Fall Welcome Week
Welcome Week events are for ALL UNI students. This is your official welcome or welcome back to campus!
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 welcome@uni.edu at least one week prior to the event.
Check out the 2023 schedule below!
Saturday, August 19
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30AM - 12:00PM | Cedar Falls Farmers Market | Overman Park | Check out what the Cedar Valley has to offer with fresh and local produce, baked goods, flowers, plants, and so much more! 100% producer-grown from Blackhawk and surrounding counties. |
| 9:00 - 10:00AM | Fitness Class | Lawther Field | Start your semester off with a Fitness Class. Join our Fitness Instructors from the Wellness Recreation Center for a FREE Saturday morning workout.
Hosted by UNI Recreation Services |
| 12:15 - 3:00PM | UNI vs Viterbo Soccer Game & Scarf Giveaway | Parking lot behind the UNI-Dome, UNI Soccer Field | Join the most enthusiastic student section at UNI at the campanile at 12:15PM to go to the stadium to cheer on our UNI Women's soccer team together. The first 100 UNI students will get a free UNI Soccer scarf for the game!
Hosted by Panther Soccer Prowlers |
| 1:00 - 5:00PM | Paddle on the Pond | North Pond | Come join the outdoor crew on the North Pond and try out Stand Up Paddle Boards, Kayaks or Canoes. Hosted by UNI Outdoors |
| 5:30 - 9:00PM | Chi Alpha Chick-fil-A Party | Seerely Park, Rain Location: Sent Church (5625 Prairie St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613) | Join us for our annual Chick-fil-A Party! We will have FREE sandwiches, sides, and drinks, as well as tons of yard games! Come and meet new friends before the school year starts!
Hosted by Chi Alpha |
| 7:00 - 9:00 PM |
BINGO | Maucker Union Coffeehouse & Ballrooms | Try your luck at BINGO for your chance to win prizes, including plants and items for your dorm room like TVs, mini fridges and Keurigs!
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
Sunday, August 20
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11:00AM - 12:00PM |
JO-YO! |
Lang Hall Lawn |
Jo-Yo is an interactive, immersive experience in journaling and yoga. Individuals are led through an hour practice, combining movement, breath, and journaling to calm and rejuvenate one's body, mind, and spirit. Join us in getting ready for the semester! This session is led by UNI Alum Kayla Becker.
Free UNI yoga mat and journal for the first 75 in attendance!
You are also welcome to bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 1:00 - 2:00PM |
CCF Popsicles |
Outside Maucker Union, Rain Location: Inside Maucker Union |
We will be handing out yummy popsicles while also having information on who we are! Come just hang out with friends and enjoy popsicles!
Hosted by Campus Christian Fellowship |
| 2:00 - 4:00PM |
UNI Orchesis Dance Company Fall Auditions |
UNI Wellness and Recreation Center, Room 187 |
Join the UNI Orchesis Dance Company for our Fall 2023 auditions! This is a great way to get involved, dance, and make new friends. We hope to see you there!
Hosted by UNI Orchesis Dance Company |
| Afternoon/Evening |
Dorm House Meetings |
Dorms | Meet your neighbors! Sunday night is dedicated to time in your new home. Watch for postings, check your email, or touch base with your RA for details about when your specific house/hall will be gathering. |
| 5:00 - 6:30PM |
New Student Welcome |
Lawther Field |
New students, join us on August 20th at 5PM on Lawther Field as we want to welcome you! There will be worship, a teaching over Luke 19, and free pizza! Be sure to bring some friends with! We’re so excited to meet you!
Hosted by The Salt Company |
Monday, August 21
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM |
First Day of Class Photos |
Outside:
|
Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class for the 2023-2024 academic year. We will have Northern Iowa Guides on hand to take your picture and fruit for you to grab on your way to class.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM |
Direction Booths |
Outside:
|
Not sure where to go? Wondering if you're walking the right direction to your class? Don't worry we will have Northern Iowa Guides around campus to help you find your way. Look for the purple and gold pop up tents around campus.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM |
CCF Tabling |
Inside Maucker Union |
We will be tabling with information to help you meet new faces and find potential to join a campus organization!
Hosted by Campus Christian Fellowship |
| 4:00 - 7:00PM |
CME: Annual Welcome Back BBQ |
Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Join us for the Annual Welcome Back BBQ. Free food, music and fun! Hosted by Center for Multicultural Education (CME) |
| 5:00 - 9:30PM |
Panther Tabletop Open House |
Maucker Union Esports Lounge (Located in the Lang Hall tunnel) |
Come join Panther Tabletop Games for our first open house event of the year! We will have board games, card games (such as Magic the Gathering), and lots of great people! All are welcome to come, hope to see you there!
