UND ‘Welcome Weekend’ takes a new approach starting Aug. 18
This fall, at the University of North Dakota, "Welcome Weekend" still will be packed with activities, entertainment and information, but will include exciting new events and take a slightly different approach.
Saturday, Aug. 18, the University will focus on greeting families, getting students unpacked and settled in.
Residence Halls will open on Saturday instead of Friday, giving students and their families an extra day to travel and prepare for their big move to UND. Students can check-in at their assigned residence hall right away at 8 a.m.
At every residence hall, there will be a "Stop, Drop and Go" site. This means students and their families can park temporarily next to their assigned hall and student volunteers will be there to help unload luggage.
Kristi Okerlund, family and student programming coordinator, said, if students need help or have questions, tolook for people wearing "I heart UND" T-shirts.
Sunday, Aug. 19, is all about fun. UND will play host to the first-ever Welcome Weekend pep rally, a picnic, hypnotist and street dance.
The pep rally will take place at 6:30 p.m., in the Memorial Stadium, just east of Columbia Road, beginning with a group class photo. The rally focuses on school spirit, and will include appearances from the UND Pride of the North Marching Band, student-athletes, dance and cheer teams, coaches and more. And all students will receive a rally towel with UND's school song on it.
Activities planned for Monday, Aug. 20, will center on the upcoming academic year.
At 2 p.m., there will be a Convocation at the Chester Fritz Auditorium for all first-year students. This is a formal ceremony, filled with pomp and regalia, emphasizing the University's attention to academic excellence. This event will mark the start of their academic career.
"The Convocation will have more of an academic feel to it, indicating that the new semester is about to begin, whereas the events over the weekend leading up to the convocation are more for the students to have fun and get acclimated to the institution," said Lisa Burger, interim executive director of Enrollment Services.
Students who attend the convocation will receive a padded diploma folder with the UND seal to use once they graduate. Inside the folder will be the class photo taken from the previous day.
To attend UND events and dining centers, students must bring their U Card. If a student does not have his or her U Card, the U Card Office will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The U Card Office is located in the Memorial Union.
All students are encouraged to attend these events to receive essential information, meet their classmates and get familiarized with UND's campus.
Welcome Weekend events to remember:
Saturday, August 18:
8 a.m. Residence Halls Open and check-in begins
Sunday, August 19:
Noon, Find your classes (bring class schedule and meet at Memorial Union Info Desk; groups will go out every 15 minutes)
6:30-7:30 p.m., First year photo and prep rally, Memorial Stadium
Monday, August 20:
2-3 p.m. Convocation, Chester Fritz Auditorium
For a more detailed information, check out the "Welcome Weekend" schedule, orcontact Kristi Okerlund at 701.777.6468, or at Kristi.okerlund@und.edu
