The First Engagements itinerary will be updated this summer. Come back a few weeks before move-in day for a complete schedule of events.
Mandatory events are outlined in crimson.
Events for parents and families are highlighted in gold.
Friday, August 23
New Student Move-in
Parents and families
When: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Residence Halls
New students will receive their move-in time slot from Residence Life before move-in day.
We will have the Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck in the Back Circle from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to help you stay cool.
Legacy Welcome Lunch
This luncheon is by invitation only. For more information, please email Natasa Mongiardo.
Transylvania University alumni and legacies are invited to lunch at the Graham Cottage Alumni House.
Lunch in the Caf
Parents and Families
Attendance: Optional
When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Caf
Parents & family pay at the door, student meals are covered.
Family Dinner
Attendance: Optional
When: 4 – 6 p.m.
Where: The Caf
Welcome to the Transy’s move-in day dinner — a special event designed to celebrate the start of your college journey! Join us for an evening of delicious food, warm company, and joyful anticipation as we welcome you and your family to our campus community. It’s a perfect opportunity to relax, meet fellow families, and experience the vibrant spirit of the university while we take care of the culinary details.
Parents and guests are invited to dine with their student. Please purchase tickets in advance at the link below. Cost is $20. Student meals will be covered by the university.
Here’s to a new chapter and shared memories!
Family Information Session
Parents and families
Attendance: Optional
When: 2 – 3 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
Parents and families can enjoy coffee and a donut at this informational meeting. Parents will hear from Dean Rebecca Thomas, Associate Dean Tiffany Wheeler and Assistant Deans Ashley Hill and Tracy Dunn. Students are not required to attend this session.
First Engagement Coordinator Meet & Greet
Parents and families
Attendance: Optional
When: 3 – 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
Parents and families will meet their student’s academic adviser. Students are not required to attend this session.
New Student Induction Ceremony
Parents and families
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Haggin Auditorium
Join the Transylvania family to welcome new students into our community. Receive your class coin, sign the register and bring your loved ones along. Dress code is casual—let’s celebrate together. The ceremony will be live streamed at transy.edu/live.
Hall Meetings for Residential Students
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Residence Halls
New students meet with their resident adviser (RA) and the rest of their floor.
Commuter Student Meeting
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Student Engagement Lounge, Campus Center
Commuter students will meet other commuter students and learn about getting involved on campus.
First Night Under the Stars
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 9:30 – 11 p.m.
Where: Back Circle
Join the Class of 2028 for an evening of tie dye, water games, music and hanging out with your new community.
Saturday, August 24
Morning Engagement Activities
Attendance: Optional
When: 9 a.m. – noon
Where: Assigned by Scholar
Students have the opportunity to join in on a free morning excursion. Check with your FE Scholar to see what the options are for this morning!
Lunch with First Engagements Group
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: The Caf
New Student Education Sessions
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
Our interactive sessions provide valuable insights on bystander intervention, empowering you to recognize and respond effectively to potentially risky situations. From recognizing signs of harassment or assault to learning proactive strategies to promote a safe campus environment, we’ll guide you in becoming a vigilant and compassionate campus guardian.
There will be an overview of Title IX’s benefits include promoting equity in academic and athletics programs, preventing hostile environments on the basis of sex, prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual violence, protecting from retaliation and remedying the effects of other gender-based forms of discrimination.
Additionally, we prioritize alcohol safety to ensure that you can make informed decisions when it comes to consuming alcohol responsibly. Our program emphasizes harm reduction, teaching you practical strategies for setting boundaries, understanding your limits, and identifying signs of alcohol-related emergencies. We believe in fostering a culture of responsible decision-making, allowing you to enjoy your college experience while prioritizing your wellbeing.
Student Activities Board (SAB) Preview
Attendance: Optional
When: 4 – 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
What is the Student Activities Board (SAB)? Come to the Pioneer Rooms to find out!
The Scholar group with the highest percentage of attendance will receive a special prize!
Outdoor Glow Party
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 8 – 10 p.m.
Where: Back Circle
Join your classmates on the Back Circle to celebrate each other. There will be glow sticks, glow sports, music and more.
Sunday, August 25
Local Religious Services
Attendance: Optional
Are you looking for meaningful fellowship with others? Are you searching for a spiritual home in the Lexington area? Or would you just like to learn more about the diverse faiths represented on campus and in central Kentucky?
