Getting Ready for Orientation: What to Do Before You Arrive
Between May 1 and your arrival on campus, there are a few important things we ask you to complete. These steps help us get to know you, prepare for your arrival, and make sure your transition to Dickinson is as smooth, healthy, and successful as possible.
We ask you to complete these items during the summer so that when you arrive for Orientation, you can focus on building connections, exploring campus, and beginning your academic journey, rather than filling out forms or troubleshooting logistics.
You’ll receive weekly “Three Things” emails and reminders through your Dickinson email and Navigate, so you don’t have to keep track of everything on your own.
Pre-Orientation
Registration for the Pre-Orientation: Explore More Adventures will open in June. In the meantime, explore last year's offerings and photos and make plans to join us!
Online Learning & Required Courses at Dickinson
Your physical and emotional wellbeing are essential foundations for learning, creativity, and personal development. Dickinson is deeply committed to supporting your health and safety—not only for your own success, but for the wellbeing of the entire community. As a member of this community, you have opportunities to positively impact the lives of others. With that opportunity comes shared responsibility. The online learning programs you complete before and during your first semester are designed to support thoughtful decisionmaking, mutual respect, and community care.
Required online courses: Part of your Journey to Dickinson
As part of your summer checklist, all new students are required to complete several online educational programs. These courses are not meant to overwhelm you or lecture you—they are wellresearched, adultlevel learning experiences designed to help you reflect on your values and choices.
You will see deadlines for these courses in August and September. Completing them on time is important.
The required programs include:
- Academic Integrity Online Course
- START Learning Program for Higher Education
- Active Intruder/Assailant Awareness Course
- Alcohol eCheckup To Go Course
These courses help prepare you for both academic success and life in a residential college community.
Academic Integrity: Learning with honesty and respect
Being part of the Dickinson community means upholding our Community Standards, including principles of academic integrity.
Students are expected to:
- Respect the ideas and work of others
- Cite sources appropriately when using someone else’s ideas
- Create original work that reflects their own thinking
Plagiarism—using someone else’s work without proper credit—is prohibited and may result in serious consequences.
To support your understanding of these expectations, all first-year students and students new to Dickinson must complete the Academic Integrity online tutorial.
Important things to know:
- You receive credit only after completing the tutorial and submitting it properly
- Students who do not complete the tutorial by the deadline will have a registration hold, which can prevent registering for next semester’s courses
If you have questions, additional resources are available through the Information for First-Year Students guide. Questions about academic integrity may also be directed to ask@dickinson.libanswers.com.
START Learning Program: Building a safe and respectful community
All new students must complete the START Learning Program for Higher Education before the start of their first semester.
The START Program is an online learning experience focused on:
- Sexual assault awareness and prevention
- Healthy relationships
- Harassment and respect among peers
- Empowering bystanders to act before harm occurs
The program includes three modules:
- Healthy Relationships & Dating Violence
- Harassment & Respect Among Peers
- Lasting Choices: Protecting Our Campus From Sexual Assault
These modules are designed to help you think critically about your choices, your values, and your role in creating a safe and respectful campus.
These online learning experiences are an important part of starting college. They are designed to support your growth—not just as a student, but as a member of a caring and engaged community.
Take your time, complete each program thoughtfully, and ask questions if something is unclear. Dickinson is committed to your health, safety, and success, and these programs are one of the ways we support you as you begin to make Dickinson yours.
Campus Store Information: Textbooks, Student Charge, Microfridges and More
The Dickinson College Campus Store offers a variety of merchandise and services and is located on the lower level of the Holland Union Building. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. If you have questions, contact 717-245-1330 or campusstore@dickinson.edu.
Student Charging
All registered Dickinson students are provided with a store charge account. The charge option works like a credit card using your student ID. Your account is opened with a zero balance, and each purchase adds to the total. At the end of the billing cycle, charges are forwarded to the Office of Student Accounts and combined with the student's monthly statement.
The charge option is safe and convenient—there's no need to carry cash. Charging lets you purchase as little or as much as you'd like. With the charge option, students have a $1,000 limit per month. Accounts are considered current when paid within 30 days of receiving your bill. All accounts past due for more than 30 days will be charged 1.5%, and charging privileges will be turned off.
A benefit of charging is that all purchases are recorded on your account, and if you want to return an item and have lost your receipt, we can look up your account to verify the purchase.
Textbook Ordering Information
Please visit https://bncvirtual.com/dickinson to purchase your course material. Textbooks are ONLY available using the Dickinson College Online Bookstore.
We strongly recommend buying the books required for your courses at the beginning of the semester since availability may become a concern as the semester progresses.
Please read this information carefully before making any purchases.
Microfridge Rental Information
The original three-in-one refrigerator/freezer/microwave appliance designed for today’s self-reliant and budget-conscious student is the next best thing to living at home! Reserve one here (will be available in early August for incoming students).
Computers and Software
Students, faculty, and staff can purchase computers at special educational pricing through Apple and Dell.