Fall Orientation / Welcome Week
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Fall Orientation / Welcome Week is designed to help you get to know campus better and introduce you to the numerous academic and social opportunities available. We are still in the process of putting the finishing touches on our 2020 schedule.
International Students please check the ISSS web page for check-in/programming.
Download the Illinois App to your mobile device
This app will give you access to the Fall Orientation / Welcome Week Schedule and many important university resources.
2020 Schedule of Events
Schedule information is tentative and subject to change. Face coverings and social distancing will be required.
Thursday, August 20
PlayFair
Date: Thursday, August 20
Registration: Register Now
Join us for PlayFair! Playfair Online is a high-spirited, high-energy event that allows your new students to safely engage and laugh with one another as a large group, as well as in many quick changing breakout rooms.
With virtual teammates your students will participate together in various mental and physical activities that will have them feel excited about their new campus community. The extroverts and introverts will have fun! Space is limited to the first 980 people. So sign-up fast to guarantee your spot! Please note: Registration will close at 11:59 pm, Wednesday, August 19. The link for registration will be emailed to all registrants by 10 am, Thursday, August 20.
Friday, August 21
Virtual Yoga
Health and Wellness are an important to maintaining balance. Come join the Orientation Leaders along with staff from Campus Recreation in Virtual Yoga. Registration will close at 4:30 pm, Thursday, August 20 and the link will be emailed to all registrants by 7 pm!
College Meeting: College of Agricultural, Consumer, Environmental, and Sciences (ACES)
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
New students (freshmen and transfer) check your Illinois email for information about your college welcome meeting. Students with questions can email aces-academics@illinois.edu, and we’d encourage them to follow us on Instagram at aces_academics.
College Meeting: College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS)
Date: Friday, August 21
Students who have been admitted to the College of AHS should have received a welcome box and letter from the college. If you have any questions about AHS please contact Patty Hudek at phudek@illinois.edu.
College Meeting: Gies College of Business
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
Location: South Quad
We are excited to welcome all of our incoming students to the Gies family. Gies will host an “in person” New Student Welcome on August 21st from 1:30-3 pm on the South Quad. This is a lively event where students will have opportunities to connect with fellow classmates, faculty, and staff. We will also have a special gift for all attendees. All incoming students will be required to register to attend. An email has been sent to all incoming students with detailed information and a registration link for the event.
College Meeting: College of Education
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
Information about the college meeting will be shared to new students (freshmen and transfers) via email. Check your Illinois email for more information. If you have any questions contact Michelle Ellis at mdellis@illinois.edu.
College Meeting: The Grainger College of Engineering
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
Engineering Launch! We are excited to welcome our new Grainger Engineers! Be on the lookout for an email message in the morning of August 21st with details on how to complete the afternoon Launch! Quest - a fun adventure to welcome you to the Grainger College of Engineering!
College Meeting: College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA)
Arts at Illinois: New Student Welcome
FAA will host 3 virtual events from 1:30-4:00 pm on Friday, August 21. New freshman and transfer students are invited to sign in to Zoom and meet new classmates, faculty, and staff in FAA. Join us for a chance to learn more about the FAA experience, participate in fun activities, and win some prizes. Students should make plans to attend the session for their major. Must RSVP to receive event sign in details.
- Performing Art Students (Theatre, Music, Dance)
1:30-2:00 pm - Environmental Art Students (Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Design)
2:30-3:00 pm - Visual Design Students (Art + Design)
3:30-4:00 pm
College Meeting: Division of General Studies (DGS)
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
The DGS staff looks forward to welcoming you! We will introduce you to our team and the many programs and resources that DGS has to offer. We will also share tips for being successful in your first semester at Illinois. We look forward to connecting with you! Please be sure to check your Illinois email account for the virtual DGS College Welcome on the afternoon of August 21st!
College Meeting: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS)
To kick off your amazing journey at the University of Illinois, please join us for LAS Liftoff on August 21 at 1:30 p.m. CST. This welcome event will be live and take place online at LAS Liftoff. From the dean of our college, to current students, to a special musical guest, this program will feature voices from across our college that want to welcome YOU into the Illinois family. All incoming freshmen and transfers are welcome. You don’t want to miss it!
College Meeting: College of Media
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:15-3:30 pm
Check your email for an invitation along with registration information if you’re a student in the College of Media. There will be welcoming remarks by College of Media’s Dean Tracy Sulkin and Senior Assistant Director of Student Services Katie Clark. After welcoming remarks, students will break out into departmental sessions depending on the major in which they were accepted. At the conclusion of the informational sessions, students will be able to learn about different student groups that work with College of Media including American Advertising Federation, Illini Productions, Illini Film & Video, Illinois Public Media, Illini Media, and more.
College Meeting: School of Information Sciences
iSchool undergraduate students are welcomed to the new BS/IS program! We will begin with an introduction to the iSchool from our very own Eunice Santos, Dean of the School of Information Sciences. Then we will go over an overview of the iSchool, our many resources, what the semester will look like, and answer any questions before the start of the semester.
