• Enter campus through the main entrance and follow all posted traffic flow signage. Staff and volunteers will be stationed to help direct you.
• Upon arrival at your assigned residence hall, one person must remain with the vehicle while our new student is escorted into their hall and checked in by our volunteers. We will help carry, unload, and get items to your room!
• The driver will then be directed to a designated parking area. Don’t worry—we provide shuttle transportation back to the first-year residence halls from the parking zones.
• You’ll have 10 minutes or so to unload belongings, with a lot of help from our volunteer move-in crew including staff and students from across the University.
• Please clearly label all items, boxes, bags, and suitcases with your student’s name and room number (e.g., “John Smith, Mount Washington 221”).
• More detailed information will be emailed to you directly about your Fall housing assignment, your move-in time, and so much more! Check your email in mid-late July and early August.
• Follow us on Instagram @studentaffairs_fpu and tag us during move-in to be featured in our story.

At Franklin Pierce University, it is the responsibility of our students to coordinate their travel plans to align with their assigned move-in dates. Early arrival requests are limited and granted only to students who meet specific eligibility requirements.

We have an Franklin Pierce University Early Arrival Request Form- Fall 2026 – Fill out form available for submission. Requests will begin to be reviewed in early July and on a rolling basis through August.

Important: Students must receive approval and notification before planning to arrive early.

Please avoid purchasing plane tickets, train or bus tickets, or having friends or family take time off work until you have received confirmation. Early arrivals are rarely approved outside of the above circumstances, as our team is focused on preparing residence halls, ensuring your room keys are ready, and coordinating volunteers to provide a smooth move-in experience for all students. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Franklin Pierce University is located in Rindge, New Hampshire, a rural and scenic part of New England. While public transportation in the immediate area is limited, there are several regional airports and train stations that can help get you closer to campus. We encourage students and families to plan ahead and consider coordinating ground transportation from airports (e.g., car service, rental car, or rideshare) for the final leg of the trip to campus.

Nearby Airports

• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) – Manchester, NH
  Approximately 1 hour from campus
   A convenient option for domestic travel with car rentals and rideshare access on-site. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – Boston, MA
  Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from campus
   Major international airport with the most flight options and ground transportation services. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) – Worcester, MA
  Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from campus
   A smaller regional airport that may offer convenient flights for families coming from nearby cities. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Bradley International Airport (BDL) – Windsor Locks, CT (near Hartford)
  Approximately 2 hours from campus
   Another regional option with both domestic and limited international flights. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.

Train Stations

• Fitchburg Station (MBTA Commuter Rail) – Fitchburg, MA
  ~35 minutes from campus
   Connects to Boston's North Station. Ideal for students traveling through Boston. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Worcester Union Station (MBTA/Amtrak) – Worcester, MA
  ~1 hour 15 minutes from campus
   Serviced by Amtrak and the MBTA’s Framingham/Worcester Line to Boston’s South Station. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Amherst Station (Amtrak) – Amherst, MA
  ~1 hour 15 minutes from campus
   Offers access to the Amtrak Vermonter Line, connecting Vermont to Washington, D.C. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.
• Boston South Station / North Station (Amtrak/MBTA) – Boston, MA
  Amtrak and MBTA hub. Additional travel arrangements (e.g. car service) are needed to reach Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH.

Rindge, NH (Approx. 10 mins from campus)

• Woodbound Inn
  247 Woodbound Rd, Rindge, NH
   Rustic inn with traditional rooms, lakeside cabins, restaurant, and event space

Jaffrey, NH (Approx. 10 mins from campus)

• Monadnock Inn
  379 Main St, Jaffrey, NH
  Historic inn offering charming rooms in a classic New England setting
   
• Benjamin Prescott Inn
  433 Turnpike Rd, Jaffrey, NH
  Cozy bed & breakfast with period furnishings and a quiet atmosphere

Peterborough, NH (Approx. 20 mins from campus)

• Riverhouse by Weekender
  80 Concord St, Peterborough, NH
  Modern boutique inn with scenic views and walkable downtown access
   
• Little River Bed & Breakfast
  184 Union St, Peterborough, NH
  Comfortable, family-run B&B along the Contoocook River
   

Gardner, MA (Approx. 25–30 mins from campus)

• Super 8 by Wyndham Gardner
  22 Pearson Blvd, Gardner, MA
  Simple, budget-friendly option with continental breakfast

