Chimera Welcome Week / Chimera Welcome Days

Last updated on Aug 27, 2025

Chimera Welcome Week (Fall) / Days (Spring) 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!

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! (8/25/25 - 8/29/25) The Orientation Team is here to welcome all new students (freshmen, transfer, & graduate!). You'll 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!

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.

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. such as locations & time, 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!

Look for information about the Residential Community Floor Meetings in Blattner & Founders' Halls: Meet your new neighbors! RA's will bring everyone
together to welcome new and returning residents to the residence halls.

New Student Chimera Welcome Week Check In: 9am - 1pm outside of Founder's Hall. The Orientation Team will be there to check in new students who are living in the residence halls (Graduate or Undergraduate) for the week's events! Make sure you stop by our table and let us know you're here.

Campus Tours for New Students and family members: Round 1 - 1pm - 2pm & Round 2 - 2pm -3pm: First time on campus? Come take a tour! See where you will be taking classes, hanging out with friends and grabbing a snack or enjoying campus community events

"Fond Farewells & Brilliant Beginnings: Parent-Student Send-Off for Chimera Welcome Week" - 3pm - 4pm: That last transitional moment to college is important! Meet some of the folks who will be here supporting and coaching your students (and you!) on their CCA journey. Meet VIP's, enjoy treats, activities, photo ops, and well wishes as students and their families say goodbye.

Residential Education Community Meetings 7 PM - 7:30 PM: Meet the people you'll be living with this year! Your RAs and Orientation Leaders will be on hand to talk about the week's upcoming events and what you need to know to be a good neighbor while living on campus

Event	Time	Location	Description	Target Audience
New INTERNATIONAL Undergraduate Students (F1 Visa) Check-In	10:30 AM - 11 AM	Main Campus 145 Hooper Street	All international undergraduate students are required to check-in to participate in events and workshops throughout the week.	ALL new incoming international undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Global Insights: Connecting with International Student Services for New International Undergraduate Students	11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Timken Hall - Main Building,	Mandatory for all incoming undergraduate international students with F1 visas. ISS will introduce their office and give important immigration information.	ALL new international undergraduate students (freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
New Undergraduate Student Check-In (non-international, transfer, commuters, late arriving residents)	11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Main Campus 145 Hooper Street	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 Opening Welcome	12:15 - 12:45 PM	Nave Presentation Space - Main Building	Welcome to Chimera Welcome Day. Meet other members of the CCA community who will help you get started on your CCA Journey!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Find Where You Belong	1:00 PM - 2:00 PM	Nave Presentation Space - Main Building	Get started finding your Chimera Pride and sharing who you are with the community! We can't wait to have you jump in and be a part of it all!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Blocks One & Two A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	2:00 PM - 2:30 PM 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Main Building	Day one's sessions are all about Wellness & Belonging! Bring your curiosity and join us for great discussions and good information designed to get you started at CCA	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Snack Break	3:00 - 3:30 PM	Nave Presentation Space	Take a little break and grab a snack to get you through the rest of the afternoon	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Block Three A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Main Building	Day one's sessions are all about Wellness & Belonging! Bring your curiosity and join us for great discussions and good information designed to get you started at CCA	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Block Four	4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Nave Presentation Space	With everyone back together, this session is about supporting a safe campus culture and what you need to know to keep yourself well.	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Bay Area Trivia	6:00 PM - 8:00 PM	Makers' Cafe	Learn about the Bay Area and local SF community with new friends & Campus Life	All new incoming students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)

