Welcome Week

8:15 a.m.-noon: Residence hall check-in
Assigned residence hall
Students should check in at their assigned residence hall, where they will get their room key and student ID.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Augustana Bookstore open hours
Brunner Theatre Center, lower level
Textbooks, apparel and supplies are available. The bookstore will also be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.

9 a.m.-noon: Welcome Week check-in and Resource Fair
Gerber Center, Gävle rooms 1 and 2
Stop by the Gerber Center to pick up your required Welcome Week folder, which includes your schedule with key information for the days ahead. You'll also have the chance to connect with a variety of on-campus resources to learn how they can support your success at Augie. (Required)

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: ITS support office hours
Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough
Need help getting connected to the wi-fi or troubleshooting a tech issue? IT staff will be available to answer questions and provide hands-on assistance with common technology needs.

11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Complimentary lunch
Gerber Center Dining Room
Students and their families are invited to dine as guests of the college.

1-1:30 p.m.: Opening convocation
Charles D. Lindberg Stadium
Students and their families will join President Talentino as she addresses incoming students for the first time and welcomes them to the college. Note: Seating will be in the football stadium seats on the Home side (North) bleachers and patio area. There will be limited but some shade areas provided. (Required)

1:30-1:45 p.m.: "The Short Goodbye"
Charles D. Lindberg Stadium
Students say farewell to their parents and families and begin to meet up with their peer groups.

Parent and family participation in Welcome Week concludes after Convocation. We hope to see families back on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend.

2-3:25 p.m.: Welcome Week Kick-Off (students only)
Carver Center
Students meet their first-year or transfer mentor and get acquainted with their peer group. (Required)

3:30-3:45 p.m.: Your First Augie "A" Photo
Charles D. Lindberg Stadium
New students will gather together on the football field to take their first photo together in the shape of the Augustana “A”, creating their first A at Augie. (Required)

4-5:15 p.m.: Getting Involved on Campus
Centennial Hall
This session hosted by Michael Miller, will feature campus life partners in a panel discussion about the many ways you can connect within the Augustana community. (Required)

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Dinner with peer group
Gerber Center Dining Hall
(Required)

7-8 p.m.: Residence hall student meetings
Assigned residence hall floor
Students return to their residence hall for meetings with Residential Life staff. Please be at your residence hall lounge or designated area by 7 p.m. (Required)

7-8 p.m.:  TLA (transitional living arrangement) resident meeting
Erickson lobby
(Required)

7-8 p.m.: Commuter student meeting
Gerber Center, Gävle room 3
Any first-year or transfer student who is commuting from home/living independently. 
(Required)

8:30-10 p.m.: Bingo
PepsiCo Recreation Center
Join the Student Life Programming Board for a fun-filled evening of classic bingo! Meet new friends, win awesome prizes, and kick off your year with some good vibes and great company. Viking Mentors will be in the Andreen, Seminary, and Westerlin lobby shortly before 8:30 p.m. to walk you down to PepsiCo.

7:30-9 a.m.: Breakfast
Gerber Center Dining Room 
Students can get breakfast in the dining hall anytime between 7:30-9 a.m.

8:30-9:30 a.m. Music Department Open House
Bergendoff Hall, Ensemble Room
Here’s your opportunity to sign up for audition times, ask questions and find your private instructor’s name and room number for lesson information. Plan to attend if you are a music major, have a scholarship, are interested in singing/playing in any ensemble or would like to take lessons.

9:45-9:55 a.m.: Peer group check-in
Lower Quad
You'll meet with your Viking Mentor in the Lower Quad for a quick check-in before walking down to Centennial Hall together.

