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 2024 schedule below!
Saturday, August 24
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 - 10:00AM | Fitness Class | Lawther Field Rain Location: Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) | 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 Recreation Services
If you'd like a group to go with, Cat Crew leaders will have a meet up 15min before this event in the following hall lobbies: Bender, Dancer, Hagemann, Noehren, Rider, and Shull. |
| 1:00 - 5:00PM | Intramural Kickoff | Bender Field & Bender Sand Volleyball Court Rain Location: WRC Upstairs Courts 1-4 | Get ready to kick off the semester with a splash at the Intramural Kickoff! Engage in friendly competition with sand volleyball, yard game, putting/chipping competitions, and more. It's the perfect opportunity to make new friends, connect with fellow students, and build a vibrant community right from the start. Prizes, games, and registration info await—let's start this semester off strong together!
Hosted by UNI Intramurals |
| 1:00 - 5:00PM | Paddle on the Pond | Panther Pond | Come join the outdoor crew on the North Pond and try out Stand Up Paddle Boards, Kayaks or Canoes.
Hosted by UNI Outdoors
If you'd like a group to go with, Cat Crew leaders will have a meet up 15min before this event in the following hall lobbies: Bender, Dancer, Hagemann, Noehren, Rider, and Shull. |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | BBQ-n-Games with the Military Veteran Student Services | Maucker Union Rooftop | Come and enjoy some BBQ, music, games, and get to know the Veteran community.
Hosted by Military Veterans Student Services |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | FSL Cookout | Threehouse & Kappa Sigma Yard Rain Location: Inside Threehouse | UNI FSL's welcome party cookout! Come hang out and enjoy burgers, lawn games, and music and get to know new and current students!
Hosted by UNI Fraternity and Sorority Life |
| 5:30 - 10:00PM | Chi Alpha Chick-fil-A Party | Seerley Park Rain Location: Sent Church | Chi Alpha is a campus ministry at UNI and we'd love for you to join us for free Chick-fil-A to kick off the school year! We'll have a ton of yard games too! Everyone is invited!
Hosted by Chi Alpha |
| 7:00 - 9:00PM | 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 |
| 9:00 - 11:00PM | Salt Company Pancake Party | 9319 University Ave Cedar Falls, IA 50613 *Park at the Church across the street | It's exactly what it sounds like. Free pancakes, music and fun!
Hosted by The Salt Company |
Sunday, August 25
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 - 11:30AM | Sunday Mass Service | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | Join us for our morning church service and stay afterward for our FREE Welcome Picnic! All are welcome!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 11:00AM - 12:00PM | JO-YO! | Curris Business Building (CBB) South 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 while supplies last! You are also welcome to bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 11:00AM - 2:00PM | Back to School Sunday | Sent Church | Join us for our church at 9am or 11am and stay for free food and yard games afterwards! This is a great time to get plugged into a church in Cedar Falls, you're invited to check out Sent Church with student org Chi Alpha!
Hosted by Chi Alpha |
| 11:30AM - 1:30PM | Welcome Back Picnic | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | Hungry? Want to meet new students? Come have lunch! Everyone is welcome for our annual kickoff to the new school year.
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 1:00 - 3:00PM | Despues de la Playa | Panther Village Sand Volleyball Court | Join UNIdos for our Despues de La Playa Event! Full beach theme event, we will have sand volleyball, ice pops, music and much more! All are welcome.
Hosted by UNIdos |
| 1:00 - 3:00PM | New Honors Student Social | Bartlett Hall Lawn | All NEW first-year honors students are invited to attend. Meet your student ambassadors and staff, tour our space, learn more about what to expect during your first semester at UNI, and enjoy some delicious cookies!
Hosted by University Honors Program |
| 1:00 - 3:00PM | Panthers Vote | Sabin Hall Atrium | Stop by to update your voter registration and learn about UNI's nonpartisan voter education efforts.
