Schedules

Each day of New Student Orientation is specifically designed to make you transition to FIT as seamless as possible. We encourage you to take full advantage of all the opportunities, programs, and experiences during orientation. You will only have one New Student Orientation as a FIT student; make the most of it! 

Incoming students will be emailed a detailed orientation schedule based on their specific school. A preview of the overall mandatory two-day orientation can be found below, along with Pre-Orientation Preparation Sessions which will take place on Tuesday, January 24th. Please note that a full detailed schedule (PDF) will be sent to you via your FIT email account. 

Wednesday, January 25th (Day 1)

• 8-9:30am:  Check-in, Feldman Center Lobby
  • • • Check in, pick up your new FIT Orientation swag, and get your orientation group assignment!
• 9-10am:       International Student Orientation (F-1 students only), 8th floor, Dubinsky Student Center

  • • • International Student Services Director Marie Mekari will discuss the terms and conditions, rights, and responsibilities of studying in the United States on a student visa. Attendance will be verified. Please bring your passport and I-20 with you. 

• 9-10:15am:    Meet Your Orientation Leader (OL), Various Classrooms

  • • • Orientation Groups will meet at their assigned Orientation Group location. Check your FIT email and download the CORQ app to find your assigned group location. 

• 10-10:30am:  International Student Welcome (all international students), 8th floor, Dubinsky Student Center

  • • • Join the International Student Services staff, Cultural Fellows, and special guests as we welcome all international students to FIT. You’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow international students and Cultural Fellow Mentor before heading to the New Student Orientation Welcome.

• 10:30-12pm:  Welcome to FIT with FIT President Joyce F. Brown, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center
  • • • Acting Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success, Dr. Tardis Johnson
      • Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Yasemin Jones
      • FIT SGA President, Phoebe Beirne
      • FIT Student Activities Board President, Daniela Canon
      • Emceed by Julia Romano, Orientation & New Student Programs Counselor
• 12-1:15pm:   Lunch with Your Orientation Leaders, FIT Dining Hall & John E. Reeves Great Hall

  • • • Welcome to the FIT community! Your first official meal as an FIT student is on us. Use the meal coupon provided by your OL to eat in the FIT Dining Hall and to learn more about support services available to you here at FIT. 

• 1:30-2:15pm:  Safe and Sound at FIT, Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, 1st floor, Pomerantz Center 
  • • • with FIT's Associate Dean of Students, Dr. Corie A. McCallum
      • Director for Public Safety, Mario Cabrera
      • Director for Counseling Services, Dr. Jay Choi

      • Connect with FIT administrators for an important and engaging presentation on keeping safe and sound at FIT. College is an important and exciting experience as well as a time where you must exercise thoughtful decision-making. This session will help you think about important ways to be safe and successful at FIT.

• 2:30-4pm:       Sex Signals, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center

  • • • If you ever plan to “swipe right,” come to Sex Signals first. Sex Signals is an interactive exploration of beliefs, behaviors, and gender stereotypes related to dating and hooking up.

• 4:15-4:45pm:  Orientation Group (OL) Meetup, Various Classrooms
  • • • Recap Day 1 of Orientation with your Orientation Leaders and get an in-depth preview of Day 2
• 5-6pm:            Dinner on Your Own

  • • • Take this opportunity to explore with your fellow new students and grab a taste of NYC. See your OL for FIT student favorites!

• 6pm:                Manifest Your Goals with the FIT SAB!, 7th floor Game Room, Dubinsky Student Center

  • • • Join the Student Activities Board (SAB) for a night of vision board making to align your goals & friendships for the next semester! Snacks & refreshments will be served.

Thursday, January 26th (Day 2)

• 8:30-9:30am: Check-in, Feldman Center Lobby

  • • • Miss check-in on Wednesday? Don't worry, stop by the Feldman Lobby to check-in, pick up your FIT Orientation swag and get your orientation group assignment.

• 9-9:45am:     Orientation Group (OL) Meet-up, Various Classrooms

  • • • Orientation Groups will meet at their assigned Orientation Group location. Check your FIT email and download the CORQ app to find your assigned group location.

• 10-10:45am:  Put the “I” in FIT: A Student’s POV to Success, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center

  • • • Success is defined differently and here at FIT we want students to feel accomplished both in and out of the classroom. Hear from three current FIT students as they share their journey of student leadership and how it helped them achieve their unique goals! This panel is moderated by Julia Romano, Counselor for Orientation & New Student Programs.

