Students move into Oakland Hall along with other locations on the Evansdale Campus, Aug. 14, 2021. (WVU Photo/Mark Webb)
The return of FallFest highlights a packed Welcome Week at West Virginia University which begins Thursday, Aug. 11, and continues through the start of the fall semester Wednesday, Aug. 17.
New events include a pool party for all students at the Student Recreation Center on Saturday (Aug. 13) and a service project to benefit the West Virginia United Way Collaborative during Monday Night Lights for first-year students Monday (Aug. 15) at Milan Puskar Stadium.
For the first time since 2019, FallFest will be held on the Evansdale Recreation Fields Tuesday (Aug. 16). Details on FallFest acts are scheduled to be announced Aug. 12.
“We are so happy to return to a more traditional Welcome Week because it truly reflects the excitement of launching a new semester at WVU with thousands of new and returning students,” Dean of Students Corey Farris said. “Welcome Week sets the tone for what we hope will be a successful and memorable year for all of our students.”
The Rec Center Pool Party, Monday Night Lights and FallFest, join Mountaineer MovieFest Sunday (Aug. 14) as the marquee events out of the more than 50 planned during Welcome Week, the kickoff for the new academic year.
“The start of the fall semester is always an exciting time on campus and brings a renewed energy to Morgantown,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed said. “We are looking forward to having our students back — re-engaged and ready to kick off another successful year.”
The residence hall move-in process begins with students arriving at scheduled times Thursday (Aug.11) and continues through Saturday (Aug. 13). The University, in coordination with the City of Morgantown, will have additional University Police officers and Housing and Residence Life staff available to assist.
Once on campus, members of the Class of 2026 have opportunities to meet with faculty and administrators from their academic units, get tech support from Information Technology Services, learn to ride the PRT and meet with their fellow floor members at residence halls.
The Honors College Retreat is planned for Saturday (Aug. 13). Also Saturday, all residence hall students and others with meal plans are invited to Welcome Week Cookouts at the Rec Center and Rec Center Fields and on the Mountainlair Green.
The Student Organization Fair is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 14) at the Mountainlair Plaza. Sunday night, the Student Organization Fair moves to the Coliseum beginning at 6 p.m. as part of Mountaineer MovieFest.
Students will participate in adventure, wellness and service activities throughout the day Sunday and Monday.
A backpack packing service project for the West Virginia United Way Collaborative was incorporated into Monday Night Lights to drive home the importance of service for first-year students.
“WVU and our students are part of the larger Morgantown and West Virginia community and service where we live is a key part of the University’s land-grant mission,” Kristi Wood-Turner, assistant dean for community engagement, said.
“I have missed our students dearly this summer and look forward to welcoming them back to campus,” WVU President Gordon Gee said. “The research, outreach and service efforts of our students and faculty have a profound impact on the University, local communities, the region and beyond, and I cannot wait to see where their purposeful pursuits lead us in the coming year.”
The PRT resumes operations Monday (Aug. 8) with normal weekday hours from 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The PRT is normally closed on Sundays.
Special Welcome Week PRT hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 14) and 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday (Aug. 15) and Tuesday (Aug. 16).
See the full 2022 Welcome Week schedule.
-WVU-
sj/8/4/22
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