Schedule of Events: Welcome Weekend 2024
Welcome Weekend 2024
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 23
To prepare for your first of many traditions at Western Connecticut State University, collect your FREE commemorative Welcome Weekend Gift sponsored by the offices of Alumni Relations and Student Affairs. This gift shows pride in your new beginnings at WestConn and is unique to you 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 a.m. – 12 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 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. Once you have moved in go to Orientation Headquarters at the Student Center Plaza to check-in and receive your commemorative gift. Please bring your student ID with you.
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.
12 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 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 – 8 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!
Tom Pesce
Tom Pesce, Ives Concert Hall
Come for a fun night with Tom Pesce, magician/keynote speaker! Tom is known for combining his unique brand of fast-paced “high-octane” magic with his genuine ability to connect deeply with an audience, Tom has created a visual performance and speaking style that will leave you talking about him for years to come.
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 9:00 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 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the shuttle app*
Saturday, August 24
Schedule
10 – 7 p.m.
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall / Westside Marketplace
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall and Westside Marketplace are open.
1 – 2 p.m.
Orientation Leader Reunion in the Quad
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.
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. Meet President Singh who will be joining in the fun from 3 – 5 p.m. The President’s Office is also sponsoring a contest for several chances to win a Starbucks Gift Card and Coffee with the President. 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, 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 9:00 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 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*
Sunday, August 25
Schedule
10 a.m. – 2 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.
10 – 7 p.m.
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall / Westside Marketplace
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall and Westside Marketplace are open.
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.
4 –5:30 p.m.
Act Out, Midtown Student Center Wolves Den
Why is this program important? Statistics show that more than 50% of college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October, or November.
One in 5 women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.
Nearly 1 in 3 college women (29%) say they’ve been in an abusive dating relationship.
57% of college students who report experiencing dating violence and abuse said it occurred in college.
The Center for Empowerment and Education will present a live interactive theater experience to spark conversation on bystander intervention and how to better support survivors of interpersonal violence and campus sexual assault.
Join The Center’s Act Out Program for a chance to win gift cards! There will also be free giveaways!
7 – 9 p.m.
Come to have fun!
Greek Life BBQ and S'mores Night
Greek Life BBQ and S’mores Night, An unforgettable evening sponsored by Fraternity & Sorority Life (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 too! 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 9:00 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 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*
Monday, August 26
Schedule
7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall
Midtown Berkshire Dining Hall is open.
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Westside Marketplace
Westside Marketplace is open.
9 a.m. – 12 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 some snacks will be provided.
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Blast N’ Dash on Midtown Campus Quad
“Blast ‘N Dash” is a lively campus-wide game ran by African Caribbean Student Association, and Delta Gamma Phi, where college students engage in a playful battle of strategy while these two organizations will be mastering their skills in stealth! The players, armed with harmless water blasters, and will sneak up on the members of these two organizations while they dodge being “blasted”. You will be the seekers in a giant game of hide-and-seek, filled with excitement, teamwork, and plenty of laughs! Students will meet at 11:30am in the midtown quad and will disperse around 12:00!
12 – 3 p.m.
BBQ and Opening Meeting with President Singh - Westside Campus
Join President Singh for a Barbeque lunch in the Westside Campus Center North Plaza between 12 -1:30 p.m. followed by the Opening Meeting in the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Please RSVP
https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/presidents-lunch-opening-meeting-fall-2024
Not able to attend in person, please click to join virtually.
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Student Stories (VOICES) for all new students
Student Stories (VOICES) for all new students in Wolves Den
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 Ives Concert Hall
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 9:00 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 11:00 p.m.
*These times are approximate – Please download the www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/*
Tuesday, August 27
FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
The Shuttle Bus resumes its regular schedule – see www.wcsu.edu/shuttle/liftango/
Important things to note:
Have your student ID with you at all times
Make sure you check-in at Orientation Headquarters tent on the Plaza
Questions call, Office of Student Affairs 203-837-9700