Spring Welcome Week
Welcome Week events are for all UNI students. This is your official welcome or welcome back to campus!
Check out the 2026 schedule below!
Tuesday, January 20
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00AM - 2:00PM |
1st Day of Class Photo Booth & Free Hot Chocolate
| Maucker Union Tabling Area | Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class this semester! New students, we will have Cat Crew ready to take your picture and help find your way around campus or answer any questions.
|
| 9:00 - 10:00AM |
An Introduction is in Order!
| Schindler Education Center-2nd Floor Lobby | Have you heard the good news? TRIO has returned to UNI's Campus. Two Student Support Services (SSS) programs will soon be enrolling eligible students. Stop by and see us to learn about the FREE services and resources available. Meet our staff and grab a snack!
|
| 8:00 - 9:15M |
Chi Alpha Launch Service
| Lang Hall | Kick off the semester with worship, teaching, and a vision for what God wants to do in your life. Our modern service is designed to help you connect with God in a real way. After service we'll have an after party with free snacks! If you're ready to grow with Jesus and find your people at UNI, this is the place to start! We meet every Tuesday night in Lang Hall. Come see what Chi Alpha is all about! |
Wednesday, January 21
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM-8:50AM | West African Drum & Dance | Performing Arts Center 010 |
Experience the vibrant rhythms and movements of West Africa in this interactive trial class with the Drum and Dance Ensemble. No prior experience is needed—come ready to learn, connect, and immerse yourself in an energetic cultural tradition!
Hosted by UNI School of Music |
| 9:00AM - 2:00PM | 1st Day of Class Photo Booth & Free Hot Chocolate | Maucker Union Tabling Area | Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class this semester! New students, we will have Cat Crew ready to take your picture and help find your way around campus or answer any questions.
Grab a cup of free hot chocolate while supplies last!
|
| 9:00AM - 3:00PM | Let the Games Begin | Schindler Education Building 153 |
Join Middle Level Education in a game of Corn Hole, Tailgate Golf, Bocce Ball, Jenga, and white board Pictionary
Hosted by Elementary & Middle Level Education |
| 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Brazillian Percussian Ensemble | Russell Hall 111 |
Feel the energy of Brazil in this hands-on trial class with Ritmos Unidos, the Brazilian Percussion Ensemble. You’ll learn vibrant rhythms, play authentic instruments, and experience the joy of samba in a welcoming, beginner-friendly setting!
Hosted by UNI School of Music |
| 2:30PM - 3:30PM |
Green Dot Student Workshop
| Maucker Union State College Room | Green Dot teaches students, faculty and staff to be aware of potential violence around them and provides skills, strategies and tactics to use the power of peer influence to intervene appropriately and safely in high-risk situations. The basic elements of the presentation are to provide a new/different framework of bystander intervention, to create campus-wide interest and participation, and begin the process of changing behaviors.
Hosted by Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Green Dot |
| 3:30 - 4:30PM |
Future Teacher Welcome
| Schindler 220 | Mandatory for all new students with a Teacher Education major. Two sessions are offered exactly the same content (also 1/22). This event will help you map out your Teacher Education journey at UNI! Learn about all the in's and out's on your pathway to teaching! Session includes information on Teacher Education application, background checks, resources and pre-service professional development opportunities. Hosted by College of Education Advising & Teacher Education Success
Hosted by College of Education Advising & Teaching Education Success |
| 9:00 - 9:30PM |
Wednesday Worship
| ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries (2422 College St.) | Join us on weekly from 9pm-9:30pm at ThreeHouse for Wednesday Worship, a calm, vespers-like time where we sing simply hymns, pray, and connect with The Sacred as a radically inclusive community of faith. ThreeHouse is a Reconciling in Christ community! At ThreeHouse, we believe that ALL people deserve to have access to fun and meaningful programming! Please email office@threehouse.org or call us at 319-266-4071 if an accommodation would help you to participate in this event as your full and authentic self. |
Thursday, January 22
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30 - 4:30PM | Future Teacher Welcome! | Schindler Education Center 220 |
Mandatory for all new students with a Teacher Education major. Two sessions are offered exactly the same content. This event will help you map out your Teacher Education journey at UNI! Learn about all the in's and out's on your pathway to teaching! Session includes information on Teacher Education application, background checks, resources and pre-service professional development opportunities.
