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 orientation@uni.edu at least one week prior to the event.
Check out the upcoming Fall 2026 schedule below!
Fall 2026 Schedule
- Saturday, August 22
Time Event Location Event Details 9:00 - 10:00AM Fitness Class
Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) 84 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
10:00AM - 2:00PM Panthers Downtown
River Place Plaza 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 while supplies last!
Shuttles will be available from campus to downtown and back - buses will pick up/drop off at the Admissions Welcome Center on campus.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention and Cedar Falls Downtown District
10:00AM - 12:00PM Smoothies at Seerley
Seerley Park Join us at Seerley Park for free smoothies, yard games and to make connections with current and new students!
12:00PM - 4:00PM Panther Disc Golf Tournament
Tourist Park, Cedar Falls The UNI Disc Golf Team is hosting an 18-hole disc golf tournament at Tourist Park for all UNI students. Bring your own discs or borrow some from club members, and compete for great prizes awarded to the top three finishers.
1:00 - 4:00PM Discover Scuba
Leisure Pool at the Wellness and Recreation Center Recreation Services will host a 3 hour Discover Scuba experience. If you have never tried scuba but are interested in it or interested in taking our PADI Scuba class in September come over and try it out!
Hosted by UNI Recreation Services.
1:00 - 5:00PM Paddle on the Pond
Panther Pond Come paddle on the Pond's just north of the Wellness and Recreation Center.
Hosted by UNI Recreation Services.
5:30 - 8:30PM Chi Alpha Chick-Fil-A Party
Fileds Behind McLeod Center Join us for FREE CHICK-FIL-A sandwiches, sides, and drinks! Hang out, play yard games, and meet other students before the semester gets going. Whether you're new to campus or just looking to make some new friends, this is the perfect way to kick off the new year! 7:00 - 9:00PM BINGO
Maucker Union Coffeehouse & Ballrooms Try your luck at BINGO for your chance to win awesome prizes such as legos, kindles, smart TVs, and more!
Hosted by Student Success & Retention
9:00 - 11:00PM Salt Co. Pancake Party
9319 University Ave. Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Picture this: Free pancakes all night long, volleyball, bags, and spikeball ready to be played, and then people wrestling in pancake batter!! It's a super fun event and a great way to meet new people and get connected! Hope to see you there!
Hosted by The Salt Company Student Fellowship
9:00 - 11:00PM Comedian Ryan Kelly
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center Ryan Kelly is a stand-up comedian and storyteller who jokes that he looks like a youth pastor—but instead of sermons, he delivers hilarious deep dives into forgotten history, bizarre true stories, and unexpected rabbit holes. With more than 8 million followers, he's made the strange side of history laugh-out-loud entertaining. - Sunday, August 23
Time Event Location Event Details 11:30AM - 1:00PM Back to School Sunday
Sent Church 4421 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613 Join us at Sent Church at 10:30 AM for worship and biblical teaching. After service, stick around for FREE food from local food trucks, raffles, games, and a chance to meet new friends!
Hosted by Chi Alpha Campus Ministry
1:00PM - 2:00PM CSBS Cookie Social
Sabin Hall Atrium Kick off the new academic year with cookies, conversation and community. Join the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences as we welcome our new faculty and celebrate the return of all our students, faculty and staff. Families are welcome.
Hosted by UNI College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
2:00 - 4:00PM Orchesis Fall Auditions
Wellness Recreation Center (WRC) Room 187 Orchesis is a modern based dance company that started in 1926. We also dance in many different styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, etc! No dance experience is required. If you have any questions or can't make auditions, email us at orchesisuni@gmail.com
Hosted by Orchesis Dance Company
4:00 - 5:00PM UNI Panther Pacers
Maucker Union SW Courtyard The Panther Pacers is a welcoming club for any runner from your casual jogger to a competitive racer. It is a great way to relieve academic stress and make lots of new running friends. Afternoon/Evening Dorm House Meetings
Various Locations 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 and where your specific house/hall will be gathering.
8:00 - 9:00PM Salt Company Freshmen Welcome
Maucker Union Ballroom Come join us on Sunday, August 24th at 8pm for our Freshmen Welcome in the Maucker Union Ballroom. We'll have worship, teaching, a chance for you to meet people and get connected in a small group, and Texas Roadhouse Rolls!
Hosted by The Salt Company Student Fellowship
- Monday, August 24
Time Event Location Event Details 7:30AM - 1:00PM 1st Day Photo & Direction Booths
Various Locations Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class for the 2025-2026 academic year! You can also stop by these tents to help you find your way to class, just look for the purple and gold pop up tents around campus.
