This workshop will focus on the traits of successful students and practical ways to implement those traits in their everyday lives.
Outcomes: Inspiration, Application and Action!
TBD
Do’s, Don’ts, and Donuts with Career Services! – 9:00-10:00 am
Get Up, Get Out, and Get Involved! – 10:30-11:30 am
Getting involved on campus is such an important part of the college experience, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to get started. We can help! With almost 200 RSOs (Recognized Student Organizations) and countless campus events, you’re sure to find a place at UCA! The Student Life team is here to help you learn more about involvement opportunities and how to take your first steps to join groups or attend events. During this session you’ll learn about the various ways to get involved and get an overview of how to use CubConnect, our engagement platform, to find events and organizations that are right for you.
Sponsored by Student Life
University Scholars Program Luncheon – 11:30-1:00 pm
Students admitted to the University Scholars Program should attend this welcome luncheon in the McCastlain Ballroom.
Conway Daze – 2:00-5:00 pm
Ronnie Williams Student Center Courtyard
Come see what your new home has to offer and see how you can get involved on campus and in the community. There will be over 150 student organizations, UCA departments and local Conway businesses on hand to show you what they have to offer! If you are a looking for a job at a local business, check out the section with employers who are currently hiring!
UCA Football Pep Rally & Scrimmage – 6:00 pm
Estes Stadium (football field) – Student Section is on the visitor side, closest to Bear Hall.
Be a part of the tradition! Join one of the largest student organizations on campus, The Bear Den, along with the UCA Band, Cheer and Dance Teams as we cheer on our UCA football team while learning all our traditional UCA Bear chants and game day rituals.
Sponsored by The Bear Den and UCA Athletics.
Rock the Lawn – 8:00-10:00 pm
Join the Resident Housing Association for a night of fun rides, games, and free food! Take time to mingle with your peers and enjoy a night of fun right before classes begin. The coveted Battle of the Halls trophy will also be presented!
Sponsored by the Resident Housing Association
On Campus Student Employment Job Fair – 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Are you interested in working on-campus? This event provides an opportunity to visit with various departments to learn about available part-time jobs on campus. Representatives from the participating departments will be present to answer your questions. After the fair, apply for open positions on the Human Resources website.
Sponsored by Career Services and Human Resources.
Success Tips from Students and Faculty for First-Gen Students (and Everyone!) – 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Get ready for the first day of classes and more. Current students and faculty will give advice on preparing for classes and starting college off on the right (bear) track. This session is being provided through our FirstGen@UCA program, but all new students are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Sponsored by FirstGen@UCA
Rainbow Bear Lunch – 12:00-1:00 pm
Crafton Alumni Pavilion (next to the practice football field and Estes Stadium home side entrance)
LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff are invited to lunch at the Crafton Pavilion. This is an opportunity to connect, build community, and find support at UCA. Allies welcome.
Sponsored by the Counseling Center, Pride, Raising Awareness, Involvement, Support and Mentoring Alliance, Student Government Association, and UCA Campus Dining
Dodgeball Tournament – 1:00-3:00 pm
Come out for the Battle of the Halls Dodgeball Tournament hosted by SOS! Earn points for your hall toward the Battle of the Halls Trophy and bragging rights for the year. Sign up for your hall’s Dodgeball team at the Battle of the Halls meeting on Monday at 4:00pm. Catch live on Instagram at @SOS_Orange
This event is for first-year students only.
Education Abroad 101 – 3:00-4:00 pm
Whether you already know that study abroad will be a part of your college experience, or you’d just like to learn more about what opportunities UCA offers for study abroad and study away, this information session is for you! Learn more about the different types of programs we offer, destinations where you can study and options for funding your program.
Panhellenic Recruitment Orientation – 4:00-5:00 pm
This session is for women who are signed up for Panhellenic Formal Recruitment. Recruitment registration closes Monday, August 21. Click here to learn more and sign up to participate in recruitment with the Panhellenic Council.
Carnival Night – 6:00-8:00 pm
Come out and enjoy classic carnival games with a new twist! The first 500 participants get a free t-shirt and there will be tons of great prizes given out throughout the event. See you there!
Sponsored by Housing & Residence Life and Campus Recreation & Wellness.
Battle of the Halls – 9:00-11:00 pm
Join the Student Orientation Staff as your residence hall competes in an epic clash for the title of 2023 Battle of the Halls Champion! Register for Battle of the Halls during the Battle Prep on Monday or just show up for the battle to cheer on your hall. Contact your RA or any SOS member for more information.