10-11:15 a.m.: Connection Catalyst: Building Your Culture at Augustana
Centennial Hall
Culture isn't just something you step into, it’s something you create. In this interactive session, you will connect with peers, explore identity and shared values, learn how to engage across differences, and discover essential campus resources that support a safe, inclusive, and vibrant campus community. (Required)

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Augustana Bookstore open hours
Brunner Theatre Center, lower level
Textbooks, apparel and supplies are available. The bookstore will also be open Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Box lunch with your advisor
Various locations
Pick up your boxed lunch and join your peer group and faculty advisor for a get-acquainted lunch. During this time, your advisor will introduce the advising process, answer questions, and help you get started. (Required)

12:30-12:45 p.m.: Advisor office walk
Walk with your Viking Mentor and faculty advisor to see where your advisor’s office is located. This is a chance to get comfortable finding their office before the semester begins. You will have the chance to sign up for an individual 15-minute “office hour” appointment. (Required)

12:45-4 p.m.: Advisor office hours
Location varies; check with your advisor or Viking Mentor for details
(Optional)

1-4:30 p.m.: Wellbeing Fair
Lower Quad
Start your year off right at the Wellbeing Fair, a fun and interactive event where you can explore all things health and wellness! Learn about the resources available to support your mind, body, and spirit, both on campus and in the community. (Required)

1-5 p.m. Choir auditions (all voice parts)
Bergendoff 104B (sign up outside Bergendoff 137)
All new and returning students are encouraged to sign up for a short audition time. No preparation or previous experience is necessary. Auditions will last approximately five minutes and can be done between other Welcome Week activities.

Also feel free to use this time to finish unpacking, organize your room or rest.

5-7 p.m.: Picnic with the President
Lower Quad
Join President Andrea Talentino as she welcomes Augustana's newest students to the college. The picnic will feature food, beverages, games and music. (Required)

8-11 p.m.: Celebration Belle Riverboat Cruise
Meet outside of Gerber Center
Join your new classmates for music, dancing, comedy and complimentary refreshments on the Mississippi River. Viking Mentors will be in the Andreen, Seminary, and Westerlin lobby shortly before 8 p.m. to walk you down to the pick-up location. Buses transport students to the 800-passenger Celebration Belle riverboat in Moline starting at 8 p.m. Buses return to campus at 10:45-11 p.m.

7:30-9 a.m.: Breakfast
Gerber Center Dining Room
Students can get breakfast in the dining hall anytime between 7:30-9 a.m.

9-10 a.m.: Dining employee orientation
Gerber Center Dining Hall
Looking for a job on campus that has a flexible schedule and can get you started right away? If you would like to start on the schedule right away, contact the Dining Office. If you did not fill out your tax forms at orientation, please bring your original passport, birth certificate, or Social Security card, along with a picture ID. (Required for dining employees)

10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Campus tour and lunch
Lower Quad
Your Viking Mentor will guide you around campus and show you where each of your classes is located. This session is important in making sure that you feel confident and prepared for your first day of classes. (Required)

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Augustana Bookstore open hours
Brunner Theatre Center, lower level
Textbooks, apparel and supplies are available. The bookstore will also be open Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.

1-2 p.m.: Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility and Augie Academics
Centennial Hall ("Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility"), Gerber Center, Gävle rooms (Augie Academics)

• Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility: Join confidential advocates from Family Resources for an interactive session on building healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs, and understanding consent under Illinois law. Through engaging games and scenarios, you’ll master practical bystander intervention strategies (Direct, Distract, Delegate) and learn how to access free and confidential support resources.
• Augie Academics: Augie Academics shares information that will help you find your place as an Augustana student. (Required)

2:30-3:30 p.m.: Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility and Augie Academics
Centennial Hall ("Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility"), Gerber Center, Gävle rooms (Augie Academics)

• Relationships, Respect, & Responsibility: Join confidential advocates from Family Resources for an interactive session on building healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs, and understanding consent under Illinois law. Through engaging games and scenarios, you’ll master practical bystander intervention strategies (Direct, Distract, Delegate) and learn how to access free and confidential support resources.
• Augie Academics: Augie Academics shares information that will help you find your place as an Augustana student. (Required)

