The First 40 is an easy way for new Bears to continue building your community on campus after Welcome Week concludes! First 40 events inspire school spirit, promote campus engagement, and enhance UCA Bear pride through programming offered by a variety of departments and student groups around campus. Check out all the upcoming events below!
September 8-14
Sunday, September 8 – Friday, September 13
IFC Fraternity Recruitment
Various Locations
Each fall semester the Interfraternity Council hosts a Recruitment Week of scheduled chapter events. This week is structured so you are able to interact with all of our organizations in order to find the one that fits best for you. Click here for more information.
Hosted by Student Life
Monday, September 9 – Wednesday, September 11
7:00 pm
1 Pitch Softball – Intramurals
UCA Farris Softball Fields
Come compete in softball! All UCA students are eligible to participate and you do not have to be highly skilled to play!
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Tuesday, September 10
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Workshop: Where Are You Going? How Will You Get There?
Lewis Science Center 100
Everyone wants to be successful in life and most people even have a plan to achieve success. However, many people are not successful and have not achieved their goals because they didn’t have an effective plan. This session will discuss goal setting and the secret to developing a successful plan of action.
Hosted by Student Success Services
Tuesday, September 10
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Linguistics & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Meet-n-Greet
Irby Hall 208
Come learn more about the Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program!
Hosted by School of Language and Literature
Tuesday, September 10
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Election Emotions Strategy Support Group
Student Center 210
Identify and share ways to stay engaged and not get overwhelmed. Don’t miss this chance to empower yourself!
Hosted by UCA Counseling Center
Tuesday, September 10
7:00 pm
Men’s Soccer vs. Missouri State
Bill Stephens Complex
Come cheer on the UCA Men’s Soccer team as they take on Missouri State
Hosted by UCA Athletics
Wednesday, September 11
3:00-3:50 pm
Linguistics & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Meet-n-Greet
Irby Hall 208
Come learn more about the Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program!
Hosted by School of Language and Literature
Wednesday, September 11
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Ziplining
UCA Challenge Course
Yes, we have ziplines on campus! Come feel the rush and take the leap on the UCA Challenge Course.
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Thursday, September 12
6:00 pm
Beach Volleyball (3v3) – Intramurals
UCA Beach Courts
Come compete in beach volleyball! All UCA students are eligible to participate and you do not have to be highly skilled to play!
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Saturday, September 14
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Meal Packing Event with Feed My Starving Children
HPER Center
At least 6,200 children die each day from hunger-related causes. By volunteering to help pack meals, your generosity makes a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children in need around the world. Our goal with this meal-packing event will be to pack over 100,000 meals to be distributed through the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children.
Volunteers are needed for set-up, meal packing, and clean-up shifts. All members of the UCA community and friends are welcome! We look forward to packing meals with you!
You can sign up for more than one shift! Register here.
Hosted by First Year Experience
Saturday, September 14
6:00 pm
UCA Bears vs. Austin Peay Governors
Estes Stadium
Join us on the Stripes as your UCA Bears football team takes on the Austin Peay Governors.
Current UCA students are allowed one free ticket to each UCA home game with their BearCard. Students are allowed to purchase one guest ticket per Student ID for $5 to each home game.
Hosted by UCA Athletics
September 15-21
Monday, September 16 – Wednesday, October 9
7:00 pm
Soccer/Co-Rec Soccer – Intramurals
UCA Farris Softball Fields
Come compete in soccer! All UCA students are eligible to participate and you do not have to be highly skilled to play!
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Tuesday, September 17
National Voter Registration Day
All Living Learning Communities
Every vote matters! Support the democratic process and make a difference by registering to vote in this year’s historic election.
Hosted by Living Learning Communities
Tuesday, September 17
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Workshop: Studying–That Thing You Never Did in High School
Lewis Science Center 100
“I didn’t have to study in high school. Have you ever said that?” Students who attend this workshop will learn study skills to improve their academic performance, the difference between active and passive learning, and a pyramid of learning. Students with a better understanding of what the grade they want requires.
Hosted by Student Success Services
Tuesday, September 17
6:00-8:30 pm
Canvas Creations with First Gen
Ronnie Williams Student Center, Roon 215
Unleash your creativity at Canvas Creations with First Gen! 🎨✨ Join us for a fun-filled paint event, supplies provided*. Enjoy great music, meet new friends, and make unforgettable memories while creating your own masterpiece. Let’s paint the night away together!
*while supplies last
Hosted by First Generation Scholars Society
Wednesday, September 18
3:00-3:50 pm
Online Workshop: How to Make Group Projects Less Awful
This workshop will focus on four strategies to support students’ abilities to manage and organize their group projects to reach successful outcomes., and a pyramid of learning. Students with a better understanding of what the grade they want requires.
