You’re about to start your Pioneer journey, and it’s a big step. Take a deep breath because we’ve got you covered. Whether you’ll be living on campus or commuting, Welcome Week is filled with activities that will help you get to know your fellow Pioneers and start making memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll also attend your first First Year Experience classes, learn academic success strategies, and explore the many student organizations, volunteer opportunities, recreational sports offerings and more that add value to your Carroll experience.

Transfer students are also encouraged to attend virtual or in-person Welcome Sessions sponsored by CU Central. Contact Amanda Delaney at adelaney@carrollu.edu with questions about transfer student activities.

What to Expect at Welcome Week

You'll learn a lot of names, have a lot of fun, make new friends and get a real taste of life at Carroll (hint - it's a blast).

For a complete current listing of events, please visit CampusGroups.

Welcome Week schedule

Friday, August 28, 2026

  • 8 - 10 a.m. Move-in for half of FYE sections
  • 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Move-in for half of FYE sections
  • 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. President’s Lunch – MDR [Students and Families]
  • 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. Commuter student check-in – Campus Center Patio (rain site: Campus Center Lobby) [Students and Families]
  • 1 p.m. You’re here…now what’s next? – Optional Panel Session - Campus Center, Stackner Ballroom [Students and Families]
  • 2 p.m. Student lineup for Opening Convocation – Van Male Fieldhouse [Students]
  • 2:45 p.m. Convocation Processional Begins - Carroll Arch [Students]
  • 3 p.m. Opening Convocation – Shattuck Auditorium (guests will stream in various locations) [Students and Families]
  • 4 - 4:15 p.m. Parent & guest farewells - Main Lawn [Students and Families]
  • 4:30 p.m. Welcome for the Class of 2029- Shattuck Auditorium [Students]
  • 4:45 - 5:15 p.m. Community Expectations - Shattuck Auditorium [Students]
  • 5:15 - 6 p.m. Team Meeting #1 - Main Lawn [Students]
  • 6 - 7:15 p.m. Dinner - Main Dining Room [Students]
  • 7 - 8 p.m. Commuter student meeting - Dorothy Goff Frisch Recital Hall [Students]
  • 7:15 p.m. Mandatory residence hall community meetings for first-year and transfer students - See your RA for location [Students]
  • 8 - 9 p.m. Commuter student Bingo - Pioneer Indoor Terrace [Students]
  • 9 - 10 p.m. Evening program: Mentalist, Chris Carter - Shattuck Auditorium [Students]

Saturday, August 29, 2026

  • 9:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. All first-year student program
  • 12 - 1:30p.m. Lunch
  • 1:30 - 4p.m. All first-year student program
  • 7 p.m. Evening program: Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, August 30, 2026

  • 9:30 a.m. Chapel for Orientation (optional event)
  • 11 a.m. All first-year student program
  • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
  • 1 p.m. All first-year student program
  • 3 - 5 p.m. Commuter and transfer student activities
  • 6:30 - 8 p.m. Residence hall social gathering – See your RA for details
  • 8 - 10 p.m. Evening program: Fire and Ice

Monday, August 31, 2026

  • 9 - 11 a.m. All first-year student program
  • 1 - 6 p.m. All first-year student program
  • 6:30 - 8 p.m. Residence Hall social gathering

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Community service trips with CCS class
  • 1 - 5 p.m. All first-year student program
  • 8 p.m. Evening program: Hypnotic Intoxication

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
First day of classes

  • 7 a.m. Donut Know Where to Go: Main Lawn
  • 6 - 7:30 p.m. Evening program: Hastad Hangout
  • 7:45 p.m. Mandatory residence hall floor meetings - See your RA for details

Thursday, September 3, 2026

  • 4 - 5:30 p.m. Commuter and transfer student programming
  • 8 p.m. Evening program: BINGO

Friday, September 4, 2026

  • 2:30 - 5 p.m. Involvement Fair
  • 5 - 8 p.m. Evening program: RecSports Social and Tie Dye Hangout

Saturday, September 7, 2026

  • 7:00 p.m. Evening program: Casino Night

Activities

All week long, our friendly and encouraging Orientation Mentors will guide you through activities and programs that will help you get comfortable with Carroll University. Learn more about a few of our key programs below.
Group of friends taking a selfie outdoors at a social gathering.

THE GREAT SCAVENGER HUNT

We help you get to know campus and highlights of the neighborhood through a giant scavenger hunt packed with interactive clues.
A live band playing on campus

EVENING PROGRAMMING

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down—each evening we host activities to keep Pioneers busy and engaged.

FYE: Day of Service

​You’ll find that Pioneers have a passion for leaving things better than they found them. Carroll has a strong culture of community service—you might say it’s in our DNA. Our students log more than 14,000 volunteer hours annually, beginning with Freshman Day of Service during Welcome Week, when you’ll join your entire incoming class in giving back. It’s an opportunity for us to make a significant impact on our community and the people who live here.

Six Week Challenge

fans in stands

Transitioning to college life can be a little overwhelming. Our Six-Week Challenge helps with a lineup of events and activities during the first six weeks of fall semester. You’ll be encouraged to stay on campus and get involved for six weeks before making your first visit home.

Six Week Challenge Activities

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