January Orientation
Merrimack College’s January Orientation program is an opportunity for incoming students to get settled before classes start.
Welcome to Orientation
January Orientation is designed for all incoming new students and takes place after Move-In Day. Our program offers various activities, presentations and opportunities for you to get to know your classmates and available campus resources. You’ll meet with our student staff of Orientation Leaders while settling into life as a Merrimack student.
New student move in for residential students will begin on Wednesday January 27, 2021. Contact Residence Life (reslife@merrimack.edu) for instructions. New commuter students are also asked to check in on Wednesday morning.
The January Orientation program will begin during the afternoon on January 27, 2021 and ends on Friday January 29, 2021.
Select Your Orientation Session
Schedule
If you will be attending January Orientation, please Register in MackTasks. All new students are expected to attend and the Orientation team will have schedules for residents, commuters and fully-remote students.
- Resident students’ schedules are a hybrid of in-person activities, as well as online sessions.
- Commuter students may choose to participate in person with the resident students or virtually with our remote students.
- Remote students will have a schedule that is completely virtual.
A final schedule for each of these populations is linked above.
Orientation Highlights
- Virtual Diversity University session
- Review of campus safety and policies
- Academic preparedness session
- Green Dot Bystander Intervention overview
- Commuter sessions
- Residence hall floor meetings
- Group time with Orientation Leaders and fellow incoming students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for January Orientation?
New student Orientation will be held on January 27 through January 29. This includes new first year students and transfer students. International students will also participate in new student orientation and have their own sessions on January 28. Graduate Student Orientation will also be held on January 28.
How do I sign up for January Orientation?
Sign ups are via MyMack under the student’s MackTasks until January 20, 2021.
What is the format of January Orientation?
January Orientation will be a hybrid format. All students will have virtual orientation sessions throughout the three days. Residential students and commuters who wish to participate in person will have opportunities to meet in person with each other and our student Orientation staff. Remote only students will be participating in Orientation fully virtually including their small group time.
Is Orientation mandatory?
Yes orientation is mandatory for ALL incoming students. This includes residential, commuter, transfer and remote students.
I am a commuter student. Am I able to participate in person for Orientation?
Commuter students who would like to participate in person for Orientation (which includes picking up their iPad) should come to campus on Wednesday January 27 to be tested. If commuter students do not come on that day to be tested they should plan to participate remotely for Orientation.
Is there a parent program for January Orientation?
Parents will have virtual sessions on Wednesday January 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are the parent sessions going to be recorded?
Parent sessions will be recorded and available on the website after January Orientation has concluded.
When do I receive my iPad?
Students will receive their iPad on Friday January 29, 2021.
When will I receive my MackCard?
All new students who participate in person will receive their MackCard when they arrive on campus on January 27. Commuter students who are participating in orientation remotely will be able to go to the second floor of the Library during their first week on campus to get their MackCard.
How will I know where to go throughout Orientation?
Each incoming student will be assigned to an Orientation group that is led by Orientation Leaders. The are upperclassmen students who are here to answer your questions and help you throughout your Orientation experience. The Orientation Leaders will make sure you know where are going and how to contact them. The website will also serve as a resource for students throughout January Orientation. If you have questions, you can always contact orientation@merrimack.edu.
How do I know if my credits transfer over to Merrimack and if classes count towards my major?
To know these details students can visit their degree audit located on myMack as well as set up an appointment with their Advisors to go over these details. Every student at Merrimack is given an Academic Advisor in order to help with questions like this. You can find your Advisor’s name by also looking under Student Info on myMack.
Is there a cost for January Orientation?
There is no cost for January Orientation.