Welcome Home
Week of Welcome 2025 will be special indeed, as we look to provide an amazing kick off for our incoming first-year and transfer students. Week of Welcome (WOW) is our way of welcoming you to the flock as a new UO student and celebrating what will be an exciting next chapter in your educational journey.
The week will kick off with our first signature event on Friday, September 26, following Unpack the Quack, our University Housing move-in experience. For more information about Unpack the Quack, check out the move-in website.
For the most up-to-date WOW information and schedule, keep checking this webpage for details as we approach September!
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Monday, September 22
Military-Connected and Nontraditional Student Welcome
8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union, Redwood Auditorium (214 EMU)
Welcome, student veterans, military-connected students, and nontraditional students! Come hang out, learn more about helpful campus and community resources and have a chance to meet others and start building your community.
Thursday, September 25
Unpack the Quack
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The primary residence hall move-in days for fall 2025 are Thursday, September 25, and Friday, September 26. University Housing will send more information about your move-in experience later this summer.
Running Tour
9:30–10:30 a.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Discover the history behind Eugene’s nickname “TrackTown USA” on a 3.7-mile tour of running trails surrounding the UO campus. Ambassadors run at a comfortable pace (10-minute mile) and stop frequently to point out landmarks, for an approximately 45-minute experience. Registration for this tour is closed and at capacity.
Community Meetings
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Residence Hall Community Meetings are an opportunity to meet your floormates, your resident assistant (RA), and orient yourselves to living in on-campus at the UO. For students who move in on Thursday, this meeting is mandatory.
Check your My Housing portal or ask your RA for your meeting date and location.
Residence Hall Association Events
7:00 p.m. | Various Residence Halls
Join us for events in residence halls around campus, hosted by the Residence Hall Association. We’ll have a hypnotist in the Global Scholars Hall Great Room, inflatables on the Global Scholars Hall Lawn, games in Kalapuya Ilihi Room 117, crafts in the new residence hall, karaoke in Carson Hall, a silent disco on the Living Learning Center Lawn, and crafts and a movie in Barnhart Hall!
Friday, September 26
Unpack the Quack
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Residence hall move-in continues Friday. You'll receive more information from University Housing.
It's Duck Friday!
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Show your UO spirit and wear Duck gear today! Stop by the Student Welcome Center in your green and yellow gear and receive a special Duck Friday giveaway or take a photo at the specialty Duck Friday photo area.
Duck Friday Crafts with the Craft Center
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Duck out your day with specialty UO crafts with the Craft Center.
Therapy Dogs
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Take a break from settling into your new nest and hang out with therapy dogs from FETCH, a local volunteer therapy dog group in Eugene.
Meet and Greet with Thor
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Thor is the UO's explosive detection K9, and he works hard every day to keep campus and the community safe. Come meet Thor and his handler, UOPD Officer Anthony Button, as they show you a day in the life of an explosive detection team. In the meantime, you can follow along with Thor’s adventures on his Instagram, @uopd_thor.
Community Meetings
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Residence Hall Community Meetings are an opportunity to meet your floormates, your resident assistant (RA), and orient yourselves to living in on-campus at the UO. This meeting is mandatory for all residents.
Check your My Housing portal or ask your RA for your meeting date and location.
Duck into the Rec
8:00–10:00 p.m. | Student Recreation Center, Turf Field #1
Kick off your first weekend at the UO with music, live performances, free food, games, and inflatable competitions! Come hang out and see everything the Rec Center has to offer during your time as a student.
Saturday, September 27
FIG Meetings
Times and locations will vary
If you’re in a First-Year Interest Group, check your email for details about your first FIG meeting.
College Block
10:00 a.m.–noon | Erb Memorial Union Green
Take this opportunity to connect with student support resources and explore majors and minors. This is a great time to gather all your building blocks for the fall term.
Find Your Classes Tours
11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater
No need to get lost. Bring your fall schedule and your walking shoes. We’ll help you look like an expert on your first day of classes.
