USU welcomes new students with 2024 Weeks of Welcome
For many students, the first week of college can be a foggy experience to navigate. It can also be a bright and expansive time to try new things and meet new people. Utah State’s Weeks of Welcome take place the first two weeks of the year, offering incoming students tons of opportunity to familiarize themselves with campus, get involved with clubs and organizations and connect with others.
Weeks of Welcome is a collection of events, shows and activities open to all students from Aug. 26 to Sept. 7. Hosted by USU Student Events, it’s planned to be a time for students to get involved and learn about academic, professional, leadership and extracurricular opportunities.
Halle Hart, a senior studying recreation administration, is highly involved at the university and urges students to make the most of their first few weeks.
“It’s the best time for incoming students to meet people and get to know campus better,” Hart said. “From dances to High Stakes Bingo to Day on the Quad, there’s a variety of things for people to enjoy.”
The event opens with the Festival on the Quad. Utah State’s historic courtyard is lined with carnival games, food trucks, live music performances and inflatables. Local bands The Moonspinners, Wednesday Somewhere and Little Jam are set to perform live music.
Ashlynn Smith serves on the Executive Council for USUSA. She plans and manages student events and extracurricular activities.
“Weeks of Welcome is super exciting because we have free events going on every day for the first two weeks of school,” Smith said. “There is so much to do.”
Perhaps one of the most famous events, Day on the Quad, takes place Aug. 28. It’s a time for students to connect with peers, learn about different communities and get involved in ways that can enrich college experiences. The event draws in over 4,000 students annually and hosts over 300 campus organizations.
Students can enjoy a movie at Old Main, Utah State’s oldest structure built on campus, on Aug. 29. This year’s showing is “Monsters University.”
The HURD, a student-led organization meant to bring school spirit, will host a campout on the Quad on Aug. 30.
Following the campout, The Big Agg Show will showcase artists Guava Tree, Bonneville, Hartebeast, Hurtado, Shadow Work and The Last Wild Buffalo.
The festivities carry on to the next week with High Stakes Bingo on Sept. 3. Students can sign up for tickets and enter to win prizes for the tradition.
Celebrations conclude with a USU classic: Poetry and a Beverage. PoBev is a monthly event that allows students to showcase their talents and enjoy live art. Students can attend the first PoBev of the year and watch live performances on Sept. 7.
In addition to parties and events, the university aims to provide varying types of resources for students. Counseling and Psychological Services, a division of Utah State’s Student Affairs, offers short-term counseling and other mental health resources. CAPS has many services ranging from consultations to workshops.
The Student Nutrition Access Center is a food pantry located on the third floor of the TSC. Students can stop by SNAC once a week for complimentary food items.
Aggie Wellness offers holistic solutions and resources for mental health, physical health, fitness and recreation. It aims to provide well-rounded support by emphasizing all aspects of a student’s well being.
The Career Design Center helps students manage their professional and academic life. It offers guides and resources for job-searching, building a resume, networking, interviews and more. Career Specialists are available to help navigate choosing a major or minor, finding an internship and managing admission into graduate school.
USU is known for its proximity to the wilderness and mountains. Many students take a walk, hike or picnic at First Dam Park, less than a 5-minute drive from campus.
There’s resources all over campus for students interested in joining clubs, getting involved in groups or looking for mental health resources.