Hosted by the Department of Political Science |
| 1:00 - 3:00PM | CSBS Cookie Social | Sabin Hall Atrium | Please join the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences as we welcome you back to campus with a cookie social! Greet faculty, staff and fellow students while enjoying a tasty treat on us. Open to all students, new and returning. Feel free to bring a friend (or two!) and stop by anytime between 1-3 p.m.
Hosted by the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences |
| 2:00 - 4:00PM | Orchesis Dance Company Fall Auditions | Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) Room 187 | The UNI Orchesis Dance Company is a pre-professional company and student organization focusing on modern and ballet techniques, and perform styles from jazz, hip-hop, tap, contemporary, and more! We would love to see you at our auditions for the fall semester! Everyone is welcome!
Hosted by UNI Orchesis Dance Company |
| 4:30PM | LCMS U Welcome Back Party | College Hill Lutheran Church | New and returning students can join us for our LCMS U Welcome Back Party! Meet fellow student, free food, games, and fun. Can't wait to see you there! Hosted by LCMS U at UNI |
| 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 - 7:00PM | Freshmen Welcome | Lawther Field | Freshmen and new students! Be sure to join us on Sunday, August 25th at 5PM on Lawther Field to worship Jesus, play yard games, and eat FREE pizza! See you there!
Hosted by The Salt Company |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | Twilight Toast | Lawther Field Rain Location: Center for Multicultural Education (CME) | Join the Muslim Student Association, African Union, and the International Engagement Office for a Twilight Toast as we enjoy the sunset, sip on mock-tails, and paint to our hearts content! We cannot wait to see you there!
Hosted by International Engagement, African Union, & Muslim Student Association |
| 7:00 - 9:00PM | Evening Mass & Cereal Bar | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | All are welcome for our back-to-school church service - stick around afterward for our FREE Cereal Bar! Join us for some breakfast for dinner (or snack!) and meet some new Panthers!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Monday, August 26
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM | 1st Day of Class Photos & Direction Booths | Outside:
| Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class for the 2024-2025 academic year.
We will have people there to take your picture and signs for you to pose with and point you in the right direction if you need help finding your way around campus! |
| 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Mindful Room Open Hours | Student Health Center 005 | If at any point throughout the day, you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a calm space to relax, the Mindful Room is available for you to use during these hours. |
| 10:00AM - 3:00PM | CSD Goodie Bags from NSSLHA | Communication Arts Center (CAC), 2nd Floor Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic Lobby | CSD students, stop by the clinic lobby to grab a motivational note & a treat from NSSLHA and the Recruitment and Well-being committee!
Hosted by National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association |
| 3:00 - 5:00PM | Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Kickoff | Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC) 246 | Help the us kickoff the year and learn about the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance! Snacks and games provided.
Hosted by Nonprofit Leadership Alliance |
| 3:30 - 5:00PM | UNI Choir Auditions | Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) | Find your home in UNI Choirs! Learn more at https://music.uni.edu/choirs/join/auditions
Hosted by the School of Music |
| 4:00 - 6:00PM | Welcome Back Shindig | Maucker Union | Join us for the Annual Welcome Back Shindig. Free food, music and fun! Hosted by the Division of Student Life & the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships |
| 7:00 - 9:00PM | Ice Cream Social | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | Indulge in scoops of pure happiness and sprinkle your evening with laughter and delight! You're cordially invited to join us after the first day of classes for an Ice Cream Social (with root beer) that promises to be a delectable celebration! There will be yard games, music, and of course- ice cream, toppings, and root beer!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM | The MOVEment Open Practice | Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) Studio 176 | The MOVEment social justice (non-auditioned!!) hip-hop dance group will have open practices Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday this week! Come check out our style, meet some current members, & learn dance with us!
Hosted by The MOVEment |
Tuesday, August 27
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM - 2:00PM | 1st Day of Class Photos & Direction Booths | Outside:
| Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class for the 2024-2025 academic year.
