Your Introduction to Campus
We want your transition to UHart to be a smooth one, so we've created a place where resources, next steps, and important "to-dos" can be found as you prepare for your first year.
We look forward to welcoming you at Orientation!
Jump into our campus community by participating in our in-person Orientation. At Orientation, you'll learn more about campus resources and tips and tricks for how to be academically successful in your first year.
We loved getting to see so many of you at our June sessions! For those students who were unable to attend, we have one more session on August 22. Students living on campus and attending Orientation on August 22 will move in on August 21.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at css@hartford.edu so that we can help.
Parent/Guest Orientation
Parents, guardians, and guests will have their own programming throughout Orientation! Meet current students, faculty, and staff, ask questions, and learn more about UHart's academics, support services, and residential life.
Start Strong Adventures
Registration is now open for our Start Strong Adventures!
August 24, 2025
Explore some of the fun local attractions, complete exciting projects on-campus, meet other students, and get ideas of ways you can spend your free time with friends on and off campus! There is something for everyone—with trips and programs that can appeal to lots of different interests. All trips and programs are free for students.
Please register for one adventure to kickoff your first year at UHart!
Talcott Mountain is just a short drive from UHart’s campus and features spectacular views from the top! The hike itself is about 2.5 miles total, including the climb to Heublein Tower and the descent. Be aware that this hike is steep at the beginning. The views and photo opportunities are totally worth it, but you’ll earn them with some hard work!
Important Details:
- Wear comfortable athletic shoes.
- Portions of this hike are very steep.
- Please wear sunscreen and bug spray!
- Bring a water bottle.
- Be sure to grab lunch in Commons before this trip departs, and bring snacks if you think you will want them on the hike.
The Farmington River is a prime spot for a fun and exciting tubing experience, with two and a half miles of scenic views and three sets of rapids! Students signing up for this excursion should be competent swimmers, and plan to bring your own bathing suit and shoes that you’re OK with getting wet.
Important Details:
- Must be a capable swimmer.
- Must wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, shoes must be worn in the river.
- Life jackets and tubes will be provided.
- Wear sunscreen!
- Plan to bring a snack or eat brunch before the trip departs.
- A waiver will be required from all participants prior to the day of the trip. If you will be under 18 on August 24, please contact the CSS for an advanced copy that a parent/guardian will sign.
What better way to start your college experience off than with a good old-fashioned Field Day?! Games may include kickball, capture the flag, and/or an obstacle course. We will provide water, popsicles, and prizes. Make sure to hydrate well before the field day!
Sea Tea Improv is Hartford’s professional improve and sketch comedy company! Love improv comedy or just looking for a hilarious experience to kick off your semester? This team of comedy professionals will guide you through the basics of improv, which also double as great life skills! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (from all the laughing) and you’ll make great friends.
Important Details:
- Be sure to grab lunch in Commons before this trip departs!
What better way to begin your time at UHart than planting some roots? At the “Plant a Succulent” adventure, you will plant a succulent into soil, then use paint markers and decorative gravel to beautify your new plant. It will make a great addition to your dorm room. No experience working with plants is required. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!
Looking to unwind and re-center yourself before the start of the semester? Look no further than West Hartford Yoga: a local yoga studio with a great heart and top-notch instruction! Students will take an all-levels yoga class (no prior yoga experience needed!) and get a brief meditation workshop. What better way to kick off the school year than a little self care!
Important Details:
- No prior yoga or mindfulness experience is needed.
- Please dress comfortably, and note that shoes will be removed before you enter the yoga room.
- Be sure to grab lunch in Commons before this trip departs.
- Waiver required.
Calling all artists and art-enthusiasts! The Wadsworth Athenaeum, right in downtown Hartford, is the oldest continually operating public art museum in the country. It is noted for its collections of European Baroque art, ancient Egyptian and Classical bronzes, French and American Impressionist paintings, and much more! Get a taste of what Hartford and the Wadsworth has to offer right in your first weekend!
Important Details:
- Be sure to grab lunch in Commons before this trip departs!
Always wanted to try your hand at painting but just needed some good instruction? Now is your chance! With no artistic experience required, the Muse staff will provide step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful piece of art that you can use to decorate your new room!
Just a few miles from UHart’s campus, the town of Simsbury, Connecticut has been awarded the designation of a Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Bicyclists. Students on this trip will be provided with a bike rental from the Bicycle Cellar, which is situated right next to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, where you’ll enjoy a ride through scenic and peaceful Simsbury, CT! Closed-toed shoes are required for this trip, and it is best if you are not brand new to biking.
Important Details:
- Closed-toed shoes are required for this trip
- Prior biking experience is a must
- Bring a water bottle
- Wear sunscreen
- Be sure to grab lunch in Commons before this trip departs!
Interested in prints and printmaking? Join this Start Strong adventure where you’ll work with a member of the Hartford Art School in a UHart studio to create a print that you can hang on your residence wall. It’ll be a great touchstone of your early days as a student at UHart!
Do you enjoy journaling? Interested in binding and creating your own journal? Join this Start Strong adventure where you’ll work with a member of the Hartford Art School in a University studio space to design, create, and bind your very own journal.
Enjoy painting and working with clay? Join this Start Strong adventure where you will work with a member of the Hartford Art School to paint a tile, coaster, bowl or cup that you can use daily!
Interested in prints and printmaking? Join this Start Strong adventure where you’ll work with a member of the Hartford Art School in a UHart studio to create a print that you can hang on your residence wall. It’ll be a great touchstone of your early days as a student at UHart!
Be Prepared for Your First Semester at UHart
Red Caps
Red Caps are student orientation leaders who are eager to help new students and their parents learn about student life and our community at the University of Hartford. The Red Caps are friendly, helpful, inclusive, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. They promote the University and the opportunities it has to offer. Through individual conversations, group activities, academic advising, and various programs, Red Caps help incoming students and their parents become familiar and comfortable with the University.