We understand that the model of Golden Bear Experience, particularly Move-In Day, has an impact on our campus, including faculty and staff. Here are answers to questions about the Golden Bear Experience, how it will affect our campus, and ways the Berkeley community can contribute to welcoming our new undergraduate students.
If you have a question that is not addressed here, please email New Student Services: nss@berkeley.edu
- What is the Golden Bear Experience?add
The Golden Bear Experience, for newly admitted undergraduates, consists of four major components: Golden Bear Advising and Golden Bear Prep (both completed online, before students arrive) and Golden Bear Orientation and Getting Your Bearings (in-person programs, completed once students are here on campus). Move-In occurs August 15-16, 2023 prior to Golden Bear Orientation and Getting Your Bearings.
This experience is for undergraduate first-year students and for transfer students. Their transition to Berkeley begins online in the summer as soon as they accept their offer of admission. If you'd like to know more details, check out orientation.berkeley.edu.
- What are students doing during the summer?add
All new undergraduate students are completing Golden Bear Advising and Golden Bear Prep. By completing these modules during the summer, students will know what to expect when they arrive and have a familiarity with the campus and its resources. They also will have connected with their academic adviser and be ready to enroll in classes.
- How will the Golden Bear Experience affect me as a member of the Berkeley community?add
The biggest impact to staff and faculty will be on Move-In Day and also during Golden Bear Orientation. For the current dates, see our Dates & Deadlines page.
We have 9,000+ new students who will be transitioning to campus during those times! Note: A small number of students that participate in pre-approved programs will be able to move in on a day prior to the general Move-In.
About 8,000 new undergraduates will be moving in on a weekday. Due to the congestion, we are asking staff to take specific precautions. You can find more details below.
Golden Bear Orientation is a weeklong event that begins the day after Move-In. You'll see groups of new students, led by Student Coordinators, participating in various orientation activities. This will lead to crowds and lines and congestion. Plan accordingly! Here are some suggestions:
- Bring your lunch that week so you don't have to wait in long restaurant lines
- Give yourself a little extra time to get to meetings or appointments on campus
- Avoid scheduling vendor meetings or inviting outside guests to campus during orientation week
- How do I park on Move-In Day?add
Move-In for Fall 2023 will take place during August 15-16.
Thousands of new students, accompanied by anxious relatives and friends, will be moving into their residence halls during that day. While our excellent Housing and New Student Services staffs have planned the logistics, the fact is the campus and surrounding area will be crowded and hectic, and parking will be extremely limited that day.
To ease congestion on Move-In Day, campus leadership is asking managers to:
- Review their business for that day and offer staff alternatives to traveling to campus, such as telecommuting
- Consider holding planning meetings, retreats, and other off-site activities that day
If you need to be on campus that day, please note the following:
- Bike, walk, or take public transit, if possible
- Campus parking will be extremely limited in most cases
- If you must drive to campus, factor in additional traffic congestion and commuting time (for example, thirty additional minutes each way) and be prepared to park in alternative lots away from campus, including public pay lots.
Parking and Transportation offers a list of alternate lots for permit holders and other important related information at: pt.berkeley.edu/special-events/move-day
- How can I support the new students?add
If you are a faculty or staff member, we have many ways for you to be more formally involved. If you believe your department should be more closely involved with the program, please email New Student Services at: nss@berkeley.edu.