Fall Orientation is your official welcome to campus life and the beginning of your college journey. Whether you are a first-year student or transferring from another institution, this experience is designed to help you build connections, explore campus resources, and feel confident stepping into the semester ahead. Through engaging sessions, social events, and guided support, you will meet fellow students, connect with faculty and staff, and gain the tools you need to thrive both academically and personally from day one.
**Mandatory for New Students/ Transfers
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
9:00 – 11:00 AM – Football
11:00 – 1:00 PM – Volleyball & Soccer
1:00p – 2:00 PM – Cheer & Dance
Location: Drive-thru Check-In-Tent at West 12th Street entrance to campus.
9:00 AM – Noon
Cross Country (XC) & Returning Student Leader ( Orientation Leader, Fraternity & Sorority) Move In:
Location: McNutt Campus Center – Cutlip Auditorium
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Honors Student Check-In
(Required for Honors students)
Location: McNutt Campus Center – Cutlip Auditorium
9:00 AM – NOON
**Mandatory
Your journey starts here! Don’t worry, with the balloons and signs, finding us will be easy. We’ll direct you to your next stop.
9:00 AM – Noon – NEW Residential Student Check-In
11:00 AM – Noon – Commuter Student Check-In
Location: Drive-thru Check-In-Tent at West 12th Street entrance to campus.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Tucker Dining Hall Open for Lunch
Location: Tucker Dining Hall – specific locations with coaches or faculty. Eat lunch with your new teammates or major of interest.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
**Mandatory
Presidential Welcome and Ivy Ceremony
(LEAD Event)
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
We welcome you as members of our William Woods University family. The Ivy Ceremony is the first part of a two-part tradition that culminates at your graduation. Family and friends will be released to watch students cross the bridge under the shade of the trees around Senior Lake. New students will line up in Cutlip Auditorium to cross the bridge.
2:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Sorority House Hop, Fraternity Meet and Greet, and Open Office hours
(LEAD Event)
Location: Start at the McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
We’ll meet in Cutlip Auditorium before traveling to campus locations for each of these opportunities. This is your opportunity to see some of our best housing and learn more about Sorority Life at the Woods. More interested in Fraternity Life? You’ll meet the Fraternity Men in their living spaces as well. The Academic Success Center, Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office and Human Resources (all located inside the Academic Building) will also welcome visitors at this time. Students will have multiple opportunities to explore all locations this week, so don’t worry if you end up in one location longer than others.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Family and Friends Happy Hour
Location: Kemper Arts Center, Cox Art Gallery
Family and friends need a break too. Please join several members of the William Woods University Board and Administration as we thank you for your hard work supporting your students’ success.
5:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Family Farewell BBQ
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
Join us for a farewell barbecue with your friends and family. Each new student will be given two meal tickets for their friends and family. Additional tickets may be purchased at the door. Following the meal, it’s time for family and friends to say, “See ya!”
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sorority Recruitment Information Session
(LEAD Event)
Location: Dulany Auditorium
Participating in Sorority Recruitment means getting to know other new students and meeting returning students—some of whom may be in your fall courses. It’s a lot easier to ask about an assignment if you’ve met them before! Learn about the process, how it works, and when you decide if you want to join a Chapter (spoiler alert: that decision is not until Sunday).
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fraternity Recruitment Information Session
(LEAD Event)
Location: Dulany Library
Participating in Fraternity Recruitment means getting to know other new students and meeting returning students—some of whom may be in your fall courses. It’s a lot easier to ask about an assignment if you’ve met them before! Learn about the process, how it works, and when you decide if you want to join a Chapter.
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Playfair
**Mandatory
(LEAD Event)
Location: Sam B. Cook Amphitheater
Get to know your Orientation and Connections classmates, mentors & RA’s in a high energy atmosphere.
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM**
Safety on Campus and Residential Hall Meetings
**Mandatory
(LEAD Event)
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
Get information on policy and safety at the Woods. Meet key staff (including your Residential Assistants/RAs) and some of your neighbors!
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Late Night Scoop and Snacks
Location: Smith, Allen, and Swearingen Lawn
An orientation tradition! Join us for ice cream, popsicles, tunes, and socializing! (Rain location: McNutt Campus Center)
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Tucker Dining Hall Open for Breakfast
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
8:00AM – 10:00 AM
**Mandatory
What you Wish you Knew, Get to know us with a progressive breakfast across campus
(LEAD Event)
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
Grab your breakfast passport and check in with all offices (see below) on campus while grabbing some breakfast along the way! Turn in your passport at Student Life and receive a LEAD Point.
Breakfast food | Location | |
Fruit | Library, Student Success Center | |
Mile & Juice Bar | Financial Aid | |
Bacon & Sausage | Testing Center | |
Muffins | Registrar | |
Cereal Bar | Student Engagement | |
Bagels Schmear | Residential Life | |
Pancakes/Waffles | Info Desk/ Mail Room | |
Coffee | Campus Safety | |
Donuts | University Information Technology |
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
**Mandatory
Connections Classes
Connections Class is required for all incoming freshmen to learn what to do to be successful in college, how to do it, and where to get help at The Woods. Check with your Mentor on where your class will be meeting. If you did not complete the Mandatory Title IX training over the summer after class is over Student Life will be in computer lab, in Burton to help you complete.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Tucker Dining Hall Open for Lunch
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Transfer-mation Lunch: Transfer Student Information Session
Location: Tucker Dining Hall, Ivy Room (basement of Tucker)
12:45 AM – 4:30 PM
Sorority Sisterhood Events
(LEAD Event)
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
– Meet in Cutlip Auditorium at 12:45 PM to receive your schedule.
