Fall Weekend is September 30-October 2, 2022. Come spend some time in your student's new home and share the Bennington experience together. Please see below for a schedule of events.
COVID Protocol
Guests to the Bennington College campus are asked to complete a visitor form—ideally at least 24 hours before their arrival. The College's current masking policy is a “mask friendly” campus. Masks are welcome and strongly encouraged for anyone who wishes to wear one, but are no longer required unless you are unvaccinated.
Questions?
Contact fallweekend@bennington.edu or call 802-440-4330.
Friday, September 30
1:00-6:00 pm | Registration and information
Flagpole
2:00-5:00 pm | Open Office Hours
Academic Services, Career Development and Field Work Term Office, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Financial Aid, and Residence Life
5:00-5:10 pm Welcome
Greenwall Auditorium, VAPA
President Laura Walker offers welcome remarks with an introduction by Dean of Student Life Dr. Li-Chen Chin.
5:10-5:45 pm | Field Work Term Experience
Greenwall Auditorium, VAPA
Wonder what your student goes through as they organize their Field Work Term (FWT)? How would they find, prepare and budget for and reflect on their experience? Join the Career Development and Field Work Term team led by Associate Dean Lisa Noble for a deep dive where you can navigate the FWT process first hand!
5:45-6:15 pm | Supporting Your Students’ Academic Success
Greenwall Auditorium, VAPA
Join Director of First Year Forum Dr. Barbara Alfano, Associate Dean of Academic Services Kate Child, and Associate Dean of the College Noelle Murphy to learn more about the ways the college supports your student’s academic success. The conversation will include an overview of First Year Forum and faculty advising, as well as the many ways that Academic Services supports students as they strive to achieve the goals of their Plans; the session will conclude with time to answer your questions.
5:45-6:15 pm | Supporting Your Students’ Mental Health and Wellbeing
D208, VAPA
Come hear about the integrative resources, services, and supports that are available to students while on campus and during breaks. Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Wellness Dr. Ali Tartaglia and Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Lisa Carton provide guidance and ideas for identifying and responding to your student’s needs even from afar.
5:30-7:00 pm | Dinner
Commons Dining Hall
Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $19.99 per guest; may pre-register or pay at the door.
Saturday, October 1
9:00 am-4:00 pm | Registration and Information
Flagpole
9:00-10:00 am | Bennington Bird Walk
Flagpole
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around campus to meet some of our favorite feathered friends and learn more about studying biology at Bennington. Hosted by Biology faculty member Blake Jones. Binoculars will be provided.
10:00 am-12:00 pm | Purple Carrot Farm Workday
Purple Carrot Farm
Explore this student-led, experimental approach to small-scale agriculture. Tour the farm, and purchase fresh produce to bring a bit of Vermont home with you.
10:00-11:00 am | Qigong
Commons Lawn (Rain Site: Lower Student Center)
Join Director of Campus Safety Dr. Cathy Anthofer-Fialon for exercises that were developed in China thousands of years ago and involve the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movements .
11:00 am-1:00 pm | Brunch
Commons Dining Hall
Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $13.99 per guest; may pre-register or pay at the door.
12:00-12:45 pm | Biofield Tuning
Lower Student Center
Come learn more about biofield tuning, a sound therapy method that works with your body’s electrical system, with Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Lisa Carton.
1:00-2:15 pm | Conversation about First-Year-Forum
Greenwall Auditorium, VAPA
Join Provost Maurice Hall, Director of First-Year-Forum Dr. Barbara Alfano, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Shelton Walker, and First-Year-Forum Co-leaders and students discussing their experiences with the new student reading “Making Comics” by Lynda Barry.
2:00-4:00 pm | Faculty Works
Greenwall Auditorium, VAPA
- 2:00-2:30 pm | Teaching While Making Legislation with Brian Campion, Director of Public Policy Programs in the Center for the Advancement of Public Action and VT State Senator
- 2:30-3:00 pm | Literary reading with students, moderated by Literature faculty member Marguerite Feitlowitz
- 3:00-3:30 pm | Daoist Culture and Chinese Language Through Tai Chi, with Cultural Studies and Languages faculty member Ginger Lin
- 3:30-4:00 pm | Improv Comedy Workshop with students, moderated by Drama faculty member Shawtane Bowen
2:00-5:00 pm | Lawn Games for Students
Commons Lawn (Rain site: Lower Student Center)
Enjoy outdoor games amid the stunning autumn backdrop of the Green Mountains.
2:00-5:00 pm | Craft Fair
Commons Lawn (Rain site: Student Center)
The fair features handmade craft by students.
2:00-5:00 pm | Card Making and Photo Booth for Students
Student Center
Students are invited to celebrate World Card Making Day by making cards for themselves and their loved ones, and have their photo taken.
4:00-5:00 pm | Campus Tour with Admissions Interns
Flagpole
5:00-7:00 pm | Harvest Dinner
Commons Dining Hall
Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from Purple Carrot Farm as well as other local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $19.99 per guest; may pre-register or pay at the door.
Sunday, October 2
11:00 am-1:00 pm | Brunch
Commons Dining Hall
Dine with your student and enjoy flavorful dishes featuring sustainably sourced products from local farmers and producers provided by Chef Steve Bohrer and the Dining Services team. $13.99 per guest; may pre-register or pay at the door.
1:00-3:00 pm | Cider Making
Robert Frost Museum: 121 Vermont Rte 7a, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
Explore the art and science of cider making by using apples grown right on campus.
Digital Packet
All the resources you'll need to enjoy your time on campus to the fullest.
- Campus Map and Accessibility Map
- Downtown Guide | Bennington has a lot to offer! Check out the downtown guide for great ideas.
- Schedule of Events
- Self-Guided Tour of Campus
- A Big Thank You!