CONNECT Orientation

Welcome to Clarke University

As the newest member of the Clarke community, you are probably excited and a bit nervous. You may also have many questions about the college and your role as a new student. Clarke has designed a special CONNECT program to ensure a smooth transition to your new college environment. You will have the chance to get acquainted with the campus, meet other new students, and learn where campus resources are located.

Fall 2024 CONNECT Orientation

New student orientation will take place on Clarke’s campus in August 2024. CONNECT orientation for all new First-Year undergraduate students will take place Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25, 2024. CONNECT for all new Transfer undergraduate students will take place Friday, August 23, 2024.

Transfer students who have not yet registered for classes or who need to complete the writing assessment will do so in the morning of August 23, immediately prior to the start of orientation sessions. Admissions staff will coordinate writing assessment and registration communication with new students.

Early Arrival Athletes & Residence Hall Move-In

Athletes on any of the fall athletic teams will arrive to campus early for team training. Impacted teams are:

Football: Friday, August 9, 2024

Women’s & Men’s Cross Country and Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Dance & Cheer: Saturday, August 10, 2024

All other new students moving into the residence halls for the fall 2024 semester will be able to move belongings during a pre-determined time, scheduled with Residence Life, on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Residence Life staff will communicate move-in details directly with students who have completed a housing contract.

International Student Orientation

While all students are required to participate in our CONNECT orientation program, we recognize that international students have a nuanced and unique transition to college in the U.S. Therefore, international students are asked to participate in an orientation that focuses on items specific to the processes related to being on an F1 visa, as well as campus policy and cultural/social norms to those living in the U.S. and Dubuque.

A pre-CONNECT International Student Orientation is planned for early arrival athletes (cross country, soccer, w. volleyball, dance) on Sunday, August 11 and Monday, August 12. This early session will provide an opportunity for you to get acclimated to the various resources on campus, the Dubuque Community, and the Clarke international student community over an extended period of time that allows you to settle into Clarke, Dubuque, and the USA!

We recognize not all students will be able to join us early, so we will host an International Student Orientation session, Thursday, August 22 at between 9am – 12:00pm as part of the CONNECT schedule.

Travel Tip: International students are encouraged to fly into Chicago O’Hare and utilize a Clarke Shuttle on August 7 or 8 (for early arrival athletes) or August 21. All Clarke Shuttles will depart O’Hare at 6pm on the specified dates, with direct private group transportation to Clarke’s campus. Learn more and purchase your shuttle pass online here.