Keene, NH (Approx. 30–35 mins from campus)

• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Keene Downtown
  30 Main St, Keene, NH
  Upscale downtown hotel in a renovated 100-year-old building
  
  
• Best Western Plus Keene Hotel
  401 Winchester St, Keene, NH
  Modern hotel with breakfast, pool, and convenient location
   
• Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown
  75 Railroad St, Keene, NH
  Central location with spacious rooms and amenities

8 am - 12pm |  First Year Courtyard 

• General Information and Print Services
• Information Technology (IT) Kiosk: get your devices properly connected by our IT Staff  
• Alumni Association Welcome Table: Meet with University Alumni and Alumni Relations Staff
• Maintenance/Environmental Services Kiosk: see our Facilities Crew for any questions or concerns about living spaces or other questions about our work order system. 

8 am - 12pm |  Emily Flint Campus Center 

• Follett Bookstore: stock up on your Pierce Pride apparel and collect your textbooks and dorm supplies.
• Campus Post Office: collect your Post Office Box key on the main floor adjacent to the Pioneer Lounge. 

8 am - 12pm | Granite Hall 

• Student ID’s/Parking Passes: if you still need your ID photo and parking pass, see the Campus Safety Officers in the Granite Lounge, located adjacent to the First Year Courtyard.

8 am - 12pm | Academic Triangle  

• Student Wellness and Outreach Education (SWOE), join the SWOE professionals in a morning affirmation project. Located adjacent to the Melissa Bisaccia Softball Field entry. 

8 am - 12pm | Library Café Patio  

• Sodexo Services: discuss dietary restrictions or general questions about meal plans, and Dining Dollars.

8 am - 12pm | Academic Triangle

Visit with local eateries, banks, coffee shops, retailers and more.

Located along the path parallel to the Academic Triangle. 

1 - 1:30 pm | Academic Triangle 
Your students are in good hands!  

We look forward to having families back during Family Weekend and Homecoming slated for October 17 - 18.  

8 - 9:30 am | Emily Flint Campus Center 

Breakfast is served with student leader insight.

9 am: Bubble Opens - Come down to learn more about our hub for Raven Recreation programming. 

9:30 - 11:30 am:  

• Shuttle to Rindge Businesses: Find your ride at the Residence Life Courtyard, outside Cheshire Hall, or near the Emily Flint Campus Center
• Disc Golf Course Play: Discs, scorecards are available at Northfields Activity Center, the Bubble
• Lakeside Park/Boathouse Open: Bring your towel and your student ID to check out a canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard.  Life jackets provided. 

10 am:

• Campus Trail Hike: Go for a short jaunt on the trail system that connects the lower Campus Center parking lot to the backside of the Bubble. Meet on the bridge outside of the Emily Flint Campus Center. Led by Professional Staff.
• eBike Certification Course: Raven Recreation Professional Staff will go over our policies and procedures to use one of our eBikes to travel off-campus. Only those that attend these courses may use eBikes. Meet outside the Bubble.
• Lakeside Park Lawn Games: Corn Hole, Kan Jam, Spikeball, Badminton at your disposal. 
• First Year Lounge Grand Opening: Located in the lower level of Mount Washington Hall, this new space is complete with a Wii system, Flatscreen TV, lounge furnishings and more! 

Peer Leader Kiosk: Peer Leaders will be available at the Library Café Patio to give guidance, hang out, or offer directions. 

11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Emily Flint Campus Center 

12:45 - 1:30pm | Library Café Patio  
Your Peer Leaders will help guide you on a photo scavenger hunt of areas on campus you should consider exploring during your time as a Raven! Prizes for the winning group.

1:30 - 3 pm:

• Lakeside Park/Boathouse is open! Bring your suit for the giant slip n slide behind the Boathouse.
• Bubble suit bash on Sodexo Field - inflatable suit chaos. Last person standing wins!
• Hike up to the “FPU” overlook - meet at the 4 corners intersection of Mountain Road and University Drive. 

3:15 - 4 pm | Spagnuolo Hall

Presentations by Rindge Police, Rindge Fire and Campus Safety. Also hear what our FPU Community Alert System sounds like.

4:05 - 4:25pm | Spagnuolo Hall
Reflections on the journey at Franklin Pierce

4:30 - 5 pm | Spagnuolo Hall

5 - 7 pm | Emily Flint Campus Center 

5:30 - 7 pm | Emily Flint Campus Center Pioneer Lounge
Tumblers and supplies provided until we run out! 