• 10-10:45am:  Wellness Matters for International Students, 8th floor, Dubinsky Student Center
  • • • Mandatory session for all international students
      • Studying and living in a new country take time to adjust to and can sometimes be overwhelming, on top of everyday academic stressors. Led by Gabriella Potievsky, RDN, & Dr. Jay Choi, along with the Cultural Fellows, this session outlines information designed to assist you in making cultural and academic transitions. Here you will find strategies for self-care and ways to stay well and feel good at FIT!
• 11-11:45am:  Put the “I” in FIT: A Student’s POV to Success, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center
  • Success is defined differently and here at FIT we want students to feel accomplished both in and out of the classroom. Hear from three current FIT students as they share their journey of student leadership and how it helped them achieve their unique goals! This panel is moderated by Julia Romano, Counselor for Orientation & New Student Programs.
• 11-11:45am:     Wellness at FIT, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center Lobby
  • • • Transitioning to college life involves more than just taking classes; it's about learning to balance your time between social activity, academics, and campus involvement without sacrificing your personal wellness. Dr. Corie McCallum, Associate Dean for Community Standards and Student Wellbeing, and LaToya Stone, chief empowerment office at Real Wellness Inc., will review the opportunities for FIT students to get involved with wellness-based programs and offer a mindful movement session designed to keep you energized and supported as you acclimate to FIT. 
• 12-1pm:        Dean's Welcome: Jay and Patty Baker School of Business & Technology, Haft Theatre

  • • • Join Interim Dean Shannon Maher, faculty, and staff for this mandatory meeting for students in the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology.

• 12-1pm:         Dean's Welcome: School of Art & Design, Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, 1st floor, Pomerantz Center

  • • • Join Dean Troy Richards, faculty, and staff for this mandatory meeting for students enrolled in the School of Art and Design.

• 1-2:30pm:  Lunch on Your Own

  • • • Stop by the FIT Dining Hall and use your meal plan to grab lunch.

• 1-1:45pm:      Academic Success Strategies for International Students, Room D-523, Pomerantz Center
  • • • Mandatory for all international students

      • Don’t miss this discussion with Professor Charlotte Brown, Dean Deirdre Sato and the Cultural Fellows on what to expect in the classroom, how to manage critiques, along with strategies and FIT’s academic resources for making the most of your studies. 

• 1-4pm:             Innovation Playground, 6th floor, Gladys Marcus Library

  • • • You can't attend FIT and not interact with some cutting-edge technology. The Division of Information Technology, Print FX, the FabLab, and Maker Minds programs will be showcasing some of the technology available at FIT.

• 1-5pm:             FIT Barnes and Noble Bookstore is open! (Entrance on the Breezeway)
• 1, 2 & 3pm:    Campus Tours, Depart from Dubinsky Student Center Lobby

  • • • Student Leaders will guide you around campus pointing out your classrooms, campus resource offices, places to study, etc. Be sure to bring your class schedule! 

• 1-4pm:            Campus Resource Fair, John E. Reeves Great Hall, 1st floor, Pomerantz Center

  • • • The Great Hall has been transformed into a one-stop shop for all of campus needs! Meet representatives from: Academic Advisement, Academic SKills & Tutoring Center, Career and Internship Services, Counseling Center, FIT-ABLE (Disability Support Services), Barnes & Noble at FIT, Gladys Marcus Library, Health Services, Title IX, International Student Services, Office of International Programs/Study Abroad, the Writing and Speaking Studio, Information Technology, Print FX, Financial Aid, Dining Services, and more! 

• 1:30 & 4:30pm: Getting Involved, 8th floor, Dubinsky Student Center

  • • • With over 60 clubs, various leadership positions, and daily programs, and activities, there is something for everyone to do outside of the classroom. Learn more about FITLink and This Week at FIT, and hear from the students who are shaping your campus community.

• 2-4pm:               School of Art & Design Department Meetings, Various Classrooms

  • • • Get to know more about your major and hear from your department chair and/or faculty during these mandatory department meetings.

        • 2-3pm: Interior Design, AAS, Room D-523, 5th floor, Pomerantz Center
        • 3-4pm: Interior Design, BA, Room D-523, 5th floor, Pomerantz Center
        • 2-4pm: Fashion Design, Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
• 2-4pm:               Jay and Patty Baker School of Business & Technology Department Meetings, Various Classrooms

  • • • Get to know more about your major and hear from your department chair and/or faculty during these mandatory department meetings.

        • 2-3pm: Advertising, Marketing & Communications (AMC)/AMC Evening & Weekends, 2-yr AAS, Room B-503, 5th floor, Business & Liberal Arts Center
        • 2:30-3:30pm: Advertising, Marketing & Communications (AMC)/AMC Evening & Weekends, 1-yr AAS, Room B-504, 5th floor, Business & Liberal Arts Center
        • 3-4pm: Advertising, Marketing & Communications (AMC)/AMC Evening & Weekends, BS, Room B-506, 5th floor, Business and Liberal Arts Center
        • 2-3pm: Fashion Business Management (FBM), AAS, Haft Theatre, 2nd floor, Feldman Center
        • 3-4pm: Fashion Business Management (FBM), BS, Room B-320, 3rd floor, Business & Liberal Arts Center
        • 2pm: International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries (ITM), Room B-508, 5th floor, Business & Liberal Arts Center
• 2:30 & 3:30pm:     Study Abroad Information Session, 8th floor, Dubinsky Student Center

  • • • • Students from all majors are invited to attend this session to learn about the many opportunities to study abroad. Staff from the Office of International Programs will discuss over 50 program options and answer questions about eligibility, the application process, and financing your program.