Welcome Week

Fall 2025 Welcome Week will be from Thursday, August 21 to Thursday, August 28. Required sessions occur on Friday, August 22. 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).

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, August 22, 2025, 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 Fall 2025 Schedule can be found below! More fun social events are on the way for Welcome Week and will be added throughout July as they become confirmed.

Registration for Juneau Fall New Student Orientation is now available! Complete your registration here (UA Login Info Required).

Fall 2025 Schedule

• 

  Housing Move-In

  Thursday, August 21
  9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge

  Housing move-in begins at 9 AM on Thursday, August 22. For more information about Housing Move-In, visit the UAS Student Housing Website.

• 

  Welcome (Back) Barbeque

  Thursday, August 21
  5:00 PM

  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!

• 

  New Student Orientation Check In & Breakfast

  Friday, August 22
  8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  Mourant - Near Lakeside Grill

  Check in for Orientation, get your name badge, and grab some breakfast and caffeine to fuel you through the day. Families are more than welcome to join!

• 

  New Student Convocation

  Friday, August 22
  9:00 AM
  Egan Library

  Join us at the Egan Library for an official welcome to your university. You'll get the opportunity to meet your peers, hear from the UAS Chancellor, student leaders, and learn more about your community!

• 

  Morning Sessions

  Friday, August 22
  10:00 AM
  Egan Library

  Built to keep everyone well informed but also moving! The two student orientation groups will split up throughout the morning to learn more about your rights and responsibilities under Title IX followed by a tour of your campus resources. You will received your group assignment during check-in. 
• 

  Our Community Breakouts - Round 1

  Friday, August 22
  12:05 PM
  Egan Library Classrooms

   

  The first group will be sent to lunch while the second group is sent to their first session. A switch will occur at approximately 12:50 PM. You will have received your group assignment during check-in.

  This is the chance to choose your own Orientation adventure! Over the course of three 40-minute sessions, each session will host three to four possible breakouts in which you will get to choose one for each session. All breakouts 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. 

  Round 1 Sessions

  • Physical Wellness at UAS
    
    • Host: UAS Campus Recreation
  • Student Resources at UAS
    • Host: Academic Advising
  • Get Involved! How to Make the Most of your Time at UAS
    • Host: Student Engagement & Leadership
• 

  Community Luncheon

  Friday, August 22
  12:05 PM
  Lakeside Grill - Mourant

  The first group will be sent to lunch while the second group is sent to their first session. A switch will occur at approximately 12:50 PM. You will have received your group assignment during check-in.

  Join us at the Lakeside Grill for a chance to eat and build community, along with meeting some of the on-campus faculty, staff, and campus community resources. This is a great opportunity to meet potential professors, make some new connections, and sign up for appointments with Health and Wellness, Student Accounts, and your Advisors. We'll also be taking a group photo of all Orientation attendees!

• 

  Student Panel

  Friday, August 22
  1:50 PM
  Egan Library

  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 Breakouts - Afternoon Sessions

  Friday, August 22
  3:10 PM
  Egan Library

   

  This is the chance to choose your own Orientation adventure! Over the course of three 45-minute sessions, each session will host three to four 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:

  3:10 PM - Breakout Sessions - Round 2

  • On Campus Jobs & Internships: Prepare Early
    
    • Host: Career Services
  • Building Community & Igniting Success: A talking circle for BIPOC, Rural, & First-Generation College Students
    • Host: Native & Rural Student Center
  • Green Dot: Bystander Intervention Training
    • Host: Office of Rights, Compliance, & Accountability

  • Financial Skills & Budgeting
    • Host: Financial Aid Office

  4:00 PM - Breakout Sessions - Round 3

  • On Campus Jobs & Internships: Prepare Early
    
    • Host: Career Services
  • Exchange, Study Away/Abrod Interest Session
    
    • Host: Exchange & Study Away/Abroad Office
  • Navigate the Tech at UAS: Feel Confident with UA Online, Blackboard, and More
    • Host: UAS IT Services
  • Essential Skills in College: Taking Good Care of Yourself
    • Host: TimelyCare & UAS Counseling
• 

  Completion Opportunities

  Friday, August 22
  4:40 PM
  
  Egan Library

  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? Orientation Leaders will be on hand to take students to Novatney for their Whale Card and an advisor will be present to help make appointments.

• 

  Downtown Trip

  Saturday, August 23
  Students should be ready to go by 9:20 AM

  9:30 AM bus pick-up from John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge 
  

  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 at the Sealaska Heritage Institute to explore a replica Clan House and other Native Alaskan works of art. From there you will have the opportunity to break off into smaller groups to explore downtown, do some shopping, take the tram, and try the local cuisine. 

  After exploring the Sealaska Heritage Institute, 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 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM

• 

  Bonfire & Smores

  Saturday, August 23
  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!

• 
  

  Whale Watching

  Sunday, August 24
  8:40 AM - 12:00 PM
  Auke Bay - Statter Harbor
  

  Walk down to the harbor as a group from John Pugh Hall at 8:40 AM. Boat leaves the harbor promptly at 9:00 AM See some of the many whales found in Southeast Alaska up close on a Whale Watching boat excursion! Be sure to bring your Orientation name tag to participate in this activity that is only free to Orientation participants. You may even see some wildlife on the shoreline. 

• 

  Lake Day

  Sunday, August 24
  Time TBD
  UAS Auke Lake Dock
  

  Grab a towel and join us down at the UAS Auke Lake docks for some fun lake activities, rain or shine! Take advantage of free use of UAS Recreation water equipment for either some fun games or just relaxing on the lake. The university docks are located right behind the main campus buildings.

• 

  Glacier View Hike

  Date TBD
  Time TBD
  Bus will pick-up from John Pugh Hall and Student Housing Lodge 
  

  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!

• 

  Watch For The Aurora this Semester!

  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 p.m. to 3 a.m. 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, August 22, a full 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 August and prepare for possible rain.