Thursday, August 20
Schedule information is tentative and subject to change.
All programs are designed specifically for new incoming students.
***All giveaways and prizes are available while supplies last.***
Transfer Student Welcome Week Events
When: Thursday, August 20 - Sunday, August 23
Where: See Schedule HERE
Who: New Transfer Students
We encourage all new transfer students to attend campus-wide Welcome Week events throughout the week, while also taking advantage of these transfer-specific programs designed to help you build connections, discover resources, and feel at home at Illinois.
Sensory Guide Key
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Graduate School Welcome, School of Social Work
When: 8:00am-12:30pm.
Where: iHotel, Illinois Ballroom B & C, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign
Who: New School of Social Work graduate students
We are excited to bring together School of Social Work graduate students from our MSW and PhD programs for a morning of connection and community. Come meet faculty, build relationships with peers, and enjoy breakfast as we kick off the year together.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Ask Anything
When: 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: English Building Lawn (Off the West side of the Main Quad)
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Ask Me" flags!
Who: All New Students
Need help finding a Welcome Week event? Have questions about campus and need help finding the answer? Stop by our "Ask Anything" table where our Orientation Team will be waiting to answer your questions! Look for our table outside the English Building off the Main Quad!
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Puzzle Party
When: 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Grainger Library-Grainger Commons (233-235): 1301 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Join our Orientation Team members and other new students for a puzzle party! Put together puzzles, complete a sticker by number, or take advantage of the opportunity to color something for your room!
- Social Interaction
Club Connections
When: 10:00am-11:00am
Where: Main Library-Orange Room: 1408 W. Gregory Dr., Champaign
****Bring your laptop or tablet to use during the session if you have one!
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Interested in learning about Registered Student Organizations at Illinois? Our Orientation Team is ready to help you get connected with organizations and plan your Quad day!
- Social Interaction
Sustainability Walking Tour
When: 10:00am-11:00am
Where: Red Oak Rain Garden (start); Boneyard Creek at Engineering Quad (end)
Who: All New Students
Come join the EcoReps, student sustainability ambassadors, to partake in a Campus Sustainability Walking Tour! The tour will feature an approximate hour long walk across campus, offering the opportunity to learn more about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's green initiatives and how you can become involved. Registration not required, but students can register here.
Native Plant Gardens
When: 10:00am-11:00am
Where: Lincoln Avenue Residence (LAR) Hall (outside main entrance), 1003 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana
Who: All New Students
Take a stroll with us to see and experience the native plant gardens around LAR Dorm that students take care of, and learn about sustainable landscapes on campus that support pollinators, wildlife, and people. We will be outdoors - dress for the weather and bring water. Meet in front of the main entrance to LAR.
The Basics of Research at Illinois
When: 10:00-11:30am
Where: Location Varies, Check Registration Link!
Who: All New Students
Undergraduate research is widely recognized as one of the highest-impact experiences that a student can have during their time at university, but it can be intimidating to navigate the research landscape. Join the Office of Undergraduate Research to address any concerns you may have about research, discuss how your interests are reflected in research around campus, and create a plan to get involved!
Register to attend here.
Social Interaction
Schedule Scouting
When: 10:00am-12:00pm
*All Schedule Scouting walking tours will be leaving at approximately 10:15am and ending by 12:00pm
Where: Foellinger Auditorium Forecourt: 709 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (off the Main Quad)
Who: All New Students
Feeling anxious about finding where your classes are located? Want to discover the quickest route from one class to the next?... Then join our Orientation Team members as they help you discover where your classes will be located on campus. Bring your schedule and meet us at on of these locations. Look for an Orientation Leader in a White Illinois t-shirt.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Testing the Waters
When: 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Chem Annex 2nd Floor: 601 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Nervous for computer-based test taking? The Computer Based Testing Facility is here to help. Come to our testing facilities to play games, earn prizes by completing fun tests, and get comfortable with our testing facilities before exams even begin!
- Social Interaction
Bump - Set - Connect!
When: 10:30am-12:00pm
Where: Outdoor Center Playfields-Sand Volleyball Courts 1-3 at Stadium St. & Oak St.
Who: All New Students
Come play volleyball and connect with other new Students and the Orientation Team at the Sand Volleyball Courts! Ask our Orientation Team about how you can book an outdoor court.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Social Soccer
When: 10:30am-12:00pm
Where: Outdoor Center Playfields-Turf Fields at Stadium St. & Oak St.
Who: All New Students
Come play soccer and connect with other new Students and the Orientation Team at the Outdoor Center Playfields!
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Hoops & Hellos
When: 10:30am-12:00pm
Where: Outdoor Center Playfields-Basketball Courts at Stadium St. & Oak St.
Who: All New Students
Come play soccer and connect with other new Students and the Orientation Team at the Outdoor Center Playfields!
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Game Gathering
When: 10:30am-12:00pm
Where: 2 Locations (choose 1!)
1. Siebel Center for Design-Starlight Room: 1208 S. 4th Street, Champaign
2. Grainger Library-Lower Level: 1301 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Come enjoy some relaxing board games and card games with your fellow new students at one of the above locations!
