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Welcome Week

Spring 2026 Welcome Weekend will be from Thursday, January 8 to Monday, January 12. Required sessions occur on Friday, January 9. You will find the latest happenings on campus after the first day of class in UAS Connect  (UA login info required) and the campus calendar. UAS Connect is your one stop shop for all things campus engagement (club meetings, small scale gatherings, large signature events, and more).

*Important weather related information and changes can be found below. This schedule was updated at 4:30 PM on Friday, January 9*

Orientation group overhead fisheye picture

Welcome Week is required for all new on-campus, degree-seeking students registered for 12 or more credits. New students living in On-Campus Housing are required to attend regardless of credit amounts. New students who are registered for less than 12 credits are highly encouraged to attend Welcome Week. There are required activities on Friday, January 9, 2026, with highly recommended activities through the first week of classes. A $135 fee will be charged to students who are required to attend and any other students that choose to join.

The Spring 2026 Schedule can be found below! More fun social events are on the way for Welcome Week and will be added throughout December as they become confirmed.

Registration for Juneau Spring New Student Orientation is now open! Register here (UA login information is required).

Family sessions are only offered during Fall New Student Orientation in August. Please check out the Family Resources page for more information including a list of offerings.

Spring 2026 Schedule

  • Housing Move-In

    Housing Move-In

    Thursday, January 8
    9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
    John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge

    Housing move-in begins at 9 AM on Thursday, January 8. For more information about Housing Move-In, visit the UAS Student Housing Website.

  • New Student Convocation

    New Student Orientation Breakfast

    Friday, January 9
     8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
    Housing Lodge & John Pugh Hall

    Check-in will take place during Convocation. Breakfast items are available at both the Housing Lodge and the John Pugh Hall lobby area. We look forward to seeing you soon!

  • New Student Convocation

    New Student Convocation

    Friday, January 9
     10:00 AM
    Zoom

    Join us for an introduction to your university! Hear from your Chancellor and Dean of Students, receive some introductory information for your time at UAS and the rest of the Orientation day.

    Zoom Meeting Details:

  • Our Community

    Morning Sessions - Title IX

    Friday, January 9
    10:00 AM
    Zoom

    Built to keep everyone well informed but also moving! The two student orientation groups will remain together throughout the morning to learn more about your rights and responsibilities under Title IX followed by a tour of your campus resources. 

    Zoom Meeting Details:

  • Our Community

    Our Community Breakouts #1

    Friday, January 9
    11:00 AM
    Zoom

    Zoom Meeting Details:

     

    This is the chance to choose your own Orientation adventure! Over the course of two 35-minute sessions, each session will host two possible breakout sessions in which you will get to choose one for each session. All breakout sessions will have important information to share along with offering engagement opportunities. We recognize that each student will have a unique student experience and this is the chance for you to tailor your breakout experience in a way that ensures that you receive the information that matters to you the most. Specific breakout offerings are found below:

    11:00 AM - Breakout Sessions - Campus Connections

    • Physical Wellness at UAS
      • Host: Campus Recreation
    • Building Community & Getting Connected!
      • Host: Student Engagement & Leadership
  • Community Luncheon

    Lunch Break

    Friday, January 9
    11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
    Housing Lodge & John Pugh Hall

    Lunch items (pizza, salad, and snacks) will be available at both the Housing Lodge and the John Pugh Hall lobby area. Feel free to take some snacks home for later!

  • Our Community

    Student Panel

    Friday, January 9
    12:40 PM - 1:25 PM
    Zoom

    Zoom Meeting Details:

    Hear from your peers! With other UAS resources available, you will get to hear about students' firsthand experience utilizing some common UAS services and resources. This is a chance for you to ask your questions about the UAS experience from a student's perspective. You will also learn more about managing some of the finer but still important points about being a successful university student.
  • Our Community

    Our Community Breakouts - Afternoon Sessions

    Friday, January 9
    1:25 PM
    Zoom

    Zoom Meeting Details:

     

    This is the chance to choose your own Orientation adventure! Over the course of two 35-minute sessions, each session will host two possible breakout sessions in which you will get to choose one for each session. All breakout sessions will have important information to share along with offering engagement opportunities. We recognize that each student will have a unique student experience and this is the chance for you to tailor your breakout experience in a way that ensures that you receive the information that matters to you the most. Specific breakout offerings are found below:

    1:25 PM - Breakout Sessions - Student Wellness

    • On Campus Jobs & Best Practices
      • Host: Career Services
    • Essential Skills in College: Mental Health Wellness
      • Host: UAS Counseling
  • Completion Opportunities

    Completion Opportunities

    Friday, January 9
    2:15 PM

    Campuswide (Virtually)

    This is the perfect time to ensure you're all set for classes to start! Need a last minute appointment? Need to turn in documents? Want to just say hi and get to know your resources? Staff will be available virtually to help point you in the right direction, make that appointment, give information, and more!