8:00AM - 12:00PM Sweet to be Back
Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic Lobby Celebrate the start of the semester with a sweet treat! Stop by the clinic lobby to grab a cookie before heading to class.
Hosted by UNI NSSLHA and CSD Department
11:00AM - 1:00PM Pop-in for Popcorn
Wellness and Recreation Center 203
Schindler Education Center Lobby
UNI Child Development Center
Need a quick snack between classes? Pop in during Welcome Week to grab a free bag of popcorn and customize it with your favorite toppings. No presentation, no sign-up, just free popcorn while supplies last!
Hosted by UNI College of Education.
11:00AM - 2:00PM Sorority Life's First Day of Class Party
Maucker Union Rooftop Enjoy yard games & hang out with sorority life!
Hosted by Sorority Life
11:30AM - 12:45PM Happy 150th Birthday, UNI!
Maucker Union SW Courtyard Celebrate the start of a new academic year and 150 years of shared history. Sign our birthday card to UNI and grab a cupcake while supplies last.
Hosted by UNI Sesquicentennial Steering Committee
12:45 - 3:00PM Sips & Services
Student Health Center Need a pick-me-up? Stop by the Student Health Center's coffee and dirty soda bar for drinks and discover the health and wellness services available to support you.
Hosted by the Student Health Center
1:00 - 3:00PM Float into the School Year
Maucker Union Coffeehouse Float into the school year on a sweet note! Join us on the first day of class for a campus-wide Open House event to enjoy root beer floats and connect with the UNI community. All faculty, staff, and students are invited!
Hosted by the Division of Student Life and the President's Office
5:00 - 6:00PM UNI Debate Team Informational Meeting
Lang 218 Please join us for Domino's Pizza during our yearly informational meeting where you can learn about the team and what we do! 5:00 - 7:00PM UNI Men's Club Soccer Tryouts
UNI Recreation Services Field UNI Men's Club Soccer is a competitive student organization that competes under the USCCS League against other collegiate club teams. This is our tryouts for the Falls 2026 season. We will narrow down the roster as tryouts go on to get to a maximum roster size of 30 players.
- Tuesday, August 25
Time Event Location Event Details 7:30AM - 1:00PM 1st Day Photo & Direction Booths
Various Locations Snap a picture on your way to class to commemorate your first day of class for the 2025-2026 academic year! You can also stop by these tents to help you find your way to class, just look for the purple and gold pop up tents around campus.
8:00AM - 12:00PM CSD Goodie Bags
Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic Stop by the clinic lobby grab a free, CSD-themed goodie bag and celebrate the new academic year! Just drop in between classes to snag your goodies before supplies run out. 11:00AM - 1:00PM Pop-in for Popcorn
Wellness and Recreation Center 203
Schindler Education Center Lobby
UNI Child Development Center
Need a quick snack between classes? Pop in during Welcome Week to grab a free bag of popcorn and customize it with your favorite toppings. No presentation, no sign-up, just free popcorn while supplies last!
Hosted by UNI College of Education.
12:00- 2:00PM Civil Rights and Bites
Gilchrist 117 The Office of Civil Rights Compliance is hosting an open house. Stop by to learn more about OCRC, meet the staff, take some giveaways, and get a treat!
Hosted by the Office of Civil Rights Compliance
5:00 - 6:00PM Envision your 26-27 School Year with SSWA
ROD Library 287 Join SSWA at our first event of the semester! We'll be introducing our club along with our executive board officers. After, we'll give students the opportunity to create vision boards for this upcoming school year! 5:00 - 6:00PM Service & Sip
Sabin 024 Drink dirty sodas & learn more about Women in Public Service 5:00 - 7:00PM UNI Applied Engineering Shoecase
Applied Engineering Building: John Deere Corridor
Join all of our clubs in the department of Applied Engineering in the Applied Engineering Building to see what we do! Drop by our interactive booths to meet club officers, check out project demos, and learn how you can get hands-on experience in manufacturing, automation, controls, and design this year. No experience required - all majors are welcome! 7:00 - 9:00PM Bowling
Maple Lanes Come down for a fun evening of bowling! Free bowling, shoe & ball rental for UNI students.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention
8:00 - 10:00PM Chi Alpha Fall Launch
Sent Church, 4421 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613 Join us as we kick off the semester with our first large group service of the year! We'll have worship and a Bible-centered message. After Service, join us for our Small Group Launch where we'll have FREE pizza, drinks, and games. Come find your community and kick off the semester with Chi Alpha! - Wednesday, August 26
Time Event Location Event Details 10:00AM- 1:00PM Wilson Hydration Station
Curris Business Building Hall of Flags Join us in the Hall of Flags to cool off and refresh with a hydrating drink from the Wilson College of Business! 10:00AM- 12:30PM Fuel and Fun with Esports and RTNL
Wellness and Recreation Center 203 Stop by to play Super Mario, grab some snacks and learn about about Esports Administration and Recreation, Tourism, Nonprofit leadership programs. 11:00AM - 1:00PM Pop-in for Popcorn
Wellness and Recreation Center 203
Schindler Education Center Lobby
UNI Child Development Center
Need a quick snack between classes? Pop in during Welcome Week to grab a free bag of popcorn and customize it with your favorite toppings. No presentation, no sign-up, just free popcorn while supplies last!
