Koala Welcome

Welcome Home, Koalas.

Quick Announcements

Koala Welcome is more than just Move-In Day. It's a multi-day experience designed to help new students transition into college life and feel a sense of connection, confidence, and community from the moment they arrive.

Whether you're living on campus or commuting from home, Koala Welcome ensures that every student begins their Columbia College journey with purpose, support, and a whole lot of purple pride.

What is Koala Welcome?

Koala Welcome is Columbia College's official welcome experience for all new undergraduate students. This includes Move-In Day for residential students, community-building events, orientation sessions, and exciting social experiences that continue into your first week of classes.

Our Goals:

  • Ease the cultural, intellectual, and social transition to college
  • Introduce students to their rights, responsibilities, and resources as new community members
  • Prepare students to make the most of their academic and co-curricular experiences
  • Help families and supporters understand how to best assist their students
Before You Arrive: Your Required Documents

To receive your room key and complete the Koala Welcome move-in process, all students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Financial Clearance - Ensure all financial obligations to Columbia College are settled. This includes tuition fees, room and board, and any outstanding balance.
  2. Class Registration - You must be registered for at least 12 credit hours to reside in the residence halls.
  3. Official Transcript - Submit your final transcript if it has not already been received and processed. (New First Year and Transfer Students ONLY)
  4. Immunization Records - All students must have an immunization record submitted and on file.

Koala Connections - Accessing Your Information

Log in to Koala Connections to view your academic, financial, and residential information. We encourage you to review and address any outstanding items before arriving to help ensure a smooth check-in during Koala Welcome.

  1. Please log into Koala Connection (KC) with your Student ID number and password (Koala last 4 of social)
  2. Once you are logged in, please click on the Campus Life Tab
  3. Then click on the Residence Life subtab (far left)
  4. You should see your Building/room number, meal plan, and your roommate's information. 

Koala Connection Login

Check In & Move In

Everyone begins their Koala Welcome journey at our centralized Check-In Tent where you'll recieve:

  • Your welcome packet
  • Your student ID and parking decal
  • A campus map and event guide
  • Opportunities to connect with support teams if you still have checklist items to complete

For more information, check out the Resource Guide.

Residential Students: Once you’re cleared, our Koala Crew will help you unload your car and settle into your new space. You’ll receive a room slip, luggage tags, and a warm welcome from your hallmates and RAs. To get a map of the route to your dorm, check out the 2025 Fall Move-In Map.

Commuter Students: You’ll check in by arriving on campus between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, grab your essentials, and get connected. You’re encouraged to attend all Koala Welcome programs and events, just like residential students. There will be a commuter student community meeting at 7 PM on Thursday, August 21 in the Goodall Gallery Lobby of Spears Center for the Arts.

Thursday, August 21, 2025 (New & Transfer Students Only)

McNair Hall Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: 3rd Floor Residents
  • 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM: 1st Floor Residents

Saturday, August 23, 2025 (Returning Students)

Hudson Hall Schedule  

  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 3rd Floor Residents
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: 1st Floor Residents  

Kneece Hall Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 1st Floor Residents

Knox Hall Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 1st Floor Residents

Mirse Hall Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 3rd Floor Residents
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: 1st Floor Residents

Wesley Hall Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: 3rd Floor Residents
  • 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: 2nd Floor Residents
  • 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM: 1st Floor Residents 
Receptions for Parents and Families of New Students

On Thursday, August 21, after moving in, parents and family members of new students are invited to attend one of the two scheduled receptions. Join President and First Lady Dozier in the Goodall Gallery, located in the Spears Center for the Arts, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM or from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM as you begin your campus departure and your student participates in orientation activities.

Beyond the Boxes: What’s Next for New and First-Year Transfer Students?

Below is the schedule for all new and transfer students!

Thursday, August 21

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Afternoon Drop-In Sessions – JD Drakes Edens Library, Learning Commons
Missed SOAR? Need to know more? Drop by for:

  • FERPA & the Family
  • Computer & Device Setup Assistance

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Open House –  Student Union
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: First-Year Dinner – Student Union Dining Hall
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Community Meetings (with your Resident Assistant) & First Nights @CC

Friday, August 22
(all sessions are in College Place unless otherwise noted)
9:15 AM: Class Photo – College Place
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Opening Session: You’re A Koala Now with President Dozier
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Sessions: College Essentials
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch – Student Union Dining Hall
1:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Sessions: College Essentials
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Free Time
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner – Student Union Dining Hall
7:00 PM- 9:00 PM: Residential Community Meetings (with your Resident Assistant)
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: First Nights @CC: Glow Golf Night Party & Ice Cream – The Mall & The Green

Saturday, August 23
9:00-9:45 AM: Continental Breakfast – The Mall
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM: Meet LA 100 Professors – The Mall
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: LA 100 class - Classrooms
11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Brunch – Dining Hall
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Comet City Tours (optional) – meet at Cottingham Theater
5:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Carnival & Outdoor Movie – The Mall & The Green

Sunday, August 24
11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Sunday Brunch – Student Union Dining Hall
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Shopping Shuttles (optional) – meet at McNair Hall
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Dinner – Student Union Dining Hall
6:00 PM: Alpha Service – College Place
7:00 PM: Sips Happen, Koala-ty Guarunteed – Student Union Dining Hall

Help! I Have Questions. Who Do I Contact? 
Campus Mail

Columbia College maintains a Campus Post Office on the main floor of Harrelson Student Center. The Director of Postal Services assigns campus mailboxes to residential students. We receive packages from all major delivery services. It is also possible to send packages via UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Postage is available for purchase. Students receiving packages will be notified via campus email.

  • Free packaging supplies are available, including:
    Bubble wrap
  • Shipping Peanuts
  • Priority boxes and envelopes
  • Parcel paper and packing tape

While you can check your campus mailbox at any time, the Campus Post Office window hours are Monday - Friday from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  If you have not received a mailbox, email Neil Ray at nray@columbiasc.edu.

Why It Matters

The first few weeks of college are powerful. Students who engage early tend to feel more connected, do better in class, and build lasting friendships. Koala Welcome helps you hit the ground running, with support, pride, and a plan.

This isn’t just your last phase of orientation. It’s your launchpad.

Quick Links

Move-In MapResource GuidePacking List