This event is for first-year students only.
*Mandatory* – How to be a Bear! – 9:00-10:10 am
What does it mean to be a UCA Bear? We come from different places, speak different languages, have different abilities and represent different cultures. But, we are all a part of the UCA Family! In this interactive session, you will meet some of your fellow Bears and hear about their unique backgrounds and experiences. You will learn about the UCA mission, values and why you belong here. Come have some laughs, meet new friends and learn about the inclusive culture of UCA.
Students will be dismissed to College Meetings after this session. SOSers will walk with you so you will know exactly where to go!
*Mandatory* – College Meetings – 10:30-12:00 pm
Various Locations Around Campus – Dismissed from “How to Be a Bear!” Session
At this important session you’ll meet your dean, department chair, and faculty members in your college. Important information concerning your major and classes will be discussed. If you’re unsure about which college you’re in, see a SOS member.
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences & Undeclared – Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts Concert Hall
College of Business – College of Business 107
College of Education – Mashburn Hall 103
College of Health & Behavioral Sciences – Ida Waldran Auditorium (inside Old Main Hall)
College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics – Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom
Lunch on the Lawn – 12:00-1:30 pm
Join faculty and staff on the lawns in front of McAlister and Irby Hall for a free lunch. Mix and mingle with other students and faculty from your academic college!
Members of the Schedler Honors College will meet in the McCastlain Ballroom for lunch.
*Mandatory* – Residential College Meetings – 1:30-2:30 pm
All new students living in a Residential College and in the Minton Commuter College are required to attend this session.
Biz@Bear, STEM@Hughes, MUSE@Arkansas, HPaW@Baridon and Minton Commuter College
Sponsored by Learning Communities
*Mandatory* – Schedler Honors College & University Scholars Program Meeting – 1:30-3:00 pm
New students who have been accepted into the Schedler Honors College and University Scholars Program are required to attend this meeting.
National Sweet Tea Day – 2:00-3:00pm
Sip into sweet bliss! Visit UCA Dining in front of the Student Center for the most refreshing and delightful sweet tea experience!
Sponsored by UCA Dining
Battle of the Halls Prep – 4:00-5:00 pm
Residential Halls Lobby
Meet with SOS to get ready and sign up for the Dodgeball Tournament and Battle of the Halls tomorrow!
This event is for first-year students only.
Around the World: Greek Life Edition – 6:00-8:00 pm
Travel through the UCA Greek community and meet all twenty-one of our sorority and fraternity chapters for activities, games, and more! All of our chapters will have tents set up around the Student Center Lawn for you to have the opportunity to meet, interact, and get your passport stamped by all organizations. This is a great opportunity to connect with the overall Greek community in a low-pressure environment and learn more about what these organizations have to offer. Don’t forget to turn in your completed passport for a chance to win one of our big prizes!
Sponsored by the Office of Student Life, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, United Greek Council, and Panhellenic Council.
Casino Night – 8:30-11:00 pm
Feeling lucky? Join us for a night full of games, prizes, friends, and fun! We’ll have everything from slot machines, table games, bingo, and more at Casino Night. You’ll exchange your chips at the end of the night for tickets at a must-be-present-to-win raffle.
Sponsored by the Student Activities Board (SAB). This event is for first-year students only.
From Move-in Day to the first day of classes, Welcome Week is full of exciting activities and engaging programs that give first-year students an opportunity to lay a foundation for a successful collegiate experience.
Welcome Week serves as a great opportunity for new students to get connected to their university both academically and through extracurricular activities. Programs such as the Opening Convocation and College Meetings, Playfair, Battle of the Halls, and Conway Daze are annual Welcome Week traditions at UCA. Welcome Week also provides plenty of opportunities for new students to make new and lifelong friends to share their college experience with!
It is our hope that Welcome Week will help students get acclimated to their new surroundings and kickstart their college experience!
Act Now! Download the Duo App today.
The University of Central Arkansas is rolling out Duo Security, a friendly and secure way for you to log into University-related applications. You will need to set up your account with Duo so you can start logging in.
If this is the first time you are reading about this requirement, please see our Duo Security FAQs for more information.
Download the Navigate Student app from your app store today to schedule campus appointments, find study partners, review holds, and find campus resources. See our Navigate page for more information.
