2025 Welcome Week Frequently Asked Questions & Answer Guide
During our recent Zoom Webinar that took place on Monday, August 11, 2025 we had some great questions from the participants. Here are the answers.
MOVE-IN LOGISTICS
On move-in day, what time should we arrive at the tents?
Residential students should check the email they received from the Office of Residential Programs There are two time slots 8 am to 10 am or 11 am to 1 pm
If I have orientation on the 25–27, am I moving in on the 24th? Also, what time would that be?
Students attending New Student orientation on August 25-27 will move in on Sunday, August 24, 2025 into their fall housing You should report to your assigned fall housing building
How early are we able to arrive for move-in day?
Residential students should check the email they received from the Office of Residential Programs. There are two time slots 8 am to 10 am or 11 am to 1 pm
My assigned check-in time is 11 am–1 pm according to my housing letter. Can I check in early?
In order to accommodate the high volume of traffic on move in day, we ask that you stick to your assigned time of arrival
Can all resident students check in at 8 am and start moving in? I think my schedule said 11 am.
In order to accommodate the high volume of traffic on move in day, we ask that you stick to your assigned time of arrival
When is the actual day to move into the dorm? I have two dates the 24th or the 28th?
Students attending New Student orientation on August 25-27 will move in on Sunday, August 24, 2025 into their fall housing. You should report to your assigned fall housing building.
All other new undergraduates will move in on Thursday August 28, 2025 at their assigned times
So if move-in time is between 11 am–1 pm on Welcome Week, will I miss some events? No, you will be moving in and settling in. The first big event for commuters is at 1:30 pm.
Residential students should make their way to the Mack Sports Exhibition Complex by 3:30 pm for the President’s Welcome Note that this events is for students only
Do parents of commuter students get to attend on Thursday the 28th as well?
Parents and family members are encouraged to help their students move in and settle in to their residence hall There are a few events geared towards parents and families, check the Guidebook app for the full schedule. You can sort by categories including families/parents.
Do we go directly to the dorm to move in on Thursday morning, or do we need to go to the Intramural Fields first?
All students and parents should report to the intramural fields to check in, and then head to their respective on campus housing if they are a residential student .
Is there a plan for rain just in case?
There will be tents on the intramural fields for check in.
Where’s the closest parking lot to the Intramural Field?
You should park in the lot next to HofstraUSA. The intramural fields are located across the walkway
WELCOME WEEK SCHEDULE & REQUIRED EVENTS
Is it mandatory to attend each day?
We encourage students to attend as many events as they can in order to get the full Welcome Week experience
Is Welcome Week mandatory for commuters?
All students (commuter and residential) are encouraged to attend the events at Welcome Week.
If there are events that are required for commuter students, do residential students need to attend those as well?
No The commuter welcome and Playfair which immediately follows is for commuter students only
Are all of these events for transfer students as well as first-years?
All the events are for new undergraduate first-years and transfer students
Do Welcome Week leaders check in on kids if they aren’t participating in anything?
The role of the welcome week leader is to encourage participation so that their transition to university life is a smooth one.
Where does it say the required events on the app?
There is a tag associated with required events on the Guidebook app
Can we leave whenever we feel like it, or is it like orientation?
You can come and go as you please We hope you take advantage of this time before upper class students are on campus to connect with your fellow first year students and experience Welcome Week.
On Sunday there is only one required event and it is at 8:15 pm — is this required for commuting students as well?
We encourage students to attend as many Welcome Week events as possible to best get to know the campus and fellow incoming peers.
How do I know which events are “required” for commuter students?
Events marked as “required” are for all new undergraduates - residential and commuter.
If we don’t have anything planned until later in the day, can we stay in our dorms until the activity begins?
Yes!
Is Welcome Week only for students or parents as well?
The program is for students Parents say goodbye to their students by 3:30 pm on Thursday, August 25, 2025
Is it required to stay on campus after a Welcome Week event? No it is not.
Are there any specific clothes (themed) for Welcome Week events?
If you are going on a trip, wear comfortable shoes and prepare for the weather conditions on and off campus On Friday, , please wear your shirt that you receive at check in Aug 29, 2025 for the Class of 2029 Class photo.
TRANSPORTATION & TRIPS
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Do Explore Next Door trips fill up really fast?
