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Date September 3, 2026
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Photos: Brown’s newest students make themselves at home during move-in day

Families and volunteers from across the University helped members of the Class of 2030 settle into their residence halls, launching a full week of New Student Orientation activities.

Lily D'Ordine unloads boxes from her family's car
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First-year student Lily D’Ordine unloads boxes from her family’s car during move-in day. The D’Ordines traveled from Rhinebeck, New York, to see Lily off. All photos by Nick Dentamaro/Brown University.

Lily D'Ordine moves boxes into her room
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Lily D'Ordine's parents, Jen Braine and Brown Class of 1992 alumnus Dan D'Ordine, helped Lily unload, unpack and settle into her new home on campus.

Student stands in cart line on move-in day
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Brown University is welcoming more than 1,700 new students into its Class of 2030.

Student volunteers help first-years move in
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Bruno Leaders, easily identifiable by their New Student Orientation shirts, serve as mentors, facilitators and official representatives of the University who support the onboarding of first-year students at Brown.

Volunteers staff the check-in tent
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Volunteers from across the University — including staff, faculty, student-athletes, peer mentors and more — greeted the Class of 2030 as they arrived for move-in day ahead of the official start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Parent in reflection of student's mirror during move-in
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There were some misty eyes, but smiles ruled the crowd as parents, family members and friends helped Brown’s newest students move into their residence halls.

Students on move-in day
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The move-in marked the official start of New Student Orientation, a weeklong series of events designed to help students settle in, connect with peers and learn about the University’s academic opportunities and traditions.

Two people wheel a cart on move-in day
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With returning students moving in on Saturday, Sept. 5, the official start of the 2026-27 academic year will kick off at Brown University’s 263rd Opening Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — On College Hill, lines of cars on the streets and carts on the sidewalks signaled the arrival of Brown University’s newest first-year, transfer and visiting students.

Greeted and assisted by teams of student, staff and faculty volunteers, members of the Class of 2030 spent Wednesday, Sept. 2, moving into the residence halls that will be their home on campus for the coming academic year. 

It was a familiar sight for Class of 1992 alumnus Dan D’Ordine, who returned to campus with the entire family in tow to help his daughter, Lily D’Ordine, get settled into her residence hall for her first year at Brown. 

“I’m thrilled that she’s going to Brown, and I think it’s going to be the perfect environment for her to thrive,” D’Ordine said. “I hope that Lily, and whichever friends come up alongside her, get involved in the alumni scene, because it’s not just the academics — it’s the relationships and the connections that you make.” 

In an illustration of those lifelong connections, D’Ordine noted that his own undergraduate roommate from Brown also has a daughter joining the Class of 2030, promising plenty of shared visits to Providence over the next four years.

The Class of 2030 has arrived

From picking up room keys and meeting roommates to unpacking and settling into life on campus, move-in day marked the beginning of a new chapter for Brown University’s newest students.

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As the family — including Lily’s mom, Jen Braine, and twin sisters Skye and Janey — helped Lily unpack a coffee machine, gaming PC, rollerblades and other creature comforts from home, Braine reflected on her own hopes for Lily: “That she makes some good, solid friendships, finds people she can be herself around and who support her,” Braine said. “I hope she is thrilled by her classes and really invested and interested in what she’s learning.” 

Lily D’Ordine said she shares the same aspirations and looks forward to settling in. 

“I’m just excited to have all my stuff in my room and be able to focus on orientation,” she said. “I want to meet new people and try all the things. I’m ready to see where the wind takes me and what I end up being interested in.” 

The move-in marked the official start of New Student Orientation, a weeklong series of events designed to help students settle in, connect with peers and learn about the University’s academic opportunities and traditions.

From crafting workshops and resource fairs to tours of Providence and a spirited Orientation Dance on the College Green, the week offers countless ways for Brown’s newest students to get to know their campus and community.

With returning students moving in on Saturday, Sept. 5, the official start of the 2026-27 academic year will kick off at Brown University’s 263rd Opening Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

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