WELCOME WEEKEND 2023
What is Welcome Weekend?
In the weekend ahead, you’ll get an idea of what makes this place tick. We'll show you around campus, talk about standards and expectations and introduce you to long-held university traditions.
Welcome Weekend offers educational and social opportunities for you to learn about community expectations and how you connect to Eastern - opportunities that will provide you with a solid foundation for both personal and academic success. The complete schedule is below; you can also find the official Welcome Weekend booklet here.
- 8 am - 4 pm: Information Booth
Library Quad - 3 - 5 pm: New Student and Family Welcome
Lantz Arena
Each fall, EIU’s Opening Convocation celebrates the start of the academic year. Join administration, faculty, staff and students as we formally open the beginning of the academic year and officially welcome all of our entering students to the Eastern Illinois University family. Mandatory for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. - 6 pm - 12 am: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. General public: $20 wristband unlimited rides Sponsored by EIU University Board. - 7 - 8 pm: Residence Hall Floor Meeting
All Residence Halls
Mandatory for students living in the residence halls. Come meet your floor community while learning how to navigate on-campus living.
- 8 am - 4 pm: Information Booth
Library Quad - 9:30 - 10 a.m. Welcome Weekend Check-In & New Student Photo
O’Brien Stadium
Mandatory for new freshman and transfer students. - 10 - 11:30 am: Academic Showcase
Mandatory for freshman and transfer students.- College of Health & Human Services
Charleston/Mattoon Room, MLK Jr. Union - Lumpkin College of Business & Technology
Roberson Auditorium (Room 2030), Lumpkin Hall - College of Education
Buzzard Auditorium (Room 1501), Buzzard Hall - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Doudna Concourse, Doudna Fine Arts Center - Undeclared
University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union
- College of Health & Human Services
- 11:30 am - 1 pm: Community Picnic
South Quad
Join the university community for lunch! Be prepared to show your Panther Card. - 1 - 2 pm: Panther Prep
Location Based on Student’s Assigned Advisor
Check your Panther Mail for invite. Mandatory for freshmen. Review academic information and get prepared for the start of classes. - 2 - 3:30 pm: Booth Library Open House
Booth Library - 2 - 4 pm: School of the Arts Orientation
Doudna Fine Arts center (Art Wing Concourse)
Mandatory for new Art+Design, Music, and Theatre students. - 3 - 5 pm: Find Your Classes Tours
Depart from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 6 pm - 12 am: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. General public: $20 wristband unlimited rides Sponsored by EIU University Board.
- 9 am - 1:30 pm: JumpStart Community Service Projects
(On- and off-campus options)
Please see your email for check-in location. Mandatory for freshmen. - 1 - 3 pm: Find Your Classes Tours
Depart from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 1 - 5 pm: Information Booth
Library Quad - 3 - 4:45 pm: Panther Connections (Two Sessions)
Mandatory for freshman and transfer students.
Choose one program for the 3 pm session and one program for the 4 pm session.- Self-Care 101
Arcola/Tuscola Room, MLK Jr. Union
Get mindfulness and self-care tips and tricks, and learn about EIU’s Counseling Center, Health Education Resource Center, and other mental health resources. - Tips for Living Off Campus and Student Legal Services Coleman Auditorium (Room 1255),
Coleman Hall
Find out what you need to know about Student Legal Services and living off-campus. - How Career Services Can Help You Right Now!
Buzzard Auditorium (Room 1501), Buzzard Hall
Get details about the Handshake Community, student employment, interviewing practices, resume workshops, and more. - Life Beyond the Classroom: Getting Involved at EIU
Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union
Leave your paw print on campus! Find out how to get involved in RSOs, Fraternity and Sorority Life, volunteering, and becoming a student leader. - Staying Active Through Intramurals
7th Street Underground (Rathskeller), MLK Jr. Union
Learn about how to get involved in intramurals and the Student Recreation Center. - Student Government
Effingham Room, MLK Jr. Union
Learn about EIU's Student Government; what it means to be the voice of the student body; and how they can help you. - University Police Department: Meet Us Before You Need Us
Phipps Lecture Hall (Room 1205), Physical Science Building
Learn about the Therapy Dog Program, bicycle patrolling, investigations, community policing, unlocking of vehicles, safety escorts, and more. - Accessibility & Accommodations On Campus
Charleston/Mattoon Room, MLK Jr. Union
Learn how to get academic accommodations and what to expect in terms of supports, communication, and the differences between K-12 and college accommodations.
- Self-Care 101
- 6 pm - 12 am: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. General public: $20 wristband unlimited rides Sponsored by EIU University Board.
- 12 - 5 pm: Information Booth
Library Quad - 12 - 3 pm: Find Your Classes Tours
Departs from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 1 - 3 pm: Freshman Connections Meet and Greet
South Quad
Mandatory for all freshmen participating in the program. - 1 - 3 pm: Transfer Connections Meet and Greet
South Quad
Mandatory for all transfer students participating in the program. - 3 - 5 pm: Find Your Fit
Meet students with similar interests and start creating connections. Drop-in at your leisure and attend as many of these open houses as you want!- LGBTQIA+ Community, Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Stevenson Hall (Lower Level) - First Gen Students
McAfee Room 2631, McAfee Gymnasium - Transfer Students
Stevenson Hall Lobby - Nontraditional Newcomers
7th Street Underground (Rathskeller), MLK Jr. Union
Join us at this open house for students who took a break/gap before beginning or continuing college. - Christian Faith Communities
Library Quad
The first 250 students get a free taco! - BIPOC Community
Gregg Technology Center - International Students
University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union
- LGBTQIA+ Community, Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity
- 8 - 9 pm: First Night Spirit Rally
O'Brien Field
It's a must attend event! Start the new year with live student performances, First Night T-shirt giveaways, contests, prizes, and more! Sponsored by EIU Student Government.
