Schedule: Orientation Day 1

8:00AM-6:00PM New and transfer student check-in (Required for all first-year, transfer, commuter, and Founder’s College students)

πŸ“Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot

  • Residential Students: Set arrival time for check-in is based on a student’s room location within the residence hall. This time is emailed in early August.
  • Commuter Students: May arrive any time between 8:00 AM–4:30 PM ET. Please go to the table with blue decor.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM  Relaxation Station
πŸ“Orientation Tent, Butler Way Mall

Throughout the day, the Relaxation Station will offer calming and creative activities for students and families to unwind. Stop by for build-a-plant, coloring pages, tactile fidget toys, snacks, and a note-writing table. Licensed massage therapists will be offering neck and shoulder massages from 2:00–4:00 PM β€” be sure to sign up for a time at the tent! Come recharge, reconnect, and relax!


11:00 AM–1:00 PM  Butler Brew energy drink sampling
πŸ“Orientation Tent, Clowes Mall

Lotus Energy Drinks


2:00–5:00 PM  Irwin Library Open House β€”Duck Drop Event 
πŸ“Irwin Library

Drop by Irwin Library to try your hand at the famous Irwin Fountain Duck Drop competition. Meet library staff and faculty, learn about library services, and enjoy refreshments and a rest from the heat. The Duck Drop competition is a rite of passage you won’t want to miss!


2:00–5:00 PM  Resource Fair
πŸ“Orientation Tent, Atherton Mall

Drop in at the Resource Fair to meet with representatives from campus offices and external entities that serve and support our students. Stay for as long or short as you want!


2:00–5:00 PM  Butler Eats 2025
πŸ“Butler Way Mall

This event is your chance to explore campus dining options and sample student favorites. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with the team dedicated to keeping you nourished on campus, and get answers to all your dining-related questions.

*Tickets are required for entry and participation in the event and can be purchased at the Butler Eats event.

Option 1: If you have a meal plan, 1 meal swipe equals 4 tickets.

Option 2: If you do not have a meal plan, tickets are available for purchase at $3 each or 4 for $10


5:30–6:30 PM  Student-athlete welcome for athletes and parents (required for all new student athletes)
πŸ“Hinkle Fieldhouse, Main Gym

Dinner will be served for student athletes and their families. Required for new student athletes, families are encouraged to attend.


7:30–8:15 PM  Student orientation group meeting (Required for all first-year, transfer, commuter, and Founder’s College students)
πŸ“The location of your orientation group will be emailed to your Butler email.

Join your Orientation Group to meet your crew and your student leaders. This will be your team for Orientation and into your First-Year Seminar! 


7:30 – 9:00 PM  Family presentation and dessert reception
πŸ“Schrott Center for the Arts

While students are in their required residence hall or commuter meetings, please come learn from University administrators on how we support our Butler families while also meeting and connecting with other Butler families. Dress is casual.


8:30–10:30 PM  Residence hall meetings for new students (required for residential students)
πŸ“Residential College (ResCo) , Irvington House & Fairview House


8:30–10:00 PM  Commuter meeting for new students (Required for Founder’s College and commuter students)
πŸ“Pharmacy Building Room 150

New commuter students will pick up their Orientation t-shirt and meet with campus representatives as well as returning commuter students.


10:00 PM–12:30 AM  SPLASH SATURDAY! 
πŸ“Atherton Union Mall and Irwin Library
Co-sponsored with the University Program Council (Butler UPC)

New students, join us for free food, play some rounds of Bin-glow under the tent for prizes, play in our splash pad and slip and slide, Try to dunk a Student Orientation Guide (SOG) or head to the Irwin Library to sing Karaoke, play some board games and make friendship bracelets while the singers serenade you. Challenge a new friend to lawn games and inflatables on the Atherton Mall, arts and crafts, and much more!

Orientation Week: Campus Locations and Hours of Operation

8:00 AM–4:30 PM  Office of Parking Services open
πŸ“4702 Sunset Ave. (Parking Garage, Suite 500)


8:00 AM–5:00 PM  Starbucks open
πŸ“Atherton Union


9:00 AM–2:00 PM  A-Town Cafe open (Brunch, first meal plan meal!)
πŸ“Atherton Union Dining Hall

Brunch is available for students and guests. Students are able to utilize their meal plan via their student ID card and guests may use credit card (Visa and Mastercard accepted).


9:00 AM–5:00 PM  Bookstore open
πŸ“Atherton Union

Online order pick-up available on the landing between the bookstore and Plum Market.


10:00 AM–5:00 PM  A-Town Market Open
πŸ“Atherton Union

(Visa and Mastercard accepted.)


12:00–4:00 PMΒ  Health and Recreation Complex open
πŸ“Health and Recreation Complex (HRC)


1:00–4:00 PM  Student Accounts office open
πŸ“Jordan Hall, Room 102


1:00–9:00 PM  Esports Park open
πŸ“Esports Park, Butler Parking Garage


4:30–8:30 PM A-Town Cafe open (Dinner)
πŸ“Atherton Union Dining Hall

Dinner is available for credit card (Visa and Mastercard accepted).