Weekend of Welcome (WoW)

Scheduled Thursday through Sunday before Fall classes begin, WoW formally welcomes incoming students to our academic and co-curricular communities through a variety of programs, social events, and focused reflection activities.

For more information, visit Weekend of Welcome.

New Student Common Reading

As part of a collaborative process between the Campus Deans & Directors Committee, English Composition and student leaders, a common new student reading is chosen. The reading, first given to new students at their summer orientation session, is an integral part of their English Composition course, and provides an avenue of engagement for students through the WoW and residential experience programs.

For more information, visit FYE Theme & Common Reading.

First Year Advising Cohort (FYAC)

All new students are assigned to a First Year Advising Cohort taught by a faculty member. This faculty member becomes the student's academic advisor for the entire first year, providing the student with academic support during his or her transition to higher education. Students are most often assigned to an advising cohort based on perceived academic interests, although those who are enrolled in a specific campus program, such as the High Potential Program and the Honors Program, may be placed with an advisor representing that program. FYACs are taught as a .25 credit class that meets over the course of both fall and spring semesters for a minimum of 21 hours (usually in sessions of 1.5 hours). Most FYACs are scheduled during the Monday or Friday 12:40-2:10PM class time.

For more information, visit First Year Advising Cohorts.

Freshman Olympics

Organized by their residence hall, first year students compete in various recreational and athletic competitions.

For more information, visit Athletics.

Freshman Class Elections, Associated Students of Saint Mary's College 

First year students who would like to serve their classmates as class representatives have the opportunity to run and be elected for an office in the Associate Students of Saint Mary's College senate. The Freshman Class President introduces the First Year Author during their lecture in the fall semester.

For more information, visit Student Government.

New Student Retreat

All new students are invited to attend a retreat meant to allow students to reflect on their first months as a college student, exploring their spiritual capacities and offering intentional reflection.

For more information, visit Retreats & Vocation.

Hunger Banquet

In anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, new students participate in a banquet designed to reveal the world's struggles with hunger. Through speakers, dialogue and passive information sharing, students reflect on the concept of food in the larger world and how they can assist fighting hunger.

For more information, visit the events of the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action.

First Year Student Reflection Program

Through a designed program, first year students engage in an intentional dialogue centered on their experiences as a new student at Saint Mary's College.

New Student Orientation & FYE Booklet

Providing new students and their families with information on orientation and testing dates, campus housing and medical information, and an introduction to the FYE's programs and resources.

For more information, visit New Student Orientation.

Saint Mary's Datebook

All first year students receive datebooks that include the Saint Mary's Undergraduate Student Handbook, campus academic and student support resources, and dates of campus activities and athletic events.

Saint Mary's College FYE Website & MySMC

Online resources designed to help navigate new students and their families from being accepted to Saint Mary's, choosing to attend Saint Mary's and through their transition during their Weekend of Welcome activities. Provides internal and external audiences with a clear description and understanding of the goals and purpose of the FYE and creates a space to provide updated information about first year programs and resources.