Welcome Week 2025: What You Need to Know

New students gather in the JMA Wireless Dome for New Student Convocation in 2024. (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Welcome new students! As you settle into your new home, celebrate Welcome Week—packed with tradition, making connections and pure energy—and explore all that Syracuse University has to offer.

From being greeted by Goon Squad members during move-in to small‑group gatherings, rousing events in the JMA Wireless Dome and a foray into downtown Syracuse, Welcome Week ushers in the start of your Syracuse experience.

Download OrangeNow Mobile App

First off, find all the Welcome Week information at your fingertips by downloading the OrangeNow mobile app.

The app, available on the App Store and Google Play, provides convenient access to your class schedule; campus maps; transit, wellness, dining and Wi-Fi information; event schedules; University news and much more.

Don’t Miss One Moment

Capturing Welcome Week memories (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Make your schedule and join in the fun. From the required and informative to the uplifting and community-building, Welcome Week events help you navigate campus, learn about University resources and engage with your new community.

Explore the Welcome Week schedule, the families and supporters schedule, and your school/college schedule—each includes required and optional events tailored to your experience.

For starters, check out these events:

Tuesday, Aug. 19

• New Student Ice Cream Social (6-8 p.m., Shaw Quad)

Wednesday, Aug. 20

• Welcome to the Orange Family Reception for Families and Supporters (4-6 p.m., Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center)
• Residential Hall Floor Meetings (6:15-7:45 p.m., check with your resident advisor for location)
• The Slice is Right (8:15-9:45 p.m., JMA Wireless Dome)

Thursday, Aug. 21

• New Student Convocation (10-11 a.m., JMA Wireless Dome)
• New Student Brunch (11-12:30 p.m., JMA Wireless Dome)
• Snapshots and Swag (noon-5 p.m., Einhorn Family Walk)
• Orange Blast (6:30-8:30 p.m., Shaw Quad)
• Orange Blast Showcase (9-10 p.m. Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center)

Friday, Aug. 22

• Welcome Week Fête (6:30-9 p.m., Schine Student Center)

Saturday, Aug. 23

Syracuse University Marching Band performs during Citrus in the City in 2024.

• Citrus in the City (5-8 p.m., meet at College Place Bus Stop to travel to downtown Syracuse)
• Dome Sweet Dome (8:30-9:30 p.m., JMA Wireless Dome)

Sync up your own personal Welcome Week schedule with these steps:

• Set Up Your Calendar: Add your SU Mail or Google Calendar to your mobile device—preferably SU Mail, as it’s used by faculty and staff to connect and schedule meetings with you.
• Add Required Events: Go to your specific school or college’s Welcome Week schedule and add all “Required Events” to your calendar by checking each event’s description.
• Explore and Customize: Browse the full Welcome Week Schedule to discover additional events and personalize your experience.

Outside of scheduled events, campus offices will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday (Aug. 18–22), with extended hours for essential services—including Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services; Barnes Center; libraries; Registrar; Financial Aid and Information Technology Services—through Aug. 23-24.

Looking for more information about Welcome Week, how to get involved and resources on campus? Try these links:

• Be Involved Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Required Tasks
• Travel and Parking
• Contact New Student Programs