Chimera Welcome Week
Chimera Welcome Week is a series of community events created to welcome new and continuing students back to campus with fun activities! Scroll down to see or click here for the PDF of the schedule!
Chimera Welcome Week is August 19 - 23, 2024
We are so excited to welcome our new students to campus! We know that folks are excited, anxious, and nervous about the start of their college experience at CCA, but we are looking forward to welcoming you into our creative community. Whether you are new to CCA or are a returning student, we have created a special welcome experience to help prepare you!
Fall Chimera Welcome Week | Find Where You Belong! (8/19/24 - 8/23/24)
You will meet and hang out with your fellow classmates, learn where things are on-campus and in the neighborhood, talk to upperclass students, all while having fun together! It's a week experience filled with workshop and activities in between designed to help you thrive at CCA.
Spring Chimera Welcome Days | Find Where You Belong! (1/15/25 - 1/17/25) Starting at CCA in the spring? No worries, we got you too! Built to welcome those of you who join us in the spring semester, you'll still get to meet other new students, learn the campus and access key resources to get you on your way to settling in to the rhythm of the college. It is two days packed with the business of getting things done and fun with your Orientation Leaders and other new students. Watch this page for updates in November!
Examples of sessions and activities include:
- President's Welcome
- The Spirit of Chimera (A unique collaborative art making experience)
- Campus Tours
- Campus Jobs & Resources Fair
- CCA in The Bay - Neighborhood tours in San Francisco
- Workshops / Sessions about critique culture, academic advising, finding a campus job, self-care & wellness for artists, and much more!
- Social events like Bingo & Karaoke nights
- Convocation (Fall)
- Chimerapalooza (Fall)
CWW Schedule of Events*
While completing new student orientation is mandatory and attending Chimera Welcome Week is expected of all new students, you are able to tailor your experience to maximize what is most important or relevant to you!
Some sessions will be everyone together, some will be with your small group, and most blocks will have sessions you may choose from - conference style!
*Please note as preparations continue to evolve, session topics / locations / times may change.
Monday, August 19, 2024
Yay! It's residential student move in day! All Students living in Founders or Blattner Halls will be able to check in to their new "home away from home" in San Francisco. We can't wait to meet you! For more information about the move in process, please reach out to Housing, Dining & Residential Education
While you continue to unpack and meet new CCA friends, we're excited to welcome your family to campus! We will be offering the following activities and events to make their day more festive and informative:
- 1:00pm-2:15pm | Campus Tours: Take a student-guided tour of CCA with other new students and families. Meet at the tree in front of Founder's Hall
- 2:30pm-4:00pm | New Parents / Family Welcome Reception: Parents / Family of new CCA students are invited to join us for light refreshments and an opportunity to hear from CCA’s President David Howse as well as key faculty, staff and administrators from around the college. Main Building, Nave Presentation Space
- 7:00 PM | Residential Community Floor Meetings | Blattner & Founders' Halls: Meet your new neighbors! RA's and Orientation Leaders will bring everyone together welcome new and returning residents to the residence halls.
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
|
Event |
Time |
Location |
Description |
Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New INTERNATIONAL Undergraduate Student (F1 Visa) Check-In |
9:00 - 10 AM |
Student Lounge - Main Building, |
All international undergraduate students are required to check-in to participate in events and workshops throughout the week. |
All new incoming international students (freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Global Insights: Connecting with International Student Services for New Undergraduate International Students |
10 - 11 AM |
Nave Presentation Space - Main Building, |
Mandatory for all incoming international students with F1 visas. ISS will introduce their office and give important immigration information. |
All new international undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Nurturing Talent: Understanding Your Art Student's CCA Journey | New CCA Family Workshop |
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
Timken Lecture Hall - Main Building |
We encourage our families to allow our new students to begin to acclimate to the campus community by keeping 10am-5pm free for them to attend the week’s offered activities.. Our Chimera Welcome week is only for new CCA students, however we offer this session for our new families |
New CCA Parents / Family |
|
New Undergraduate Student Check-In (non-international, transfer, commuters, late arriving residents) |
12:00 - 1:00 PM |
Student Lounge - CCA Main Building, |
All Students are required to check-in to participate in events and workshops throughout the week. |
All new incoming non-international undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Chimera Welcome Week Kick Off / New Student Welcome |
1:00 - 1:30 PM |
Nave Presentation Space - Main Building |
Welcome to the opening of Chimera Welcome Week. Meet other members of the CCA community who will help you get started on your CCA Journey! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
"Ask the Insiders! Peer Panel Q&A for New Students" |
1:30 - 2:15 PM |
Nave Presentation Space |
Ask other students questions about their lived college experience, where all the 'best' things are around and on campus, etc! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Meet & Mingle |
2:20 - 3:00 PM |
Nave Presentation Space |
Orientation Leaders will host a social gathering for new students to build peer to peer connections. |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
|
Event |
Time |
Location |
Description |
Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Session Blocks 1 & 2 |
Session One: 10 - 11 AM |
Locations will vary - Main Building, |
You will choose a session for each hour to attend. Sessions are led by professional staff and or peer student leaders on various topics that will build community and share critical information you need to get connected to what you need at CCA! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Lunch On Your Own |
Noon - 1:00 PM |
Makers Cafe | Surrounding locations |