College Meeting: School of Social Work
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 1:30-3 pm
Location: Illini Grove Pavilion (966 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana)
We look forward to seeing you outside at the Illini Grove Pavilion (966 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana)! Students have been divided into three groups, transfer students (12–1 pm), last name A – L (1:15–2:15 pm), and last name M – Z (2:30–3:30 pm). Come grab a boxed lunch and hear more information about the School of Social Work.
First Year Student Panels
Join us virtually to ask some Orientation Leaders questions on how they successfully transitioned their first year at Illinois. Space is limited; Registration will close at Noon (12 pm) and the participation link will be emailed by 1 pm!
Cyber Sleuth
Grab your badges, as you and a group of fellow “sleuths” are recruited to solve a high profile murder investigation! Join 75 of your fellow Illini as you take on this unique virtual mystery! Space is limited to 75 people, Rregistration will close at Noon (12 pm) and the participation link will be emailed by 2 pm! So, don’t miss out on this fun opportunity!
Saturday, August 22
G.R.I.T.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Registration: Register Now
Join us, virtually, in accessing some great resources and opportunities as a new transfer student at the University of Illinois! Get a chance to interact and hear from your Illini Transfer Ambassadors, discover ways to critically think about 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! Registration closes on Wednesday, August 19. An email will be sent to registrants providing more details on Thursday, August 20.
Virtual Yoga
Join staff virtually from the Campus Recreation Center and Orientation Leaders for the second day of Virtual Yoga! Registration will close at 4:30 pm, Friday, August 21 and the link will be emailed to all registrants by 7 pm!.
Campus Tours
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 11 am-4 pm
Location: Diana Fountain (West side of the Union)
Excited to learn campus? Sign-up below and meet us at the Diana Fountain (West side of the Union) for a campus tour with our Orientation Leaders. Don’t forget to bring your class schedule! Tours are scheduled in 30 minutes time blocks. We’ll make sure we point out buildings where you may have class. We will be practicing social distancing and face coverings will be required! Groups will be capped off at 15 participants per time block. Sign-ups for Campus Tours will close at 4:30 pm on Friday, August 21.
Illini Frenzy 2.0
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 11 am-5 pm
Illini Frenzy 2.0 will be held outdoors at various Campus Recreation locations where students will get their photo taken in various state-of-the-art photo booths and receive their photo in seconds! Information from various departments and businesses will be at each location as well as a FREE Illini Frenzy 2.0 t-shirt and more! Students must wear a face covering at each location, remain six feet apart while waiting in line and make their way to the next photo booth location. Each location will only be able to accommodate 50 people at a time, so some students may be asked to return at a later time.
Photo Booth Locations:
- Campus Bike Center – 58 W. Gregory
- Campus Rec South Turf Field (West of Ikenberry Commons)
- Grange Grove (In front of Memorial Stadium)
- ARC West Side Parking Lot (201 E. Peabody Drive)
- ARC Main Entrance (201 E. Peabody Drive)
Quad Day 2020: A New Spin
Quad Day is a campus tradition that kicks-off the new academic year. It is an opportunity for our 900+ registered student organizations to showcase their unique perspectives to new and current students of the Illini community. Visit https://illinois.campuslabs.com/engage/ to participate.
For questions, contact Student Engagement at getinvolved@illinois.edu.
New Student Convocation
New Student Convocation is a ceremony to welcome new incoming undergraduate students to the University of Illinois and marks the official start to your journey at the University of Illinois. New Student Convocation will premiere at 7 pm, Saturday, August 22. You will be able to view at https://youtu.be/YB7TAE2bU18.
Sunday, August 23
Transfer Student Orientation
Date: Sunday, August 23
Registration: Register Now
We are excited to have you join us for 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 has you prepare to begin your Illinois journey! Registration will close on Thursday, August 20. An email will be sent to registrants on Friday, August 21.
Virtual Yoga
Staff from Campus Recreation will lead students in the a virtual yoga class! Registration will close at 4:30 pm, Saturday, August 22 and the link will be emailed to all registrants by 7 pm!.
Campus Tours
Date: Sunday, August 23
Time: 11 am-4 pm
Location: Diana Fountain (West side of the Union)
Unable to get a campus tour on Saturday? No worries – Meet us at the Diana Fountain (West side of the Union) and Orientation Leaders will be ready to give you a Campus Tour. Sign-up below. Don’t forget to bring your class schedule. Tours are scheduled in 30 minutes time blocks. We’ll make sure you point out buildings where you may have class. We will be practicing social distancing and face coverings will be required! Groups will be capped off at 15 participants per time block. Sign-ups for Campus Tours will close at 4:30 pm on Friday, August 21.
Quad Day 2020: A New Spin
Quad Day is a campus tradition that kicks-off the new academic year. It is an opportunity for our 900+ registered student organizations to showcase their unique perspectives to new and current students of the Illini community. Visit https://illinois.campuslabs.com/engage/ to participate.
For questions, contact Student Engagement at getinvolved@illinois.edu.
First Year Student Panels
Got questions about the new journey you’re about to start? Join us virtually and come hear some suggestions from some of the Orientation Leaders and find out what they did to make their first year successful. Space is limited; Registration will close at 10 am and the participation link will be emailed by 11 am!
