Fall is almost here, the leaves are turning, and a new school year is about to begin. In just a few short days, we will welcome a new class of CIA students—culinary and hospitality rising stars who will enter the college that will change and shape who they are.
So, first-year students, get ready to move in, meet new friends, and enjoy a week of exciting events filled with food, games, and fun, as we celebrate you and kick off the semester. There’s something for everyone during your first week on campus.
Here are the highlights:
Sunday: Move-in and BBQ
The moment you have been waiting for is finally here! Prepare for living on campus by reviewing the packing lists and rewatch the Facebook Live to get some great inside tips from current CIA Resident Assistants. Check your move-in schedule and ensure you have all the essentials, including your parking pass. And after you have unpacked the car that has been strategically filled to the brim and set up your rooms, take a deep breath, say your goodbyes, relax, and have some fun with your new roommates at the Welcome BBQ from 6–8 p.m.
Monday: New Student Orientation and Fireworks
The Toque Ceremony is the official academic welcome and a tradition that is essential to being a #proud2bCIA student. You will dress in your chef whites for the very first time and be initiated into a legacy of legends—the culinary professionals who have paved the way at the CIA. After a day of orientation and learning the true meaning of mise en place, you get to kick back with some ice cream starting at 8:30 p.m. and watch the fireworks display over the Hudson River later sometime between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Classes Begin and Mentalist Robert Channing
After your first day of class, what better way to celebrate than to have your mind blown! Hypnotist, mind reader, and psychic, Robert Manning will captivate and impress you at his show at 9:30 p.m. in the Marriott Pavilion Theater. Manning has been featured on ABC, CBS, and NBC with his abilities!
Wednesday: Life Hacks in 30 and Super Bingo
With all the new information coming your way during the first few days, learn some easy life hacks, CIA tips and tricks, and ways to get involved on campus at one of two sessions at 12:30 p.m. or 6 p.m.
After hearing from CIA students about life as a Steel, join in the Bingo game at The Egg at 9:30 p.m. for your chance to win some awesome prizes!
Thursday: Comedian Eric O’Shea
Sit back and prepare to laugh at Eric O’Shea’s live performance in the Marriott Pavilion Theater at 9:30 p.m. He will get you in a good mood for your first Friday here!
Friday: Double Feature: Iron Man and Avengers End Game
Any Marvel fans out there? Well, we’ve got you covered! Join us at 7 p.m. and/or 9:30 p.m. to catch a back-to-back special of these two movies at the Marriott Pavilion Theater!
Saturday: Steels Soccer and Casino Night
What better way to spend the first Saturday at school than to support the soccer team’s first home game! Join us at 1 p.m. on the sports field to cheer on the Steels and enjoy free food with friends. Don’t forget to wear your CIA gear, but if you do, we’ve got you with some free CIA swag for the first 200 students to come the game!
Then get ready for a night of gambling (tickets, of course), dress up, have some snacks, and dance with all of your new friends here at the CIA starting at 9 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center gym.
Sunday: Off-campus Bowling
Although it might be hard to leave our beautiful campus, take a break and head to the bowling alley for an evening of fun! There’ll be two trips from the Student Recreation Center at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Bowling! It’s the perfect way to bond with your new friends, and maybe even meet some more!
Going Forward…
Just because the Week of Welcome comes to an end, it doesn’t mean the fun is over! The college has a jam-packed schedule of events both on- and off-campus brought to you by the Office of Campus and Student Life and the SPICE club. Your first month on campus includes big events like:
- “Run for Your Knives” 5K Run/Walk, complete with scholarship prizes during Alumni Weekend on September 21
- Wegman’s Giant Bring Your Own Bowl Brunch and Panel Discussion on September 22
- Career Fair, so you can network and make connections as you start thinking about internships on September 23
- Club Con, to help you find the student organization that’s just right for you on September 24
- Annual Chili Cook-Off, where students join teams to show off their winning recipes for prizes on September 29
- And, karaoke nights, trivia games, bus trips, and so many more!