Event	Time	Location	Description	Target Audience
First Year Program Meeting	9:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Timken Hall, Main Building	Calling all Freshmen! Meet the Chair and faculty of the First Year Program & learn more about what you will be doing your first year at CCA!	Freshmen (1st year undergraduates)
Session Blocks One & Two A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Double Ground & Main Building	Day two's sessions are all about Academic Success & Thriving! Hear from upperclassmen and ask them about their experience, Learn about finding jobs on campus, time management for artists, and academic planning. In the afternoon there will be studio demo's to attend (space is limited, be sure you sign up on day one!!!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Lunch Break - On Your Own	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Makers' Cafe, BYO or local eateries	Make sure you grab lunch and stay hydrated for the afternoon ahead! Meet up with friends in Makers' Cafe or find a local eatery near by - or pack a lunch and eat outside on the courtyards of Double Ground	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Block Three & Four A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Double Ground & Main Building	Day two's sessions are all about Academic Success & Thriving! Hear from upperclassmen and ask them about their experience, Learn about finding jobs on campus, time management for artists, and academic planning. In the afternoon there will be studio demo's to attend (space is limited, be sure you sign up on day one!!!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Break OYO	3:00 PM - 3:15PM		Go outside, breathe, touch some nature	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Block Five	3:15 PM - 4:15 PM	Various Classrooms - Double Ground & Main Building	Day two's sessions are all about Academic Success & Thriving! Hear from upperclassmen and ask them about their experience, Learn about finding jobs on campus, time management for artists, and academic planning. In the afternoon there will be studio demo's to attend (space is limited, be sure you sign up on day one!!!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Film Screening	8:00 PM	Timken Hall, Main Building	Celebrating CCA's Wattis Institute's current exhibition, "Viaje a la luna", we are showing 2 films: Luis Buniel's, "Un Chien Andalou" (classic experimental art film!) and Marcel Dzama's To "Live on the Moon (For Lorca)". Come check it out and visit the exhibition!	All students (new, returning, graduate, undergraduate, international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)

Event	Time	Location	Description	Target Audience
Session Blocks One & Two A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Double Ground & Main Building	Day three's sessions are all about navigating CCA and more hands-on opportunities! Learn about budgeting, the commuter life, making your mark as a Chimera and more shop demo's (space is limited, be sure you sign up on day one!)	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Lunch Break - On Your Own	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Makers' Cafe, BYO or local eateries	Make sure you grab lunch and stay hydrated for the afternoon ahead! Meet up with friends in Makers' Cafe or find a local eatery near by - or pack a lunch and eat outside on the courtyards of Double Ground	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Session Block Three & Four A variety of interactive conversations to choose from	1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Various Classrooms - Double Ground & Main Building	Day three's sessions are all about navigating CCA and more hands-on opportunities! Learn about budgeting, the commuter life, making your mark as a Chimera and more shop demo's (space is limited, be sure you sign up on day one!)	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
Campus Jobs & Resources Fair	3:00 PM - 5:00 PM		The Campus Job & Resources Fair is your chance to make connections to professional staff, offices, studios, etc. who are here to support your time at CCA. There will be some giveaways, and some offices will be actively recruiting students for work study jobs in their areas!	All new and returning students, (graduate, undergraduate, international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)

Event	Time	Location	Description	Target Audience
CCA in the Bay!!	10:00 AM - 1:30 PM	Various locations in San Francisco, meet at the Founder's Tree for your group's departure time.	Day four is all about exploration of your new (even if temporary) hometown. SF has so much to do, cool places to see and eat that you have to make time to take it in! We are going to get you started. Sign ups for CCA in the Bay will be on Day One, and you will sign up for an excursion and travel with an Orientation Leader and others to visit that location. Be sure to pack a lunch or bring some money with you to do a taste test of local cuisine!	All new incoming undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
New Student Convocation & Class Pinning	2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	The Nave - Main Building	A traditional CCA welcome ceremony where new students are the STARS! Come back from exploring the City and celebrate with faculty, staff and returning students. You will hear from the President and Deans of your academic programs, so be prepared to cheer for your major! We are Chimera! Hella Chimera!	All new incoming graduate, undergraduate students (international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)
CHIMERAPALOOZA	3:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Nave & Nave Presentation Space	It's a party! Games, music, giveaways, food & friends! What's not to love about that? You are here, and you are Becoming Chimera Made so put on your Chimera Pride and join the party in style!	All new and returning students, (graduate, undergraduate, international, freshmen, transfer, residential & commuter)

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 145 Hooper Street! 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 / Days 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.

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