We will have people there to take your picture and signs for you to pose with and point you in the right direction if you need help finding your way around campus! |
| 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Mindful Room Open Hours | Student Health Center 005 | If at any point throughout the day, you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a calm space to relax, the Mindful Room is available for you to use during these hours. |
| 8:00 - 11:00AM | Welcome, DONUT feel good to be back? | Communication Arts Center (CAC), 2nd Floor RESHC Lobby | Welcome back Communication Sciences and Disorders students! Please join the Retention and Well-being committee and NSSLHA for donuts, coffee, and tea. Answer a trivia question to be entered into a drawing for a prize!
Hosted by National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association |
| 9:00AM - 3:00PM | UNI Choir Auditions | Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) | Find your home in UNI Choirs! Learn more at https://music.uni.edu/choirs/join/auditions
Hosted by the School of Music |
| 10:00AM - 1:00PM | Explore opportunities with the Center for Energy & Environmental Education! | Rod Library Learning Commons (near Book Bistro) | Come pick up some snacks and prizes and learn about student volunteer and employment opportunities with UNI's Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE).
Hosted by UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | Bags and Best Buddies | Outside Maucker Union Rain Location: Inside Maucker | Stop by to play a round of bags, grab a popsicle, and learn more about UNI Best Buddies!
Hosted by UNI Best Buddies |
| 11:30AM - 1:30PM | St. Stephen's Taco Tuesday | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | FREE Walking Tacos! Stop by between classes or stick around for a while to play some yard games!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 4:00 - 6:00PM | Exercise Science Club - Sand Volleyball Tournament | Sand Volleyball Court on the West side of the WRC Rain Location: WRC Upstairs Courts 5 & 6 | Get ready to dive into our exciting, elimination-style matches, where teams battle it out on the sandy court for the top spot. Enjoy ice-cold soda, fantastic music, and non-stop fun.
Hosted by Exercise Science Club |
| 4:00 - 7:00PM | Panthers Downtown | River Place Plaza, Downtown Cedar Falls | Check out all that the Cedar Falls Downtown District has to offer! Take part in a scavenger hunt, score some exclusive deals, and have the chance to win gift certificates to Downtown. Free UNI tote bag to students while supplies last!
Map for the event and parking information at this link.
Hosted by Community Main Street and Student Success & Retention |
| 5:00 - 6:00PM | Connecting Through Cancer Session | Maucker Union Presidential Room | We will all be getting to know each other, share how the first day of classes was, and explain how our organization works!
Hosted by Connecting Through Cancer |
| 5:00 - 6:30PM | A Collaborative Event with English Club and UNICoTE | Bartlett Courtyard Rain Location: Bartlett 2055 | Join us to learn about more English Club and UNICoTE, two clubs for all people who love English, literature, reading, and writing. Join us for a night of fun and community as we start the new academic year! Hosted by English Club and UNICoTE |
| 5:00 - 8:00PM | Meet & Greet Tote Bag Painting | Lawther Field Rain Location: Hemisphere Lounge | Come join UNI Sorority Life for Tote Bag painting! This event is completely free and allows you to meet some of the wonderful women in our community - and allows us to meet you!
Hosted by UNI Sorority Life |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | BASIC Bags Tournament | Campanile Plaza | A bags tournament for all UNI students! Please join us at the campanile plaza for bags, music, pop, and some friendly competition!
Hosted by BASIC |
| 8:00PM | Chi Alpha Fall Launch | Lang Hall | Join us for our first large group gathering of the year! We will have worship, a message, and an after party! There will be FREE pizza, yard games, and an opportunity to join a small group! Hosted by Chi Alpha |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM | The MOVEment Open Practice | Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) Studio 176 | The MOVEment social justice (non-auditioned!!) hip-hop dance group will have open practices Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday this week! Come check out our style, meet some current members, & learn dance with us!