Hosted by UNI College of Education.
11:00AM- 2:00PM Welcome Rally
Maucker Union Ballrooms The Welcome Rally is designed to connect incoming and returning students with the best local businesses, services, and opportunities in Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Join hundreds of UNI students for the ultimate campus kickoff experience: featuring local restaurants, coffee shops, student services, giveaways, and exclusive deals from Cedar Valley businesses. 11:00AM- 1:00PM Bites and Flights
The Learning Center at Rod Library Kick off your semester with the Study Abroad Center! Meet past participants, connect with our staff, and explore programs that can take your UNI experience worldwide. Food provided!
Hosted by the Study Abroad Center
11:30- 1:30PM Civil Rights and Bites
Gilchrist 117 The Office of Civil Rights Compliance is hosting an open house. Stop by to learn more about OCRC, meet the staff, take some giveaways, and get a treat!
Hosted by the Office of Civil Rights Compliance
12:30- 3:00PM We're All Better as Buddies!
Table Inside Maucker Union Visit our table to learn more about our chapter's mission of fostering inclusion and friendships on campus while making personalized bracelets or keychains!
Hosted by UNI Best Buddies
3:00- 4:00PM History Welcome Party
Lawn Outside of Seerley Hall Kick off the academic year with the Department of History, snacks, and swag! Welcome new students, meet up with old friends, and visit with department faculty..
Hosted by the History Department
3:00- 5:00PM Sips & Scrapbooking
Lang Lawn (East Side) Take a break and kick off the semester with us! Join us on the Lang Lawn for a fun afternoon filled with a build-your-own lemonade bar, a photo station to capture your first week memories, and a chance to create your own custom scrapbook page. Plus, enjoy a variety of other fun crafts with friends!
Hosted by PRSSA
3:30- 4:30PM Future Teacher Welcome
McCollum Science Hall 137 Future Teacher Welcome is for all new teaching majors to help introduce you to the Teacher Education program! This event is required.
Hosted by the College of Education CATS
4:00PM - 5:00PM Why Are We Here? Beginning Discussion of the Philosophy Club
Seerley Hall We will discuss our thoughts about and reasons for being here (at the university, in Cedar Falls, or Iowa, or the US, or on the face of the earth, or anywhere at all), while taking a walk through campus trails beginning at Seerley Hall. During this meeting we'll also be going over the club's planned activities this semester, as well as some of the philosophy courses offered here at UNI.
Hosted by the Philosophy Club
4:00- 6:00PM JPEC Connect
Business and Community Services Building: 8120 Jennings Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50614 Interested in entrepreneurship? Build your foundation at JPEC Connect! Join us for an evening of food, fun, and networking open to all incoming freshmen and transfer students! Meet our team, connect with fellow students, and learn about the programming we offer throughout the year, including guest speakers, events, mentorship, and connections with successful UNI JPEC alumni.
Hosted by JPEC
5:00- 7:00PM Cone-nect with AAU
Maucker Union Kick off the semester with a free snow cone and get to know the AAUW UNI Student Chapter! Stop by to meet new people, learn about our organization, and discover opportunities to get involved in leadership, service, and advocating for equity on campus.