Women participating in recruitment will visit all four sorority chapters and learn more about how membership can contribute to the WWU experience. Advanced registration required.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Fraternity Recruitment: Chapter Visits
(LEAD Event)
Location: Fraternity Chapter Lawns and Chapter houses
Men participating in fraternity recruitment will speak with members from all three chapters. Men must visit all three lawns and speak with several members of each chapter to receive LEAD credit.
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Branch Out
Location: Lawn in front of Tucker Dining Hall
Join your new friends for fun lawn games, hammock time, sidewalk chalk. Chill time to hang together.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner with your connections class
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Y2K Silent Disco
(LEAD Event)
Location: Aldridge Rec Center
Throw it back to Y2K, Three stations, endless connections. You choose the volume of this dance, chat, or chill event with headphones supplied by us. You will need to sign in at the event to receive your headphones and sign out when you return them. This is also how you will receive LEAD credit so please plan to stay for at least an hour.
10:00AM – 11:15 AM
Connections Class & Class Photo
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
Check in with your Orientation Leaders and Mentors at the Dome, go to your individual classrooms.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Brunch
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
Tucker sticks to brunch and dinner on the weekends, so enjoy the best of both worlds (breakfast and lunch)!
12:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Sorority Philanthropy Events
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Owl’s Nest
Meet in the Owls’ Nest at 12:45PM to receive your schedule.
Women participating in this round of recruitment will explore the philanthropy work of up to three chapters.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Fraternity Recruitment: Chapter Presentations
Location: Dulany Library Auditorium
Men participating in this round of recruitment will have an opportunity to learn additional details about each chapter, their core values, and the philanthropic work they do.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Recreation Recess & Sweet Treats!
(LEAD Event)
Location: Aldridge Rec Center – Back Patio
Sunshine, disc golf, kayaks, paddle boats, yard games and Frozen Brain, shaved ice food truck to cool off.
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Back to school bash & Dinner
(LEAD Event)
Location: Aldridge Rec Center – Back Patio
Catch up and Kick off the school year with LIVE band, Fresh Rain, while enjoying dinner with your friends.
9:00 PM
(WWU student tickets for FREE Bowling, shoes & a movie)
Late Night Fun in Fulton:
Black Light Bowling – Fulton Bowling Center
Late Night Movies – Fulton Cinema
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Brunch
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
Tucker sticks to brunch and dinner on the weekends, so enjoy the best of both worlds (breakfast and lunch)!
11:45 AM – 2:00 PM
Sorority Preference Events
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Owl’s Nest
Meet in the Owls’ Nest at 11:45 PM to receive your schedule.
Women will visit up to two chapters as members share their sorority experiences.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
**Mandatory
Give a Hoot: Engage
(LEAD Event)
Location: Dulany Auditorium
For many of us, this is the first time we’ve lived in spaces with folks that come from different types of communities and cultures. Students at the Woods look out for and support one another. In this session, we’ll talk about ways to do that while also respecting boundaries and cultures.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where in the Woods?
Location: McNutt Campus Center, Owl’s Nest
Depart from the Owls Nest, McNutt Campus Center
Classes start tomorrow, don’t miss this opportunity to find where to be and when!
7:00 PM
Sorority Bid Night
Meet in the McNutt Campus Center at 6:45 PM.
7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Donuts and Directions
Multiple Locations near Campus Buildings
Remembering all the buildings and layout of campus can be tough. Don’t worry—we got you! You’ll see us posted up on the main walkways around campus. Stop by, get your questions answered, or just grab a morning sweet treat!
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Fraternity Recruitment: College Prep Night
Location: Dulany Library & Student Success Center
Participating men will get to know chapter members better through talking about Majors and the Academic requirements and support of WWU fraternities.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fraternity & Sorority Tailgate
Current chapter members of the Fraternity and Sorority community will host our 1st soccer tailgate, come join us for Free Owls Swag, Dinner at the field & cheer on your Owls Soccer team!
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Men’s & Women’s Soccer Games
(LEAD Event)
Location: North Campus Athletic Complex
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Student Clubs and Organization Fair
LEAD Event
Location: Tucker Dining Hall, Front Lawn
Find your people and get involved in multiple clubs or organizations on campus! Too much? We recommend choosing at least three to join. Then, if one doesn’t work out, you may find your fit with folks in the other two.
6:00 PM
IFC, Fraternity recruitment event
TBD
8:00 PM
Residential Life BINGO!
LEAD Event
Location: Tucker Dining Hall
Be the first to get BINGO at this event hosted by Residential Life and you could walk out of Tucker with things we all need: snacks, laundry items, and more!
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
**Mandatory
Roots in Action-Give back
(LEAD Event)
Choose your service project at McNutt Campus Center anytime between 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: McNutt Campus Center
Belonging to a community means getting to know the area and its people. What better way to do that than by helping someone else? Each Connections Class, Athletic team and Fraternity and Sorority will be matched with either an organization or location to volunteer in the Fulton Community. You will receive a free t-shirt and complete the volunteer work with your campus community.
11:00 AM – Noon
Fraternity Bid Day
Location: Meet at McNutt Campus Center, Cutlip Auditorium
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Men’s & Women’s Soccer Games
(LEAD Event)
Location: North Campus Athletic Complex
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