- Social Interaction
Connection Creations
When: 10:30am-12:00pm
Where: Siebel Center for Design-Sunrise Studio : 1208 S. 4th Street, Champaign
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Get crafty at the Siebel Center for Design! Meet other new students and create something special to represent your first few days at the University of Illinois.
- Social Interaction
Air Force ROTC New Student Orientation Process
When: 11:00am-3:00pm
Where: Huff Hall-Room 112: 1206 S. Fourth Street, Champaign
New Student Orientation Process, located in Huff Hall 112, is an event where new students looking to join Air Force ROTC can come meet cadets, ask questions about the program, and start the paperwork required to enroll in Air Force ROTC. The documents cadets need to bring are:
- Official birth certificate (not photo copies)
- Original Social Security Card (not photo copies)
- AFROTC Form 28-Pre-Paticipatory Sports Physical
- Civil Involvement Documentation
- WINGS Password
- Transcripts from previous college or dual-credit (unofficial/screen shots are acceptable)
- ACT/SAT scores (official, screen shot-not required)
Acing your Academics
When: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Where: Main Library-Orange Room: 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Champaign
****Bring your laptop or tablet to use during the session if you have one!
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Have questions about the differences between academic expectations of high school vs. college? Wondering how to be successful in the college classroom? Meet with our Orientation Team student panel to get tips for how to navigate academic life at the university.
- Social Interaction
Check Out Campus Sustainability
When: 1:00-1:45pm
Where: National Soybean Research Center, room 337, 1101 W. Peabody Dr, Urbana
Who: All New Students
Kick off Welcome Week with sustainability! Meet EcoReps, our student sustainability ambassadors, learn about easy ways to make a difference on campus, and discover fun ways to get involved. Bring your questions and leave with new ideas for making your Illini experience a little greener!
Social Interaction
Club Connections
When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Siebel Center for Design-Sunrise Studio: 1208 S. Fourth Street, Champaign
****Bring your laptop or tablet to use during the session if you have one!
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Interested in learning about Registered Student Organizations at Illinois? Our Orientation Team is ready to help you get connected with organizations and plan your Quad day!
- Social Interaction
Leisurely Lawn Games
When: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where: South Quad Bell Tower (Off Gregory St. in Urbana)
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Join the Orientation Team and come play some lawn games! Test your skills in Spike Ball and Bags, or just throw around a frisbee or football and get to know other new students!
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Resources Road Map
When: 2:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Main Library-Orange Room: 1408 W. Gregory Dr., Champaign
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Are you curious about the resources that are available to you on campus? Let our Orientation Team introduce you to the resources that you might need as a new student at the University of Illinois.
- Social Interaction
Family Send-Off Event
When: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Illini Union Anniversary Plaza (On the Main Quad Side): 1401 W. Green St., Urbana
Who: All New Students & Families
This is a casual event designed for families to say their good-byes before leaving campus. We know saying your “see ya later” can be hard, so we hope you will join us in celebrating this next chapter in your families’ stories! After you move your student in to their new residence hall, stop by Anniversary Plaza and enjoy performances from student groups, giveaways, and light snacks.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
Study Spots
When: 3:00pm-4:30pm
*All Study Spots walking tours will be leaving at approximately 3:15pm and ending by 4:30pm
Where: 3 Meeting Locations (choose 1!)
- Main Library Gregory Street Entrance: 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Champaign
- Funk Library: 1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
- Grainger Library: 1301 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Already trying to scope out the best spots to study on campus? Join our Orientation Team members as they show you some of the best spots to create, work, and study on campus! Look for an Orientation Leader in a White Illinois t-shirt.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
LabEscape
When: 4:00-10:00pm (Register for a time!)
Where: LabEscape Mission Control, Rm 1262
Digital Computing Lab1304 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Who: All Students
LabEscape is the world's only science-based escape room (though absolutely no science background needed!), now with a new mission-Dark Matter Disaster! This recreation activity is great fun for family and friends, with a 98% 5-star ratings! Normally $8/student, but this week if you use code WELCOME2026, your mission will be free!
Sign-up for a time here.
- Social Interaction
Illinois Sights & Sounds
When: Doors Open at 6:30pm
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium: 1402 S. First Street, Champaign
Who: All New Students
Come and join other new students for an evening of fun and traditions. During Illinois Sights & Sounds, you will begin to learn songs and chants that are part of athletic events and that are used as a greeting when you see another Illini! Come to Sights & Sounds, get your free orange t-shirt and take your class photo on the field!
- Large Group
- Stairs
- Bright & Flashing Lights
- Loud Noises
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Sensory Guide Key
- Large Group Event attendees may number in the hundreds.
- Stairs Stair usage is required to access at least portions of the event.
- Bright & Flashing Lights This event may include visual stimulation such as bright lights, colors, or flashing/strobe lights.
- Loud Noises This event may include auditory stimulation such as extra loud sounds, music, and cheers.
- Social Interaction Event may include group activities, handshakes, and/or speaking or expression.
- Distance Getting to or participating in this event may require traveling longer physical distance (greater than 0.5 mile).
Closed Caption Available This event includes live closed captioning available on event screens.
Request for Accommodation
If you need disability related accommodations, please contact Gretchen Forman at 217-333-4057 or gforman@illinois.edu. Accommodations include but are not limited to an ASL interpreter, live captioning, and transportation. Questions can be sent to newstudent@illinois.edu.