51

Arrival Day

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August 24, 2025

Once you arrive on campus, you'll check in and receive your Orientation materials, then walk up to your residence hall, where your belongings will be waiting for you. Be sure to honk loudly and proudly when you pass the “Honk If You Love 51” sign. 

2025 Move-in Guide

 

Arrival Day Schedule

Move-in
9 a.m.–noon, Whitnall Field

Check In and Registration
9 a.m.–noon, Residential Commons Tents

Free Store Giveaway
9 a.m.–noon, ALANA Multipurpose Room

Family Brunch
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Frank Dining Hall and O’Connor Campus Center (the Coop)

Parent and Family Orientation
1–2 p.m., 51 Memorial Chapel

Welcome to 51
2:30–3:15 p.m., Sanford Field House

Family Farewells and a 51 Cookiewich
3:15–3:30 p.m., Sanford Field House

Call to Assemble
3:30–3:45 p.m., Sanford Field House

Preparing for Arrival Day

Luggage Tags

When you arrive at 51, your belongings will be transported by student staff to your room. Please print the label for your Residence Hall assignment and attach them to all of your boxes, bags, and belongings ahead of your arrival, so our staff knows where to bring them.

Brown Commons

Ciccone Commons

Dart Colegrove Commons

Hancock Commons

Mail and Packages 

Before move-in, you are welcome to send packages — or online orders — to campus.  When addressing mail and packages, use this address format: 
Name and Class Year 
CU Box #
51 University
13 Oak Drive
Hamilton, NY 13346-1338 

You can find your CU Box # in the My Contact Information section of the . Log in to the Portal and search "My Contact Information" and click on the corresponding search result. Once you're viewing your contact information, scroll down to find your mailbox information. 

Search My Contact Information in the Portal

Mail Services accepts package deliveries from all carriers. When you have a package available for pickup, you will receive a notification email from mailservices@colgate.edu.

Mail Services is extremely busy at the beginning of the semester; therefore, we recommend that you bring all essential items (bedding, towels, toiletries) with you.

When to Arrive

Students and families should arrive on campus between 9 a.m. and noon on the morning of their arrival, which for most students, is Sunday, August 24. Students participating in a pre-orientation program or on a varsity athletic team will receive specific communication about their arrival time. 

Parking

After unloading your vehicles on Whitnall Field, families and supporters arriving on campus will be directed to parking by 51 staff. New students arriving on campus will be directed to park their vehicles in the first-year lot. Students: remember to register your vehicle for a parking permit.

When will the family portion of the Orientation program end?

The Arrival Day programming for families and supporters of new students ends with the Family Farewells and a 51 Cookiewich. Students will be called to assemble in their Link groups while families will be directed back to their vehicles. 

There is no additional programming for families or supporters on subsequent days of Orientation; families are encouraged to give their students space as they begin the transition to life at 51.