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First-Year Experience

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Welcome to your first year at Saint Vincent! Our freshman year experience is designed to help you start strong and feel at home from day one. Here, you'll discover our freshman orientation programs, essential move-in day details, residence hall and commuter arrangements, and valuable academic resources. Be sure to check out the Admitted Student page for important information about registering, depositing, and connecting with us.

Three students sitting on a bench, overlooking a grassy field and sports practice area during autumn. The scene captures a relaxed outdoor atmosphere on campus.

Starting Strong at Freshmen Orientation

Welcome Weekend kicks off the extended orientation experience, which continues for the first 5-6 weeks of the semester with events specifically for first-year students. These activities provide a safe space for students to grow their knowledge and friendships, offering numerous opportunities to find friends, make new memories, and cement connections. Our student government led Activities Programming Board also hosts campus wide activities and events the first few weeks of school for upperclassmen and freshmen to interact and get acquainted. Additionally, the Big/Little program pairs incoming students with Orientation Committee members who serve as mentors. This initiative helps new students feel welcome and supported both before they arrive on campus and throughout their first semester.

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    Orientation Program Features

    • New Student Orientation Day for deposited students (in the summer)
    • Welcome Weekend before classes start - August 28-30, 2026
    • Five weeks of social and academic support during the first semester

Move-In Day and Welcome Weekend

August 28 - 30, 2026

See schedules below for this year's Move-in Day and Welcome Weekend

  • 2026 Welcome Weekend Schedule

    Note: Times and events are subject to change.

    Friday

    8:00 am - 11:30 am, Residence Hall Move-In, Saint Benedict Hall
    1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, Commuter Check-In, Citrone Family Commuter Lounge

    • Last names A-M: 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
    • Last names N-Z: 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
    2:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Wimmer’s Welcome, In front of Basilica
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Welcome Mass, Basilica
    3:45 pm - 6:00 pm, Welcome Picnic
    6:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Family Farewells
    6:30 pm, Meet your Prefect, Your Saint Benedict Hall Pod or Commuter Lounge ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
    8:00 pm, New Student Orientation Meeting, Carey Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
     *This mandatory meeting is for all freshmen resident and commuter students. Students will receive the Rule of Saint Benedict from Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel and Father Paul Taylor.

    9:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Welcome Social & Bonfire, Saint Benedict Hall

    Saturday, August 29

    8:00 am – 9:00 am, Optional Breakfast with your Big, Community Center

    Information Sessions, Carey Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED

    • 9:50 am, What is a Catholic, Benedictine College?
    • 10:10 am, Academic Affairs Policies & Procedures
    • !0:30 am, Alcohol, Drugs, and the College Experience*

    11:45 am – 1:00 pm, Lunch with your Big, Community Center

    Information Sessions, Carey Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED

    • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Title IX and Campus Safety
    • 2:00 pm – 2:10 pm, Community Standards 
    • 2:10 pm – 2:30 pm, Personal Safety & Wellness
    2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, Play Fair, Carey Gymnasium
    4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Dinner, Community Center
    6:00 pm - 6:45 pm, Class of 2030 Photograph, Carey Gymnasium, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
    • Wear your Graffiti Dance Party Shirt for the photograph.
    6:45 pm – 8:30 pm, Healthy Relationships, Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
    8:30 pm – 11:00 pm, Graffiti Dance Party, Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center
    • Get your marker when you wear the shirt that you received in your Welcome Bag to the dance!

    Sunday, August 30

    9:00 am – 11:00 am, Tour of Campus with your Big
    11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Brunch with your Big, Community Center
    1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, Hired! Carey Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
    2:15 pm – 4:30 pm, Scavenger Hunt with Pod, Performing Arts Center, ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
    4:30 pm, Mass, Mary Mother of Wisdom Chapel
    7:00 pm, Mass, Mary Mother of Wisdom Chapel
    9:30 pm, Mass, Mary Mother of Wisdom Chapel

  • Move-In Instructions

    Saint Benedict Hall Move-in Friday, August 28, 2026

    First year residential students may arrive on campus at the following designated arrival times. Your pod is show in your room number. For example, B405 is on the fourth floor in Pod 4B.

