Welcome Week
Spring 2025 Welcome Week will be from Thursday, January 9 to Thursday, January 16. Required sessions occur on Friday, January 10. 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 Weekend. There are required activities on Friday, January 10, 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.
More offerings are to come! Check back in with us to see updated events.
Spring 2025 Schedule
Housing Move-In
Thursday, January 9
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
John Pugh Hall and Student Housing LodgeHousing move-in begins at 9:00 AM on Thursday, January 9. For more information about Housing Move-In, visit the UAS Student Housing Website.
New Student Orientation Check In & Breakfast
Friday, January 10
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Egan Building - Spikes CafeCheck 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, January 10
9:00 AM
Glacier View Room - Egan 221Join 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 and our student speaker, and learn more about your community!
Our Community - Session #1
Friday, January 10
10:20 AM
Lecture Hall - Egan 112Learn more about your student rights on campus in relation to Title IX and campus security. Here, we will discuss more about how to report illegal discriminatory behavior and learn about some supportive measures that students may have access to. This session is an acceptable substitute to the online mandatory Title IX Training.
Community Luncheon
Friday, January 10
11:30 AM
Mourant - Lakeside GrillJoin 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.
Student Panel
Friday, January 10
12:45 PM
Glacier View Room - Egan 221Hear 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.
Our Community - Session #2
Friday, January 10
2:05 PM
Egan LibraryThis is the chance to choose your own breakout adventure! In this 30 minute session block, you will get to choose which one of the two possible breakouts you would like to attend. All breakouts will have important information to share along with offering engagement opportunities. However, we recognize that each student will have a unique student experience here at UAS 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. The following sessions are currently tentative and are subject to change. An activity break will follow this session.
- Session 2: Campus Connections (30 minutes)
- Personal Financial Success - Host: Financial Aid
- Promoting Physical Wellness at UAS - Host: Campus Recreation
- Session 2: Campus Connections (30 minutes)
Our Community - Session #3
Friday, January 10
3:05 PM
Egan LibraryThis is the second chance to choose your own breakout adventure! In this 40 minute session block, you will get to choose which one of the two possible breakouts you would like to attend. All breakouts will have important information to share along with offering engagement opportunities. However, we recognize that each student will have a unique student experience here at UAS 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. The following sessions are currently tentative and are subject to change. You will receive your Orientation swag after this session!
- Session 3: Personal Success (40 minutes)
- On Campus Jobs & Internships - Host: Career Services
- Essential Skills in College: Healthy Relationships - Host: UAS Counseling
- Session 3: Personal Success (40 minutes)
Completion Opportunities & Optional Campus Tour
Friday, January 10
4:00 PM
CampuswideThis is the perfect time to ensure you're all set for classes to start! We'll help you to ensure you're registered, finished with financial aid requirements, and more.
We will also be offering a campus tour to ensure that you are well versed in UAS campus locations before your first day of class! A greeter will collect interested students after the end of the final breakout session.
Welcome (Back) Barbeque
Friday, January 10
6:00 PMStudent Recreation Center
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 some food, introduce yourself to other new and returning students, and learn more about the Recreation Center!
Glacier View Hike
Saturday, January 11
Be ready to go by 8:50 AMJohn Pugh Hall (9:00 AM pickup) and Student Housing Lodge (9:05 AM pickup)
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
Saturday, January 11
Be ready to go by 11:30 AMJohn Pugh Hall (11:45 AM pickup) and Student Housing Lodge (11:50 AM pickup)
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 Alaska State Museum with extensive exhibits that highlight the history of the lands we live on along with an introduction to Alaska Native history and traditions found across the state. From there, we will have a provided lunch as a group and then you will have the opportunity to break off into independent smaller groups to explore downtown, do some shopping, and try the local cuisine. Busses will be available at 3:20 PM for return trips to UAS.
Watch For The Aurora
Auke Lake Dock
What better way to wrap up a day of adventure than heading out with some friends and hunting for the aurora! Check the Aurora Forecast and make a plan to go see them. Active auroral displays tend to be more active later in the night, which means that 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM is typically the time period with the highest probability of seeing spectacular auroral displays.
Experience the Juneau Outdoors!
Sunday, January 12
Be ready to go by 8:50 AMJohn Pugh Hall (9:00 AM pickup) and Student Housing Lodge (9:05 AM pickup)
This adventure takes a more extensive trip into the outdoors and allows you the chance to experience Juneau's winter first hand. Specific activity will depend on weather and ice conditions as the date gets close. Possible activity options will include either ice skating, snow shoeing, or cross-country skiing. Check back in here or in UAS Connect after January 3 for an update that will confirm the selected activity.
Transportation is provided. Returning to campus at 11:45 AM.
Juneau Bowling
Sunday, January 12
Be ready to go by 4:45 PMJohn Pugh Hall (4:50 PM pickup) and Student Housing Lodge (4:55 PM pickup)
All experience levels are welcome. Challenge fellow new and returning students to a game of bowling. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and take a break from the cold weather. Transportation will be provided.
Bonfire & Smores
Sunday, January 12
8:00 PMNoyes 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!
Orientation Lunch - Cultural Welcome
Thursday, January 16
1:00 PM - 3:00 PMGlacier View Room (Egan 221)
Celebrate your first week of class and cap off the Orientation experience! Learn more about your community, meet some of our community's highly regarded elders, enjoy salmon soup and local dishes, and participate in an introduction to making your own frybread.
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 Weekend 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 for winter weather and wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in. In Southeast Alaska, layers are always recommended.