WVU welcomes home new, returning students with Welcome Week activities

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WVDN) — Offering a mix of activities for all West Virginia University students — new and returning — Welcome Week will run from Aug. 15-23, providing ways for students to have fun, explore their strengths, connect with others and give back to the community ahead of the start of the fall semester.

“All kinds of opportunities are ahead for our students — opportunities they have not even imagined — as we begin a new academic year,” Dean of Students Corey Farris said.

“The goal of Welcome Week is to help our students get off to a strong start as they begin to settle in here in their new home and make connections with others in their WVU family.”

Residence hall move-ins, with students arriving during scheduled time slots, begin Thursday, Aug. 15, and continue through Saturday, Aug. 17. Additional University Police officers and Housing and Residence Life staff will be available for assistance.

Students with meal plans are invited to Welcome Week Cookouts from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Mountainlair Green and Evansdale Fields . A valid student ID and dining plan are required to attend.

WVUp All Night launches for the new semester at 10 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Mountainlair.

On Aug. 18, the Student Organization Fair runs from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Student Rec Center .

“WVU has many student organizations, club sports, affinity groups and others to join. This is, far and away, the best way to get involved and find your people,” said 2024-25 Student Government Association President Charlie Long , a political science and philosophy major and Honors College member from Charleston.

“My advice to my fellow students is don’t be afraid to try something new and get outside of your comfort zone. You may end up meeting your best friend or discovering your new favorite hobby.”

New to Welcome Week this year is the Welcome Week Bucket List Challenge for students, a campus scavenger hunt with prizes.

Also during Welcome Week, a picnic for international students is scheduled for 12:30-3 p.m. Aug. 19 on the Mountainlair Green.

First-year students are invited to Milan Puskar Stadium Aug. 19 for Monday Night Lights , one of the signature Welcome Week events which will start at 6 p.m. with tailgate activities outside the stadium. Those attending will receive their class T-shirts and sign the “Class of 2028” flag.

Students will move inside the stadium for the pre-show and main MNL event — including the official class photo on Mountaineer Field — beginning around 7:30 p.m. Watch online starting at 7:30 p.m.

On Aug. 20, all students are invited to be part of FoodFest and FallFest at the Evansdale Fields. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. A valid student ID is required to attend, and each student is allowed one guest age 17 or older. Additional FallFest details are scheduled to be released Aug. 16.

First-year and transfer students will be part of academic sessions earlier in the day on Aug. 20.

Adventure , service and wellness activities are available throughout Welcome Week. Campus Recreation will host a pool party from 4-8 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Student Rec Center.

“We know how important it is for our students to make connections on campus early,” Farris said. “Everything we’ve built into Welcome Week has been created with that mind.”

The first day of classes is Aug. 21.

The PRT begins operations for the fall semester Aug. 16 with extended Welcome Week hours from 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. Aug. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 18, and 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20.

Regular PRT hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The PRT is normally closed on Sundays.

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