Schedule of Events: Welcome Weekend
Welcome Weekend 2025
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 22
Welcome to Western Connecticut State University! Don’t forget to collect your commemorative welcome gift sponsored by the office of Student Affairs in the Student Center Plaza. We hope this gift allows you to take pride in your new beginnings at WestConn as you embark on this incredible journey as a college student. We ask that you wear this gift during the “Entering the Gates” ceremony along with the T-shirt you received at New Student Orientation.
Schedule
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Resident Student Check-in & Move-in
Resident Student Check-in and Move-in will take place in each student’s residence hall.
Students must move in during their assigned color-coded move-in time only. Members of various student organizations and athletics teams will be available to assist with luggage. Once you have moved in, go to the Student Center Plaza to check-in and receive your commemorative gift. You will need to bring your Student ID for check-in and move-in.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore will be open for students to purchase WestConn apparel and to purchase textbooks required for classes. The bookstore is located on the Midtown Campus on the first floor of the Student Center.
11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
LUNCH, Berkshire Dining Hall and Westside Marketplace. Resident students must swipe their meal card.
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Commuter Student Check-in
Commuter Student Check-in, Midtown Student Center Plaza. You will need to bring your student ID for check-in.
12:00 p.m.
Alumni Legacy Photo
Alumni Legacy Photo – If one of your Parents or Grandparents is an Alumnus/a, please join us on the front steps of Old Main for our tradition of the “Next Generation” photo.
1:00 p.m. REQUIRED
Entering the Gates ceremony
Entering the Gates ceremony. Students gather in front of Litchfield Hall wearing their Wolves T-shirt and commemorative welcome gift.
1:30 p.m. REQUIRED
Entering the Gates Ceremony
Entering the Gates Ceremony in Alumni & Friends Circle (Rain location Ives Concert Hall)
As a new member of the WestConn community, you will enter through the university gates, symbolically beginning your life as a WestConn student. Led by the university president, deans, and other senior staff in academic regalia, you will enter and accept your new role as a responsible member of the WestConn community and university life.
2:10 – 3:10 p.m. REQUIRED
Gathering in the Quad
Gathering in the Quad (Rain location Berkshire Hall) – Join us for some fun in the Quad immediately following the Entering the Gates Ceremony. Enjoy music, light refreshments, games, mingling, and photo opportunities on the patio and Quad.
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
REQUIRED FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS
Commuter Student Workshop
Commuter Student Workshop in the Midtown Student Center, Wolves Den
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Dinner at the Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall or Westside Marketplace
Families are welcome to join the students. The cost for family members is $12.80 per person. Family members can pay in the Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall or Westside Marketplace using cash, credit card, or Apple Pay.
8:00 p.m. REQUIRED FOR RESIDENT STUDENTS
Resident Students
Resident students will meet in their respective residence halls.
9:00 p.m.
Come to have fun!
Movie
Monsters University movie on the Rec Field
Come join us on the Midtown Rec Field to watch the Monsters University movie. Beverages, popcorn, and candy will be provided. There will be a give-away of WestConn blankets available for the first 100 students.
Friday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 6:30 a.m. from the Westside campus to the Midtown campus, expect morning to early afternoon trips to loop every hour and twenty minutes, midday with loops taking one hour and thirty minutes and evening loops of one hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus for the Midtown Campus at 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the Wolves Campus Connect Shuttle Tracking App
Schedule
Saturday, August 23
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall / Westside Marketplace
Berkshire Dining Hall and Westside Marketplace are open for Brunch. Resident students must swipe their meal card.
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore will be open for students to purchase WestConn apparel and to purchase textbooks required for classes. The bookstore is located on the Midtown Campus on the first floor of the Student Center.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Orientation Leader Reunion
Were you a Sea Turtle or a Giraffe during Summer Orientation? Come back to revisit with your Orientation Leader and meet some new friends in your “extended family” of your particular Summer Orientation Group through fun activities. on the Quad.
2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Come to have fun!
RecFest ’25
RecFest ’25 … Come find us on the Recreation Field. Come prepared to have fun playing games like Sand Volleyball, Wiffle Ball, Kick Ball, Lawn Games, and Rock Wall Climbing. There will also be an inflatable obstacle course and a Mechanical Bull along with our Ice Cream Emergency Truck (2-5 p.m.). You will also be able to make your own bumper sticker or laptop skin. So, come join us and GET REC’D this fall!
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Dinner at the Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall or Westside Marketplace
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Come to have fun!
Game Show
Take it or Leave It Game Show! – Midtown Student Center Theater
Hosted by your favorite Orientation Leaders, you may get a chance to win a $250 gift card of your choice…IF you pick the correct case! Based on the TV Show ‘Deal or No Deal’. Audience members have the chance to win gift cards as well!
Saturday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 6:30 a.m. from the Westside campus to the Midtown campus, expect morning to early afternoon trips to loop every hour and twenty minutes, midday with loops taking one hour and thirty minutes and evening loops of one hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus for the Midtown Campus at 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the Wolves Campus Connect Shuttle Tracking App
Sunday, August 24
Schedule
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Brunch
Berkshire Dining Hall or Westside Marketplace are open for Brunch. Resident students must swipe your meal card.
10:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.
Back to The Mat
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore will be open for students to purchase WestConn apparel and to purchase textbooks required for classes. The bookstore is located on the Midtown Campus on the first floor of the Student Center.
11:00 a.m.
Field Hockey Scrimmage
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Come to have fun!
Tote the WestConn Way
Tote the WestConn Way, Alumni Circle and Fairfield Hall Front Lawn, Sponsored by Housing & Residence Life
Come join us to kickoff the 25-26 school year with a decorate your tote event. We will have fabric paint markers and a large variety of pins to customize your WestConn tote bag. Snacks, water, and music will be provided to everyone that comes. There will also be a raffle of a WestConn Swag Basket for those who follow our Instagram at the event.
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Act Out
Act Out, Midtown Student Center Wolves Den
This is a live interactive theater experience presented by The Center for Empowerment and Education raising awareness and effecting social change utilizing their educators/actors in theatrical scenarios depicting real life situations.
6:00 p.m.
Men's Soccer Scrimmage
Men’s Soccer vs. Pace
Come to the Westside Athletic Complex to cheer on the Wolves as they scrimmage against Pace University
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Come to have fun!
Campfire Kickoff
Campfire Kickoff! Midtown Quad
An unforgettable evening sponsored by Fraternity & Sorority Life Council (FSL)!
Join us at 7 p.m. on the Midtown Quad for a night filled with fun and excitement! Play lawn games, grab a bite to eat, and roast some s’mores while you listen to live music. Bring your friends and experience the lively spirit of Greek Life. You won’t want to miss this epic event – see you there!
Sunday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 6:30 a.m. from the Westside campus to the Midtown campus, expect morning to early afternoon trips to loop every hour and twenty minutes, midday with loops taking one hour and thirty minutes and evening loops of one hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus for the Midtown Campus at 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the Wolves Campus Connect Shuttle Tracking App
Monday, August 25
Schedule
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
President's Welcome Gathering
Welcome Gathering – White Hall 122
Join us as we kick off the academic year! Optional Welcome Gathering. Please RSVP to the President’s Welcome Gathering & Opening Meeting.
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
President's Opening Meeting
President’s Opening Meeting – White Hall Ives Concert Hall
Join us as we kick off the academic year! In-person attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the meeting. Please RSVP to the President’s Welcome Gathering & Opening Meeting.
9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Honors Student Orientation
Honors Student Orientation – Science Building 125
The Kathwari Honors Program will welcome all incoming first-year Honors students, incoming Honors transfers, and all students newly admitted to the Associate Honors Program. This morning session will introduce students to the Kathwari Honors staff and provide a wealth of orientation on Honors curriculum and advising, required Honors activities, benefits of the program, and opportunities available only to the Kathwari Honors community. Students are invited to have breakfast before arriving, but beverages and snacks will be provided.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore will be open for students to purchase WestConn apparel and to purchase textbooks required for classes. The bookstore is located on the Midtown Campus on the first floor of the Student Center.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Student Stories
Student Stories (VOICES) for all new students in Ives Concert Hall
Orientation Leaders present a series of vignettes to incoming students to introduce them to a variety of issues that they will be facing as they make their transition to college followed by time to talk with OLs about vignettes and ask any other questions students may have.
3:30 p.m. REQUIRED FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
WestConn Athletics Opening Meeting
WestConn Athletics Opening Meeting – Westside Athletic Complex (WAC)
This meeting is required for all student-athletes and will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. in the Westside Athletic Complex (WAC stadium). Wear a NAVY BLUE or ORANGE shirt for the annual all-student-athlete photo during this time. Contact your coach with questions.
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Come to have fun!
CenterStage Welcome Picnic
CenterStage Welcome Picnic – Westside Campus Center North Plaza
Monday Shuttle Bus Schedule
Please download the shuttle app for shuttle schedule.
Tuesday, August 26
FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
The Shuttle Bus resumes its regular schedule – download the shuttle app to view schedule.
Important things to note:
Please have your student ID with you at all times
Make sure you check-in on the Student Center Plaza
Questions call the Office of Student Affairs 203-837-9700
Suggestions for other things to do on campus and around Danbury:
- Walk into Downtown Danbury and eat at one of the local restaurants
- The Danbury San Gennaro Festival on Ives Street in Downtown Danbury, August 20 – 24 (WestConn Shuttle will depart from 5th Avenue) Friday 5-11 p.m., Sat & Sun 1-11 p.m.
- Take the HART bus to go Bowling in Brookfield or New Milford, or perhaps visit the Elephants Trunk Flea Market in New Milford on Sunday (pick up your U-PASS at the Student Center Information Desk for free HART bus transportation)
- Go Hiking in the Westside Nature Preserve or Tarrywile Park
- Go Shopping at one of the local stores: Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, BJ’s
- Go Ice Skating or watch an Ice Hockey Game at the Danbury Ice Arena, a 10-minute walk from the Midtown campus (danburyice.org)