Santa Fe Orientation and Convocation Fall 2020

We are pleased to welcome you as the newest Johnnies of our beloved community. The orientation schedule below is designed for all new students, both undergraduate and graduate, and their families. It will provide you with a thorough introduction to the life of the college and the departments that will support you throughout your time at St. John’s.

The highlight of your first week is Convocation, a centuries-old ceremony where you will officially be inducted into the college. The ceremony took place online on Thursday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. MT. This formal tradition includes the signing of your name into the historical record of the St. John’s College Register. This year however, we will wait until we are all together again on the Santa Fe campus.

Click here to see the recording of the full ceremony

Santa Fe Freshman Orientation Finding Meno Fall 2019

Orientation Schedule for Week of August 24-28

All orientation sessions are required for all new (graduate/undergraduate) and readmitted students unless otherwise stated. Most sessions will be held online on Microsoft Teams. All Zoom sessions will be noted in the session description. Links will be sent out in advance of session. All orientation sessions are in MT. This schedule is subject to change.

Monday, August 24

9–10:30 a.m. | Academic Overview

All Students & Family Members

Meet the Deans, Assistant Dean, and Academic Fellow to review academic expectations at SJC.

10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | Panel Discussion

Family Members

Join the President, Dean, and the Executive Director of Campus Health and Wellness for an in-depth discussion about SJC.

Note: this session is just for family members, we encourage students to prepare for their upcoming reading discussion and or their first seminar.

12–1 p.m. | Lunch Break

Everyone

Have a great lunch. We’ll see you at the Student Support Overview session.

1:15–2:45 p.m. | Student Support Overview

All Students & Family Members

This is an introduction to the Student Handbook and college expectations. This session will provide information essential to your safety as a student and includes important information on Title IX and what your rights are as a student.

2:45–3:30 p.m. | Library Orientation

All Students & Family Members

During this session you’ll learn how to access the extensive library services and resources that will support your academic journey here at the college.

3:30–4:30 p.m. | Student Activity Center (SAC) Orientation

All Students & Family Members

Meet the Student Activity Center (SAC) coordinator and instructors who teach a variety of online classes from meditation and yoga to Iron Bookworm and Over 9000. Our instructors are here to help you fit self-care and fitness into your daily life. It is also a great opportunity to let us know what your interests are and how we can support those interests. Find out about our intramural program, how and why you want to earn points and prizes along with your teammates. This program is designed for friendly competition and community building among your classmates.


Tuesday, August 25

9–10:15 a.m. | International Student Session

International Students & Family Members

International students must attend this important session to fully understand the ins and outs of visa regulations while getting to know the international student-specific resources provided by the Student Life team.

Note: this session is only required for international students, we encourage all other students to prepare for their upcoming reading discussion and or their first seminar.

10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | Resiliency in College

*Students Only

Meet the college therapists & obtain some stress management skills.
*Please note that this is a private session for new students only.

12–1 p.m. | Lunch Break

Everyone

Have a great lunch. We’ll see you at the Fun with Finances Q&A.

1:15–2:45 p.m. | Fun with Finances Q&A

All Students & Family Members

Join the Financial Aid team & Treasurer’s office for a Q&A session.

2:45–3:45 p.m. | Technology @ SJC

All Students & Family Members

Learn how to optimize your experience using technology as a Johnnie.


Wednesday, August 26

9:30–11 a.m. | Seminars Towards Equity & Inclusion

*Students Only

Seminars on texts by Sappho, Simone de Beauvoir, W.E.B. Du Bois, Abraham Lincoln, and the James Baldwin documentary, I Am Not Your Negro. Zoom links will be sent to you from the presidential fellow for academic support.

 Note: this session is for students only.

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | Lunch Break

Everyone

Have a great lunch. We’ll see you at the Personal & Professional Development Session.

1–2:30 p.m. | Personal & Professional Development

All Students & Family Members

Learn how the Office of Personal and Professional Development (OPPD) is your partner in preparing for life after graduation. Jobs? Internships? Finding a direction? We can help with it all. And it’s never too early to start.


Thursday, August 27

10:30–11:30 a.m. | Virtual Convocation

All Students & Family Members

Join us on Zoom for our first virtual convocation.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Lunch Break

Everyone

Have a great lunch. We’ll see you at your first Seminar.

12:30-4:30 p.m. | Free Time for Seminar Prep

All Students

Don’t forget to prep for your first seminar which is scheduled for one of the following times: 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. MT. Please be sure to check your individualized student schedule for your specific seminar start time. Your tutor will be sending you the link to your specific seminar session.

4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. | First Seminar

Undergraduate Students Only

Your study at St. John’s College begins with your first Seminar on Zoom, a two-hour conversation. We hope it is thrilling! Please be sure to check your individualized student schedule for your specific seminar start time. Your tutor will be sending you the link to this session. Note: this session is for students only.

