University of Pittsburgh
Division of Student Affairs
738 William Pitt Union
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
412-648-1006
For more information, contact:
Shawn Ahearn, 412-648-1005
Cell: 412-715-1157
Campus Community to Welcome New and Transfer Students
During Week-long Orientation Activities
The University of Pittsburgh will welcome nearly 4,500 new students to its’ Oakland campus for
New and Transfer Student Orientation, which begins on August 14 with a series of events for
international students, and concludes August 24 with the traditional Lantern Night ceremony for Pitt
women at Heinz Chapel.
The new students will receive a warm welcome from current students, as well as faculty and staff
from the academic schools and support units throughout the University on Wednesday as they make
their way to the Petersen Events Center for one of Pitt’s traditional events: New Student Convocation.
Current members of the Pitt community will participate in a special ceremony during the convocation.
New Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and other distinguished members of the University community will
welcome the new students and their families and celebrate their successful transition to Pitt. New
Student Convocation will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by the Chancellor’s Picnic immediately
after the ceremony.
“We are so excited to welcome this class to the University of Pittsburgh,” said Vice Provost and
Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey, who will be overseeing her 10th orientation week at Pitt. “This is a
special class, and this is going to be a very special week, because our entire campus is participating in
Convocation and many other activities. I know Chancellor Gallagher feels a special connection to this
group of students because he is starting a new chapter in his Pitt journey along with the Class of 2018.”
In addition to New Student Convocation on Wednesday, the mandatory “Tipping Point” program
will be held later in the evening at the Pete, covering topics regarding campus safety, with special
emphasis placed on alcohol use and abuse, and sexual harassment and assault prevention. Following
the Tipping Point, the Class of 2018 will attempt to become the fifth consecutive class at Pitt to break a
world record.
There are more than 85 programs and activities during orientation, which is developed by the
Office of First-year Experience and staff from the Division of Student Affairs, to help new students and
their families become acclimated to Pitt. Sessions are specifically designed for international students,
transfer students, and first-year commuter students.
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PITT ORIENTATION… page 2
A wide range of topics will be covered, including programs on the Pitt ABC’s (Academics, Book
Options, Classroom Expectations); the Student Health Center, Counseling Center, and Office of
Disability Resources; PITT ARTS; the Outside the Classroom Curriculum; Study Abroad; Pitt’s Global
Ties Program; Fraternity and Sorority Life; leadership opportunities and much more.
Thursday has been designated “DiscoverU Day” as students will have the chance to explore their
passions and interests during specialized field trips and activities arranged by the Career Development
and Placement Assistance Office. On Friday, students will engage in community service projects
sponsored by the Office of PittServes at various locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. On Saturday,
students can participate in a variety of “HealthyU” fitness classes and activities, before heading to the
Waterfront for a shopping excursion, then a “Pre-Class Bash” on Bigelow Boulevard between Fifth and
Forbes Avenues.
On Sunday, the ever-popular Student Activities Fair will be held at the Pete from 2 to 5 p.m. as
approximately 330 student organizations and clubs set up information booths and give away prizes to
attract members. And finally, female alumni pass the light of learning and inspiration to first-year Pitt
women during the University’s oldest tradition, Lantern Night, which was first held in 1920.
For a complete list of programs and events, please visit www.fye.pitt.edu.