Many of the Orientation activities included on the schedule are marked as "mandatory." Certain workshops cover information that is required to be presented by New York State and/or Federal law. All of the events marked as mandatory have been identified as essential for you to attend and attendance may be taken.

While some academic events are specific to certain majors, club events are open to ALL students, regardless of school, major, or any other personal or academic characteristics.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

8:00am – 2:00pm
Residence Hall Check-In
29 3rd Ave Residence Hall
Welcome to your new home! Upon arrival, you will be given move-in materials, including your room key, mailbox key, and general building information. Please do abide by the staggered move-in times supplied by the Housing & Residential Education staff. There will be a number of Cooper Union students and staff members present to help you with all of your personal items.

12:00pm – 2:00pm
School of Architecture Tours
3rd Floor Lobby, Foundation Building
Members of the Architecture Student Council will provide tours of important School of Architecture areas. The tours will begin at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.

2:00pm – 3:00pm
Commuter Student & Graduate Student Check-In
Lobby, Foundation Building
All non-residential students should report to the Foundation Building lobby to receive an official welcome packet.

3:00pm – 4:00pm
President's Welcome - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Please join President Laura Sparks, and members of her leadership team, for a Welcome Address and formal start to the orientation schedule. This session is open to all new students and their guests.

4:00pm – 5:30pm
Welcome Reception for Students and Family
The Great Hall Gallery, Foundation Building
Following the Welcome Address from President Sparks, please join members of the Cooper Union community for a welcome reception. There will be small plates and drinks, as well as plenty of time to mingle with Cooper Union faculty and staff and fellow new students.

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Orientation Overview - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Dean Chris Chamberlin and the Office of Student Affairs will provide an overview of the orientation schedule. This session is a great opportunity to be introduced to members of the Student Affairs staff, to gain an understanding of upcoming sessions and to ask any general questions that you may have.

8:00pm – 10:00pm
Res Ed Welcome Party
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Spend your first night at Cooper with all of your new friends! Come to relax and socialize with other new students, after a busy day of activities.

 

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

8:30am - 10:00am
International Student Breakfast - MANDATORY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
Mandatory Check-in meeting with Cooper’s PDSO and valuable information on how to keep your F-1 immigration status valid.

10:00am – 12:00pm
Cooper Union 101 & Dean's Welcome - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Dean of Students, Chris Chamberlin, will welcome and address all students, covering general areas of interest. After Dean Chamberlin's welcome, students will breakout by school and engage in further conversations with the academic leadership of their specific school.

12:00pm - 1:30pm
Health & Wellness Lunch - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
During this session, our Student Care Coordinator will discuss common mental health concerns among college students and how to identity these concerns in oneself. Additionally, this session will provide students with information regarding supportive resources available at Cooper Union and throughout NYC. The session will conclude with a lunch, and an opportunity for discussion with our Peer Mentors about self-care and suggestions on how to stay healthy and be successful at Cooper Union.

1:30pm – 3:00pm
Center for Career Development Workshop - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Whether your goal is to become an architect, artist, engineer, something else entirely, or you are unsure of your professional interests, it is never too early to start preparing to achieve your career goals. During this session, you will meet the Center for Career Development staff and learn how they can help you achieve your goals. There will be games and prizes!

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Academic School Meetings - MANDATORY

Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture
Info Session + Roundtable Discussion with Architecture Student Council
Room 315, Foundation Building

School of Art
Faculty & Technical Staff Roundtable and Q&A
Peter Cooper Suite, Foundation Building

Albert Nerken School of Engineering
Dean & Department Chair Meetings
The Great Hall, Foundation Building

5:00pm – 6:00pm
Safety @ Cooper - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Cooper Union's Campus Safety and Security Manager will discuss information regarding Cooper Union's safety procedures, best practices for keeping yourself safe in New York City, tips for commuting around NYC, information about the neighborhood and other safety-related topics.

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Mount Sinai Wellness Workshop and Dinner - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Join the world-renowned team from the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine as they guide you through an exploration of resources and opportunities to care for yourself during your time at The Cooper Union and beyond.

8:00pm – 10:00pm
Res Ed Decor Day
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Make your new apartment feel like home with DIY decorations. You can also plant your own flower seeds and set goals and intentions for the upcoming year.

8:00pm – 9:30pm
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) Ramen & Snack Party Night
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
Are you looking to join a fun and meaningful organization that combines diversity, professionalism, and service? No need to look further, simply join SASE! Our SASE board will be providing ramen and Asian snacks to welcome you to the Cooper chapter. Don't be shy; get out of your comfort zone and come learn about SASE.