Lunch in the Caf
Lunch served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Transy Traditions
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1-2:30 p.m.
Where: Old Morrison and Alumni Plaza
Class of 2028 will participate in the greet line and class photo.
Foreign Language Placement Exams
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Carpenter Academic Center
Students will take a placement exam in the language they plan to pursue. All students are required to take a language placement exam.
First Engagements Class
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Meet with your First Engagements faculty, have your first class session and learn about the week ahead.
*Students received an email including their First Engagements classroom location. Please check your Transy email to find the room number.
Intramural Preview & Patio Party
Attendance: Optional
When: 8:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Back Circle
Monday, August 26
First Engagements Class
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 10 – noon
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) Experience Panel
Attendance: Optional
When: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
Bring your lunch from the Caf to the Pioneer Rooms to hear from current FSL members and ask questions about their experiences.
First Engagements Class
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
President’s Candy Bar
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms C & D
Stop by to say hello to President Lewis and leave with a bag of sweet treats. All students will attend the candy bar with their First Engagements group.
Religious and Dietary Restrictions with Bon Appetit
Attendance: Optional
When: 4 – 5 p.m.
Where: The Great Hall
Tim Baker Concert in Back Circle
Attendance: Optional
When: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Back Circle
Tuesday, August 27
First Engagements Class
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Academic Programs Lunch and Learn
Attendance: Optional
When: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: The Great Hall and Pioneer Rooms
Head to the Pioneer Rooms for the pre-health lunch and learn or stay in the Caf and sit at the table of the program you are interested in.
First Engagements Class
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Dinner and Free Time
When: 2:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: The Great Hall
Transy TEDTalks: Liberal Arts
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Haggin Auditorium
Join us for an enlightening and thought-provoking evening where our faculty members will share their unique perspectives on the transformative power of the liberal arts.
Bingo with ResLife
Attendance: Optional
When: 8 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Valvoline Game Room
Everyone loves bingo! Join your RA and the rest of the ResLife team for a fun night of laughter, competition and prizes.
Game Room Open
Attendance: Optional
When: 8 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Caf
Wednesday, August 28
Advising and Registration
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Lunch and Learn with CAPE
Attendance: Optional
When: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms
The Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment (CAPE) will introduce themselves and talk about the services they offer. CAPE houses Career Development, Study Abroad and the 100 Doors Mentorship Program. Bring your lunch from the Caf.
Popcorn Wednesday
Attendance: Optional
When: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Student Wellbeing table in the Campus Center
Our weekly popcorn POPup!
Advising and Registration
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
CAPE Water Balloon Splash
Attendance: Optional
When: 3 – 4 p.m.
Where: Back Circle
Stop by Back Circle to participate (or watch from a safe distance away with a popsicle).
Dinner and Free Time
When: 3 – 6 p.m.
Where: The Great Hall
GooseChase Campus Scavenger Hunt
Attendance: Optional
When: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: Campus
GooseChase Scavenger Hunt is an exciting and interactive game that takes the traditional scavenger hunt to a whole new level. The game is played using the GooseChase mobile app, which turns your campus into a playground of challenges and missions. Participants form teams and use their smartphones to receive and complete various tasks, riddles and photo/video challenges scattered throughout the campus.
Game Room Open
Attendance: Optional
When: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: Valvoline Game Room
Thursday, August 29
Advising and Registration
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Advising and Registration
Attendance: Mandatory
When: 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: First Engagement Classrooms
Students will meet with their assigned academic adviser to review their first semester class schedule and make any revisions.
Phone Directory
| Office | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Athletics | 233-8270 |
| College Bookstore | 281-3570 |
| Computing Help Desk | 281-3593 |
| Counseling Services | 281-3682 |
| Dean of Students | 233-8215 |
| Department of Public Safety | 233-8118 |
| Dining Services | 233-8217 |
| Accessibility Services | 233-8806 |
| Health Services | 233-8127 |
| Library | 233-8225 |
| Mail Room | 233-8137 |
| Registrar’s Office | 233-8116 |
| Residence Life | 233-8181 |
| Campus and Community Engagement | 233-8182 |
| Student Crimson Card | 233-8154 |
| Student Financial Aid | 233-8239 |