Hosted by Panther Tabletop Games |
| 7:00 - 9:00PM |
Ice Cream Social |
St. Stephen the Witness |
We will have ice cream available for whoever wants any! Hope to see you there!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Tuesday, August 22
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM |
First Day of Class Photos |
Outside:
|
Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first (or second) day of class for the 2023-2024 academic year. We will have Northern Iowa Guides on hand to take your picture and fruit for you to grab on your way to class.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM |
Direction Booths |
Outside:
|
Not sure where to go? Wondering if you're walking the right direction to your class? Don't worry we will have Northern Iowa Guides around campus to help you find your way. Look for the purple and gold pop up tents around campus.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 9:00AM - 3:00PM |
Learn through Play |
Schindler Education Center 116 |
Come to the Iowa Regents' Center Integrative STEM Studio. This is where educators discover how to be the learner they want their students to be. Stop in anytime between 9AM and 3PM.
Hosted by Iowa Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education |
| 11:30AM - 1:30PM |
Taco Tuesday |
St. Stephen the Witness |
Come join us to eat some tacos for lunch from anytime between 11:30 and 1:30! Please join us for some fellowship and fun! See you there!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 4:00 - 6:00PM |
Movement & Exercise Science Club: Sand Volleyball |
Sand volleyball pits by the Towers, Rain Location: Inside WRC |
Join MESC for a fun, competitive sand volleyball tournament!
Hosted by Movement & Exercise Science Club |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM |
Rainbow Reception |
Maucker Union Ballrooms |
Rainbow Reception is the annual welcome back celebration of queer and trans life at UNI -- it's like a mini Pride festival specifically for the UNI community! Anyone who identifies within the LGBTQ+ community or wishes to celebrate with our community are welcome to attend. |
| 7:00 - 9:00PM |
Bowling |
Maple Lanes |
Come down for a fun evening of bowling! Free bowling, shoe & ball rental and food for UNI students.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM |
Chi Alpha Fall Launch |
Lang Auditorium |
We are a Christian Community on campus and we'd love to have you join us for our first service of the year! We will have worship, a message, and time to connect with people! Following service, join us at Sent Church for "Chi Alpha After Dark" - we will have glow in the dark games and pizza!
Hosted by Chi Alpha |
Wednesday, August 23
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30AM - 12:30PM |
Delicious Donuts with the College of Business |
Curris Business Building -- Hall of Flags |
Students, swing through the Hall of Flags between classes and enjoy free donuts, provided by the College of Business. For business students, this is also a great time to meet your current and potentially future faculty members!
Hosted by UNI College of Business |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM |
Welcome Burger Bash |
Learning Center Commons in Rod Library |
Join us for a welcome back cook out. Meet past study abroad students, Study Abroad staff, and learn about study abroad options. Food provided!
Hosted by UNI Study Abroad Center |
| 3:00 - 4:00PM |
History Fall Welcome Party |
Lawn outside Seerley Hall on the Sabin side, Rain Location: Seerley 212 |
The Department of History welcomes new and returning students to campus for the 2023-2024 academic year with our second annual Fall Welcome party. Enjoy snacks while meeting up with friends, learning about department programs and student organizations, and visiting with department faculty.
Hosted by UNI Department of History |
| 6:30 - 8:30PM |
Crafty Cats |
Maucker Union Ballrooms |
Come get your craft on and make a fun sign for your dorm room or wherever inspiration strikes. Whether it's with Cricut vinyl, paint, or anything else your imagination thinks of, it is sure to be a great time! All supplies provided.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 7:00 - 11:00PM |
FIRSTnight Primetime |
Lawther Field |
On Wednesday night at 7pm, PJ Anderson & Band will be having a concert! They will be leading Praise & Worship at 8pm during Adoration & Confession! At 9pm, there will be Mass as well as a social afterwards! Hope to see you there for some fellowship and fun!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Thursday, August 24
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30 - 3:30PM | Get the Scoop on Philanthropy | Maucker Union SW Courtyard, Rain Location: Maucker Union Ballroom C | Private funding helps put the cherry on top of the Panther experience. Come dish about the UNI Foundation and the donor-supported programs that serve up opportunities for UNI students. Enjoy free root beer floats while supplies last!