 

Thursday, August 29, 2019

8:00am – 11:00am
Engineering Math Placement Exam
Rose Auditorium, 41 Cooper Square
The math placement exam is applicable to qualified Engineering majors only. Students seeking to place out of MA111 should take this placement exam. If you have any questions about the math placement exam, please contact the School of Engineering.

11:00am – 12:30pm
Center for Writing Workshop - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Meet some of the Cooper Union’s Writing Associates — who are scholars (of history and dance and literature and more), poets and fiction writers. And find out how they can help you do your best work at Cooper.

11:00am – 12:00pm
School of Art Exchange Student Workshop
Room 901, 41 Cooper Square

12:30pm – 1:30pm
Peer Connections Lunch - MANDATORY
Great Hall Gallery, Foundation Building

1:30pm – 3:00pm
Inclusion and Belonging Workshop - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Spend time with Grace Kendall, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion, and learn about creating an open and welcoming campus culture, respecting differences and many other topics related to inclusion and belonging.

3:00pm – 4:30pm
Academic Advisement Meetings - MANDATORY

Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture
Room 315, Foundation Building

School of Art
Room 215, Foundation Building

Albert Nerken School of Engineering
The Great Hall, Foundation Building

4:30pm – 5:30pm
History of Cooper Union - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
President Sparks and Professor Peter Buckley will lead a presentation on the history of Cooper Union. This session is an opportunity to learn more about Cooper Union’s amazing history, and to deepen your appreciation of the legacy of philanthropy and social justice that underscores all we do.

5:30pm – 7:30pm
Academic School Dinners - MANDATORY
Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture - 3rd Floor Lobby, Foundation Building
School of Art - 630C, Foundation Building
Albert Nerken School of Engineering - Colonnade, Foundation Building

7:00pm – 9:00pm
St. Peter’s Spirit Club Thursday Night Kirtan
Foundation Building Entrance
Each Thursday, Bhakti Center organizes kirtan night, where Maha Mantra (Hare Krishna mantra) is sung, and attendees dance together. The event is followed by a free vegetarian feast! If you'r interested in attending, meet in front of the Foundation Building at 7pm, and the group will walk to the Bhakti Center together.

7:30pm – 9:30pm
Chinese Student Association Movie Night
Room 504, 41 Cooper Square
First time to New York? Seeking food on Thursday night? Join our CSA Movie Night!!! We will watch a Chinese comedy-drama film, “Dying to Survive”. The film is based on the real-life story of a Chinese leukemia patient who smuggled cheap but unproven cancer medicine from India for Chinese cancer sufferers. Dumplings will be served as dinner.

8:00pm – 10:00pm
Res Ed Game Night
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Get to know fellow new students during a friendly night of board games! Games will be available for raffle. Snacks and ice cream will be provided.

 

Friday, August 30, 2019

9:00am – 10:00am
International Student Workshop - MANDATORY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
Learn the basics of employment options in the US, cultural adjustment and coping skills, US classroom culture, safety, security, and more.

10:00am – 12:00pm
Healthy Relationships - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
This session will include information about consent, healthy relationships, resources on- and off-campus, Cooper Union policy, students’ rights, and more!

12:00pm – 2:00pm
Free Time - No Sessions Scheduled

2:00pm – 5:00pm
The Great Hall: Voices | Moments | Movements - MANDATORY
The Great Hall, Foundation Building
In this session, Professor Gersten will welcome the incoming class and share a number of thoughts and ideas on interdisciplinary studies within the Cooper Union. He will address the long legacy of The Cooper Union as an originating site of social movements and the potentials of our spaces of education, as sites of exploration and collaboration, allowing us to create the responsive transformations our world calls for today.

7:30pm – 9:00pm
Society of Women Engineers Get Together
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
Join us for a SWEet time! Come learn about the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Section at Cooper and meet upperclass students. Get to know other incoming students, as well as current students, through our planned activities. Or come for some free food and drinks!

8:00pm – 10:00pm
Res Ed Movie Night
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Join us for a screening of Booksmart. Popcorn, pizza, and cotton candy will be served!

8:00pm – 9:00pm
Art Student Council Ice Cream Social
Peter Cooper Suite, Foundation Building
Come and meet members of the Art Student Council (ASC) and learn about the recent history of the School of Art and how you can become involved. Ice cream and snacks provided!

