Welcome Weekend

Friday, August 25 – Monday, August 28, 2023
Fall 2023 Welcome Weekend for new students is the time you have been waiting for all summer! Friday, August 25 is Move-in Day for new residential students and Check-in Day for new commuters. This day will be filled with excitement and fun as you and your family arrive, move in, and get settled at SAU. Friday afternoon, August 25 through Monday, August 28 begins New Student Orientation where you will hear from staff, faculty, and student leaders throughout the weekend, meet new friends, and become an expert of campus resources and program offerings.
We can’t wait for you to join us as an official SAU Cougar!
FAQs
- We believe welcome weekend is a highly valuable time that directly correlates to your future success here at SAU. If there is a conflict with participating in any part of Welcome Weekend, we ask that you communicate that conflict directly with your Admissions rep before your arrival or with Chelsae Burk, Assistant Director of Community Engagement, at Chelsae.Burk@arbor.edu. We invite your family to join you in the festivities of Move-in Day. No event registration is required to participate.
- When you arrive, you will be guided to park in the General Student Parking Lot and will check-in at the Poling Center located on Ogle Ave.
- **Move-in Day for returning SAU students is after 2:00pm on Saturday, August 26**
- Each new student and their family will receive a complimentary meal ticket to join us for lunch on Friday in our Dining Commons.
- We will have our traditional ribbon cutting ceremony called Parting at the Plaza at 4pm on Friday. This ceremony is for new students and guests to celebrate the beginning of this new college experience and to reflect on the journey of getting to this moment. During this time, we will be dividing into CORE groups (everyone in your CORE 100 class). We will then ask that family and students say their goodbyes and part ways. From that moment on we will only have activities planned for students for the remainder of the weekend.
- We encourage parents and families to continue staying involved throughout the academic year. If you have questions about resources we provide on campus or would like to discover campus events and other ways your student can get involved, please reach out to us by phone at 517.750.6330 or by email at student.development@arbor.edu. You can also stay involved by joining our SAU Parents Facebook page to meet other parents, hear about upcoming events, and post questions.
Move In Dates & Times
Early Arrival Move in Dates
If you believe that you are expected to arrival early, all early arrivals require pre-approval through the Housing office, coordinated by your coach or direct supervisor. If you are unsure about whether you are expected to arrive early, please contact your coach or supervisor.
New Students
When you arrive at the welcome area (Poling Center lobby) you will receive your welcome packet and room key if residing on campus.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25th 10:00-11:00am | GROUP #1 Check-in
This group includes the following areas for all odd-numbered rooms:
- Andrew’s Hall
- Gainey Hall
- Lowell Hall – Alpha, Delta, Gamma wings
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25th 11:00am-12:00pm | GROUP #2 Check-in
This group includes the following areas for all even-numbered rooms:
- Andrew’s Hall
- Gainey Hall
- Lowell Hall
- Village Suites (new and transfer students only | returning students can arrive Saturday, August 25 after 2pm)
Welcome Weekend Schedule
Friday, August 25
Location | Time | Event Details & Location |
Poling Center | 10:00am-12:00pm | Check-in at Your Assigned Time – The Poling Center is located near the general student parking lot |
White Library | 10:00am-3:30pm | Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop Open |
Dining Commons | 11:30am-1:30pm | Complimentary Family Lunch – Assigned lunch times on check-in packet |
Plaza | 12:30pm-3:30pm | Kick-Off Festivities – Music, games, food and fun (optional) |
White Auditorium | 2:15pm-3:15pm | Parent Session – Panel with key SAU staff members |
Poling Center | 3:00pm-3:30pm | Commuter Check-in at Poling Center |
Clocktower Plaza | 4:00pm-4:30pm | Parting at the Plaza Ceremony – With your CORE group and your family |
Various Locations | 4:45pm-7:00pm | CORE Group Meetings – See your Peer Advisor for more info |
Dining Commons | 4:45pm-7:00pm | Celebration Dinner |
Various Locations | 9:15pm-10:00pm | All Call Hall: Welcome Home! |
Saturday, August 26
Location | Time | Event Details |
Dining Commons | 8:10am-9:15am | Breakfast |
Centennial Plaza | 9:45am-10:00am | Devotions |
Centennial Plaza | 10:00am-12:00pm | Operation Community |
Dining Commons | 12:00pm-1:30pm | Lunch |
Various Locations | 2:00pm-4:00pm | You Choose: Afternoon Excursion |
Various Locations | 4:00pm-6:00pm | Athletic Practices |
Dining Commons | 5:00pm-6:30pm | CORE Group Dinner |
Clocktower Plaza | 7:00pm | Party on the Plaza – Help us kick off our 150th anniversary with food, fireworks, and a live concert! |
Sunday, August 27
Location | Time | Event Details |
Centennial Plaza | 9:30am-11:00am | Campus Worship Service |
Dining Commons | 11:00am-1:00pm | Brunch with Your Floor |
Library Steps | 1:00pm-4:00pm | RA Afternoon Takeover |
Various Locations | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Devotional and Self-Reflection Time/Free Time |
Dining Commons | 5:00pm-7:00pm | Dinner with Your Floor |
Oak Tree | 8:00pm-10:00pm | Arbor Nights |
Monday, August 28
Location | Time | Event Details |
Dining Commons | 7:40am-8:40am | Breakfast (optional) |
White Auditorium | 10:15am-11:15am | Making the Most of College |
Dining Commons | 11:30am-1:00pm | Lunch |
Various Locations | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Major Meet-up |
President’s Lawn | 2:00pm-4:00pm | Ice Cream with the President |
Various Locations | 4:00pm-6:00pm | Athletic Practices |
Dining Commons | 5:00pm-7:00pm | CORE Group Dinner |
Various Locations | 9:00pm | Residence Hall Meeting |
Tuesday, August 29
Classes begin!
New Student Retreat: Camp Michindoh
Friday, Sept. 1 – Sunday, Sept. 3
Last year, 2022, marked the beginning of a new tradition. Core 100 students embarked on SAU’s new annual getaway to Camp Michindoh, a weekend full of team building and adventure!