference day-of). The Museum is located at 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204. Everyone should arrive to the museum around 12:15pm and you can enter together should you like. PM's will help you with a ride back as well. Listen to their plan for that before you separate to view the museum.

LARIMER SQUARE:
Meet at the University of Denver Lightrail station BY 11:00am and join Peer Mentors on the 11:11am E line train north. Take the train 7 stops and get off at the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens stop. Then walk 15 minutes east towards Larimer street past Ball Arena and the CU Denver campus. Check out Tivoli Hall at CU if you'd like!

SOUTH PEARL STREET: Meet at University of Denver's Lightrail (RTD) station at 10:00am (train will leave BY 10:11am). Take the E line North at 10:11am 2 stops and get off at Louisiana/Pearl Station and walk 3 short blocks West down Louisiana to Pearl Street. Turn left and walk down Pearl Street for several blocks enjoying the shops.
Explore one of Denver’s most historic and charming shopping districts right next to DU with plenty of locally-owned businesses and some of the hottest restaurants in Denver. Pearl St. also hosts the famous pearl st farmers market every Sunday until November. While you’re there make sure to check out Stella’s Coffee, Tokyo Premium Bakery, and keep an eye out for the miniature fairy doors local businesses have created! There are Farmers Markets along Pearl Street every Sunday Morning throughout summer until late October.

UNION STATION:
Meet at University of Denver's Lightrail (RTD) station at 10:00am (train will leave BY 10:11am). Ride E Line north to Union Station until you arrive to Union Station.
Grab some coffee and pastries from Pigtrain Coffee Co. and check out Tattered Cover Book Store as you explore Union Station. With Union Station being in the heart of Denver, you can also cross the Millennium Bridge on the north end of 16th St. to Commons Park or explore the blocks of eateries and shopping vendors throughout central Denver and 16th St. Mall.

MORNING HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) STUDIO CLASS AT RITCHIE CENTER:
At 9:30am, make your way into the South end of the Ritchie Center and enter the Rec Center to find the studio (look for a peer mentor to guide you). Class BEGINS at 9:45am and runs until 10:30am. Following your registration here, you will be redirected to register via the official sign up with the center. Please follow through with their steps as well!

• Denver Art Museum (Free visit day ALL DAY!) - Join 4D Peer Mentors on group trip leaving University of Denver Station at 11:15am, or meet them at the museum by 12:15pm
• Discover Union Station (10:00AM) - Join 4D Peer Mentors on an adventure to explore Union Station and surrounding restaurants, parks, and coffee shops
• South Pearl Street Hangout (10:00AM) - Join 4D Peer Mentors on a trip over to the historic South Pearl Street area for some snacks, shopping, and fun
• Larimer Square Meet-up (11:00AM): Join others for a trip to Larimer Square to grab ice cream and surrounding area
• HIIT Studio Class (9:45am - 10:30am) small group HIIT workouts in private studio. Meet in Ritchie Center Rec (Must also sign up through their link when redirected)

Wrap up Discoveries After Dark with a high-energy celebration of the Mile High City—open to all students! Co-sponsored by Fraternity & Sorority Life and DUPB, this event features laser tag, hamster ball soccer, a live DJ, and Denver-themed activities inspired by iconic local landmarks. Come for the fun, stay for the community vibes and unforgettable memories!

Come check out all the student clubs and organizations that DU has to offer. Learn about the various ways to get involved on campus and meet other students with similar interests and hobbies as you!

Required meetings to review residential policies including finalizing community and roommate agreements.

Join the Office of Student Employment at our student employment job fair! During this event, students will be able to meet with on-campus employers looking for talented future team members across all majors.