  • Welcome Barbeque

    Welcome (Back) Barbeque

    Friday, January 9
     6:00 PM

    [The BBQ has been cancelled due to the campus closure.]

    Student Recreation Center

    Open to first-year and returning students, come join us at the UAS Student Recreation Center for a BBQ! We'll have food, music, and an opportunity to explore the REC Center. This is a great opportunity to get dinner, introduce yourself to others, play games, and get certified for the Rock Wall!

  • Glacier Hike

    Glacier View Hike

    Saturday, January 24
     Students should be ready to go by 8:50 AM

    Bus will pick-up from John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge at 9:00 AM 

    There are many ways to get up close to Mendenhall Glacier, including a moderately easy and well-marked trail to Nugget Falls. Winding along Mendenhall Lake, the closest trail to the glacier itself, you’ll find a stunning 377-foot waterfall cascading into an iceberg lake with a magnificent glacier in the background. You might even get lucky and see some wildlife up close!

  • Downtown Trip

    Downtown Trip

    Saturday, January 24
     Students should be ready to go by 11:35 AM

    Bus will pick-up from John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge at 11:45 AM 

    Juneau is many things: a mountain town, a coastal community and the most scenic capital city in the U.S. A natural wonder, wildlife hotspot, and cultural jewel, Juneau is rich in history, art, music and Native heritage. We will begin our downtown trip with a provided lunch at a local restaurant downtown. Then, we will head to the Juneau-Douglas Museum as a group where you will see some of Juneau's rich history and learn more about the area. From there you will have the opportunity to break off into smaller groups to explore downtown, do some shopping, and try the local cuisine. 

    After exploring the museum, the remainder of your time is free to explore on your own or with your new friends! 

    A return bus to campus will pick-up from downtown at 3:15 PM

  • BonFire

    Bonfire & Smores

    Saturday, January 24
     8:00 PM
    Noyes Pavilion (next to John Pugh Hall)

    Hang out, eat smores, and tell your favorite ghost stories. This is your last chance to make some great connections before heading into your first day of classes!

  • Frozen Auke Lake

    Experience the Juneau Outdoors!

    Sunday, January 11

    *Cancelled due to substantial snow blocking trails and unsafe lake ice conditions*

    We invite students to learn and experience more of the Juneau outdoors! Join us for an outdoor activity in the morning with transportation provided. The exact activity will depend on what snow levels and the weather are looking like and it will be announced by January 6. Possible activities may include an extended hike, snow shoeing, or outdoor ice skating.

  • Bowling pin image

    Bowling!

    Thursday, January 29
     Students should be ready to go by 6:35 PM

    Bus will pick-up from John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge by 6:40 PM 

    Feeling competitive? Or, just want to have a fun game of bowling? New and returning students are invited to join New Student Orientation for bowling at Pinz Bowling Alley in downtown Juneau! Transportation is available.

  • Aurora Decorative Image

    Watch for the Aurora this Winter!

    Auke Lake Dock

    What better way to wrap up a day of adventure, this Fall, than heading out with some friends and hunting for the aurora! Check the Aurora Forecast and make a plan to go see them when the occasion calls for it. Active auroral displays tend to be more active later in the night, which means that 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM is typically the time period with the highest probability of seeing spectacular auroral displays. Peak auroral activity visible to Juneau is normally in the early winter months but can be visible for 8 months out of the year.

What meals are provided?

Unless stated on the schedule, students should plan on utilizing breaks to coordinate meals in between activities over the weekend. Lakeside Market will be open from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM on weekends and 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM during the week. The grill will be open from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM on weekends and 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM during the week. For required sessions on Friday, January 9, a breakfast and lunch will be provided with snacks available throughout the day.

What if I cannot attend every session?

We understand that some incoming students may have scheduling conflicts. Your goal should be to attend as much of Welcome Week as possible. There are no separate fees or fee reductions if you can only attend part of the event.

What should I bring?

Orientation is active so be sure to dress comfortably and wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in. In Southeast Alaska, layers are always recommended. In January, expect snow with possible ice and dress warm for cold temperatures.

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