They tend to fill up fast which is why we recommend signing up at exactly 1 pm on August 28th to assure a higher chance of getting a spot. If you do not get a spot, we have a waitlist line on the day of the trip at the David S Sports and Exhibition Complex Sometimes people change their mind about going on the trip, so we encourage you to show up!
Can you give us a few more examples of the trips?
The trips on August 30th are Broadway- Chicago, Museum of Modern Art, and American Museum of Natural History The trips on August 31st are Broadway- & Juliet, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Mets vs Marlins Game
When will I be able to sign up for the END trips?
August 28th at 1 PM
Rabinowitz Honors College is also doing a trip to the Metropolitan Museum — is that the same as the END trip?
It is not the same as the END Trip. Honors College students are instructed to sign up for their trips, not the END Trips Students that are not Honors College students cannot sign up for their trips These separate trips give an opportunity to both Honors College students and not Honors College students.
Where do you find the sign-up for the trips in the portal?
On the Hofstra Portal there is a waffle icon in the right hand corner that you can click on that has all the apps associated with Hofstra One of these will say Welcome Week and that’s where the sign ups will be!
Are there family tours during Welcome Week?
You can sign up for a tour through Admissions, but the student must specify that they are bringing their family
How will we get from Hofstra to NYC?
Students will check in for their Explore Next Door trip at the David S Sports and Exhibition Complex at the specified time that their confirmation email states on either August 30th or August 31st. Once they have checked in and their whole group is there, they will take a shuttle bus to Mineola Train Station We will then take the Long Island Railroad to go into the city Note that we will pay for the LIRR tickets and to the venue.
Note that you will need your digital wallet or credit/debit card to tap for the subway fee
Can I ride the Night Shuttle any night during Welcome Week?
The night shuttle will be available from 10 PM to 5 AM during the semester and throughout Welcome Week Here’s a link for other information regarding shuttle times Transportation | Public Safety | Hofstra University We also recommend downloading the Hofstra Safe app for tracking shuttles and for the public safety numbers.
Do the guides attend the trips in the city as well?
We have faculty staff members, Welcome Week Leaders, and Orientation Leaders that will be there to help lead the group throughout the trip.
Is the sign-up for trips this Thursday or during Welcome Week?
August 28th at 1 PM during Welcome Week.
Are there any overnight trips?
No All students that go on an E N D trip (except the Mets game) have the option to stay in the city if they would like, but they would need to fill out a form during the trip. *Keep in mind the return ticket is only valid for the same day and any other costs are your responsibility
What is the best way to travel the subway OMNY card or something else?
You can use a credit or debit card to tap and pay for your subway fare Please refer to the website link: Tap and go to pay your fare
DINING & MEALS
For Jewish students, will there be kosher food at any of the events, and for the Saturday events is there anything within walking distance for those who don’t use transportation? The main dining room in the Student Center will be fully functional and offer kosher options. The only common meal event during Welcome Week is the BBQ on the first day, and there will be kosher options.
Can we begin using our dining dollars for lunch on Thursday?
Yes
In the Guidebook schedule for Welcome Week, what does it mean for the meals that are listed as “on your own”?
You will have to find a location on campus and purchase a meal on your own.
Is food going to be provided for the basic 3 meals each day of Welcome Week?
The only common meal event during Welcome Week is the BBQ on the first day, and there will be kosher options
PARENTS & FAMILIES
If you already moved in for Week 8 orientation, what time do our parents need to arrive at the tents?
If your student is living on-campus, they will receive an email from the Office of Residential Life regarding their move-in time. This is when you will arrive on campus to begin the check-in process then be directed to your student’s residence hall If your student is a commuting student, you can arrive with them at their 12:30pm check-in time to the Intramural Fields.
Are parents there through Welcome Week or just at the beginning?
Parent and family programming will only take place on Monday, August 28th only We recommend downloading Guidebook, searching for the Hofstra University guide, and checking the Parent & Family track for your specific line up of events. Parents are encouraged to say goodbye to their students on Thursday, August 28, 2025 by 3:30 so that the students can attend their events.
Are there events for parents on August 28?
Yes! Please check the Parent and Family track on Guidebook for event details
What do the parents do on the first day of Welcome Week?
