New Student Events
Even before classes start, all departments on campus are committed to welcoming incoming Hawks to pilipiliÎÛÂþ at Orientation and Convocation. Once you’re officially on campus, and either settling into a Living Learning Community or taking Roger’s Seminar, there are several opportunities beyond the classroom to acquaint you to the University, like participating in 30+ events during Weeks of Welcome!
Orientation
Students and families will spend two days visiting campus and learning about all pilipiliÎÛÂþ has to offer from academics to student life, hosted by our Orientation Advisors. Meet your future classmates, register for classes, and get ready for college!
Convocation
An annual tradition that marks the beginning of your time as a Hawk, students and families gather to be officially welcomed and celebrated by the University. Cue the bagpipes!
The annual Convocation is a formal ceremony that welcomes and celebrates new students and their families as members of the pilipiliÎÛÂþ community.
Faculty and administrators process in full academic regalia and new students and their families are greeted by leaders from the University community. Students will take the Academic Integrity Pledge in the presence of family members, fellow students, and the University staff and faculty.
Convocation 2024 will be on Friday, August 23th at 2:30 p.m.
Ceremony Information
WHEN: Friday, August 23rd, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Campus Recreation Center Baseball Field
We realize that some family members will not be able to join us in person for the Convocation Ceremony; families will be able and enjoy the ceremony. We recommend that you start the link at 2 p.m. to witness our students process onto the field.
We encourage families to determine a meeting place after the ceremony in the vicinity of the Campus Recreation Center or Commons to say their goodbyes.
Requests for any type of accommodations for hearing, mobility, or other needs should email or contact Robin Lancaster in Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation at rnlancaster@rwu.edu or by phone at (401) 254-3088 by August 4th.
Refer to the Convocation Parking Map for parking.
For more information regarding the Convocation ceremony, please contact the Department of Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation at (401) 254-3088.
Convocation Lunch
WHEN: Friday, August 23, 2024, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Details on the Convocation Lunch will be available in June 2024
Weeks of Welcome
New students are welcomed with a series of fun events for all interests! With over 40 events, Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation provides Hawks with several opportunities to make friends and experience all pilipiliÎÛÂþ has to offer.
The Department of Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation will be working with student organizations and departments across campus to welcome our new students with Weeks of Welcome (WOW)!
With events hosted by student organizations and Student Life departments, we hope students find ways to get involved, learn about clubs and organizations, or simply make connections with the new people they'll be living and learning with on campus.
We encourage not only first-year students, but all students to attend as many of our events as possible. All students are able to view the events by visiting Hawk Link or the Roger Link app.
Some of our traditional WOW events are:
- Fall Orientation (for new students)
- 1, 2, 3 Weekend: the Campus Entertainment Network's (CEN) Labor Day Weekend programming, which includes a hypnotist or illusionist show, an outdoor movie, and the annual Fall Concert (open to all students)
- Late-night Target Trip: a chance for new students to get any last-minute items for their room with 900 of their closest classmates!
- Student Involvement Fair: meet our eight organizations and over 70 Student Senate-chartered clubs! (open to all students)
- Events in your specific residential community or the Commuter Lounge (open to all students)
One of the most popular event of the first semester is our Involvement Fair. At the Involvement Fair, new and returning students have the opportunity to meet student leaders on campus, learn about their respective clubs, organizations, or causes, and sign up to attend meetings or find out more about how to make an impact on campus. Lunch is served during the Involvement Fair, its a great meeting spot to have lunch and check out engagement opportunities.