All transportation leaves from the Emily Flint Campus Center Parking Lot

• Mini Golf at the Dublin Tap Room, shuttle leaves at 6 pm
• Ice Cream at Kimball’s Farm, shuttle leaves at 7 pm
• Gardner Cinemas Movie Night, shuttle leaves at 6 pm
• Shuttle to Rindge Businesses, shuttle will depart every 30 minutes starting at 6 pm 

9 - 11 pm | Lakeview Townhouses
We start on Sunday night off with a bonfire and DJ in the overflow parking lot adjacent to Lakeview Townhouses!

8 - 10 am | Emily Flint Campus Center 

10 - 10:45 am | Spagnuolo Hall
Learn about academic and student supports

11:30 am -  12 pm | Spagnuolo Hall
Meet with the Professors who will instruct your FYI course. 

1 - 1:45 pm 

• College of Health & Natural Sciences: located in the Marcucella Hall Courtyard
• College of Liberal Arts, Business, Social Science & Education: located in the Petrocelli Hall vestibule, lower level
• School of Business: located in the School of Business, Monadnock Hall 

1:30 - 3 pm | Ideal Center, first floor of the DiPietro Library
Meet with Hope Driscoll to review important student visa information associated with work and travel within the United States

3 - 5 pm | Peterson Manor Lawn/Lakeside Park
Peer Groups compete for “Best Design”, “Best Group Effort” and “Fastest Boat”. Vessels are made from only cardboard, duct tape and plastic wrap.  Medallions to the winners, commemorative towels to those who “skipper” the boat.  Building commences on Peterson Manor Lawn before we parade to the Boathouse. 

5 - 6:30 pm | Emily Flint Campus Center 

7 - 10 pm | Spagnuolo Hall 
New York’s finest giantess diva drag queen, Marilyn Monhoe, is making her return to Pierce! You do not want to miss this! There will be fun, there will be games, and there will be songs. Multicultural Student Services is proud to host this year’s first bingo event – a tried and true FPU tradition you will learn to love. Be the first on your floor to win big at Drag Queen Bingo! 

5 pm | Emily Flint Campus Center Hampshire Room 
Come play to win dorm essentials, guess closet to the retail price without going over and win that prize! 

Tuesday, August 18 | 7 - 9 pm, Melissa Bisaccia Softball Field 
Wednesday, August 19 | 7 - 9 pm, Melissa Bisaccia Softball Field 
Thursday, August 20 | 7 - 9 pm, Melissa Bisaccia Softball Field 

Make a team with your hall or floor and join Recreation Staff for a first-year student ONLY week of kickball before the Intramural season begins. Winners of this round robin bracketed play will take home the first Intramural Champs T-shirt of the year! Register via QR code on posters around campus, on the Raven Nation App, or Student Affairs Instagram. 

Wednesday, August 19 | 5 - 6 pm, Emily Flint Campus Center, Pioneer Lounge 
Pierce Activities Council (PAC) will be on-hand to print photo collages to decorate your housing space. 

Friday, August 21 | 4 - 6 pm, First Year Area Courtyard 
Come see what opportunities await you at our club and organization fair. Join a club or inquire on how to start your own.

10 am: Breakfast 
Fuel up for the Grand Monadnock Climb with breakfast in the Marketplace Café 

11 am - 3 pm: Grand Monadnock Climb 
Our annual climb up local Mount Monadnock, the second most climbed mountain the world! Shuttles and buses will bring you to the State Park departing at 11 am from Peterson Manor. All participants will receive a commemorative water bottle.  

No experience is necessary, but it can be a steep and rocky climb in many sections. A daypack with an extra clothing layer, along with close-toed shoes, snacks and water are a must for this hike.

No sign up needed, just register at Peterson Manor at 11 am. 

Join Recreation staff for a double elimination, half court 3v3 basketball tournament in the Campus Center parking lot. Intramural Champs tees to the winners. Register via QR code on posters around campus, on the Raven Nation App, or Student Affairs Instagram.

Join Recreation staff for this 40-year annual tradition at the mud pit next to the boathouse. Winners of this double elimination, 4v4 mud volleyball tournament will receive Intramurals Champs tees.  Jump in Pearly Pond after! Register via QR code on posters around campus, on the Raven Nation App, or Student Affairs Instagram.