Welcome Weekend is an exciting gateway for new students into life as a student at SJC! Over the four days, new students will experience a special welcome party meant to further introduce, invite, and inspire engagement in all it means to be a Monk in and outside the classroom. There will be time to continue to get to know your way around campus, to get to know one another before kicking off classes on Monday, time to reconnect with your New Student Orientation group, and for residential students (and commuter camp participants!) to meet their RA and floormates.
Welcome Weekend will be filled with new people, new information, and new experiences. Here are a few things to look forward to during our Welcome Weekend:
Move-in suggestions
- Talk to your roommate! Check to see what they are bringing/share with them what you will be bringing so you don’t have unnecessary duplicates.
- Don’t forget the essential - toiletries + personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, shampoo, deodorant). (Shower caddies are very helpful!)
- Bedding - our beds are twin sized - this will help with selecting sheets/blankets, etc.
- What you can bring to campus
Commuter Students
Did you know we offer a “Commuter Camp”? Commuter Camp is an opportunity for Commuter Students to live on campus for the first two weeks of the semester in order to fully acclimate to our campus and get to know our community a little better. This program is free of charge for any first-year or transfer commuter student who would like to participate. Students will have the opportunity to:
- Stay overnight in a residence hall for two weeks (first-year residence hall for first-year students and upperclassmen residence halls for transfer students)
- Enjoy eating in Pearson's Café
- Attend student activities programming in the evening
- Make friends and learn more about our campus and resources. We have an exciting opportunity for all new commuter students
Commuter Camp Dates: Friday, August 22 - Monday, September 8th
Cost: Free!
Please complete by: Friday, August 15th
Sign up here!
Questions? Please reach out to reslife@sjcme.edu.
Fall 2025 Move-in Dates
August 14: Field Hockey, Soccer, Cross Country, and Golf Teams
August 21: Blue Crew
August 22: First-year, New Transfer, Integrated Studies and SMCC Community2 Students
August 24: Continuing Students
Schedule of Events
Please watch the guidebook app for the Welcome Weekend schedule in early August.
Index/Library of email communications to students and family
Welcome from SJC Health and Wellness Center!
We are excited to have you join our community this fall! Attached, you will find some information regarding new student health forms that are required for you to attend SJC. These forms are due by August 1st, 2025, but we would love for you to check them off your to-do list early!
Please note that the insurance waiver will be available on June 3rd.
If you have any questions, please email healthcenter@sjcme.edu.
Be well!
Health and Wellness Center
We are excited to announce the mobile app for Saint Joseph's College of Maine New Student Orientation and Welcome Weekend, powered by Guidebook, is now available. With this resource, you have access to the most up-to-date information, schedules, important information, and a chance to meet your Orientation Leaders.
To get started click on the button below:
Tap “Download the app” to access the guide on your iOS and Android device.
We also wanted to send you the most up-to-date New Student Readiness Checklist. Completing these items by their designated due dates will ensure a smooth transition to your college experience at Saint Joe's!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Best,
New Student Orientation Committee
Dear Parents and Families,
On behalf of our colleagues in the Division of Student Life, the Office of Academic Affairs, our New Student Orientation Committee, and all of the College’s faculty and staff, thank you for joining us for New Student Orientation (NSO). We loved getting to know you and your students. For those we did not have a chance to meet, we look forward to seeing you at our 2nd NSO on July 17th and then at Welcome Weekend!
You and your student have made one of the most important decisions for their future, and we know that you have high expectations and goals for them. We believe that together, SJC faculty and staff, family members, and their students can work to achieve those goals!
In the spirit of supporting your student’s journey, we wanted to share a few important updates and next steps. We encourage you to check in with your student to see how things are going, and if they have any questions or need help, please remind them to reach out to the appropriate contact listed below.
Also, be sure they’re reviewing the New Student Readiness Checklist that is available on Guidebook. It’s a great tool to help them stay on track as they prepare for the start of the semester.
Several items have been communicated to your student that need to be completed before Welcome Weekend, beginning on August 22nd, including:
Access to Educational Records
- The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) gives students the right to control access to their educational records. Information about FERPA is printed in the “Student Handbook” and the “College Catalog.”
- Students may complete a release form to provide access to their records of choice.
Residential Living
- Housing assignments have been emailed to your student’s SJC Gmail account.
- Commuter Camp information will be shared in early August.
- For questions or concerns about housing and/or your housing assignment, please contact Residential Living by email at resliving@sjcme.edu.
Student Accounts
- Settle your student bill through Campus Café (instructions attached).