Hosted by College of Education Advising & Teacher Education Success |
| 4:30 - 6:30PM | Back to School Bash | The Other Place (on Main St.) | Join the Accounting Club for a Back-to-School Bash at The Other Place on Main St! Meet other accounting students, grab some food, and celebrate the start of the new semester! |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | Game Night (and FREE CoffeeHouse!) | ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries (2422 College St.) | Welcome back to campus, Panthers! We're kicking off the new semester with a GAME NIGHT on Thursday, January 22nd from 6-8pm. Our free CoffeeHouse (espresso, tea, smoothies, and more) will be open, too :)
Hosted by ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | Gallery of Art Opening Reception and Artist Talk | Kamerick Art Building 111 |
The UNI Gallery of Art will be hosting the opening reception and artist talk for Minnesota artists Paula McCartney and Lex Thompson! The artist talk will be located in Kamerick Art Building 111 at 6PM with refreshments and gallery opening to follow.
Hosted by Department of Art & Graphic Design |
| 6:30 - 8:00PM | UNI Wrestling vs. Arizona State | McLeod Center |
Cheer on the Panthers as they face off against Arizona State. |
| 8:00 - 9:45PM | Salt Company Spring Kickoff | Candeo Church |
Salt Company is kicking off for the spring semester and we'd love to have you! Join us for worship, teaching, and a chance to meet other students who want to find their greatest joy in Jesus!
Hosted by Salt Company |
Friday, January 23
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00AM - 2:00PM | Campus Scavenger Hunt | Nielsen Field House | In the morning we will host a "Be Soldier Day" type of event in the Nielsen Field House where guests will take a tour of the facilities and see what some of our veteran students (ROTC Cadets) do on the daily. They will get a swag bag with goodies inside. Following that, we have Chad's Pizza for guests to eat. If weather permits we have a campus tour where we will have fellow members of UNISUSA stationed around campus giving insights on certain locations, activities, and facilities around campus. If weather does not permit a tour we will host a Guitar Hero Competition, Smokeless Range, Physical Training, and an open floor Q and A.
Hosted by UNISUSA |
| 9:00AM - 10:00AM | Kaji Kaiko Taiko Ensemble | Performing Arts Center 002 |
Discover the power and excitement of Japanese taiko drumming in this trial class with the Kaji Daiko Taiko Ensemble. You’ll learn dynamic rhythms, experience the energy of group performance, and get a taste of this powerful art form!
Hosted by UNI School of Music |
| 10:00AM - 2:00PM | Cookies with OPD | Hall of Flags - Curris Business Building |
Welcome back, Wilson Students! Please join us for a sweet start to the semester with some Panther Paw Cookies! To-Go options will be available as well!
Hosted by the Office of Professional Distinction |
| 2:45 - 4:00PM | Check-In Friday with UNI JPEC! | 8120 Jennings Dr, Suite 13 JPEC Innovation Lounge | 2:45 Come check out what the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has to offer you! Tour JPEC office spaces and be inspired by students currently running their own businesses. 3:00 Join entrepreneurial-minded students and staff for introductions and share how your winter break and first week of classes has gone. This is a perfect time for gaining business ideas and insight from your peers and JPEC staff as well!
Hosted by John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center |
| 3:00 - 5:00PM | Broomball | Panther Ponds |
Come on out to Panther Pond for an exciting game of Broomball!! Imagine hockey with no skates, it's a game of friendly competition with no experience or expertise necessary! Also come hear about our upcoming adventure trips for the semester!