    5th Floor: 7:45 am - 8:15 am
    4th Floor: 8:15 am - 9:00 am
    3rd Floor: 9:00 am - 9:45 am
    2nd Floor: 9:45 am - 10:15 am
    1st Floor: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
    Late Move-in: 10:45 am - 11:15 am

    Label Your Belongings

    • Due to the amount of luggage that will be unloaded in one area, it is crucial that ALL belongings are marked with the student’s name and residence hall room number (this includes the Pod letter and room number (e.g. C209). Please label all belongings in a prominent location prior to arrival.
    • If you arrive with unlabeled belongings, you will be asked to step out of the line and label belongings prior to continuing to move in.

    Arrival

    • Residential students will be directed to the Welcome Area in Parking Lot A near the Fred Rogers Center after arriving on campus, where student ID cards and Residence Hall room keys will be distributed.
    • Residence Life and Orientation Staff will then direct cars to Saint Benedict Hall for unloading.
    • Please keep your party’s cars together when entering the parking lot. If a car in your party is running behind, please pull over in a separate lot or area and wait for their arrival prior to entering Parking Lot A.
    • Varsity athletes will be directed to teh Fred Rogers Center before move-in to meet with athletic training staff.

    Unloading

    • After being directed to the unloading areas, Orientation committee members will unload vehicles and assist in transporting all belongings to residence hall rooms.
    • The driver of the vehicle should remain with the vehicle at all times.
    • Please move vehicles immediately after unloading in order to allow other vehicles to unload easily. The Orientation Committee will direct vehicles to the parking locations in Parking Lot R. Handicapped parking will be available after move-in has concluded, but passenger drop off in the handicapped parking zone will be permitted during move-in as needed.
    • No bed bunking will be permitted in Saint Benedict Hall
    If you are uncomfortable with physical move-in assistance from the Orientation Committee, you will be directed to a separate location to unload your vehicle. All items should be removed from the car and the driver must remain with the car. The car must be moved to designated parking spaces as soon as all belongings have been removed to allow for space for the next student’s arrival.

    Early or Extra Late Arrivals

    Contact the Residence Life Office residence.life@stvincent.edu if you will need to arrive after the move-in window.

    Orientation Assistance Station

    An Orientation Assistance Station and other resources will be available in the lobby of Saint Benedict Hall for your convenience.

    Transfer Move-in Friday, August 28, 2026

    • Arrive between 12-2pm and let the attendant at the Welcome Booth know the name of your residence hall.
    • Once you arrive at your residence hall, check in with the prefect at the front desk and unload your vehicle.
    • Quickly remove your vehicle to make room for others.
    • Varsity athletes check in with the athletic training staff at the Fred Rogers Center prior to driving to you residence hall. 

    Parking Permits

    To request a parking permit, please submit your online request on the Public Safety page or on the MySV Portal. Students are required to display their permit. Cars without permits will be ticketed during the first week of classes.

    Orientation Committee

    svc.orientation@stvincent.edu

    Residence Life Office

    Alfred Hall, 1st Floor
    Phone: 724-805-2567
    Email: residence.life@stvincent.edu 

  • Commuter Check-In Instructions

    When should I arrive?
    Please arrive to Check-In on Friday, August 28

    • Last Names A-M: 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
    • Last Names N-Z 1:50 pm - 2:30 pm

    Where should I go?
    Commuter students should park in Parking Lot A near the Fred Rogers Center, then proceed directly to the Citrone Family Commuter Center, located in Placid Hall near the Post Office and Community Center Dining Room. Athletes should check in with athletic training staff at the Fred Rogers Center first. 

    What can I expect to receive at Check-In?
    This is where you will receive your student ID card, important first-year student information, and Welcome Weekend packets. You will also meet other Commuters and start to build your new home on campus.

    Do I have to attend Check-In?
    Check-In is mandatory, as are the other events of the weekend.

    How do I get my parking permit?
    To request a parking permit, please sign up on the Public Safety page on the MySV Portal. Students are required to display their permit. Cars without permits will be ticketed during the first week of classes.

    Important Information About Financial Clearance
    Financial Clearance must be obtained prior to check-in. Students who are not cleared will be directed to the Business Office to obtain their clearances. You will be notified by the Business Office when you are financially cleared. Please make sure you have financial clearance prior to check-in.

    If you have questions about financial clearance, please contact the Business Office at 724-537-4577.

