During Orientation we hope to assist you in the transition to McDaniel, both academically and socially. There will be time to get settled in your Residence Hall and get to know your neighbors. You'll have time set aside to discuss the summer reading, meet professors, and figure out where all of your classes actually are on campus. By Monday you’ll feel like a Green Terror!
We’re in the process of firming up the schedule for Orientation 2012. We ask that you check back in mid-July for an updated events list. To give you a better idea of what to expect, here is the complete schedule from Orientation Overview.
Move In Day Instructions
(August 22, 2012)
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Residents
11:00 AM - Commuters
The Department of Campus Safety will do its part to ease traffic tie-ups on move-in day by trying to control our “organized chaos,” and we ask for your help and cooperation with the instructions below. We rarely have waits of more than an hour, and once at the loading zone you will have lots of help unloading. All you need to do is follow a few guidelines.
Approach to campus: The College has several vehicle entrances. Use only the ones specified below. 
If you are approaching on Maryland route (MD) 140 westbound, follow these directions.
- Turn left from MD 140 west onto MD 31 west at the traffic light.
- Turn left again onto MD 32 (West Main Street).
- Proceed up the hill and turn left onto the campus at the stone gateposts (look for the MOVE IN sign).
Approaching the campus from the South on MD 27, or from the North on MD 97.
- Follow signage toward Westminster
- Then to MD 140
- Once on MD 140
- follow the above directions
Resident Student Key Pick Up:
- Once on campus, keep to the right at the fork (do not head down into Bair Stadium).
- You will see signage directing you to keep to the right and stay inside the line of cones.
- Throughout the queue, keep as far as possible to the right and as close as you can to the car in front of you.
- While waiting in line (if more than one person is in the car) all students should proceed to the front entrance of the Gill Gymnasium.
- Resident students will check in at the front of Gill Gymnasium and receive residence hall keys.
- Students should then return to their cars and proceed to their residence halls.
- If congestion is a problem, you’ll be asked to wait in line until we can move you to the unloading zone in front of each residence hall.
- Remember to keep to the right of roadways while waiting. This keeps your place in the line and facilitates vehicles exiting the unloading zones.
- Someone must remain with the car at all times.
- When your car arrives at the designated unloading areas, student volunteer move-in staff will help you unload your belongings and bring them to your residence hall room.
- After your car is unloaded, you will be directed to the closest convenient parking area.
- Resident students should then proceed to Ensor Lounge, Upper Level of the Decker College Center to complete the check-in process. This includes getting lots of free McDaniel College gifts.
Finally, it’s never too early to be prepared. Print this letter out now and put it in the glovebox in the car you will be using to move to campus. This way you have it tucked away for use in a few short weeks
Commuter Student Check-In:
- Arrive to campus and park in any STUDENT lot. The easiest student parking lot to find is the Harrison House parking lot. The entrance to this lot is off West Main Street further up the hill from the stone gateposts. Look for a bright yellow sign marking the lot for commuters.
- Commuter students should then proceed to Commuter Student Check-In located in Ensor Lounge, Upper Level of the Decker College Center. Follow the bright yellow signs with green letters.
- Complete the Check-In Process and attend the 12:00 pm Commuter Student Luncheon and Information Sharing in McDaniel Lounge. Follow the bright yellow signs from Ensor Lounge to McDaniel Lounge to attend the session.
Congratulations on your choice of McDaniel College. We hope to make your move-in day as easy as possible. If you have special needs with which we can help, please call me at (410) 857-2202.
Best of luck!
Mike Webster, MS ‘01
Director of Campus Safety