Erb Memorial Union (EMU) Open House
Noon–3:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union
The Erb Memorial Union (EMU) is your student union, where you can get involved, find your people, learn new crafts, meet new friends, adopt a favorite student spot, and more. Come explore for yourself with an interactive tour with snacks, prizes, and activity passport.
Flock Party
2:00–4:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union Green and Straub Hall Green
Connect with clubs and organizations and find your niche at the UO.
UO Football Watch Party
3:30–7:30 p.m., game starts at 4:30 p.m. | Memorial Quad Lawn
It’s finally here. Game day! Cheer on the Oregon Ducks as they take on Penn State for an incredible game day experience with the Oregon Pit Crew. We encourage students to bring a chair or lawn blanket to sit and enjoy the watch party. Free food and Oregon Ducks giveaways available while supplies last.
Knight @ Night
8:00–10:00 p.m. | Knight Library
Kick off the year with us in Knight Library and enjoy live music, late night bites, a photobooth, mini-golf, trivia, carnival games, a video game lounge, DIY crafts (like tote bags and bracelets), instrument petting zoo, and prizes. This event has something for everyone! To see the full range of activities, check out the Guide to Knight at Night.
Movie on the Lawn
9:00–11:00 p.m. | Memorial Quad Lawn
Bring a blanket and wear a cozy outfit to enjoy a movie on the lawn.
Sunday, September 28
Find Your Classes Tours
10:00–11:15 a.m. | Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater
No need to get lost. Bring your fall schedule and your walking shoes. We’ll help you look like an expert on your first day of classes.
New Student Convocation
1:00–2:00 p.m. | Hayward Field
Convocation is the traditional “calling together” of the university community as we start the new year and celebrate our new students. Parents and family members are welcome to attend.
Walk to Autzen Stadium
2:00 p.m. | Depart from Hayward Field
Following Convocation, meet up with your incoming classmates to make your way over the river and through the woods to Autzen Stadium.
For accommodations related to disability, please contact Student Orientation Programs at 541-346-1159 to learn more about the Access Shuttle to Autzen Stadium.
Class Photo
3:00–5:00 p.m. | Autzen Stadium
This is one of our favorite traditions here at the UO. Meet at Hayward Field make the walk to Autzen Stadium with your incoming classmates. You’ll even receive your class T-shirt before entering the field!
Embracing Connections Dinner for BIPOC Students
6:00–7:30 p.m. | Ford Alumni Center Ballroom
Hosted by Community and Belonging, Embracing Connections is a community dinner that centers students of color and provides a space to build meaningful relationships across campus.
This year’s event will feature:
- A warm welcome from staff on the Eugene campus
- Opportunities to connect and network with fellow students, faculty, and staff of color
- An introduction to student and university resources
We hope you’ll join us for this evening of connection, celebration, and community. Please RSVP by Thursday, September 18, at 5:00 p.m. PDT to confirm your attendance.
For questions about the RSVP or event details, please contact Dr. Aris Hall at arish@uoregon.edu.
Monday, September 29
First Day of Classes
Wear your best UO and Duck gear while attending your official first day of college. You’ve got this!
Transfer Student Connection
Time and location TBD
Meet other new transfer students and get connected to clubs and resources just for transfer students. You’ll also receive a “I transferred hOme” T-shirt!
Tuesday, September 30
Transfer Student Social
Time and location TBD
Meet other transfer students, play some games, and grab some food during this social just for transfer students!
Hall Council Interest Meetings
8:00 p.m. in the Residence Halls
Learn more about ways to get involved in your residence hall!
Wednesday, October 1
Multicultural Center Open House
3:00–6:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union, Multicultural Center
Come by the Multicultural Center to discover and learn more about our resources and connect with student organizations.
Thursday, October 2
A Family Affair: BCC Welcome
4:30–6:30 p.m. | Black Cultural Center Parking Lot
The Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center welcomes students and centers building and connecting the UO Black community. We welcome all to join us for food, music, games, and fellowship. We’d love to see you there!
Friday, October 3
Ice Cream with the Student Activities Board
1:00–4:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater
Beat the heat with free ice-cold treats, learn about upcoming events, and meet some of the Student Activities Board team! Pick up a new fall term calendar, too! (While supplies last, dietary alternatives are available.)
