Matriculation Day events

Editor's note: The information in this article is drawn from various official VMI sources and public postings so is subject to change based on any updates or adjustments by VMI. Be sure to check with the VMI representatives on post for the most updated information. What Matriculants ("Rats") can plan for during in-processing and joining the Corps at VMI. Friday, August 19, 2022 (OPTIONAL) 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Uniform Fitting and Issue – Cameron Hall 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Pre-Matriculation Social - Marshall Hall Join other families, current members of the Parents Council, and VMI staff as the VMI Parents Council hosts a social featuring light. Dress is Summer/Business Casual event. Saturday, August 20, 2022 7:00 a.m. – Matriculation for new select cadet-athletes and international cadets already on Post 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Matriculation Matriculants who did not receive their gym dyke will be fitted for their new uniform and will receive the athletic uniform (gym dyke) while waiting for their name and number to be called before proceeding over to Corps Physical Training Facility (CPTF). Once called and escorted to the CPTF, Rats will be met by VMI Admissions to complete any remaining administrative paperwork then will be escorted to the matriculation stations on the upper-level track. Matriculation Fair - Rats and their family/friends are encouraged to go to Cocke Hall (gymnasium) and visit the Matriculation Fair. Get your FREE copy of The Cadet! Barracks Check-In – Rats must complete matriculation in Cameron/CPTF and the Matriculation Fair, prior to barracks check-in where they will be directed to move their personal effects into their assigned rooms. 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Matriculation Fair, Cocke Hall An important event for Rats and their families! Meet with various VMI agencies, local bankers, and representatives from several other organizations from the VMI community. Be sure to stop pick up your FREE copy of The Cadet at the Rockbridge County Chamber of Commerce table! 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH Lunch will be provided for Rats from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Crozet Hall where they can eat at no charge; the cost for family members is $10 per person. Meal tickets will be available at the Parents Council Social Friday and at the Matriculation Fair on. Payment will also be accepted in Crozet Hall. Alternatives to Crozet Hall for lunch include VMI Post Exchange (PX) in Lejeune Hall and the numerous restaurants nearby in Lexington. Remember that Rats are not allowed to wear the athletic uniform off post. 1:00 p.m. Chaplain's Prayer (OPTIONAL) – Memorial Hall VMI's Chaplain will hold a non-denominational prayer session for new cadets and parents in JM Hall. 2:00 p.m. – Superintendent's Welcome & Cadet Oath in Cameron Hall Rats and their families will be welcomed by VMI's Superintendent, Major General Cedric T. Wins, '85 and introduced to key members of the VMI staff. Rats are required to be in athletic uniform with a name tag for the Superintendent's Welcome. The welcome ceremony can be viewed by livestream at the link: https://youtu.be/cpZL_2J_oqo 2:30 p.m. - March Up, Cameron Hall Rats will leave their families for the last time as they begin their VMI journey after being formed into companies inside Cameron Hall and marching to barracks where they will meet their cadre. 3:00 p.m. - Finish The Matriculation ceremony officially ends after the "Rat Mass" is marched into the barracks. Friends and family members are not allowed in barracks after the March Up. Additional Information Arriving for Matriculation Enter the VMI Post via Jordan's Point entrance and follow the direction of the guides to park your vehicle on the parade ground (weather permitting). Leave luggage in the vehicle until told to move into barracks during in-processing. Once parked, proceed to the Cameron Hall building and wait until called by name to the Corps Physical Training Facility (CPTF) next door. Barracks Check-In All luggage should be marked with the full name of the new cadet. New cadets should unload luggage in the front of barracks at the designated arch which was provided in CPTF. All luggage must be taken to assigned rooms in barracks before 2:00 p.m. After unloading luggage at barracks, vehicles must immediately be moved from in front of barracks to designated parking on the Parade Ground (weather dependent), prior to checking into barracks. Parents or family members will be permitted into barracks and everyone must proceed together. Cadet escorts will be available to answer questions and show you to the 4th stoop and barracks room. Matriculants are reminded to keep one set of civilian clothes in their luggage to be stored at VMI. It is recommended that these clothes be suitable for milder weather and for wear off post, as cadets may not need them until later in the semester. Parents should give their cadets spending money, credit cards, checkbooks, etc. prior to departing to their barracks room for lunch and the Superintendent's Welcome. These items should be left in the Barracks room and secured. Do not bring them to Cameron Hall. During the 9 days of Matriculation week, new cadets are not authorized to have food in barracks.