2022 Welcome Week
Main Content
Schedule of Events
Schedule information is tentative and subject to change.
Thursday, August 18
Illinois Sights & Sounds and Illinois Traditions
Date: Thursday, August 18
Time: 6:30 pm doors open; 7:30 pm event starts
Location: Memorial Stadium
Come and join other new students beginning their journey at Illinois for an evening of fun and traditions. Illinois Sights & Sounds is one of many programs that introduce students to what it means to be an Illini and that you, the student, are Illinois. During Illinois Sights & Sounds, you will also begin to learn songs and chants sang at athletic events or as a greeting when you see another Illini!
Friday, August 19
New Student Convocation
Date: Friday, August 19
Time: 10:00 am doors open; 11:00 am event starts
Location: State Farm Center
New Student Convocation is a ceremony to welcome new incoming undergraduate students to the University of Illinois and marks the official beginning of your entry into our community. Your RA will guide you to the program but be sure to arrive early! You’ll want to get a great seat! Immediately following, you’ll head out to the tailgating lots for lunch at the Welcome Celebration! We’ll then have a parade across campus for you to attend your individual college receptions.
College Meetings
Date: Friday, August 19
See list below for times and locations
Get ready to start your academic journey with your new college mates while meeting and learning more about the college you belong to. Hear from the dean of the college and other senior level administrators as they introduce you to the various opportunities available to you.
- Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences (ACES): 2:00 pm – Lawn between Mumford Hall, ACES library, Ag Engineering & Science Building (AESB) and the McFarland Bell Tower
- Applied Health Sciences (AHS): 1:30 pm – Huff Hall Gym
- Division of General Studies (DGS): 2:00 pm – Ice Arena (front entry) 406 E. Armory Ave, Champaign
- College of Education: 2:00 pm – Courtyard area of building
- Fine and Applied Arts (FAA): 1:30 pm – Temple Buell Hall, 611 Lorado Dr, Champaign (any entrance of building)
- Gies College of Business: Please join us for the Gies College of Business New Student Welcome, in Lincoln Hall. You will have the opportunity to meet your fellow classmates, receive a limited-edition T-shirt, meet the Deans of Gies, win prizes, and so much more. You will be assigned a certain time to arrive at this event. An email will be sent to your University of Illinois email address with your assigned time of arrival. If you have any question, please contact Michel Watkins at michelaw@illinois.edu.
- The Grainger College of Engineering: Engineering students will receive an email sharing with them specific information about Launch! Quest
- Information School (iSchool) HUB : 2:00 pm – 614 E. Daniel St, Room 4045 (next to Bookstore)
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: 1:30 pm – Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Great Hall Theater – 500 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
- College of Media: 1:30-3:00 pm – Sixth Street Lawn, tents will be located on the grassy area bordered by the Siebel Center for Design, BIF, 6th Street, and the Krannert Art Museum.
- School of Social Work 2:00 pm – School of Social Work, 1010 W. Nevada St, Urbana
Illini Union LateNighter
Date: Friday, August 19
Time: 8:00 pm – Midnight
Location: Illini Union
Grab your roommate and come have a blast with music, games, an illusionist/magician, comedy, food, giveaways, bowling, billiards, karaoke, bingo, and more - all for free! It's your chance to explore the Illini Union and see why it is the center of campus activity and involvement. For all Illini Union Welcome Week events visit go.illinois.edu/WelcomeWeek.
Saturday, August 20
OMSA Welcome Seminar
The annual OMSA Welcome Seminar is the only time that we invite your entire cohort of new OMSA students to learn about our services, meet our amazing staff, and to get to know one another. We will discuss our Advising & Mentoring, Tutoring, and TRIO services, give out OMSA gear, and provide a space to meet and get to know other students from all across campus. Make sure to RSVP.
G.R.I.T. (Guiding Resilient Illinois Transfers)
Join us as you start your Illini Journey while accessing some great resources and opportunities during G.R.I.T.! Get a chance to interact with and hear from your Illini Transfer Ambassadors, discover ways to critically think about your mindset as you prepare for your first year at Illinois, have an opportunity to connect with fellow transfer students and peers, and begin your journey as a part of the Illini Family!
Illini Frenzy
Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Lot E-24 (West side of ARC)
Booths will be stationed in the lot for students to receive information and free giveaways from various departments and businesses. Activities, food trucks and more will be onsite for students to enjoy. The first 2,000 students will also receive a FREE Illini Frenzy t-shirt. Come out and join the fun!
Office of Undergraduate Research
Date: Saturday, August 20
Times: 11:00 am-12:30 pm; 1:00-2:30 pm; and 3:00-4:30 pm
Location: Illini Bookstore Building, Conference Room 514
Register: Register Now
Welcome incoming freshman to the University of Illinois! Undergraduate research is widely recognized as one of the highest-impact experiences that a student can have during their time at university, but we know it can be intimidating. Join the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) to address any concerns you may have about research, discuss how your interests are reflected in research around campus, and create your plan to get started!
Campus Tours
Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: Noon – 4:00 pm (last tour will leave Anniversary Plaza at 4:00 pm)
Location: Anniversary Plaza (Quad side of the Union)
Excited to learn about campus? Meet one of our Orientation Leaders and get ready to become more familiar with campus. Make sure you bring your class schedule!
Wake-Up Call
Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Foellinger Auditorium
Kick off your year with BNAACC's 100 STRONG retention program!! Wake Up Call is an introduction to Black undergraduate student life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Black Cultural Center and student organization involvement opportunities. This high energy event boasts cultural performances and Black cultural traditions. This year's theme is Unapologetically 100 STRONG!
Doors open at 2:30 pm! Arrive early to get a FREE t-shirt, while supplies last!
Food, film, and fun
Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: 6:00 – 11:00 pm
Fun Event Location: Illini Union
Movie Location: Illini Union Room C
Food Trucks Location: Gregory Street, Urbana
Weather Changes: Due to rain/storms in the forecast for Saturday evening, the "Food, film and fun" event has been moved indoors. The fun event will be held in the Illini Union, the movie will be shown in the Illini Union Room C, and food trucks will be available outside on Gregory Street.
What is more fun and exciting than having a Block Party with your incoming classmates? Not much! So come grab dinner from one of the local food trucks (food purchase is your expense), play a few games with some friends and grab a cool dessert from a local vendor. Afterwards, join the Illini Union Board (IUB) in the Illini Union Room C to watch the summer blockbuster "Spiderman: No Way Home"!
Sunday, August 21
Transfer Student Orientation
We understand that transferring to a new institution has its nerve wracking and challenging moments, especially in our current times. However, with our virtual Transfer Student Orientation, we hope that you will be able to gain some insight into new resources and information that will help you prepare to begin your Illinois journey!
Quad Day
Date: Sunday, August 21
Time: Noon – 4:00 pm
Location: Main Quad
Looking to get involved while on your journey at Illinois? Quad Day is a great opportunity to meet with current student leaders from registered student organizations (RSOs) here on campus. Our Main Quad will be full of information booths from social orgs, professional orgs, and everything in between! Be sure to download the Illinois mobile app and get the Quad Day map!
More Events
Paleta Social
Date: Monday, August 22
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: La Casa
Open House – Native American House
Date: Wednesday, August 24
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Native American House
Diversity & Social Justice Education
Date: Monday, August 29
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location: University YMCA
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center
Date: Tuesday, August 30
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: Illini Union 314B
Welcome B(l)ack BBQ
Date: Wednesday, August 31
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
Welcome/Open House – Asian American Cultural Center & International Education
Date: Thursday, September 1
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: Asian American Cultural Center