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Opening Staff Member Alexa at Paint the Road 2023

Laker Launch

August 21, 2025 - August 24, 2025

Welcome Lakers!

From move-in day through the start of classes, new students will participate in Laker Launch; a series of programs, workshops and experiences that will teach you everything you need to know about SUNY Oswego.

During Laker Launch you will:

  • connect with faculty, staff, and support services
  • build friendships with fellow new students and returning students
  • learn how to succeed in class, and get the most out of your Oswego experience
  • participate in evening programs that will give you an idea of how much there is to do on campus

Don't know where to go on campus? That's okay!

 

Maps & Transportation

 

Laker Launch Schedule of Events 2025

Thursday, August 21st

9:00am - 4:00pm: New Student Move-In (Residence Halls)

Students who live on campus will move into their residence halls! Sign up for your move-in time.

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Faculty Mixers (Various Locations)

Join us for our Faculty Mixers, a chance to meet your faculty and build connections that will last throughout your time at SUNY Oswego.

5:30pm - 7:00pm: Opening Picnic (Parking Lot E-1)

The annual Opening Picnic welcomes students, faculty, and staff to another year at SUNY Oswego. Hosted by Auxiliary Services, the picnic features a variety of summer picnic foods, a live DJ, and ice cream novelties.

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Residence Hall Floor Meetings / Commuter Connections

Residential Students will return to their residence halls to connect with their Residential Student Staff (RSS) and learn more about their time in residence at Oswego, including expectations, fire safety, and an overview of community at Oswego. 

Commuters are invited to join us in the Laker Lounge for Commuter Connections! Come connect with fellow commuters and hear from professional staff who support our off-campus students to learn how we support you.  

8:30pm - 9:30pm: Torchlight Ceremony (Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall)

This ceremony is an honored tradition during which faculty, staff, and current students pass the flame of the Torch of Learning to all new undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students — to welcome them into SUNY Oswego's academic community.  

Friday, August 22nd

7:30am - 9:00am: Breakfast 

Meals are available at Cooper, Lakeside, and Pathfinder Dining Centers. Use the map above if you need help finding your way around campus!

8:00am - 9:00am: Buddy Breakfast

Looking to make connections? We'll designate tables specifically for morning people who are looking to socialize and make friends over breakfast!

7:00am - 8:45am: Fitness Center Hours

The Fitness Centers will be open for recreation for our students.

8:00am - 9:00am: Lakeside Yoga

Join us to start your morning saluting the sun with us - meet at the Dr. Mary Walker Health Center.

9:00am - 11:00am: Opening Remarks and Education Sessions (Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall)

The first full day of Laker Launch begins with an overview of the schedule, expectations of students, and a general welcome to SUNY Oswego. Come learn more about your time here at Oswego.

11:00am - 2:00pm: Taste of Oswego (Lot E-31) / Paint the Road (MCC Bus Loop) / Campus Tours (with Laker Launch Crewmate)

Rotations will be led by your Laker Launch Crewmate from 11:00am - 2:00pm.

Taste of Oswego The Taste of Oswego returns for 2025! This food vendor fair of local restaurants is designed to orient our newest students on what establishments exist in Oswego and where the can find food they like. Students are given meal tickets to patronize three vendors of their choosing for their lunch option. SOFE will sponsor the first 100 faculty/staff to request tickets during this event to allow them to partake and mingle with students.

Paint the Road Paint the Road continues in its third year as we invite new students, faculty, and staff to paint the Marano Campus Center Bus Loop Green. Sponsored by Facilities Services, this program allows students to make their mark on their campus and leave a lasting impression they can see all year long. Faculty and Staff are encouraged to come and leave their mark as well!

Campus Tours Take a tour with your Laker Launch crewmate to familiarize yourself with campus and see all the best views SUNY Oswego has to offer!

2:00pm - 2:30pm: "O" Photo (Lee Hall Soccer Field)

Students will be invited to participate in our second "O" photo, taking place on the Lee Hall Fields. Students will receive a white t-shirt, distributed by our President's Cabinet members, and will be arranged in the shape of a giant "O" for an aerial photo. Faculty and Staff are invited to participate and will be given t-shirts which will be worn to "outline" the O.

