Discoveries Orientation Fall 2026

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

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

Welcome to New Family Orientation at the University of Denver! During Tuesday of Discoveries Orientation, families will have a Welcome Lounge in the Community Commons where they'll receive their welcome materials, and write a message to your new student on the Wish Wall. This is your first step in accessing the Discoveries Orientation App where the full schedule for family and new student orientation is held. The full Discoveries Orientation App will launch in August of 2026.

Important Note: Registering for this event must happen on a computer in a web browser. Registration tends to be unsuccessful when tried to be completed on a phone or tablet browser.

Find the full schedule here: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/new-student-family/content/family-orientation-0

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.”

Students move in based on housing assignments.

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

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.

This session targets first-generation family members and give them the inside scoop of what they might expect for the academic year, communication from FIRST@DU, and how to navigate the rest of the day. The sessions also helps first-gen families build confidence of the resources their student will receive while at DU.

Various sessions from1-4:30 pm

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

Meet the FIRST@DU team in the Community Commons 1200 Suite to answer any questions on navigation, first-gen experience, or to understand how we celebrate our first-generation college student community.

Details to be announced

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

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.

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.

Join First@DU for dessert after the Crimson Cookout

New Students and their guests are invited to a BBQ dinner on Campus Green catered through Sodexo.

Get ready to create, connect, and have some fun at Tues-DIY!.

Join us for a Discoveries After Dark experience where you can let your creativity shine while enjoying a night of DIY activities, good vibes, and delicious mocktails. Plant and paint your own pot, make friendship bracelets, create an inspiration grid, and sip on refreshing mocktails while hanging out with friends. Whether you’re crafty or just looking for something fun to do, Tues-DIY has something for everyone. Bring your new friends, room mates, your creativity, and come make something you’ll love!

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

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.

Dining Hall open

Dining Hall open

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.

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

Informal drop-in session and mingle for PLP students

All First Gen students are welcome to mingle with other first gen students and First@DU

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

Get ready for Rec Night! Come out for an action-packed night filled with something for everyone! Lace up your skates for ice skating, test your skills in esports and rec games, take on the challenge of human curling and rock climbing, or get moving with volleyball, soccer, and flag football. You can also meet the Club Sports teams and learn how to get involved. And, of course, we’ll have FREE FOOD to keep you fueled throughout the night! Bring your friends, try something new, and make REC Night a night to remember!

Dining Hall open

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

Students will breakout into 12 larger rooms of about 75 each to engage in Insight Dialouges: Discussing Differing Views at DU which will showcase DU's commitment to pluralisum and freedom of expression.

Dining Hall open

Dining Hall open

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

Specialized orientation sessions for new transfer students.

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

From 3:30-4:30 CAHSS welcomes new students to get their questions answered about our majors and minors, connect with departmental faculty and staff and learn more about opportunities and support available throughout the college. Psychology will have 50-60 chairs in a corner back and will hold sessions at 3:30, 3:50 and 4:10. English will do an additional in-depth session 4:30-5:30 in Sturm, please reserve a classroom on second floor (253) Lamont will also do an additional in-depth session 4:30-5:30 in Sturm 254 + more (HIstory, Religion, Culture and Society + Theatre )

From 3:30-4:30 NSM students will be welcomed by departments and learn more about majors. Locations vary. From 4:30-5:30 all NSM students will be welcomed by the dean of the college in BAUD 101. New students will also hear from a NSM alumni panel about their experiences at and after DU. Biological Sciences - Olin 105; Chemistry & Biochemistry - Olin 205; Geography & the Environment - BAUD 101; Mathematics - CMK 101; Physics & Astronomy - PHYS 118. NSM All-College Welcome in BAUD 101.

Global Issues. Real Skills. Lasting Impact. At the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, we take on the questions shaping our world: security, sustainability, human rights, and more. You'll build real skills, work on real problems, and graduate ready for the career you want, whether that's in government, nonprofits, business, or somewhere you haven't imagined yet. And here, you're never just a number. We see you, we know you, and we're genuinely glad you're here. Come by for snacks, good conversation, and a chance to meet our students, faculty, staff and get a real feel for Korbel.

