WELCOME WEEKEND: Orientation events for incoming students will be held Friday, Aug. 23, through Monday, Aug. 26.

Friday, August 23

9 a.m. – noon: Resident Student Check-in & Move-in
Resident Student Check-in and Move-in will take place in each student’s residence hall.
Students need to move in during their appointed color-coded move-in time only. Members of various student organizations and athletics teams will be available to assist with luggage.

9 a.m. – 3 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 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch
Lunch for residents, commuters, and guests. All resident students must swipe your meal card.

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Commuter Student Check-in
Commuter Student Check-in, Midtown Student Center Plaza.

Noon: 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 a “Next Generation” photo.

1 p.m. REQUIRED: Entering the Gates ceremony
Entering the Gates ceremony. Students gather in front of Litchfield Hall.

1:30 p.m. REQUIRED: Entering the Gates ceremony
Entering the Gates ceremony in the Quad (Rain location Ives Concert Hall)
During the “Entering the Gates” ceremony, you, as a new member of the WestConn community, will enter through the university gates, symbolically leaving behind your life as a high school 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. It’s time to take on your new role and be proud of it!

2 – 3:30 p.m. REQUIRED: Gathering in the Quad (Rain location Berkshire Hall)
Gathering in the Quad – Join us for some fun in the Quad immediately following the Entering the Gates Ceremony. Enjoy, music, light refreshments, mingling and photo opportunities on the patio and Quad.

3:30 – 4 p.m.: For your parents – Parent Workshop
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” (Ben Franklin), Midtown Student Center Theater
This interactive presentation addresses situations that are likely to occur not just during the college years, but in life in general and offers simple solutions to plan, prepare and prevail.

4 – 7 p.m.: Dinner
Dinner at the Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall and Westside Marketplace
Families are welcome to join the students. The cost for family members is $12.35 per person. Family members can pay as they go through the line in the Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall or Westside Marketplace. All resident students swipe your card. Commuter students let the cashier know you are a commuter student.

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. REQUIRED: Commuter Student Workshop
Commuter Student Workshop in the Wolves Den

5:30 p.m.: Come to have fun with Tom Pesce!
Tom Pesce, Ives Concert Hall
Come for a fun night with Tom Pesce, magician/keynote speaker!

8 p.m. REQUIRED: Resident students
Resident students will meet in their respective residence halls

Friday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 9 a.m. from the Westside campus on the hour and leaving the Midtown campus on the half hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus at 11 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the shuttle app*

Saturday, August 24

1 – 2 p.m.: Orientation Leader Reunion

2 – 6 p.m.: Come to have fun! – RecFest ’24
RecFest ’24 … Come find us on the Recreation Field. Come prepared to have fun playing games like Sand Volleyball, Lawn Games, Zip Lining and Rock Wall Climbing. There will also be Meltdown, Name Art, and a Caricature Artist along with our Ice Cream Emergency Truck (2-5 p.m.). You will also be receiving giveaways with chances to win prizes! So, come join us and GET REC’D this fall!

8 – 10 p.m.: Come to have fun! – BINGO
BINGO in the Midtown Student Center Multi-purpose Room, Sponsored by Program Activities Council (PAC)
Come for a fun night with many opportunities to win prizes!

Saturday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 9 a.m. from the Westside campus on the hour and leaving the Midtown campus on the half hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus at 11 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*

Sunday, August 25

1:30 p.m.: Welcome First-Year and Transfer Students
Welcome First-Year and Transfer Students Gathering on the Alumni & Friends Circle, Sponsored by Housing & Residence Life
Please join us for lawn games, prizes, and more to kick off the 24-25 school year.

5:30 – 7 p.m.: Act Out
Act Out, Midtown Student Center Theater
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.

7 – 9 p.m.: Come to have fun! – Greek Life Carnival and Smores Night
Greek Life Carnival and Smores Night, An unforgettable evening sponsored by Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL)!
Join us at 7 p.m. on the Midtown REC Field for a night filled with fun and excitement! Dive into carnival games, bounce around on inflatables, splash through water games, and enjoy tasty snacks galore. Bring your friends and experience the lively spirit of Greek Life. Finish off the evening with a time to socialize and enjoy smores by the fire. You won’t want to miss this epic event – see you there!

Sunday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 9 a.m. from the Westside campus on the hour and leaving the Midtown campus on the half hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus at 11 p.m. *These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*

Monday, August 26

9 a.m. – noon: 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 some snacks will be provided.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch with President Singh
Join President Dr. Manohar Singh on Westside campus for lunch.

2 – 3:30 p.m.: Student Stories (VOICES) for all new students
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.

4 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 4 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.

7 – 9 p.m. Come to have fun!: Take it or Leave It Game Show
Take it or Leave It Game Show! In the 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!

Monday Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus begins service at 9 a.m. from the Westside campus on the hour and leaving the Midtown campus on the half hour. The last shuttle bus will leave from the Westside Campus at 11 p.m. *These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*