WILLIAMSBURG — First-year and new transfer students started moving in Thursday at William & Mary for the 2025-26 academic year, with Family Orientation slated for Friday, Aug. 22.
Returning upper-level students move in on Sunday.
Two of the four residence halls in the new phase one of West Woods village — Poplar and Maple halls — were welcoming students. Due to project delays, the openings of Oak Hall and Pine Hall have been temporarily delayed, as well as Cedar Hall at Jamestown East, with students temporarily being housed at Green & Gold Village, Richmond Hall, and Colonial Williamsburg’s Woodlands Hotel & Suites.
A dining pavilion, West Woods Commons, is also yet to be completed.
The first day of classes is Aug. 27, and at 7:15 p.m., faculty, staff and students will gather at the Sir Christopher Wren Building for the annual traditional Opening Convocation. At the conclusion of the ceremony, to the tolling of the Wren Building bell, the university’s president leads incoming students through the portico of the building to the other side, where they are welcomed by current members of the faculty, staff and the student body, followed by a celebration.