6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Post-Seminar Mingle

Undergraduate Students Only

Continue the conversation on Zoom with students and tutors. The presidential fellow for academic support will be emailing you the links on Wednesday, August 26. Note: this session is for students only.

7:30 p.m. | Meno Seminar

Graduate Students Only

The Meno seminar is required for all new graduate students. All participants should read Plato’s Meno in advance and have a copy of the text ready during the introductory seminar. This session is for the Graduate Institute students only. Scott Hannan will be emailing you the Zoom link for this session.


Friday, August 28

9:30–10 a.m. | Morning Meditation

All Students & Family Members (*Optional Session)

De-stress with Nanette for a morning meditation session. Be sure to check the SAC schedule for future classes.

10 a.m.–11 a.m. | Yoga

All Students & Family Members (*Optional Session)

Continue to shed the stress with yoga led by Annie. Be sure to check the SAC schedule for future classes.

11-11:30 a.m. | JohnnieCore

All Students & Family Members (*Optional Session)

Join SAC instructor Kim Bear and prepare to set your gluts and abs on fire in her challenging and fun core class! This class has modifications options for all levels of fitness from beginner to advanced, no equipment necessary. Be sure to check the SAC schedule for future classes.

11:30-12 p.m. | Over 9,000

All Students & Family Members (*Optional Session)

Join Luis, on Zoom for Over 9,000, a fun and challenging fitness program with the main goal of improving one’s quality of life through health and fitness. We lift, we run, we jump, we stretch, and do everything in between so as to gain proficiency in every and any physical task. Our methodology is all inclusive, varied, intense, functional, and powerful. Be sure to check the SAC schedule for future classes.

1-1:30 p.m. | Iron Bookworm Workout

Join SJC Tutor Krishnan Venkatesh for a combination of traditional calisthenics, martial arts conditioning, and Chinese and Indian wrestling exercises. Beginners and all levels welcome. Be sure to check the SAC schedule for future classes.

4-5 p.m. | Graduate Institute Office Orientation

Graduate Institute Students Only

This session is for new Graduate Institute students to speak with the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Ned Walpin, and ask any remaining questions they may have about St. John’s. It is also an opportunity to meet the rest of the Graduate Institute staff, Chelsey Hudson and Scott Hannan, who are valuable sources of information about St. John’s and are available to all Graduate Institute students.

5:30-6:30 p.m. | Dean’s Opening Lecture

All Students & Family Members

Following our usual tradition, the dean will deliver the opening lecture of the academic year on Zoom. A title and description will be released prior to the lecture.

6:30 p.m. | Question Period

All Students & Family Members

Attend the question period to get more in-depth with the Dean’s Lecture on Zoom.

Santa Fe Freshman Orientation Finding Meno Fall 2019

Fall New Student and Family Orientation FAQ

1. When is orientation?

Orientation is Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28. All sessions are required unless otherwise stated. Some sessions have a particular audience it caters to, so be sure to read the session description.

2. Who is required to attend orientation?

All new first-time students and returning students who did not attend Fall/Winter 2019/2020.

3. What platform will be used for orientation?

A majority of orientation will be on Microsoft Teams. A few sessions will utilize Zoom. The orientation schedule will inform you of which platform will be used for your session. We encourage all students to get familiar with their SJC email and Microsoft Teams before we begin orientation on Monday, August 24.

4. Where can I find the Zoom links?

All non-academic zoom sessions with have the link embedded in the title on the orientation schedule. All academic session Zoom links will be sent to you from the academic team, so please check your SJC email often.

5. What is Convocation, who should attend, and where can I find the link?

Convocation is your formal entry into St. John’s College, and it is attended by the faculty, staff, and student body. Families are invited to view this ceremony, rich in tradition, as each student is officially inducted into the college. The link to convocation is embedded in the orientation schedule and can also be found on our website.

6. Does my camera have to be on during the sessions?

It is up to you whether or not you would like to have your camera on during the sessions.

7. Can we chat in the chat section?

Yes you can, and please ask questions in the chat so that the moderator can ask them when it’s time for questions in the session.

8. Will I have to mute myself?

We ask that all participants enter the meeting muted but we will have IT support to help manage that throughout the sessions.

9. Where can I find the orientation schedule?

You will have access to the schedule and all meeting links. You will have a copy sent to your SJC email address, we will have a copy on our website, and your calendar invite for each day’s events will have the day’s schedule within them.

10. What time zone will the orientation sessions be scheduled?

All orientation sessions are scheduled in Mountain Time. We encourage all students and families to plan accordingly.

11. What if I have never been to campus before? When am I able to visit?

For now, campus is closed. We will inform students and their families if this changes.

12. What technology is required to participate in virtual orientation?

Students will need to have reliable access to the internet from a device that has a screen and sound. Students will be able to use either a personal computer, tablet, or smart phone.