The exterior of Hamilton Hall, decorated with banners in red and black abstract images banners, white University of the Arts logos and white text that reads Advancing Human Creativity

Generations - August 2021

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Dining on Campus

We are thrilled to introduce a new, re-invented dining program! Here’s what we’ve got cooking.

Refreshed dining locations & menus

We have updated our Terra Market and Mangia locations with new made-to-order menu features. Terra Market now operates as a retail market rather than an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall, to better suit our students’ lifestyles, provide the best value and offer conveniences like mobile ordering. It features a Carvery, with made-from-scratch entrees and V2 for delicious and exciting vegan and vegetarian offerings. Mangia will feature our new Firehouse Grille (grill classics with unique twists), Hot Tomato Pizza Co (pizza shop favorites with our house-made dough), and Leaf & Grain (made-to-order bowls with fresh and flavorful ingredients) will be available via kiosk ordering in-person or mobile ordering for convenience and efficiency.

New declining balance meal plans

With the reimagination of our dining locations, our meal plans have also been updated to provide the best value. Declining balance plans will function like a dollar-for-dollar debit account, allowing students to personalize their eating habits to their own appetite and preferences and enjoy a more modern retail dining experience. All of our residential students are required to enroll in the meal plan, but if your commuter student thinks a full meal plan isn’t the right fit, UArts$ will give your student the same convenience of enjoying our campus dining options and can be loaded to their student account at any time.

Transact mobile ordering 

To better meet student needs for fast and convenient meals, snacks, and drinks, we’re launching Transact mobile ordering for the upgraded Terra Market and Mangia. Using the mobile app for ordering, will not only save time but will also make personalizing dining experiences easier. Students can browse offerings and customize made-to-order items from their smartphone or tablet! More details will be available soon on our website.

Allergen and dietary needs

We’re here to support your student’s unique dining needs, whatever they may be. All our house-made menu items will be labeled with icons denoting the top eight allergens to help your student to dine with confidence. 

We’re so proud to be a part of the UArts community and look forward to an incredible year ahead!

Shawn Fair
General Manager of Dining

New Student Orientation

We are looking forward to welcoming our new students to campus in just a few weeks! To help our new students become familiar with UArts' resources and get prepared to begin their journey as UArtists, we have planned a hybrid New Student Orientation experience that will take place both virtually and in person. Furthermore, since we know that students who started in the Fall of 2020 and the Spring of 2021 haven't been to our campus, we have invited them to participate in our in-person Orientation activities to become familiar with our campus and our Philadelphia neighborhood as well as attend social activities with their peers!

Virtual Orientation will take place Aug. 14–18 and will consist of materials for students to read and review on their own in their online Orientation Canvas classroom. It will also include some live Zoom presentations, meetings with their First-Year Guide and opportunities to get to know their Orientation group.

In-Person Orientation will include a campus tour, opportunities to explore our neighborhood and the arts in Philadelphia and some social activities to help new students connect with other new students. If your student is living on campus, they’ll also move in and get settled at that time.

Important Dates

Commuter Student In-Person Orientation: Aug. 23

International Student Move-In: Aug. 23

New Student Residential Move-In: Aug. 24 for new students & Aug. 25 for 2nd year students

Residential Student Orientation: Aug. 26

Welcome Weekend: Aug. 28

To review a detailed Orientation schedule, visit our New Student Orientation page. 

Parent, Family and Support System Orientation: Supporting Your UArtist


Saturday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. EDT

Join us for this Zoom session designed for parents, families and student support systems to learn about university resources that are available to your student. We’ll discuss the best ways you can support your student in their transition to UArts. Your student will receive a link for the Zoom session via email, so ask them to share it with you if you’d like to attend. If you miss it, email campuslife@uarts.edu to get a copy of a recording of the presentation.

Move-In Guidelines

As we welcome students and their families to UArts, safety is our top priority. In an effort to de-densify our campus and provide safe social distancing, we ask that students only bring two people to assist them with move-in. We will also be requiring all people (including students and our move-in staff) to wear masks at check-in and move-in and while in any public spaces, including, hallways, elevators, etc. 

New and Second-Year Student Residential Move-In

New and Second-Year Student Residential Move-In will be held Aug. 24 for new students and Aug. 25 for second-year students. Move-in is scheduled by last name, and times are included below. 

  • A – G: 9:30 – 11 a.m.

  • H – N: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  • O – T: 12:30 – 2 p.m.

  • U – Z: 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Check-in Instructions for New and 2nd Year Students

When students check in, they’ll first stop at Hamilton Hall at 320 S. Broad St. to pick up their student ID and room keys. At that time, they will also ensure that their bill is paid and we have all of their required health forms on file. This process should go quickly, as long as they’ve previously submitted their ID photo, paid their bill and submitted their health forms. From there, they can go to their residence hall and unload their belongings with the assistance of our move-in helpers. We’ll have carts available to help make the move-in process run smoothly. Anticipate unloading your vehicle, and then be ready to move it to an off-campus lot for parking, as we do not have designated parking on campus—only spaces for unloading items from your cars. 

Returning Student Residential Move-In (Juniors and Seniors): Aug. 26

Move-in is scheduled by last name, and times are included below.

  • A – G: 9:30 – 11 a.m.

  • H – N: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  • O – T: 12:30 – 2 p.m.

  • U – Z: 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Move-In Instructions for Returners

Returning students should arrive at their residence hall with their student ID. If they no longer have a student ID, they should stop first at Student Financial Services in Hamilton Hall to get a new one made. Once they are checked in and have received their keys from Campus Life staff, they can begin to unload their belongings with the assistance of our move-in helpers. 

If students will be arriving for move-in after 3 p.m., they should go to their residence hall’s Public Safety desk and ask for the RA on duty. They will aid students in getting checked in and getting them access to their room. Note: After 3 p.m., move-in helpers will no longer be available to assist them with moving.

Launch Experience