Take a moment to read a welcome letter from Amber Slack, Ed.D.,
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and Anita McGill, Assistant Dean of Student Engagement!
Royal Kickoff
Royal Kickoff
What is Royal Kickoff?
Royal Kickoff is designed for all new students to move in earlier and participate in fun activities to meet people and get used to campus before classes start. This extended orientation helps you transition smoothly to college life. Before the fall semester begins, Queens provides several activities specifically designed to help you (first-year, transfer, and new international students) get ready for college. These activities cover academic challenges and social experiences, and take place over several days. As a Royal Kickoff participant:
- You’ll get to move into your residence hall,
- Get familiar with the campus, and
- Engage in a variety of social events, service activities, and success seminars.
When is it?
Royal Kickoff begins with move-in on Wednesday, August 20, and ends on Sunday, August 24.
Please note that international students move in on Monday, August 18. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the International Office (international@queens.edu) with any questions regarding international student move-in.
Event Schedule
Please note that there are five required events during Royal Kickoff. They are indicated by an asterisk (*).
First-Year Student Move-In
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Your assigned first-year residence hall
Welcome to Queens! Our amazing volunteers will help you unload your car and settle into your new room. Check your Queens email for your assigned move-in time and details.
International students move in on Monday, August 18. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the International Office (international@queens.edu) with any questions regarding international student move-in.
Guest Departure
2:30-4:00 p.m. | Claudia Belk Room, Levine Center
Join Alumni Relations for refreshments, final goodbyes, and a chance to leave a note for your student. We will deliver the notes to your students during September. Stop by the Campus Store to grab some Queens gear before you head home!
Commuter Student Check In
3:00-3:15 p.m. | Claudia Belk Room, Levine Center
Commuter students – please arrive 15 minutes prior, so you can check-in for the fall semester.
*Staying Safe at Queens (Required)
3:30-5:00 p.m. | Sandra Levine Theatre in Gambrell Center
At Queens University, your safety is our highest priority – that’s why we take a proactive approach to campus safety. This important session will help you learn about campus expectations and how to be prepared and respond quickly in an emergency.
Dinner
5:00-6:30 p.m. | Trexler Student Center
Now that move-in is complete, and you have attended your first mandatory session, relax and enjoy dinner in the dining hall. Bring your Q-card to swipe in.
Mandatory Hall Meetings
6:30 p.m. | Your assigned first-year residence hall
Meet your RA and your new neighbors! Learn about your hall, upcoming events, community expectations, and roommate agreements.
“Shelfie” Fest – A Night of Games at the Library
7:30-9:30 p.m. | Everett Library
Come see the library like never before! Play putt-putt in the stacks, join live trivia, get crafty, and snap a “shelfie” among the bookshelves. Don’t miss s’mores at the firepit on the residential quad!
*Royal Advising Connect (Required)
10:30-11:30 a.m. | TBD
Meet your Royal Advisors to make sure you’re on track for a successful semester. Bring your questions and leave with a clear plan for the year ahead!
*First-Year Conversations (Required)
12:30-1:30 p.m. | TBD
At Queens, we want to make sure that you are fluent in information literacy, so we want you to learn how to spot credible information online and sharpen your research skills. This session helps you get ready to think critically and find trustworthy sources.
*Meet Your Roadmap Class (Required)
1:30-2:00 p.m. | TBD
Meet your Roadmap class and your Roadmap Scholar, an upper-division student who will mentor you. Check your schedule for your section number.
*Sed Min (Required)
4:00 p.m. | Sandra Levine Theater in Gambrell Center
Line up starts at 3:15 p.m. at the Levine Center.
Take part in Queens’ academic tradition for new students: Sed Min, “non ministrari sed ministrare,” which translates as “Not to be served, but to serve.” Sign your commitment to the Queens Honor Code. Dress in business casual attire — line up starts at 3:15 p.m.!
Class of 2029 Photo
Immediately following Sed Min | Hall Brown Terrace, Queens Hall
Grab your free “ALL In” t-shirt and gather with your fellow students for a memorable group picture.
Campus Comeback Dinner
5:30 p.m. | Young Dining Hall
Connect with faculty and staff over dinner. Bring your Q-card to swipe in if you have a meal plan — commuters, your meal is covered, just let the staff know!
Silent Disco
8:00-10:00 p.m. | Residential Quad
Dance the night away at our Silent Disco! Put on wireless headphones, choose your vibe, and dance with friends under the stars. Free food provided — everyone’s invited!
ROAR Orientation
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Sykes 024
If you did not attend a June ROAR session, you are required to attend this half day orientation where you will get up to speed on resources, strategies, and tips to help you thrive at Queens.
Foreign Language & Math Placement Tests
12:00-1:00 p.m. | Knight Crane Hall
Take your language or math placement tests if needed. Bring your Queens ID and stop by if you have experience in any of the tested languages or need math for your major. No sign-up required!
Foreign Language – Knight Crane Hall, Room 306
Math Placement – Knight Crane Hall, Room 309
Please contact academicadvising@queens.edu with any questions you might have.
*Dramatic Dialogue (Required)
1:00-2:30 p.m. | Sandra Levine Theater in Gambrell Center
Join this interactive session with live actors and real scenarios that spark honest conversations about consent and healthy relationships. Learn how to communicate clearly and build a respectful campus community.
Royal Kickoff Service Event
3:30-5:30 p.m. | Academic Quad
Live out our motto — “Not to be served but to serve.” Make a positive impact alongside your classmates by supporting Classroom Central and Project Linus.
TGIF Movie Night
7:00 p.m. | Sandra Levine Theater in Gambrell Center
Thank Goodness It’s Friday! Kick back with friends, grab snacks, and enjoy a fun throwback movie.
BINGO with Residence Life
8:45 p.m. | Young Dining Hall
Don’t miss this Queens tradition! Play Bingo for your chance to win amazing prizes.
Wellness Opportunities
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Refresh your mind and body! Choose one or all three wellness activities — a morning walk, yoga, or Zumba.
- 9:00 a.m.: Morning Walk | Meet outside of Levine Center
- 10:00 a.m.: Yoga (bring a mat or towel) | Belk Chapel Rotunda
- 11:00 a.m.: Zumba | Claudia Belk, Levine Center
Target Runs
12:30-3:00 p.m. | Evans Clock Tower
Need snacks or forgot something? Hop on a shuttle to Target, At Home, and Trader Joe’s. Shuttles run all afternoon — first pick-up is at 12:30 p.m., last shuttle leaves at 2:30 p.m.
Royal Picnic
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Levine Center Lawn
Celebrate the start of the year with good food, fun games, and friends on the lawn. The dining hall will be closed, and all students are invited.
An Evening of Campus Fun
7:30-9:30 p.m. | Residential Quad
Unwind, connect with friends, and enjoy activities and entertainment. Make memories and celebrate your new community!
Worship Opportunities
Explore local places of worship using the Queens 2024–2025 Places of Worship Database. For questions, please contact our Chaplain Adrian Bird (birda@queens.edu), Andy Harkavy (harkavya@queens.edu) or Cloe Nkazi (nkazic@queens.edu). Drop by the Chapel anytime to say hello!
Find Your Classes
1:00 p.m. | Meet at Diana Fountain
Get familiar with your class locations and feel confident for Monday. Stop by for goodies along the way!
Contact Us
If you have any Royal Kickoff weekend questions, please email quroar@queens.edu.