2:30pm - 4:30pm: Campus Resource and Employment Fair (Arena Upper Concourse)

Offices from all across campus will be present to discuss what their resources are for new students and advertise for student employment positions they have available for incoming students.

2:30pm - 4:30pm: Fitness Center Hours

The Fitness Centers will be open for recreation for our students.

4:30pm - 6:30pm: Dinner (On Your Own)

Meals are available at Cooper, Lakeside, and Pathfinder Dining Centers. Use the map above if you need help finding your way around campus!

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Rec the Night (Lee Hall & Fields)

Campus Recreation presents Rec the Night, a night of fun, fitness, and entertainment! Hosted in Lee Hall and the surrounding fields, Rec the Night features a number of interactive activities and engaging competitions to welcome our newest Lakers to what Campus Rec has to offer.

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Board Games / Vision Boards (Swetman Gymnasium)

Career Services invites students to create vision boards to inspire themselves throughout their year at Oswego. Also, SOFE will host a board game night for students to connect in games and activities.

8:00pm - 11:00pm: Outdoor Movie (Lee Hall Field)

Enjoy the late summer weather and join us for a movie on the field.

8:00pm - 11:00pm: Video Game Night (Laker Lounge - Marano Campus Center)

Gamers unite! Join us for a video game night where some of your favorite competitive games will be played - come go head to head against other new students and make some connections.

Saturday, August 23th

7:30am - 9:00am: Breakfast 

Meals are available at Cooper, Lakeside, and Pathfinder Dining Centers. Use the map above if you need help finding your way around campus!

8:00am - 9:00am: Buddy Breakfast

Looking to make connections? We'll designate tables specifically for morning people who are looking to socialize and make friends over breakfast!

9:00am - 12:00pm: Education Sessions (Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall)

Come learn what resources Oswego offers to help you grow - physically, emotionally, and academically!

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch

Meals are available at Cooper, Lakeside, and Pathfinder Dining Centers. Use the map above if you need help finding your way around campus!

1:00pm - 3:00pm: Drag Bingo (Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall)

We've got some incredible drag performers coming to run a game of Bingo this afternoon. Come make some friends, have fun, and win prizes!

2:00pm - 5:00pm: Oswego Takeover (Marano Campus Center and Penfield Library)

More details to come!

4:30pm - 6:30pm: Dinner (On Your Own)

Meals are available at Cooper, Lakeside, and Pathfinder Dining Centers. Use the map above if you need help finding your way around campus!

5:00pm - 8:00pm: Drag Show (Waterman Theatre)

More details to come!

5:00pm - 8:00pm: Cooper Fitness Center & Lee Hall Hours

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Roller Skating (Swetman Gym)

We're taking over Swetman Gym and turning it into a roller rink!

8:00pm - 10:00pm: Silent Disco (Sundial)

8:00pm - 10:00pm: Escape Rooms (Penfield)

8:00pm - 11:00pm: Campfire Night (Parking Lot E-1)

Sunday, August 24th

10:00am - 4:00pm: Academic Classroom Tours 

Launch Crew will offer tours of academic classrooms, customizing their path based on what students arrive to help them discover where their classes are located. Each tour will leave every half hour, leaving from the Marano Campus Center Welcome Desk.

10:00am - 4:00pm: Rice Creek/Fallbrook Shuttles

Launch Crew will offer tours of academic classrooms, customizing their path based on what students arrive to help them discover where their classes are located. Each tour will leave every half hour, leaving from the Marano Campus Center Welcome Desk.

1:00pm - 5:00pm: Explore as You Go

More details to come!

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Library Welcome Fest (Penfield Library)

More details to come!

Laker Launch 2024: Paint the Road

Contact

If you have questions leading up to Laker Launch, please contact [email protected].
Persons needing special accommodations to attend events should call 315-312-5522.

#LakerLaunch