Hosted by The MOVEment |
Wednesday, August 28
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Mindful Room Open Hours | Student Health Center 005 | If at any point throughout the day, you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a calm space to relax, the Mindful Room is available for you to use during these hours. |
| 10:00AM - 2:00PM | The Wilson Hydration Station | Curris Business Building (CBB) Hall of Flags | Cool off and refresh with a hydrating drink from the Wilson College of Business! We will provide ingredients to create your own custom drink!
Hosted by Office for Professional Distinction |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | Study Abroad Burger Bash | The Learning Center 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 Study Abroad |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | SWS Open House | 109 Maucker Union in Upper Level Plaza | Come explore the Student Wellness Services space in the Upper Level Plaza of Maucker Union and discover your strengths with an activity. Stay tuned on our social media for more information.
Hosted by Student Wellness Services |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | Check out Green Dot and Get a Freeze Pop! | Outside Maucker Union | Green Dot is a bystander intervention program open to all of the UNI campus community to get involved. Stop by Green Dot’s table to learn more about Green Dot and get a freeze pop!
Hosted by Office of Civil Rights Compliance - Green Dot |
| 1:30 - 3:00PM | Celebrating the CNP & Community Engagement! | Rod Library Circular Desk | Students can come and grab a snack, sign-up to win a prize, and learn about the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) Credential, Community Engagement and the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.
Hosted by UNI Community Engagement |
| 3:00 - 4:00PM | History Welcome Party | Outside Seerley Hall, facing Sabin Hall Rain Location: Seerley 115 | Meet History faculty and students, enjoy free snacks and department treats, and learn more about History activities and organizations.
Hosted by Department of History |
| 3:30 - 4:30PM | Future Teacher Welcome! | Schindler Education Center 220 | Mandatory for all new students with a Teacher Education major. 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 |
| 4:00 - 6:00PM | JPEC Connect | Business & Community Services Building, 8120 Jennings Dr | Come explore the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and learn about the free services available to support you in starting or running your own business! This event is geared toward students new to the UNI JPEC & will include activities to help motivate & inspire you to tap into our successful network of entrepreneurs & resources in order to follow your own dreams....plus, it includes a free meal! We're excited to meet you!
Hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | Ice Cream Social | ThreeHouse Campus Ministries 2422 College St | Kick off Fall with FREE Ice Cream treats at ThreeHouse! Join us for games, food, music, a bonfire, and of course, all your favorite toppings!
Hosted by ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries |
| 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! Supplies provided.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention |
| 8:00 - 11:00PM | Outdoor Adoration Praise & Worship, Primetime & Popcorn Social | UNI Campanile | Join us for an evening of prayer, praise, and worship from 8:00-9:00pm, our Primetime church service with Archbishop Zinkula, and FREE popcorn social, starlight by the Campanile, and good company!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Thursday, August 29
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Mindful Room Open Hours | Student Health Center 005 | If at any point throughout the day, you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a calm space to relax, the Mindful Room is available for you to use during these hours. |
| 10:00AM - 1:00PM | Spectrum Bags & Stress Balls | Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Stop by to learn about Spectrum Buddies, decorate your own tote bag, and make a stress ball!
Hosted by UNI Spectrum Buddies |
| 11:00AM - 1:00PM | Check out Green Dot and Get a Freeze Pop! | Outside Maucker Union | Green Dot is a bystander intervention program open to all of the UNI campus community to get involved. Stop by Green Dot’s table to learn more about Green Dot and get a freeze pop!
Office of Civil Rights Compliance - Green Dot |
| 1:30 - 3:30PM | Get the Scoop on Philanthropy | SW Maucker Union Courtyard | 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 ice cream while supplies last!
Hosted by Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) |
| 3:30 - 4:30PM | Future Teacher Welcome! | Schindler Education Center 220 | Mandatory for all new students with a Teacher Education major. 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.