Hosted by The American Association of University Women
6:00- 10:00PM Panther's Den
Maucker Union Gaming Lounge UNI Esports presents their weekly Super Smash Ultimate weekly! Stop by for competitive smash experience and meet some awesome people! 7:00- 9:00PM Crafty Cats
Maucker Union Ballrooms Come get your craft on and make a fun sign for your dorm room or wherever inspiration strikes. Whatever your imagination thinks of, it is sure to be a great time! All supplies provided. 7:00- 9:00PM Ultimate Frisbee Scrimmage
Intramural Fields Open Scrimmage hosted by the UNI Ultimate Frisbee Team. All skill levels welcome! 7:30 - 8:30PM ThreeHouse Wednesday Worship
ThreeHouse (2422 College St., across from the President's house) Our first Wednesday Worship of the school year! Join us as we start our series on welcoming questions about faith and spirituality. - Thursday, August 27
Time Event Location Event Details 10:00AM - 9:00PM Panther Esports Overwatch Tryouts
Panther Gaming Lounge in Maucker Union This event is for anyone with interest in joining the UNI Esports Overwatch Team. It is open to everyone of any skill level and will be hosted both online through the Panther Esports discord and in person at the gaming lounge. 11:00AM - 1:00PM Pop-in for Popcorn
Wellness and Recreation Center 203
Schindler Education Center Lobby
UNI Child Development Center
Need a quick snack between classes? Pop in during Welcome Week to grab a free bag of popcorn and customize it with your favorite toppings. No presentation, no sign-up, just free popcorn while supplies last!
Hosted by UNI College of Education.
3:30- 4:30PM Future Teacher Welcome
McCollum Science Hall 137 Future Teacher Welcome is for all new teaching majors to help introduce you to the Teacher Education program! This event is required.
Hosted by the College of Education CATS
4:00 - 6:00PM UNI Soccer vs. St. Ambrose
UNI Athletics Soccer Field Come out and support your UNI Panther Soccer team! There will be FREE pizza for students while supplies last! 5:00 - 7:00PM KPMG Kickoff
Curris Business Building South Lawn The UNI Accounting Club is partnering with the Big 4 CPA Firm KPMG to host our kickoff event for the school year! We will be providing hamburgers and networking opportunities with your fellow students and professionals. 6:00 - 8:00PM CEC Paint and Sip
Schindler 218 Learn about the Council for Exceptional Children while sipping dirty sodas and painting canvases! 6:00 - 8:00PM Mega Game Night with ThreeHouse
Maucker Union (Coffeeouse Area) Come play mega-sized versions of classic games, win their mini-sized versions! 7:00 - 8:30PM Disney Trivia
The Learning Center in ROD Library Test your magic and crown your inner nerd at our Disney Trivia Night, featuring classic movie rounds, character name-that-tune, and grand prizes for top-scoring teams.
Hosted by Student Success & Retention
7:00 - 8:30PM BASIC Worship Community Kickoff
Lawther Field Come and check out BASIC Worship Community's kickoff! There will be an encouraging message, worship, games and pie shakes! We would love to see you there! 7:30 - 9:30PM The Salt Company Kickoff
Candeo Church 1405 Greenhill Rd. Cedar Falls, IA 50613 We would love for you to join us for our Kickoff service! We will have teaching from the Bible, worship, fun games, and FREE CHICK-FIL-A! 9:30 - 11:30PM Lunar Eclipse and Star Gazing
Old West Gym Lawn (South of Schindler Education Center) Join UNI astronomers in viewing the night sky, as well as a nearly total eclipse of the Moon. Telescopes will be on hand with which to observe the lunar eclipse’s progression, and various stars and constellations will be pointed out. If you are not able to see the Moon with your eyes, due to overcast skies or rain, this event will be canceled. - Friday, August 28
Time Event Location Event Details 11:00AM - 1:00PM Pop-in for Popcorn
Wellness and Recreation Center 203
Schindler Education Center Lobby
UNI Child Development Center
Need a quick snack between classes? Pop in during Welcome Week to grab a free bag of popcorn and customize it with your favorite toppings. No presentation, no sign-up, just free popcorn while supplies last!
Hosted by UNI College of Education.
4:00 - 6:00PM Beat the Esports President! Rocket League 1vs1s
Maucker Union Gaming Lounge The Panther Esports President is challenging any student to beat him in his game of choice: Rocket League. Bring your controller and see if your carball skills are better than our President! 7:00 - 9:00PM Silent Disco
Maucker Union Ballrooms Come down for a fun evening dancing with Silent Disco!
Hosted by Student Success & Retention
8:00 - 10:00PM Chi Alpha Glow Party
Sent Church, 4421 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613 Celebrate the end of your first week back at school! We'll have bonfires, s'mores, and glow in the dark games! - Saturday, August 29
Time Event Location Event Details To Be Added