We will start in ECS 510 at 3:30 pm with the Deans and Chairs giving a welcome presentation. Then we will have a panel discussion with current students. Then we will break up into two sections after about 45 minutes for any additional advising (engineering students and faculty will stay in ECS 510 and CS faculty and students will go to ECS 410). During the transition break will have refreshments.

Ready to kickstart your Daniels journey? Join us for an energizing afternoon where you’ll discover exciting ways to get involved and connect with your future classmates. After a quick, welcome from the Dean Naomi Boyd, we’ll sweeten the deal with a lively ice cream social—your chance to mingle, network, and build the connections that will shape your Daniels experience.

All Exploratory Students will join the Office of Academic Advising and Career and Professional Development to learn about their exploratory student journey. This session will introduce students on best practices to explore majors and career paths.

Welcome to the team! We invite new Kinesiology & Sports Studies (KINE) students for an informational session and small-group discussions. You will meet faculty and staff, learn about program requirements and opportunities, and start building your academic community. Our goal is for you to feel connected, informed, and excited to begin your KINE studies. Refreshments will be provided.

Informal drop-in session and mingle for Honors students.

Dining Hall open

Join us for an exciting night of trivia from 8 –10:30 PM, where you can test your knowledge, compete with friends, and win some dope prizes! You will have the chance to win Polaroid cameras, a LEGO Game Boy, LEGO Botanicals, LEGO Project Hail Mary sets, and JBL speakers, with each prize valued at approximately $100 or less. Plus, enjoy community and cool off with a refreshing Kona Ice while you play, compete, and have fun!

Dining Hall open

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.

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.

Graduate Students are encouraged to attend in person/virtually to find out more about what their graduate program has in store for them

Dining Hall open

Get ready for the Fan Frenzy Tailgate! Come show your DU Pride and get hyped before the DU vs. Tulsa game with an evening packed with lawn games, fun andDU pride! Bring your friends, rep your Crimson & Gold, and soak up the tailgate vibes before heading to the game. Let’s get loud, and cheer on DU!

Dining Hall open

First Ascent to Kennedy Mountain Campus

Residential returning students move back in to their residence halls

Free things to do in Denver
How to use RTD
Highlights of the city of Denver

Get ready for a night of laughs, surprises, and unforgettable entertainment! Come experience Skin Tight Outrage, DU’s improv group, as they bring the laughs with a hilarious and unpredictable performance. Then, prepare to be amazed by an exciting Hypnotist Show that will have you questioning what’s real! And don’t miss Drug Bingo, a fun and engaging experience designed to bring awareness and education in a creative way. Bring your friends, room mates and get ready for a night packed with comedy, entertainment, and plenty of surprises!

Do you like Basketball? Come to our meet-up! Casual pickup games. All skill levels welcome; split into teams once everyone arrives.

What DU Like is a series of casual, interest-based meet-ups designed to help new students find their people at DU. Whether you're into basketball, books, coffee, concerts, gaming, hiking, or just looking for someone to hang out with, there’s a meet-up for you.

These are low-pressure, peer-led spaces to meet other students who like what you like and make connections you can carry into the year. No experience, commitment, or existing friend group needed. Just show up!

TBD

All new and returning students are invited to celebrate the start of a new school year with our Sunday night concert featuring The Dirty Turkeys - an Acid Cow Punk band from Boulder, CO!
Kicking off the show will be DU Student Band: Continental Breakfast. Doors at 6pm, opener at 7pm and headliner at 8pm.

What DU Like is a series of casual, interest-based meet-ups designed to help new students find their people at DU. Whether you're into basketball, books, coffee, concerts, gaming, hiking, or just looking for someone to hang out with, there’s a meet-up for you.

These are low-pressure, peer-led spaces to meet other students who like what you like and make connections you can carry into the year. No experience, commitment, or existing friend group needed. Just show up!

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!