College of Education Advising & Teacher Education Success |
| 4:00 - 6:00PM | Meet & Greet Fun Fest | Maucker Union Ballroom A | Join UNI Sorority Life for one of our Meet and Greet Events! This event consists of a variety of games such as board games, life size games, just dance, and more! We cannot wait to meet you!
Hosted by UNI Sorority Life |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | Ice Cream Social | ThreeHouse Campus Ministries 2422 College St | Kick off Fall with FREE Ice Cream treats at ThreeHouse! Join us for games, food, music, a bonfire, and of course, all your favorite toppings!
Hosted by ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | Welcome Back Party Hosted by UNI Proud | Maucker Union 109P | Join Proud for a gathering to kick off the new school year! Refreshments and ice cream will be provided.
Hosted by UNI Proud |
| 5:00 - 7:00PM | KPMG Kickoff Picnic | Curris Business Building (CBB) South Lawn Rain Location: Commons Ballrooms | Come visit the Accounting Club on the Curris South Lawn as we host one of the Big 4 Public Accounting Firms at our kickoff event for the semester. This is a great way to meet new people and network with an amazing firm!
Hosted by the Accounting Club |
| 7:30PM | BASIC Kickoff | Orchard Hill Church | Come to our kickoff! We will have authentic worship, community, welcoming smiles, and free Try Pie! All are welcome, we hope to see you there!
Hosted by BASIC |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM | Salt Company Kickoff | Candeo Church | You wont want to miss the Salt Company Kickoff located at Candeo Church! Be sure to invite your friends for a night of fun including yard games, worshipping Jesus, FREE Chick-Fil-A and so much more! We can’t wait to see you there!
Hosted by The Salt Company |
| 8:30 - 10:30PM | Silent Disco | Maucker Union Ballrooms | Get your groove on at the silent disco dance party. Two DJs will be playing all your favorites and you can switch between the two on the silent disco headphones for whichever 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 |
| 8:00 - 10:00PM | The MOVEment Open Practice | Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) Studio 176 | The MOVEment social justice (non-auditioned!!) hip-hop dance group will have open practices Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday this week! Come check out our style, meet some current members, & learn dance with us!
Hosted by The MOVEment |
| 8:30 - 10:00PM | Capture the Flag | Lawther Field Rain Location: St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | Get your game face on - glow in the dark capture the flag is BACK! No registration required, just arrive ready for a good time!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
Friday, August 30
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Mindful Room Open Hours | Student Health Center 005 | If at any point throughout the day, you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a calm space to relax, the Mindful Room is available for you to use during these hours. |
| 12:00 - 1:00PM | Carillon Lunch Concert on the Campanile | UNI Campanile | Join the UNI Guild of Carillonneurs for our first lunch concert of the semester on the Campanile! Join us for fan favorites and some fun tunes to celebrate the end of the first week of classes :)
Hosted by the UNI Guild of Carillonneurs |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | Watermelon and Volleyball | St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center | FREE Watermelon and Volleyball social! Meet some great people, hydrate, and help carry your team to victory!
Hosted by St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center |
| 7:00 - 8:00PM | Recess Games! | Lawther Field | Join us to play some classic "recess games" from childhood (e.g. Simon Says & Rock, Paper, Scissors & More!) Come and bring your friends for some fun!
|
| 6:00 - 8:00PM | 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 |
Saturday, August 31
| Time | Event | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 - 3:30PM | Oaks International Football Tailgate | Lawther Field | Wear your favorite UNI gear and join us for free pizza, Coke, & other tailgate snacks as we play yard games and gear up for the first UNI football game of the season. Come support the Panthers with us and walk over to the Dome to pack the student section before the game. Free for any UNI student.
Hosted by Oaks International |
| 4:00PM | UNI Football vs. Valparaiso | UNI Dome | Cheer on the Panthers for the first home game of the season! All you need to get in is your student ID. |