We are excited to welcome you to the Saint Anselm community!

Start your Hilltop experience with Anselmian Beginnings, our orientation program designed to prepare you for your academic journey and introduce you to college traditions and campus resources. 

Through Anselmian Beginnings, you will meet with your major department, connect with other members of the incoming class, register for classes, and hear about the endless opportunities you will find during your time on the Hilltop. 

Anselmian Beginnings is a two-part program beginning in mid-June.  

 

Anselmian Beginnings Part II

August 19 – 21, 2021

Anselmian Beginnings Part II prepares you for the academic, personal, social, and cultural transition to Saint Anselm and the greater New Hampshire community. 

The multi-day program is designed to help you navigate your transition and feel a bit more settled before classes begin August 23. Part II is scheduled for August 19 - 21, 2021. Residential students will move in prior to the start of the orientation program. Students will receive further communication regarding their move-in date in the summer.

 

Thursday, August 19

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Residential Students Move-In

All new residential students must first check-in at the registration tables in order to gain access to the residence halls. Please check your Saint Anselm email for details on your check-in time and location.

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Getting Settled 

Commuter students and students that have moved-in early are encouraged to be on campus by 11 a.m. 

All new students are encouraged to finish any last-minute items before the start of orientation such as getting a student ID card if you don't have one already, buying books from the Bookstore, etc.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. New Student and Family Lunch 

New students and families are invited to lunch at Davison Dining Hall. 

11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Resource Fair (Jean Student Center)

Visit the following offices for resources and information:

• Office of Academic Advisement & Assistant Dean for First-Year Students (2nd floor)
• Academic Resource Center (2nd floor)
• Campus Ministry (1st floor)
• Career Development Center (1st floor)
• Fr. Jonathan Intercultural Center (1st floor)
• Meelia Center for Community Service (1st floor)
• Health Services (ground floor)
• Student Engagement and Leadership Office (ground floor)

11:30 a.m. Legacy Family Photo (Dana Center Lobby)

Join other students with Saint Anselm family connections for an "all in the family" photo.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Commuter Student and Family Lunch 

Commuter students and their families are welcome to gather in the President’s Dining Room, Davison Hall, for a meet-and-greet lunch social.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. New student and Family Mass (Saint Anselm Abbey Church) 

Students and their families are invited to join us for Mass in the Abbey Church.

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. President's Welcome (Sullivan Arena)

All new students and their families are invited to join Dr. Joseph Favazza and Orientation Leader (OL) Student Chair, Meredith Budds ‘22, as we welcome you into the Saint Anselm community.

3:30 p.m. Legacy Family Reception 

After the new students begin orientation, legacy family members are invited to join us to meet and mingle with fellow alumni. Light refreshments will be served.

 

Student Program Begins

Time to say goodbye to your family and join your orientation group on the Alumni Quad.

 

3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Orientation 1st group meeting (various classroom locations)

Join your Orientation Leaders (OLs) to kick-off your orientation experience, meet your classmates, get organized for the rest of the day, and have some fun! Check your Saint Anselm email for your team assignment.

4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Academic Citizenship with Dr. Nicole Eyet (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

Chair of the Faculty Senate, Professor Eyet, Ph.D., will discuss academic citizenship and why it matters.

4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Shot of Reality (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

An interactive alcohol awareness program presented by two professional comedians. This is a realistic interactive discussion about the destructive consequences of alcohol abuse, assault, DUIs, health issues, and more.

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. New student BBQ & OL Group meeting/Alcohol Presentation Reflection (Davison Dining Hall)

7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Residential Floor Meeting (Residence Halls) and Commuter Meeting (Jean Center, SGA Senate Room)

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Playfair (Sullivan Arena | Masks Required) 

Playfair is a powerful program for campus unity and school spirit. It's the perfect way to make new campus friendships and kick-off your college experience.

Friday, August 20

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast with your OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

8:50 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. BCSSE Survey Time in your OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Academic Advising Meeting(various locations)

To help begin your academic journey with a strong academic connection, all new students will have an introductory meeting with their assigned academic advisor.

10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. We Belong: Building an Inclusive Community Together with Guest Speaker, Victoria Adewumi (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Anselmian Call to Service with Nicole Lora, Director of Meelia Center (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall) (start loading buses by 1:15pm)

1:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Brian Maguire Day of Service (various locations) (with on-campus Group Reflections on service and inclusivity)

This is an opportunity for new students to learn about and engage with the Manchester community. It is also an introduction to the ethic of service at Saint Anselm College.

6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Dinner with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Being Anselmian (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

8:45 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Evening Programs [student choice]

• Movie Under the Stars on the Campus Green
  (Rain Location: Jean Student Center Melucci Auditorium)
  National Treasure (2004) starring Nicholas Cage as historian and code-breaker Ben Gates.
• Karaoke at the Coffee Shop, open until midnight. Bring your meal card and have a snack.
• Pub Trivia at the Pub, open until midnight. Bring your meal card and have a snack.

 

Saturday, August 21

8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Breakfast with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Message from Dr. Alicia Finn, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. OK 2 Discuss with OL Group Breakouts (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre & Campus Green; Rain Locations for Breakouts: Various Classroom Locations)

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

1:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Preparing for Your Academics & Academic Resources (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

• First-Year Class Dean Welcome

• Conversatio Overview (TBD – Derk Wierda)

• Academic Support Resources – ARC, CDC, Library video. ID-Canvas

3:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Break

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. New Student Banquet (Davison Dining Hall)

Celebrate the "official" start of the academic year! Dr. Joseph Favazza, president of the college and Richard “Rit” Flandreau ’22, student body president, will address the class of 2025 and new transfer students. During the banquet, we will also raise the Class of 2025 banner. The banquet will provide an opportunity for you to dress up (semi-formal attire) and socialize with your new classmates.

7:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Anselmian Blessing at the Grotto (Grotto and Campus Green)

Join fellow students for a candlelight ceremony to bless and induct our new students into the Anselmian community. Come to receive the blessing, light a candle at the Grotto, and receive your official Anselmian bracelet.

8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Evening Entertainment: Hypnotist Paul Ramsay (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

Hypnotist Paul Ramsay will keep you laughing as he takes you on a journey into the mind.

10:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. New Student Dance (Dana Center, Event Space)

Join your Orientation Leaders to celebrate the successful completion of your orientation experience.

• Download the New Student Orientation Part II Schedule (PDF/141.7KB)

 

Information for Parents and Families 

Anselmian beginnings offers several family orientation sessions. The sessions allow parents, guardians, and other members of student's support system, to get to know the resources and meet Saint Anselm faculty, staff, and administrators. The goal for families to walk away better prepared to support their student as they begin their college journey.

Anselmian beginnings will host virtual thematic sessions for families beginning in June. Families are encouraged to ask questions by submitting them beforehand through the registration page or during the session through the chat feature. All sessions will be recorded and the recording will be available following the session on this webpage. 

To register for sessions please visit the enrollment portal.

For further information or questions about Anselmian Beginnings, please contact the AcademicAdvisement@anselm.edu.