Fall Welcome Week

Resident Students Only

1–4 p.m.  |  Freshman Move-In

Move into your residence hall, meet your Resident Assistant and Orientation Leader, and get settled into your new home.

5–6 p.m.  |  Spartan Picnic

Celebrate the beginning of your AU journey with a picnic for new students and their families before families head home.

8–10 p.m.  |  Residence Life Activity

Spend the evening getting to know the students living in your residence hall through fun activities hosted by Residence Life.

7:45–8:15 a.m.  |  Donuts and Coffee (Optional)

Grab a complimentary breakfast and meet fellow new Spartans before the day begins.

7:45–8:30 a.m.  |  Check-In

Receive your Welcome Week materials, meet your Orientation Leader, and prepare for the day’s activities.

8:30–9 a.m.  |  Orientation Leader Small Group

Meet the students you’ll spend the weekend learning and growing with.

9–9:35 a.m.  |  Welcome Convocation

Kick off Welcome Week with campus spirit, exciting introductions, and an official welcome to the Spartan family.

9:45–10:55 a.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Comical Race Theory

An engaging comedy program that encourages meaningful conversations about identity, inclusion, and embracing our differences.

Group B: Campus Scavenger Hunt

Explore campus, discover important locations, and complete fun challenges with your orientation group.

11 a.m.–12:10 p.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Campus Scavenger Hunt

Explore campus, discover important locations, and complete fun challenges with your orientation group.

Group B: Comical Race Theory

An engaging comedy program that encourages meaningful conversations about identity, inclusion, and embracing our differences.

12:15–1:15 p.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: C for Consent

Learn about healthy relationships, consent, bystander intervention, and creating a safe campus community.

Group B: Lunch

Enjoy lunch and connect with other incoming students.

1:20–2:20 p.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Lunch

Enjoy lunch and connect with other incoming students.

Group B: C for Consent

Learn about healthy relationships, consent, bystander intervention, and creating a safe campus community.

2:30–3:15 p.m.  |  Orientation Leader Small Group

Reconnect with your Orientation Leader to reflect on the day, ask questions, and prepare for what’s next.

3:30–4:10 p.m.  |  FYS 1250 Class Meeting

Meet your First-Year Seminar instructor and classmates while learning what to expect during your first semester.

4:15–5 p.m.  |  Academic Group Meetings

Connect with faculty, advisors, and fellow students in your academic program while learning about opportunities in your major.

5–8 p.m.  |  Freshman Fest

Celebrate your first day with food, games, music, giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to make memories with your fellow Spartans.

9–9:30 a.m.  |  Donuts and Coffee (Optional)

Start your morning with coffee, breakfast, and time to connect before programming begins.

8:45–9:30 a.m.  |  Check-In

Meet your Orientation Leader and prepare for another exciting day.

9:30–10:30 a.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Service Project

Give back to the local community while learning about AU’s commitment to service.

Group B: Title IX, A-Book, and Digital Footprint

Learn about student rights and responsibilities, campus expectations, and building a positive digital presence.

10:35–11:35 a.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Title IX, A-Book, and Digital Footprint

Learn about student rights and responsibilities, campus expectations, and building a positive digital presence.

Group B: Service Project

Give back to the local community while learning about AU’s commitment to service.

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Lunch

Enjoy lunch and connect with other incoming students.

Group B: Spartan Connections

Learn about Spartan Connections, AU’s faculty and staff mentoring program. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with and select a faculty or staff mentor who can support you, answer questions, and help you navigate your first year at AU.

12:40–1:25 p.m.  |  Group Breakouts

Group A: Spartan Connections

Learn about Spartan Connections, AU’s faculty and staff mentoring program. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with and select a faculty or staff mentor who can support you, answer questions, and help you navigate your first year at AU.

Group B: Lunch

Enjoy lunch and connect with other incoming students.

1:30–2 p.m.  |  Minute to Win It

Enjoy fast-paced games, team challenges, and a little friendly competition with your fellow Spartans.

2–2:20 p.m.  |  Goal Setting and Welcome Week Survey

Reflect on your goals for your first semester and share feedback to help improve future Welcome Weeks.

2:30–3:30 p.m.  |  Mock Classroom Experience

Experience a college classroom before the first day of classes and learn strategies for academic success.

3:30–5 p.m.  |  Spartan Olympics

Enjoy exciting team competitions that showcase your Spartan pride.

5–5:30 p.m.  |  Final Orientation Leader Meeting

Say goodbye to your small group, ask any final questions, and prepare for your first day of classes.

5:30–6:30 p.m.  |  Dinner for Commuter Students (Optional)

Commuter students are invited to stay for dinner before the evening festivities.

7:30–10 p.m.  |  Movie on the Quad

Relax under the stars with your new friends during an outdoor movie to celebrate the end of a busy day.

11 a.m.–1 p.m.  |  Walk Your Schedule (Optional)

Meet your Orientation Leader and walk your class schedule so you know exactly where to go on your first day of classes. This is a great opportunity to ask last-minute questions and feel confident before classes begin.

First Day of Classes

8 a.m.–5 p.m.  |  Welcome to Campus Gift (Optional)

Stop by the Office of Orientation table on the Quad to pick up your gift and officially kick off your first semester at AU. We’d love to welcome you to campus and celebrate your first day as a Spartan!