8:30pm – 11:00pm
Association of Energy Engineers Ice Cream & Movie Night
Room 104, 41 Cooper Square
Interested in energy, or just looking for some free food and fun? Come enjoy ice cream, snacks, and a movie with AEE! You’ll also have the chance to learn about our club and our plans for the semester.

 

Saturday, August 31, 2019

10:00am – 12:00pm
Cooper Union Rock Climbing: Send it at The Cliffs at DUMBO
Lobby, Residence Hall
Join the rock climbing club for a trip to one of our favorite climbing spots! This bouldering gym, by the East River waterfront, is a great place to climb, for beginners and experienced boulderers alike. No climbing experience or equipment is needed, but you will need an NYC Subway MetroCard. The gym will provide rental shoes and we will provide chalk. Please fill out the waiver at https://tinyurl.com/dumbo-waiver ahead of time.

11:00am – 2:00pm
Zeta Psi Field Day
Lobby, Residence Hall
Join Zeta Psi for an afternoon of games, sports and food at East River Park. If you've never been to East River Park, this is the ideal time to get familiar with an underrated NYC park. The park has numerous fields and courts, as well as long waterfront promenade.

12:00pm – 3:00pm
School of Architecture Student Council Supplies Sale
Room 312, Foundation Building

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Institute of Transportation Engineers Transit Scavenger Hunt
Lobby, 41 Cooper Square
Are you new to New York City and nervous about public transportation? Are you a seasoned MTA veteran who is interested in learning more about the NYC subway system? Either way, this event is for you. Get to know the local subway stations with this quick and fun scavenger hunt. Bring a MetroCard or OMNY - Contactless cards and digital wallets are now accepted on a limited basis for part of the subway!

2:00pm – 4:00pm
Res Ed Scavenger Hunt
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Team up for a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood to win apartment essentials and decor from Ikea!

3:00pm – 4:00pm
School of Architecture Student Council Trip to Blick Art Supplies
3rd Floor Lobby, Foundation Building
A recommended supply list will be given to the School of Architecture first-year students during a visit to Blick Art Supplies. This is a chance to get to know some returning School of Architecture students as they share their expertise in purchasing materials for building, making, or drawing.

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Juggling Club Cooper (re)Union of Acro-yogis and Jugglers
Lobby, 41 Cooper Square
Come hang out with the Juggling Club as we teach you the secrets to juggling. If you have no idea how to juggle, or even if you don't know what juggling is, stop by and we'll help you learn the basics. If you already know how to juggle, come and show off your skills. We always love to both learn new tricks and show off a few of our own.

4:00pm – 5:00pm
School of Architecture Student Council Fresco Gelateria Trip
3rd Floor Lobby, Foundation Building
Immediately following the supply trip to Blick Art Supplies, upperclass School of Architecture students will lead first-year students on a trip to local favorite, Fesco Gelateria.

5:00pm – 7:00pm
Ping Pong Tournament
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
Come by to play in the annual orientation ping pong tournament, where people of all ages and skill levels can compete to be the #1 player! The Table Tennis Club is looking for new members to meet weekly for both casual and competitive play, so if you're looking for fun and glory, this is the place to be. And of course, food and drinks will be served to keep you energized to battle your way to the top of the bracket and become the table tennis champion!

6:00pm – 8:00pm
Cooper Union Dungeons and Dragons: Build Your Own Character
Room 506, 41 Cooper Square
The heroes are just as important as the adventure. Come eat snacks, meet the eclectic D&D club, and dream up your own adventurer with a unique backstory, personality, skill set, and motivations. Bring your sense of wonder and we will bring the rest.

8:00pm – 10:00pm
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Dorm Auction
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Did you forget something while packing for move in? Don't fret, InterVarsity has your back! We'll be hosting a dorm auction with dorm-room essentials, school supplies and fun, quirky items! Join us for a night of auctioning, playing fun games and getting to know your peers. Don't worry, this won't cost you any money. Just come as you are, with energy and enthusiasm -- you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain! We hope to see you there!

 

Sunday, September 1, 2019

10:00am – 11:00am
The Pioneer Student Newspaper Interest Meeting
Room 104, 41 Cooper Square
Are you interested in journalism or current events at Cooper? Come learn about The Pioneer, The Cooper Union's student-run newspaper.