Student meal plans will be active. Students without meal plans are able to purchase food in Makers cafe or check out near by local eateries. |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Session Blocks 3 & 4 |
Session Three: 1:00 - 2:00 PM |
Locations will vary - Main Building |
You will choose a session for each hour to attend. Sessions are led by professional staff and or peer student leaders on various topics that will build community and share critical information you need to get connected to what you need at CCA! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Break |
3:00 - 3:30 |
|||
|
Session Block 5 |
3:30 - 4:30 PM |
Locations will vary - Main Building |
Each group will attend their designated session to meet each other, gain insight into specific resources and connect with each other. |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
Thursday, August 22, 2024
|
Event |
Time |
Location |
Description |
Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Session Blocks 1 & 2 |
Session One: 10 - 11 AM |
Locations will vary - Main Building, |
You will choose a session for each hour to attend. Sessions are led by professional staff and or peer student leaders on various topics that will build community and share critical information you need to get connected to what you need at CCA! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Lunch On Your Own |
Noon - 1:00 PM |
Makers Cafe | Surrounding locations |
Student meal plans will be active. Students without meal plans are able to purchase food in Makers cafe or check out near by local eateries. |
|
|
Session Blocks 3 & 4 |
Session Three: 1:00 - 2:00 PM |
Locations will vary - Main Building |
You will choose a session for each hour to attend. Sessions are led by professional staff and or peer student leaders on various topics that will build community and share critical information you need to get connected to what you need at CCA! |
All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter) |
|
Campus Job & Resources Fair |
3:00 - 5:00 PM |
Nave & Nave Presentation Space - Main Building |
A festive event to meet various offices, meet other students and connect with on campus work study opportunities! |
All new and continuing students (international, non-international, undergraduate, graduate, residential & commuter) |
Friday, August 23, 2024
|
Event |
Time |
Location |
Description |
Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CCA in The Bay |
10:00 AM - 2:00 |
OFF CAMPUS! Iconic SF neighborhoods |
Go farther! Visit Iconic SF neighborhoods (you will need your CCA Pass to ride on MUNI) Sign-up for the neighborhood you want to explore when you check-in in the morning! Each tour is limited in size, so be open to going to either location! |
All new incoming undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential, commuter, international & domestic) |
|
New Student Convocation & Class Pinning |
2:00 - 3:00 PM |
Nave- Main Building |
Join all new students, the President, VP's, and Deans in an important community gathering - an official welcome into the CCA community! |
All new incoming graduate and undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential, commuter, international & domestic) |
|
Chimerapalooza! |
3:00 - 6:00 PM |
Nave Presentation Space |
You made through the week and learned all the things! Now it is time to celebrate! Games, prizes, music, food and other festivities to wrap up Chimera Welcome Week! |
All incoming and returning students (freshmen, transfer, graduate, residential, commuter, international & domestic) |
FAQs
What's the difference between New Student Orientation & Chimera Welcome Week?
Orientation is a separate online course via Moodle, and is required to complete prior to your arrival to campus & Chimera Welcome Week. The course will introduce you to certain offices/departments, resources, and guides at CCA. You will get a notification through your CCA email to enroll and complete the course in August.
Chimera Welcome Week (fall admits in August & spring admits in January) are a series of in-person events and workshops tailored to familiarize you with campus culture and an opportunity for you to meet people, faculty, staff, and friends! This is an important week for all new students to become familiar with the college experience and we ask that you make yourself available to attend these events as much as possible.
Where should I check-in for Welcome Week?
All new undergraduate admits (domestic, transfer, international, and commuter) should check-in at the main building - enter at 450 Irwin! We will have signs posted on the day of to help you find your way!
All new graduate admits (international, domestic, commuter, or residential) should check in at Blattner Hall - located at 75 Arkansas Street. You'll see signs to let you know you're in the right place!!
Is Chimera Welcome Week mandatory?
Welcome Week is an experience filled with workshop and activities in between designed to help you thrive at CCA. Yes, it is mandatory and required that all newly admitted students (Undergraduate & Graduates) attend Welcome Week / Days.
I'm a Graduate student, is Chimera Welcome Week for me?
Yes, check the Graduate Student Orientation page for more information in how you can participate throughout the week. Please check the schedule above, for graduate student sessions & events.
When should I move into the dorms as a residential student?
Move-in dates and times for incoming residential students will be communicated by Housing, Dining & Residential Education, so please check your CCA EMAIL for updates.
Do I have to pay for Chimera Welcome Week?
Chimera Welcome Week is already paid for, as included in your activities fee. You will need funds for lunch on your own or for off-campus excursions. If you have a meal plan, it will be active when you move onto campus, and all CCA students should activate their CCA PASS to ride MUNI.
Where is the full schedule of events for the week?
We have posted the schedule of events for the week above. Please note, they pertain to the entire schedule, so all undergraduate admits (domestic, transfer, international, and commuter) & graduate admits can refer to this schedule.
Is there an opportunity for parents and family to be a part of this week?
Yes, during the FALL parents and family will have an opportunity to attend a Parent & Family Reception for Chimera Welcome Week. New students will be making new connections with other new students, and unable the reception. Parents / family members can enjoy small bites, meet key staff/faculty, and other new families! For more information, please visit the Parent and Family Welcome page.
For more questions regarding Welcome Week, please contact us at orientation@cca.edu.