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.
|
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 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Cookes 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 optiosn will be available as well!
Hosted by the Office of Professional Distinction |
| 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 |
Saturday, January 24
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | |||
Sunday, January 25
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA |
|
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 |
| 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 |
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. |
| 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!
|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
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.