Hosted by Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) |
| 3:00 - 5:00PM | CCF Yard Games | Outside Maucker Union/Lang, Rain Location: Inside Maucker Union | Come hang out with your friends and play yard games! If it rains we will move indoors to play some board games or card games!
Hosted by Campus Christian Fellowship |
| 4:00 - 5:30PM | Ice Pops and Inclusion | Lawther Field, Rain Location: Maucker Union | Stop by UNI Best Buddies to grab a popsicle, play a few yard games, and make a friendship bracelet. UNI Best Buddies is dedicated to inclusion, community, and friendship.
Hosted by Best Buddies |
| 7:00 - 8:30PM | Panthers Got Talent | Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Do you sing? Dance? Juggle? Do you have a talent you want to share? Take part in this fun event and showcase your talent to your fellow Panthers.
No talent? No problem. Come check out the talents of your fellow Panthers.
Free UNI glass cup to first 200 students who attend.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 7:00 - 8:30PM | BASIC Kickoff | Orchard Hill Church | Compelling musical worship, authentic community, powerful Gospel-centered message, tons of opportunities to get plugged in, FREE Hurts Donuts & SO MUCH FUN!🎉 **Note: BASIC will continue on Thursdays at 7:30pm starting August 31st at Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls.
Hosted by BASIC |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM | The Salt Company Kickoff | Candeo Church 1405 Greenhill Rd. Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | Join us on August 24th at 8PM for the Salt Company Kickoff! There will be worship, a teaching over Luke 18, and free Chick-Fil-A! Be sure to bring some friends with you! We’re so excited to see you soon!!
Hosted by The Salt Company |
| 8:30 - 10:00PM | Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag | Campanile Lawn | We will be playing a few games of capture the flag in the grass area by Curris and the Campanile! Hope to see you all there to have some fun!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Friday, August 25
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30AM - 2:00PM |
T-Shirt Swap |
Between Rod Library and Maucker Union |
Up your Panther game by swapping out another college t-shirt for an exclusive UNI t-shirt.
First come, first serve - Don't miss out!
Hosted by UNI Athletics |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM |
Popcorn Social |
St. Stephen the Witness |
We will be having popcorn while getting to know one another better or catching up! Hope to see some new faces!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 7:00 - 10:00PM |
Chi Alpha Launch Party |
Sent Church Parking Lot (5625 Prairie St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613), Rain Location: Inside Sent Church |
Join us as we celebrate finishing the first week of classes! We'll have sno cones, yard games, drinks, music, and more!
Hosted by Chi Alpha |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM |
Silent Disco |
Maucker Union Wright Plaza |
Get your groove on at the silent disco dance party. DJs will be playing all your favorite music and you can switch between channels on the silent disco headphones for whichever vibe you are feeling. Imagine a dance floor with half the crowd singing along to Taylor Swift and the other half doing the wobble!
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
Saturday, August 26
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30AM - 12:00PM |
Cedar Falls Farmers Market |
Overman Park | Fresh and local produce, baked goods, flowers, plants, and so much more! 100% producer-grown from Blackhawk and surrounding counties. |
| 12:00PM - 12:00AM |
Cedar Valley Pridefest |
Downtown Waterloo |
Celebrate diversity, equality and unity in the Cedar Valley at our annual Pridefest. Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice is proud to be a sponsor of this community event.
Hosted by Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice |
| 1:00 - 4:00PM |
Panthers Downtown (Afternoon) |
Downtown Cedar Falls, River Place Plaza
Transportation from UNI to Downtown Cedar Falls provided for UNI students.
Pick up locations:
|
Check out what the Cedar Valley has to offer downtown with the many local shops and restaurants! A scavenger hunt with prizes and other opportunities to win will happen throughout the afternoon.
UNI students will receive a free tote bag among other giveaways.
Hosted by Campus Activities Board (CAB), Student Success & Retention, Eagle View Hospitality, and Community Main Street |
| 4:00 - 7:00PM |
Panthers Downtown (Evening) |
Downtown Cedar Falls, River Place Plaza
Transportation from UNI to Downtown Cedar Falls provided for UNI students.
Pick up locations:
*Note: Last bus will depart from campus at 6:00PM |
Stick around from the afternoon or stop by for the evening and enjoy live music, local food vendors, and more at the River Place Plaza!
UNI students will receive a free tote bag among other giveaways.
Transportation from UNI to Downtown Cedar Falls provided for UNI students. On campus bus pick up locations: Multi Modal Transportation Center & bus stop outside Admissions Welcome Center
Hosted by Campus Activities Board (CAB), Student Success & Retention, Eagle View Hospitality, and Community Main Street |