Week of Welcome
Office of Student Life
(440) 826-2356, orientation@szsfddz.com
Week of Welcome (W.O.W.) takes place during the four days prior to the start of classes. Sessions are designed to be a continuation of your summer orientation experience. You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and fellow students as well as discover the many opportunities our campus has to offer. There are also many social events to help you meet new people and have fun!
W.O.W. is for all new (residential, commuters, first-year and transfer) students, and attendance at many of the sessions is required, so please plan on being on campus for the week.
2024 W.O.W. Schedule - August 22-25
Note: Jacket Link, honors, marching band, international students, and fall varsity athletics will already be on campus, as are new students who attend the orientation session on August 21.
Required Sessions: While new students are encouraged to attend as much of W.O.W. as possible, the following times are required:
- Thursday, August 22: 6:45 – 9 p.m.
- Friday, August 23: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday, August 24: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Below is a partial W.O.W. schedule, first-year students can view the full W.O.W. schedule on Jacket Connect.
Thursday, August 22
W.O.W. Events: 8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Required Sessions: 6:45 - 9 p.m.
Time | Event | Location |
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. | New Student Move-In Coordinated by Residence Life & Housing |
Residence Halls |
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bookstore Open | Strosacker - Lower Level |
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Lunch Available Meal tap, guests can pay at the door |
Union Dining Hall |
12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | IT Help Desk | Strosacker Lobby |
2 - 3:30 p.m. | Bonds Open House Coordinated by Parent & Family Programs |
Bonds Administration |
2 - 5 p.m. | Parent & Family Reception Sponsored by Alumni Relations; Parent & Family Programs |
Bonds East Patio & Lawn Rain Location: Bonds |
3 - 5:30 p.m. | W.O.W. Check-In for New Students | Strosacker Union Lobby |
5 p.m. | Parents & Families Leave Campus | |
7 - 8 p.m. | Color Group Time: Welcome to WOW | Outdoor Locations Rain Location: Classrooms |
8:15 - 9 p.m. | Week of Welcome Kick-Off Ceremony | Finnie Stadium Rain Location: Gymnasium |
Friday, August 23
W.O.W. Events: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Required Sessions: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Time | Event | Location |
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Concurrent FYE 100 Sections Meet Your FYE 100 Faculty Instructor & Peer Leader Led by FYE instructor & peer leader Intro to FYE & Timely Topics Led by Claudine Grunenwald Kirschner, Dr. Lena Crain, Isa Luciano |
Various Classrooms Kleist Mainstage |
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Concurrent FYE 100 Sections Meet Your FYE 100 Faculty Instructor & Peer Leader Led by FYE instructor & peer leader Intro to FYE & Timely Topics Led by Claudine Grunenwald Kirschner, Dr. Lena Crain, Isa Luciano |
Various Classrooms Kleist Mainstage |
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bookstore Open | Strosacker - Lower Level |
12 - 3 p.m. | IT Help Desk | Strosacker Lobby (At 20 Beech, 3-4:30 p.m.) |
1 - 2:30 p.m. | Meet Your Academic School | Various Locations |
2:45 - 3:30 p.m. | Meet Your Advisor | Various Locations |
3:30 - 4 p.m. | Individual Advising | Various Locations |
5 - 7 p.m. | Multicultural Mixer Sponsored by Division of Student Affairs; Center for Inclusion |
Grand Walkway Rain Location: SAC |
Saturday, August 24
W.O.W. Events: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Required Sessions: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Time | Event | Location |
9 - 10:30 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions with Color Groups Creating a Culture of Respect & Emergency Preparedness Introduced by Dr. Lena Crain, Dean of Students Facilitated by Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and Berea Police Department *Counseling Services staff will be present Behind the Scenes: BW Lore & More Led in Color Groups by W.O.W. Leaders |
Kleist Mainstage Various Locations |
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions with Color Groups Creating a Culture of Respect & Emergency Preparedness Introduced by Dr. Lena Crain, Dean of Students Facilitated by Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and Berea Police Department *Counseling Services staff will be present Behind the Scenes: BW Lore & More Led in Color Groups by W.O.W. Leaders |
Kleist Mainstage Various Locations |
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bookstore Open | Strosacker - Lower Level |
12 - 5 p.m. | IT Help Desk | 20 Beech |
12:30 -1:30 p.m. | Commuter Luncheon Gathering Collaboration with Residence Life & Housing |
Heritage Hall/Commuter Lounge |
Sunday, August 25
W.O.W. Events: 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time | Event | Location |
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Walk Your Schedule with a W.O.W. Leader | Leave from Hospitality Tent - Carmel Lawn |
12 - 5 p.m. | IT Help Desk | 20 Beech |