10:30am – 2:00pm
Cooper Union Alumni Association Governors Island Field Day
Lobby, Residence Hall
Enjoy a few hours on one of New York City's treasures, Governors Island. This event will be a great way to get away from campus and explore New York City, as well as meet upperclass students and Alumni. The group will depart the Residence Hall lobby at 10:30am. If you wish to travel to Governors Island on your own, note that the event begins at 11:00am. Please RSVP for this event at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXd5DHKm9MWBttw56hmaup1azEoExIXN1uqCApGtZV51k79g/viewform?usp=sf_link.

2:00pm – 4:00pm
Res Ed Spa Day
Menschel Room, Residence Hall
Take a break and unwind before school starts with a facemask, tea, and DIY lip scrubs and face mist! Bring a mug!!

2:00pm – 3:00pm
Chemists’ Club Ice Cream Bond
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
If you're a ChemE, or just interested in chemistry, join the Chemists' Club for an introduction into everything the club does, and to bond over some ice cream.

3:00pm – 5:00pm
IEEE x ACM Orientation
Room 504, 41 Cooper Square
First-year Electrical Engineering students will be introduced to IEEE and ACM, and all that these professional clubs do. A tour of the EE labs will also take place. Come on out and get to know your fellow EEs.

5:00pm – 8:00pm
oSTEM Potluck Dinner
Room 801, 41 Cooper Square
Come share a meal with Cooper's chapter of oSTEM, a professional society for LGBTQ folks in STEM! Ask us all of your burning questions about Cooper and what we're up to. Bringing a dish is appreciated, but be sure to bring your smiling faces and enthusiasm!

7:00pm – 9:00pm
Coopertones Open Mic Night
Alumni Terrace, 41 Cooper Square
Join The Coopertones for an open mic night on the 41 Cooper Square Alumni Terrace! Learn more about the performing arts scene at Cooper as we listen to music and poetry by our very own Cooper students. Dinner will be served!

 

Monday, September 2, 2019 (Labor Day)

10:00am – 12:00pm
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Ice Cream & Waffle Social
Room 104, 41 Cooper Square
Satisfy your sweet cravings with a cold scoop of ice cream on a fresh, warm waffle. Get to know your fellow classmates and friendly InterVarsity upperclassmen. Could there be a better way to spend your morning?

11:00am – 1:00pm
Hillel Jewish Downtown Tour
Lobby, 41 Cooper Square
Come meet, and talk to, members of Cooper Union Hillel. There will be a tour of the main Jewish life buildings in downtown NYC. There will also be some delicious kosher foods along the way. An event not to miss!

1:00pm – 3:00pm
Peer Mentor Lunch - MANDATORY
The Great Hally Gallery, Foundation Building

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Steel Bridge Team Bonanza
LL101, 41 Cooper Square
The Cooper Union Steel Bridge team will present their yearly competition team, tasked with building the best performing bridge at the SBBC Regional and National level. There will be a brief presentation on the team's structure and work style, an unveiling of the upcoming design for the 2020 competition, and even a hands-on demo using the 2018 bridge. And of course, food and drinks will be served.

5:00pm – 8:00pm
ASCE Highline and Vessel Tour
Lobby, 41 Cooper Square
Join the American Society of Civil Engineers for a tour of the High Line and the Hudson Yards while munching on cookies. Get to know civil engineering students from all years, find out more about student life, and get all the insider tips on how to ace your first year at Cooper, while still taking advantage of everything NYC has to offer!

5:00pm – 8:00pm
Motorsports, Mousetraps, and Mario Kart
Room 101, 41 Cooper Square
Join the Cooper Motorsports Team and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in the first MechE event of the year! The event will begin with a presentation from Motorsports & ASME, then everyone will split into teams to design, build and race mousetraps against one another. Afterwards, compete against current Motorsports team members in a game of Mario Kart, or try to beat their times on the racing simulator. Cooper Motorsports and ASME welcome you to take a look inside the MechE family and to see what you can contribute to the Motorsports team, no matter your major! Every major, from all of Cooper, from engineering to art and architecture, is welcome to come!

7:30pm – 10:00pm
Student Body Radio Rooftop Party
Alumni Terrace, 41 Cooper Square
Celebrate the end of an eventful orientation week with this student mixer. Dance the evening away, and let loose with your new friends, before kicking off the start of the fall semester.

 

Saturday, September 7, 2019

9:00am – Late Afternoon
Outdoors Club Fire Tower Hike
Lobby, 41 Cooper Square
Need a break from the city after your first week of class? Join Outdoors Club for our annual hike to the city of Beacon’s Fire Tower! Take in, and enjoy, the views of nature with your friends and meet new people!