    Contact information
    Bridget DiVittis, Director of Student Engagement
    bridget.divittis@stvincent.edu

    Orientation Committee
    svc.orientation@stvincent.edu

    Residence Life Office
    Alfred Hall, 1st Floor
    Phone: 724-805-2567
    Email: residence.life@stvincent.edu

  • Financial Clearance

    • Financial Clearance must be obtained prior to moving into Residence Halls. If you have paid your balance or arranged for your balance to be paid, you will receive a message on the student portal beginning in early August indicating that you have financial clearance.
    • Students without financial clearance, will not receive their room key or be permitted to move in until they resolve their balance with the Business Office.
    If you have questions about financial clearance, please contact the Business Office at 724-805-2248.
  • Post Office and Your Mail

    Mailing Address Guidelines:

    To ensure timely and accurate delivery of your mail, please use the following format on all correspondence:

    YOUR NAME  
    BOX #### ST VINCENT COLLEGE  
    300 FRASER PURCHASE RD  
    LATROBE PA 15650-2690
    

    Important Notes:

    Always include your Post Office box number. Do not use your dorm name or room number—mail is not delivered to residence halls.

    • Share your box number with family and friends to avoid delays.
    • Mailbox numbers can be found in the black book at the post office counter.
    • Do not send cash through the mail. Instead, send checks, which can be cashed at the Business Office with a valid student ID.
    • The Post Office is not responsible for:
      • Cash sent through mail or housemail
      • Perishable packages
      • Mismarked mail

    Mailbox Keys:

    Mailbox keys can be picked up at the Campus Post Office (Headmasters Hall - 1st floor) near the Community Center.

    • Keep your key for the entire duration of your time at Saint Vincent.
    • Upon graduation or withdrawal, you must return your key to avoid a $75 fee.
    • Lost keys can be replaced for $5.

Creating Your Campus Home

Freshmen Residence Halls and Pod Life

Welcome to Saint Benedict Hall, your home for your first year at Saint Vincent! Here, you'll enjoy the most picturesque view of the sunrise over our Basilica. Saint Benedict Hall is designed to help first-year students foster a true sense of community and get to know their classmates.

  • Pod Living: You'll live in “pods” or neighborhoods of 16-24 students, grouped based on your study habits, interests, sleep schedule, and more.
  • Community Spaces: Each of the 21 individual pods has its own lounge and a unique theme, providing a space for bonding and activities.
  • Activities and Programs: Participate in programs, games, and Bible studies together, making friends that last a lifetime.
  • Pod Wars: Compete in fun activities like human battleship, scavenger hunts, and the ultimate finale to win the coveted title of Pod Wars Champions.

Your pod will be your team, your home, and your family throughout your freshman year.

Commuter Life

Welcome to the Citrone Family Commuter Center, your home away from home on campus! Located on the first floor of Placid Hall across from the Caf, this dedicated commuter lounge is designed to provide a comfortable and convenient space for you during your downtime.

  • Amenities: Enjoy a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and Keurig as well as study tables, a pool table, TV, and wireless internet service.
  • Access: As a commuter, you’ll also have access to Saint Benedict Hall, including its lounge, computer lab, and kitchenette.
  • Support: You’ll be assigned a home neighborhood with a prefect who will guide you through orientation events and assist you throughout the year.
  • Activities: Join in many activities with your fellow first-year students, making connections and enjoying your time on campus.

The Citrone Family Commuter Center is a relaxing and enjoyable space, perfect for studying, socializing, and unwinding.

Preparing for Academic Success

Academic Support

Get ready to start on the right foot academically with our supportive faculty and staff.

  • Faculty advisors are assigned to help you choose courses and assist you in meeting the necessary requirements for your major, while helping you achieve your academic goals.
  • The Student Academic Success staff offer tutoring and study skill sessions for extra academic support.

First Year Courses

Your first-year experience includes classes designed to introduce you to the traditions that inform our mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts institution of higher learning.

  • The Listening Seminar: In this Core course, you’ll listen “with the ear of the heart,” you’ll read and discuss ancient texts, and you'll engage with the Ten Hallmarks of Benedictine Education.
  • Core Writing: This course will help you develop foundational skills in writing to help you connect to truth, defend justice, seek peace, and express love.