FAQs

This change was prompted by budgetary considerations and informed by observations from program directors, student leaders, faculty, and first-year student participants. Generally, while the small group experiences have been positively received and valued, comments on the length of orientation and concerns about providing adequate time for students to settle into college life were also considered. We reached this outcome after exploring ways to refine Orientation and preserve the Community Action (CA), Dialogue and Difference in Action (DDA), and Outdoor Action (OA) experiences.

We are currently gathering feedback through a survey and focus groups with leaders to develop these programs, including themes, the length of the programs, and possible locations.

The fall break programs will not be required for new students. New students will have the opportunity to register for a program if they would like to participate. 

These Fall Break programs will be open to new students. However, in order to maintain the small group experience, there will be a limited number of spaces per program.

Yes, these fall break programs will only be available for new first-year and transfer students.

Registration for the Fall Break programs will open early in the fall semester. The opening date for registration will be announced over the summer.

No, the Fall Break programs will be offered to new students at no cost.

These programs will continue to provide an opportunity for new students to meet classmates across residential colleges, engage with upperclass student leaders, and connect with others over a shared experience.

Upperclass student leaders will continue to be an essential part of these programs. More information on these leadership opportunities will be available in early spring 2027.

More information about the leader application and selection process will be available in early spring 2027 when the leader recruitment process will begin.

We are currently gathering feedback through an all-undergraduate student survey and feedback sessions with CA, DDA, and OA student leaders to develop these programs, including determining possible locations.

The Pace Center for Civic Engagement will continue to coordinate Community Action, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion-Campus Life will continue to coordinate Dialogue and Difference in Action, and the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students will continue to coordinate the Outdoor Action program.

As President Eisgruber noted in his February “State of the University Letter,” we have lowered our expectation for the endowment’s long-term rate of return to 8 percent, down from about 10 percent. Accordingly, the percentage of the endowment we spend every year—the “payout rate”—must also come down, or the endowment will erode over time. 

The strong endowment return for the 2026 fiscal year should allow us to reach a lower payout rate more quickly than expected. However, we have not changed our long-term expectations for the endowment and will therefore continue to operate in a more financially constrained environment for the next couple of years as we transition to a new budget model to match the expected lower long-term returns.

We encourage all students to submit their feedback through this survey. Additionally, CA, DDA, and OA leaders are invited to sign up and participate in feedback sessions to provide their input as we develop these programs.

Any additional questions can be sent to orientation@princeton.edu .

These changes will take place in the fall of 2027. 

Move-in for the Class of 2031 and Transfer Students will be on Tuesday, August 24, 2027.

More information about the leader role and training information will be available in early spring.

New Student Orientation will begin with move-in on Tuesday, August 24, 2027, and continue until classes begin on Wednesday, September 1, 2027.

New Student Orientation introduces new students to the community values, traditions, and opportunities at Princeton and the resources available. Through various residential college and University-wide programs, new students will have the opportunity to connect with classmates and upperclass leaders.