Bulldog Welcome Week 2025

Are you all moved in and ready to meet some new friends? Come to Ordean Court to participate some lawn games

Come join other students in a game of Volleyball

Our friends at Glensheen Mansion put on a Concert on the Pier that they are inviting all students to attend. Hang out and meet some new friends while listening to music by the water

Come join other incoming students in a game of kickball on Field 1!

Do you have a green thumb? Need more life in your dorm room? Or just want to take home a plant? Join Kirby Program Board in DIY Terrariums, where you can build your own plant friend while making new friends!

Come to Kirby Ballroom to play Mario Kart and other games, but watch out for blue shells!

Come learn about common myths about college. Challenge your expectations. Learn how to ground yourself in times of transition.

Come play a game of Jeopardy where each clue is a song played live on the piano! You can test your knowledge of movie music, Disney, musicals, video games and more with CAHSS Advising! Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 9 participants (3 teams of 3). Starting every half hour!

Want to learn how you can spend the semester in the mountains of Montana or on the beach in Hawaii? Maybe you want to see what life is like at a big city school in New York or Miami? The opportunities for adventure are endless with National Student Exchange!

National Student Exchange is a program that offers affordable and accessible collegiate study away throughout the United States as well as the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With over 170 unique campuses to choose from, there's something for everyone.

At this session, we'll "pop""around the United States as we learn about NSE opportunities! (Popcorn provided!)

We will have a College of Pharmacy faculty member lead short meditation exercises that you can hopefully take with and use when you're feeling stressed. We'll also have PharmD students lead a lotion compounding activity where you can add in calming essential oils!

General presentation on different financial resources available to students at UMD! Information on scholarships, FAFSA, how to budget, credit scores, work study/student employment, how to pay down debt, and more. There will also be printed financial worksheets and budget trackers available.

Start your experience at UMD with a customized notebook made in the Mobile Book Lab. Participants will print and bind their own unique notebooks with a variety of paper formats, letterpress frontispieces, and calligraphic flourishes.

If you are looking for innovative ways to balance academics and life, this might be the workshop for you. Discover effective daily practices to enhance your learning and melt your stress away! In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to practice a few effective strategies to tackle your stressors head-on and start your academic year on a positive note.

So, you got a work study award! What does that mean? How can you use it? Where do you find a work study job? Come to this interactive session to get all your work study questions answered!

Missing the fair or forgot your lunch and need food? Stop by Ordean Court to grab food from some local food trucks!!

Are you ready for your college-level courses? Take 30 minutes to level up your high school skills to meet the new challenges of college. In this session, you will add to your inventory of active learning strategies, learn how to get through all that reading. Plus, you'll hear about UMD’s three best resources to hack your learning!

Presented by faculty from the Academic Writing and Learning Center.

We will provide rootbeer floats, tips on how to survive first semester here on campus and provide information about Disability Resources

FOOD TRUCKS! Dunk Tank! Games! Oh my! At Bulldog Bash, enjoy carnival games hosted by different departments on campus. Race your new roommate or new friends in the inflatable obstacle course. Enjoy free cotton candy and popcorn!

You’ve got a head start on credits—but what about your career game plan? If you’re entering UMD with a significant number of credits but haven’t had the chance to explore majors, careers, or your next steps, then this workshop is for you. We'll cover how to figure out where you’re headed, what experiences you still need, and how to make the most of your time at college. Get the tools, resources, and tips to move forward with confidence.

Come play a game of Jeopardy where each clue is a song played live on the piano! You can test your knowledge of movie music, Disney, musicals, video games and more with CAHSS Advising! Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 9 participants (3 teams of 3). Starting every half hour!

Transfer students, you know how this “college” thing works -- but do you know how it works at UMD? Join us at this event to meet other new transfer students, hear about transfer-specific resources, and learn how to make the most of your time on campus. All new transfer students are strongly encouraged to attend. We can’t wait to see you there!

Are you ready to show some school pride?!?! Kick off Welcome Week with the Chancellor, marching band, sports teams, and Champ! You don't want to miss this. GOOOOO DOGS!

Right after the Welcome Week Kickoff, head over to Ordean Court for our BBQ and Band Bash! Enjoy delicious barbecue (with vegetarian options!), lawn games, and the sounds of our talented student bands rocking the stage all evening long.

Come create your own cuddly friend to join you on all your adventures!
*The line cannot start before 6:30*

Catch the Renegade Improv group in the Kirby Ballroom at 9pm!

Check your UMD email to see if you are in a Maroon or Gold Pack. These packs are led by an upper-class student who will help you during Welcome Week and the next few months! This is an essential event during the week, so make sure you don't miss it!

Come play a game of Jeopardy where each clue is a song played live on the piano! You can test your knowledge of movie music, Disney, musicals, video games and more with CAHSS Advising! Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 9 participants (3 teams of 3). Starting every half hour!

Life is messy. Relationships, self-doubt, and new environments can all lead to stress, conflict and the unexpected. But maybe that is okay. This workshop explores the parallels between driftwood making its way across the open water and students at UMD. Recognizing conflict, thinking about risk, knowing a few basic conflict-resolution tools, and experiencing self-care all has the potential to shape us into something beautiful... as we make our way across the sea... like driftwood. This workshop is hoping to be interactive, unusual, and include some basic skill development. Would love to see you there.