Parents and families can visit our campus and join us for Parent and Family specific events on the first day of Welcome Week (Thurs 8/28) You can find all of the Parent and Family event information on Guidebook!
Can students and parents attend the Parent and Family check-in around 12 pm and still be able to get all the items we need? Especially if our child has moved in on Sunday. Yes! Welcome Week programs begin for students at 3:00pm - your student’s Welcome Week leader will meet them at their respective residence hall to guide them to their first event.
Is it recommended parents are there Thursday and Friday, or the entire week?
Parents and family programming will take place on Thursday 8/28 - the remainder of the week will be dedicated to students but you are welcome to explore the local Long Island area and our campus!
CAMPUS RESOURCES & GUIDES
I went on Guidebook but I didn’t see any of the events posted there. https://builderguidebook com/g/hofstra2025-2026/ is the link you can go to download the schedule
I saw that there was a Welcome Week Instagram account and they mentioned different parties — can you explain how it will be organized? That account is not an official account and is run by someone not affiliated with Hofstra University. We do not recommend using that information.
How do you find Welcome Week and Hofstra stuff on the Guidebook? 6.5 What apps should I download before Welcome Week?
There are so many apps required — do you have a list of apps that students should have to make their lives more convenient for moving in?
Download the Guidebook App
Download the Corq App (you should have this on your phone if you attended New Student Orientation this summer)
STUDENT PREPARATION & PACKING
Will we need a laptop to sign up for Next Door trips?
A laptop is probably easier to use than a mobile device, but both are compatible.
Is there anything specific we need to bring to Welcome Week?
No! If you are living on campus, you will be bringing everything you need to stay on campus. If you are a commuter just bring yourself and maybe a water bottle If travelling during our trips, wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Are you saying that the students should carry their laptop with them through all the Welcome Week activities?
No There is no need to carry your laptop throughout the event
Do we get physical ID cards or can we just use them on our phones? Hostra has gone digital Your ID card is on HofPass
What is the student Welcome Week leader ratio?
We are expecting 1 Welcome Week Leader to 20-25 students
GENERAL EVENT INFO
Why did Hofstra change their logo?
As the University continues to grow and evolve, so does our branding! If you’d like more information about this exciting change, please visit: https://thenew.hofstra.edu/
If you have a workshop back-to-back, is it possible to be a little late to the next workshop?
Yes!
For the commuter students, what time does their day end?
Check the Guidebook app
Is it possible to bring a Polaroid camera to take pictures during the Welcome Week events?
Yes!
I saw on Guidebook that there is a Night Shuttle can you clarify that, please? What will we be doing?
More information is available here - https://wwwhofstra edu/public-safety/transportation html
When do classes start?
All undergraduate classes start on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Check your schedule if you have a class scheduled on Tuesday
Just to set my expectations, how many students (both residential and commuter) are expected to attend Welcome Week?
We have about 1500 new undergraduate students starting in the class of 2029 We encourage everyone to attend.
Are the Welcome Week leaders the same as our OLs?
No. Some of the orientation leaders will be there at Welcome Week. But Welcome Week Leaders are other student volunteers
Will professors be there on Welcome Week?
On the second day, during the school receptions, there will be some faculty available
ADMINISTRATIVE & ACADEMIC
How do I get in touch with my advisor?
Contact the center for university advising at ADVISING@HOFSTRA EDU
What happens at the school reception for all the different schools? Are they required to attend?
At school receptions, you get to meet with professors within that specific department and start to understand the way your department functions. Some do give-aways, offer food, but most importantly are there for you to learn about your major They are not required but highly recommended!
I am dual majoring do I have to choose for the reception?
Not all receptions occur at the same time, so it is possible you can go to both! If both your receptions are at the same time, feel free to stop by both for half the time or choose the one that you are most interested in
When is the undecided reception?
The Undecided reception takes place Friday, August 29th at 12pm in Memorial Hall
What if I’m undecided — do I choose randomly?
We have a reception specifically for undecided majors to meet with professors from the School of Arts & Sciences.
Can we walk our schedule during the campus tour as a group? Or can we walk our schedules by ourselves?
The tours on Monday, September 1st are a general campus tour You can ask the tour guide to point out specific buildings; however I recommend walking yourself through your schedule afterwards!