PARENT AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Thursday, September 25
Unpack the Quack
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Have your student check their My Housing portal for details about move-in!
Explore Eugene
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
There’s something about Eugene that makes it more than just special. Learn about the local businesses, eateries, shops, and sites to explore while in town.
Running Tour
9:30–10:30 a.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Discover the history behind Eugene’s nickname “TrackTown USA” on a 3.7-mile tour of running trails surrounding the UO campus. Ambassadors run at a comfortable pace (10-minute mile) and stop frequently to point out landmarks, for an approximately 45-minute experience. Registration for this tour is closed and at capacity.
Parent and Family Lounge
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union, Lease Crutcher Lewis Room (023 EMU)
Come relax, enjoy refreshments, write a letter to your student, and meet university faculty members and staff. This is an informal space, and families are welcome to come and go as they please.
Parent and Family Marketplace
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Immerse yourself in the traditions of the UO through activities and events and connect with community partners who want to welcome you and your Ducks family to the city of Eugene. Students, parents, and family members are welcome.
Friday, September 26
Unpack the Quack
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Have your student check their My Housing portal for details about move-in!
Explore Eugene
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
There’s something about Eugene that makes it more than just special. Learn about the local businesses, eateries, shops, and sites to explore while in town.
It's Duck Friday!
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Show your UO spirit and wear Duck gear today! Stop by the Student Welcome Center in your green and yellow gear and receive a special Duck Friday giveaway or take a photo at the specialty Duck Friday photo area.
Duck Friday Crafts with the Craft Center
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Duck out your day with specialty UO crafts with the Craft Center.
Parent and Family Lounge
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Erb Memorial Union, Lease Crutcher Lewis Room (023 EMU)
Come relax, enjoy refreshments, write a letter to your student, and meet university faculty members and staff. This is an informal space, and families are welcome to come and go as they please.
Parent and Family Marketplace
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Immerse yourself in the traditions of the UO through activities and events and connect with community partners who want to welcome you and your Ducks family to the city of Eugene. Students, parents, and family members are welcome.
Therapy Dogs
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Take a break from settling your student into their new nest and hang out with therapy dogs from FETCH, a local volunteer therapy dog group in Eugene.
Meet and Greet with Thor
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Student Welcome Center, Unthank Hall
Thor is the UO's explosive detection K9, and he works hard every day to keep campus and the community safe. Come meet Thor and his handler, UOPD Officer Anthony Button, as they show you a day in the life of an explosive detection team. In the meantime, you can follow along with Thor’s adventures on his Instagram, @uopd_thor.
Saturday, September 27
Explore Eugene on Your Own
It’s your day to relax and enjoy everything Eugene has to offer. Whether It’s hiking, rafting, wine tasting, golfing, or checking out the Saturday Market, there’s so much to explore. Visit the Eugene, Cascades and Oregon Coast website to find local businesses and book your experience.
Football Watch Party – Oregon Ducks vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
3:30 p.m., game kickoff at 4:30 p.m. | Graduate Eugene, Trophy Room
Join fellow Ducks and alumni at the Graduate Eugene for a spirited watch party as Oregon takes on Penn State! Hosted with the UO Alumni Association's Lane County Chapter, it's the perfect chance to cheer on the Ducks, connect with your Duck family, and enjoy the energy of game day. Want to know if there will be future watch parties in your hometown? Connect with the UO Alumni Association during the watch party!
Sunday, September 28
New Student Convocation
1:00–2:00 p.m. | Hayward Field
Come to hear from UO President Karl Scholz and academic leaders. Your student’s academic journey starts here.
Walk to Autzen
2:00–2:45 p.m. | Departs from Hayward Field
After Convocation, follow other family members to Autzen Stadium for the class photo and pep rally. It’s over the river and through the woods. The walk to Autzen Stadium is about 30–35 minutes long. Experience this game day tradition.
Class Photo
3:00–4:00 p.m. | Autzen Stadium
Duck families are invited to get a Duck’s eye view of the fun happening at Autzen Stadium as the students take their traditional class photo!