Pop into the Wedge to discover services and resources available from the Bulldog Resource Center, the Career Center, & the Office of Admissions. You can find popcorn & prizes in Solon Campus Center.

This event will offer students a brief introduction to the DTA (Duluth Transit Authority) system, including information on various routes, fares, and how to use the DTA app. After the overview, students will take a bus from the main hub to a popular destination in Duluth. The morning session will travel to the Lakewalk/Canal Park area, while the afternoon session will head to the mall. At each location, students will have time to explore as a group before returning to campus by bus. This experience is especially valuable for new students who are unfamiliar with the bus system and may feel hesitant to try it on their own. It will also be helpful for transfer and commuter students looking to better navigate Duluth.

Check your UMD email to see if you are in a Maroon or Gold Pack. These packs are led by an upper-class student who will help you during Welcome Week and the next few months! This is an essential event during the week, so make sure you don't miss it!

Come learn about UMD Counseling Services and other mental health resources offered on campus. We're here to help students overcome multiple transitions when they start college and beyond. Please join me for an informal dialogue about college mental health.

UMD Large Lakes Observatory's R/V Blue Heron will tie up at the Pier B Resort for UMD Welcome Week as part of its Science on Deck outreach. We welcome students, parents and the local community to tour the vessel with scientists and crew from 11am - 3pm on August 22nd. One of our very own scientists (Dr Liz Minor) will provide a fascinating lecture on the deck of the R/V Blue Heron at 130pm titled: Microplastics in Lake Superior water: a look at sinking and suspended particles.
*The Large Lakes Observatory, located on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus, is the only institute in the world dedicated to the scientific study of all of the Earth's large lakes. We undertake interdisciplinary studies that include biology, chemistry, physics and geology in order to improve our understanding of these globally significant resources and provide society with knowledge needed to manage them sustainably into the future.

Make the most of your time in Duluth by volunteering in the community! Learn about how you can get involved with various local non-profits to make a difference. We'll share information about student organizations, campus programs and other community resources that can help you get involved.

Join Veronica and S.K., two mental health therapists on campus, for embroidery! Whether you would like to learn to embroider or are a seasoned stitcher, come join us for some crafting! We'll provide materials, so just bring yourself! We'll connect, craft, chat about transitioning to college, and discuss ways to care for yourself this year!

This event will offer students a brief introduction to the DTA (Duluth Transit Authority) system, including information on various routes, fares, and how to use the DTA app. After the overview, students will take a bus from the main hub to a popular destination in Duluth. The morning session will travel to the Lakewalk/Canal Park area, while the afternoon session will head to the mall. At each location, students will have time to explore as a group before returning to campus by bus. This experience is especially valuable for new students who are unfamiliar with the bus system and may feel hesitant to try it on their own. It will also be helpful for transfer and commuter students looking to better navigate Duluth.

Welcome to UMD! Come learn how to get yourself registered to vote at your new home.

Come play a game of Jeopardy where each clue is a song played live on the piano! You can test your knowledge of movie music, Disney, musicals, video games and more with CAHSS Advising! Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 9 participants (3 teams of 3). Starting every half hour!

A time for Veterans and military affiliated students to stop by to meet your point of contact and ask questions related to your VA Education Benefits

Curious about Greek life? Come hang out, meet members from different orgs, and ask anything you’ve ever wanted to know about joining a chapter at UMD.

Get ready to party with ODI, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, which is committed to bring inclusivity, equity and social justice to students. Come out and make lifelong friends.

Come and show off your skills with Poker and Pool!
Poker is in the Kirby Rafters and Pool is in the Kirby Lounge

Do you have a favorite song to sing or just want to come listen to your fellow peers? Either way come join us in the Kirby Garage for some karaoke and a good time.

Come watch the Mentalist in an interactive performance with mind reading

Join RSOP to learn about everything they have to offer for you the next few years along with playing fun night games with incoming students. Open to everyone!!

Check your UMD email to see if you are in a Maroon or Gold Pack. These packs are led by an upper-class student who will help you during Welcome Week and the next few months! This is an essential event during the week, so make sure you don't miss it!

Check your UMD email to see if you are in a Maroon or Gold Pack. These packs are led by an upper-class student who will help you during Welcome Week and the next few months! This is an essential event during the week, so make sure you don't miss it!

Come join other incoming students in a game of kickball on Field 1!

Join us in the library for some crafty fun and unleash your creativity! Paper crafts, bracelets, and more are available.

Come to Malosky Stadium for the Biggest event of the week!

RSOP is hosting a yoga class, all you need to bring is yourself and a water bottle! Enjoy this stress-free class and use these techniques throughout the semester!

Sunday is your day for relaxation, Kirby Lounge is no exception. Enjoy board games, bracelet making, coloring, snacks, drinks, and friends in this event!

Need help finding your classrooms for this semester? Come meet us at the garage with your schedule and we can show you where you'll be going! This will make the first few days so much easier!

Come meet our fraternities and sororities on campus! There will be yard games, root beer floats, and hotdogs! You can get all your Greek Life questions answered at our Info table as well!