Hosted by Student Success Services
Wednesday, September 18
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Whitewater Kayak Lessons/Practice
HPER Aquatics Center
Come practice kayaking in the HPER Center pool on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Thursday, September 19
12:00 – 3:00 pm
RSO Fair
Ronnie Williams Student Center Courtyard
Come explore UCA’s recognized student organizations and find out how you can get involved!
View more event details on CubConnect.
Hosted by Student Life
Thursday, September 19
1:40 – 4:00 pm
Mindfulness and Mental Health Workshop
Student Success Center
This workshop is for all BEAR Life participants.
Hosted by BEAR Life
Thursday, September 19
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Back to School Cookout
Crafton Alumni Pavilion
The Latino Student Association is hosting a free back to school cookout for all members.
Hosted by Latino Student Association (LSA)
Thursday, September 19
7:00 pm
Spikeball (Doubles) – Intramurals
UCA Farris Softball Fields
Come compete in Spikeball! All UCA students are eligible to participate and you do not have to be highly skilled to play!
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Friday, September 20
6:00 pm
Volleyball vs. UNA – Party at the Prince
Prince Center
Come out and support the UCA women’s volleyball team as they take on the University of North Alabama!
Hosted by UCA Athletics
September 22-28
Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 29
Global Goals Week
Various Locations
More details coming soon!
Hosted by the Center for Global Learning and Engagement and Living Learning Communities
Tuesday, September 24
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Workshop: “Will This Be on the Test?” What You Need to Write Down
Lewis Science Center 100
This workshop will provide tips and strategies to assist students with taking notes. Participants will learn the goal of note taking, notes based on course subjects, what to do before, during and after the lecture. Participants will use the Cornell Note Taking Method during a mock lecture to practice the skills learned.
Hosted by Student Success Services
Wednesday, September 25
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Downhill Mountain Biking Session
Round Mountain Bike Trails, Conway
Join and build your skills one one of our Conway mountain bike trails.
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Thursday, September 26
1:40-2:30 pm (X-period)
Workshop: What You Need to Know if You’re the First to Go
Student Success Center 134
This panel discussion will provide information about the unique challenges and opportunities of first-generation students from a variety of voices.
Hosted by Student Success Services
Thursday, September 26
7:00 pm
Pool Event – Intramurals
HPER Aquatics Center
Come play in a pool event! All UCA students are eligible to participate and you do not have to be highly skilled.
Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness
Friday, September 27
9:00 – 11:00 pm
Family Movie Night: Despicable Me 4
Arkansas Hall Lawn
Join us for our Family Weekend kick-off event! Invite your whole family for a fun movie night on the lawn of Arkansas Hall. We will be showing Despicable Me 4. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! Free popcorn, candy, and drinks will be provided. The movie will begin around 9 pm.
Hosted by: Student Activities Board
Saturday, September 28
10:00 – 11:30 am
Family Weekend Brunch
Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom
Join UCA’s Parent and Family Programs for a continental brunch during Family Weekend! Our guest speaker will be Dr. Nadia Eslinger, Director of UCA’s BEAR Life Program. Tickets are $15/person. Registration opens August 1st.
Hosted by: Parent and Family Programs
Saturday, September 28
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Living Learning Communities Open House
Living Learning Communities’ Lobbies across campus
Invite your family to stop by your Living Learning Community and hear about your hall’s specific focus and service-learning projects for the year.
Hosted by: Living Learning Communities
Saturday, September 28
11:30 am – 3:30 pm
Family Weekend Fun Fair
Practice Football Field
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy one of the many inflatable attractions, play lawn games, visit the petting zoo, and more! Make sure to check in at the Student Life table to complete your waiver and pick up your free meal ticket for lunch in the Christian Cafeteria (while supplies last). UCA students can also pick up a free UCA Family Weekend t-shirt (while supplies last)! Concessions will be available.
See more details in CubConnect.
Hosted by: Student Life
Saturday, September 28
6:00 pm
UCA Bears vs. Lamar University Cardinals
Estes Stadium
Join us on the Stripes as your UCA Bears football team takes on the Cardinals of Lamar University.
Current UCA students are allowed one free ticket to each UCA home game with their BearCard. Students are allowed to purchase one guest ticket per Student ID for $5 to each home game.
Family Weekend participants may use coupon code FAMILYWEEKEND24 to receive a 50% discount on general admission tickets through Friday, September 27.
Hosted by UCA Athletics
September 29-October 1
Tuesday, October 1
1:40 – 2:30 pm
First 40 Celebration
Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom
First-year students and new transfer students – come celebrate making it through your first 40 days of classes! Enjoy refreshments and hear stories from fellow students on how they’ve struggled and grown during their time at UCA.
View more event details on CubConnect.
Hosted by First Year Experience