Hosted by Outdoor Education and Leadership Alliance |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | UNI Women's Basketball vs. Murray State | McLeod Center | Cheer on the Panthers as they face off against Murray State. |
| 7:00 - 10:00PM | Chi Alpha Spring Launch Party | Maucker Union Ballrooms | Kick off the semester with Chi Alpha at our Spring Launch Party! Enjoy FREE Texas Roadhouse rolls, a bags tournament, 9 Square, board games, and more. Whether you’re looking to have fun, meet new friends, or learn more about our campus ministry, this is a great place to start. |
Saturday, January 24
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 - 5:00PM | UNI Men's Basketball vs. Murray State | McLeod Center | Come cheer on the UNI Men's Basketball team as they face off against Murray State. |
Sunday, January 25
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 - 4:00PM | UNI Women's Basketball vs. Evansville | McLeod Center | Come cheer on the Panthers as they face off against Evansville. |
Monday, January 26
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 - 2:00PM | Spring into Wellness | 109 Maucker Union in the Plaza Level | Spring into wellness in our new and improved Relaxation Room! Stop by Room 109C between 12pm-2pm on January 26th to paint your own flower pot, unwind, and check out our freshly decorated calming space.
Hosted by Student Wellness Services |
| 12:00 - 1:30PM | Welcome Week Nature Walk | Center for Energy and Environmental Education | Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, so start the semester off on the right foot by joining us on a walk through the UNI preserves! Snacks will be provided, and in the case of inclement weather this event will be canceled. |
| 1:30 - 3:30PM | Meet, Greet, & Sweet | Student Health Center Mindful Space | Stop by the Student Health Center for a sweet treat and to meet our team, see the space, and learn about the services available to you
Hosted by the Student Health Center |
| 6:30 - 7:30PM | Let's Talk Protection: Guide to Barriers, Birth Control, and Beyond | College Eye Room (Maucker Union) | Join PPGen for real talk on all things barrier methods, birth control, and Crisis Pregnancy Centers! We will be debunking misconceptions and relaying information from Iowa's #1 sexual health education resource: Planned Parenthood. We hope to see you there!
Hosted by the Planned Parenthood Generation Action |
Tuesday, January 27
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | Stacks for Stead | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center Social Hall |
Stacks for Stead is an event hosted by UNI Dance Marathon where you can get ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES for just $5!! All proceeds will be donated to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. |
| 5:30 - 6:30PM | Visit Ninja U with UNI Entrepreneurship Club! | Ninja U: 5911 University Ave Suite 350, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | Learn the story behind Ninja U and tour the space with the UNI Entrepreneurs Club! All are welcome.
Hosted UNI Entrepreneurs Club |
| 6:00 - 7:00PM | Paint aned Connect | Maucker Union Central Ballroom B | Join us for our first event of the semester! We will be painting tote bags, canvases, and reconnecting with members of our student org!
Hosted Active Minds |
| 7:00 - 10:00PM | Mrs. Doubtfire | Gallagher Bluedorn |
Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Cedar Falls in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids.
Hosted by GBPAC |
Wednesday, January 28
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | Student Org Fair | Maucker Union Ballrooms |
Come check out the various student organizations on campus and find out more on how you can get involved!
|
| 2:30 - 4:00PM | Button Making Mantras & Minors | Schindler Education Center 508 |
Join us for Button Making Mantras & Minors! Snacks & Hot Cocoa! Hosted by the Literacy, Early Childhood, and Special Education Department |
| 7:00 - 10:00PM | Mrs. Doubtfire | Gallagher Bluedorn |
Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Cedar Falls in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids.
Hosted by GBPAC |
Thursday, January 29
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 - 7:30PM | Panther Archery Club Kickoff | Maucker Union |
Enjoy some food from UNI Catering while playing Archery Tag! We will also present on past sports activities at UNI for the 150th Anniversary! Hosted by the Panther Archery Club |
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UNI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Student Success & Retention at orientation@uni.edu at least one week prior to the event.