4-5 p.m.: Our Campus, Our Community Principles
Centennial Hall
This session will serve as the culmination of the Welcome Week program. Join Provost Dr. Jennifer Burnham and Vice President and Dean of Students Dr. Wes Brooks as they highlight the importance of our student-written Community Principles. In what has become a tradition, students will receive an Augustana  pin as a symbol of joining the Augustana community. (Required)

5-9 p.m. Choir auditions (all voice parts)
Bergendoff 104B (sign up outside Bergendoff 137)
All new and returning students are encouraged to sign up for a short audition time. No preparation or previous experience is necessary. Auditions will last approximately five minutes and can be done between other Welcome Week activities.

6-8 p.m.: Dinner
Gerber Center Dining Room
Students can get dinner in the dining hall anytime between 6-8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 31

6-8 p.m. Capture the Flag
Lower Quad
Kickoff Welcome Back Week with the annual Capture the Flag game, organized by Student Life Programming Board (SLPB). Half of the participants play for Team Blue and the other half will play for Team Gold. Don't miss this opportunity to meet new friends while competing for bragging rights. There will be free t-shirts (supplies limited), food, and drinks.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

12-1:30 p.m. Viking Cap Giveaway
Gerber Center, The Brew
To celebrate the first football home game of the year, the Student Life Programming Board is giving away free Viking-branded caps!

Wednesday, Sept. 2

7-9 p.m. Know Your Rights Trivia
Gerber Center, Gävle rooms
How well do you know your student rights and responsibilities? Test your knowledge and discover essential resources for navigating college and adulthood through an interactive trivia event, presented in partnership with QCAIR and Augustana’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

Thursday, Sept. 3

8-9 p.m. Yoga Under the Stars
Lower Quad
Relax and recharge with an evening of outdoor yoga designed to promote mindfulness, movement, and wellbeing under the night sky. The first 40 students to arrive at the event will receive a free yoga mat.

Friday, Sept. 4

12-1 p.m. Office of Student Cultural Connection (OSCC) Friday Connections
Gerber Center, You Belong Here Lounge
OSCC Friday Connect, hosted by the Office of Student Cultural Connection (OSCC), is a monthly opportunity for students to take a break, meet new people and build community. Join them on the first Friday of every month for a casual space to connect and have fun.

4-6 p.m. Activities Fair
Lower Quad
Are you looking to get involved at Augie? The activities fair is an opportunity each year for you to browse through all of our active clubs and organizations on campus to find out how to get involved.

Saturday, Sept. 5

12-3 p.m. Culture Fest
Lower Quad
Step aboard for an evening of food, music, performances, and interactive experiences inspired by cultures from around the world. Meet student organizations, explore campus opportunities, and enjoy a celebration of learning, connection, and community on the Quad.

4-6 p.m. Football Tailgate
Sorenson Parking Lot
Kick off Augie's football season with a tailgate hosted by Vike Squad and SLPB! Enjoy a live concert featuring Kaleb Cohen while you get ready to cheer on the Vikings!

6 p.m. Augustana Football Home Opener vs. Simpson College
Charles D. Lindberg Stadium

Sunday, Sept. 6

3-5 p.m. Field Day & Ice Cream
Lower Quad
Come out for a fun-filled field day and meet members of the Greek life community! Challenge your classmates to games like cornhole, KanJam, and dodgeball while meeting new people. The first 125 attendees will also receive free ice cream or a dirty soda, so be sure to arrive early!

6-8 p.m. Far From Home Mixer
Gerber Center, The Brew
New to the area? Join SLPB during Welcome Back Week for the Far From Home Mixer! This event is exclusively for domestic students coming from outside of Illinois and Iowa. Stop by the Brew to enjoy free food and drinks, meet other out-of-state students, and pick up helpful resources for adjusting to life at Augustana and in the Quad Cities.