Orientation 2019
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“Aha!” moments come early at Carnegie Mellon University. From the first day, students will find unexpected opportunities to gain insights into themselves and the world at large as they join a unique community that inspires lifelong learning.
Carnegie Mellon’s Class of 2023+ will soon begin their university careers. This class is comprised of about 1,585 students, representing 30 countries, 43 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.
About 50 percent of these first-year students are female, about 49 percent are male, and about 1 percent are non-binary. About 17 percent of the Class of 2023+ are international students and about 15 percent are underrepresented minorities.
With the help of a team of CMU students and staff, first-year students participate in fun activities and seminars to meet other students, get to know the university’s culture and traditions, and provide an overview of academic expectations. This year’s week-long Orientation has the theme of “Breakthrough,” which symbolizes the many achievements that students will make during their college transition and time at CMU. The full list of Orientation events is available on the Orientation site or for download, via iTunes or Google Play, in the CMU Events app.
Incoming students arrived on campus with the university’s official Move-In Day on Saturday, Aug. 17. Returning students greeted families and helped them transport new students’ belongings into their new homes.
The new class and their families received an official welcome from President Farnam Jahanian and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Gina Casalegno from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.
On Monday, Aug. 19, first-year students gathered on The Cut for Playfair, a large icebreaker with high-energy activities and games to help students introduce themselves to one another. The class gathered again on The Cut on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for a class photo.
On Thursday, Aug. 22, university leadership, faculty and staff welcomed the Class of 2023+ to the official start of their college experience at Convocation at the tent on the College of Fine Arts Lawn.
On Friday, Aug. 23, students ventured into the Pittsburgh community for hands-on service projects, including beautifying neighborhood gardens, organizing donations, and preparing meals for families. That evening, students donned their house colors for the annual House Wars, where housing communities show their house pride with cheers, banners, costumes and compete in outdoor field games.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, students rounded out their Orientation week at the Craig Street Crawl. The block party on Craig Street between Forbes and Fifth avenues introduces students to the neighborhood business district with food, music and activities.