Ready for Roanoke Days: Orientation to Campus

During Ready for Roanoke Days, you will have the chance to meet fellow new Maroons, connect with campus resources, explore academic interests, and get familiar with all things Roanoke College. Although the Ready for Roanoke Days are optional for new students, they are highly encouraged in order to facilitate the most successful transition into your Fall semester. You will leave here with:

• a better sense of what makes you YOU;
• an understanding of how you fit in and belong to our community of Maroons;
• tools to tackle academic and life challenges and an ability to learn from and push past them

This event is designed for fall start students. There is programming for families as well!

Please consider the information below before you register for an orientation session and book travel. Once you have selected a session, it is difficult to accomodate changes.

Choose from one of the four Ready for Roanoke Days:

2026

Friday, June 26th (sign up closes June 18th)
Saturday, July 11th (sign up closes July 3rd)
Friday, July 17th (sign up closes July 10th)
Saturday, July 18th (transfer-only) (sign up closes July 11th)

STUDENT start and end times:  Plan to arrive around 8:30am on the day of your Ready for Roanoke Day. Programming will last all day until around 4pm followed by an optional meeting with your advisor from 4-5pm.   

TRANSFER students: The July 18th Ready for Roanoke Day is designed specifically for transfer students. Since you already have the experience of attending another institution, this day will especially focus on connecting you with your academic and extracurrciular interests. However, transfer students are welcome to attend any of the four sessions. There will be coinciding freshmen and transfer programming at the first three sessions. 

FAMILY start and end times: Programming for families begins and ends at the same time as students. 

Attendance: Although your attendance as a new student is highly encouraged, the Ready for Roanoke Days are optional. You will receive all of the necessary onboarding information through the Maroon Modules and your New Student Checklist. Ready for Roanoke Days are meant to help you become more familiar with campus, introduce you to various academic and extracurricular interests, and give you a good foundation as a RC student before your August arrival. 

Parents, guardians, family and guests: We encourage you to attend as there is programming especially for parents, guardians, family and adult guests. However, we also understand that some cannot be away from other obligations at that time of year. There are no programs for younger siblings. For overnight accommodations, please visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge page for information about local lodging, restaurants and more.

 Am I at a disadvantage if I can’t come to the first session?  No! Other than the last Ready for Roanoke Day, the first three sessions are identical in their schedule. The July 18th Ready for Roanoke Day is transfer-specific. 

What should I bring to my Ready for Roanoke Day?

• Photo identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Closed-toe shoes
• Book bag, water bottle, something to write on and write with
• If you bring a cell phone, we ask that you keep it turned off during all orientation presentations.

What tasks do I need to complete before my Ready for Roanoke Day?

• Start checking your RC email regularly at www.office.com 
• Follow directions set to your RC email about uploading your Maroon ID photo.

If I need to stay on campus, is that allowed? Yes! We understand that some of our students will need to travel to attend a Ready for Roanoke Day. Please email orientation@roanoke.edu to request overnight accommodations on campus. 

Are my parents/guardians allowed to stay on campus with me? Parents/guardians have the option to stay on campus for accommodations with their student. Please email orientation@roanoke.edu if you and your student expect to need accommodations. You can also visit  Virginia’s Blue Ridge page for information about local lodging and restaurants.

Can I bring my siblings to Ready for Roanoke Days? Accompanied minor siblings are allowed, however there is no program for younger siblings.

Will I be able to see my parent(s)/family during my Ready for Roanoke Day? Even though programming for students and parents is separate, you may see each other about campus. Transitioning to college comes with a lot to see, hear and think about. We encourage student and parents to take notes on all the things you learn so when you do get back together, many conversations can happen after orientation.

Is there transportation to and from the airport or train station? Transportation can be provided to and from the Roanoke Regional Airport or the Roanoke Amtrak Station if your new Maroon is traveling alone. Students can be picked up as early as 8 a.m. and can be dropped off at the station after 5 p.m. Please book travel accordingly; it may be difficult to accommodate outside of this time frame. 
Transportation requests are to be sent to orientation@roanoke.edu by June 1.

What happens after my Ready for Roanoke Day? Keep checking your Roanoke College email! You will be notified of additional information and opportunities regarding the housing portal, business office, and details regarding August Welcome Week.

What happens in August? Opening day is August 22, 2026. Details regarding move-in process and activities will be sent to your RC email address. DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK YOUR INBOX!

What if my preferred session is closed? If a session is listed as "0 remaining," please register for another session AND email orientation@roanoke.edu to get on a waitlist if one of these sessions is your only option.  Session spots will fill on a first-come, first-served basis. If spots become available, students will be contacted through their RC email.

Each year, Roanoke College builds a house with Habitat for Humanity for a family in need in the Roanoke Valley. During Welcome Week, the incoming students get to participate in building the "R House." Students receive hands-on experience in everything from raising the walls to hammering down the roof sheathing.