- For questions and concerns, email studentaccounts@sjcme.edu.
Financial Aid
- All financial aid requirements are due, including the loan master promissory note and entrance counseling, if federal loans are included in your student’s aid package.
- For questions and concerns, email finaid@sjcme.edu.
Health & Wellness Center
- Immunization records and student health insurance waivers are due by August 1, 2025.
- Please visit our Health Center webpage for detailed information regarding required Immunization Records, Student Health Insurance, and services included in the Health Facilities Fee.
- Please email healthcenter@sjcme.edu with questions or concerns.
Prompt completion of these items will ensure a smooth start for your student’s transition to SJC.
We look forward to supporting you and your student, and as discussed at NSO, we are always happy to help answer any questions you may have. Click here to access our slideshow presentation from NSO.
We cannot wait to reconnect on Friday, August 22nd, if not before. Please refer to Guidebook for important information, updates, and soon - an outline of our Welcome Weekend schedule.
Go Monks!
Shanna Webster, Associate Dean, Academic Success and Retention
David Lischer, Director of Counseling Center
Connor Dufour, Director of Residential Living and Community Standards
Good Afternoon, Parents of Our New Monks,
We hope this message finds you well! We want to acknowledge and apologize for any confusion caused by earlier communication regarding housing. We understand that many students are excited and eager to receive their housing placements. Thank you for your patience as we work through this important process.
At this time, we are still accepting roommate requests and housing questionnaires. With many students enrolling later in the summer, we want to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to connect with peers and participate in the housing selection process. Extending the timeline also allows students more time to thoughtfully consider their preferences and potential roommate options.
With that in mind, Housing Decision Day has been moved to the last week of July. This change will allow us to make more intentional placements that reflect each student’s preferences and needs, while also including students who join us a bit later in the process.
Your student recently received a reminder email with links to both housing forms. The most time-sensitive task right now is for them to complete either the Roommate Request Form or the Housing Questionnaire - both are due by July 18. If they haven’t submitted either form yet, a gentle nudge from you could be helpful!
Thank you again for your understanding. We’re so excited to help your student find their home away from home here at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine!
Best,
Connor Dufour, Director of Residential Living and Community Standards
Dear SJC Student!
The countdown is on – with only 3 days until New Student Orientation and we cannot wait! Check-in for Orientation will take place behind Alfond Hall and in front of Xavier Hall under the very large tent on the Mercy Lawn! We have attached a campus map for your convenience. Additionally, our friendly Campus Safety Staff will be greeting you at the entrance of campus and assisting you to parking.
Student-athletes, please plan to arrive at 8:30 AM. For everyone else, check-in runs from 9-10 AM. It is important for everyone to be checked in by 10 AM to be ready for the opening ceremony at 10:30 AM.
We have a custom family member program for your family members who are able to attend and we understand that not all are able to join us! Students, you will be kept busy and are encouraged to stay on campus overnight on Thursday. For detailed information about Orientation including the student and family schedules for Thursday and Friday, please visit our Orientation Webpage and/or our Mobile App.
Please pack the following:
- Toiletries + personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, shampoo, deodorant)
- Hair-styling tools
- Shower shoes
- Towel and washcloth
- Twin sheet set, pillow, blanket or sleeping bag and pillow
- Pajamas
- Change of clothes for day 2 of NSO
- Phone charger
- Bathing suit and beach towel
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Room Fan
Before you arrive, consider submitting a photo for your Student ID card so that we can have your ID ready for you!
You must name your photo with your Student ID number and it must be in JPG format. Where do you find your student ID number?
Log into Campus Cafe using your SJC username and password. Once you have logged in, go to the Menu icon, then My Info, then Contact Info. On the Contact Information page, look for your ID number.
Your digital images must be:
- Named as your Student ID number, in color, and in JPG Format
- Taken within the last 3 months to reflect your current appearance
- Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
- Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily
- Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face
- Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo
- Eyeglasses are allowed. The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s). There must not be glare on eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s). There must not be shadows or refraction from the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s)
- If you normally wear a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo
- Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or full-length photographs are not acceptable
Upload your Student ID Photo Here
If you have already let us know that you are not able to attend Thursday, we will be following up with you with alternative ways to complete orientation. If you have not signed up yet, and are planning to join Thursday, please register here. If you already registered and your plans have changed, please email us at orientation@sjcme.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus on Thursday!
SJC Admissions & New Student Orientation Committee
Hotel Discounts for Parents
Looking to connect with other new students at SJC, learn about our campus resources, and gain tips and tricks for starting your academics at SJC? Follow us on Instagram to learn more!