Questions? Contact Student Engagement & Events in the Student Center or at 320-589-6080.
This schedule is subject to change.
Welcome Week, August 16–19, 2025
Stop by the One Stop for expert advice regarding
- financial aid,
- billing,
- payment,
- student employment,
- registration,
- student records, and
- veterans benefits.
- Welcome brunch - students and families 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Welcome Activities Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Complimentary for new students and their families
- Dessert Reception
Is your student an athlete at Morris? Please come to this reception with the athletics staff. This is a great time to connect with other friends and families of student athletes and show your support for the Cougars!
Students will meet their Welcome Group in the residence hall floor lounges and attend the New Student Welcome with their groups.
The UMN Morris official welcome to the Class of 2029 and all new students! A university tradition, this event is a celebration of the U of M community, school pride, and our spirit of academic excellence. You will hear from UMN Morris Chancellor Janet Ericksen and Morris Campus Student Association President Skylar Harteneck. Welcome the class with a Native American honor song, and meet the Welcome Week Group Leaders.
An interactive program building the essential skills needed to meet others and begin making new friendships in college
This informal reception will provide opportunity for family and friends to connect with faculty, staff, and administrators at the University. The chancellor and other leaders will be available to answer questions and talk about the Morris experience.
New Students will have a meeting with their group leader each day to talk through key content related to Welcome Week and the first year experience. This first meeting is extremely important as students will receive their personalized schedule for all of Welcome week and talk about expectations for the week.
- Family reconnections & bon voyage—(by the Dining Hall)
Join us for a picnic! This event will bring students and their families and friends back together and provide an opportunity for goodbyes, at least until Family Weekend!
Meet in designated floor meeting spot - see signage on your Hall doors during check-in. Get to know the residents on your floor and meet your Community Advisor before heading to the Area meetings
- Intercultural Communication Skills
This program creates community while introducing you to the diversity of UMN Morris. The session will offers tools to help talk to each other across differences.
- Student Engagement and Voting
Student engagement is a hallmark of the Morris campus and is important to student success. This session will help you to understand how to get involved in student organizations on campus. We'll also discuss the importance of voter engagement and help you register to vote for the first time.
- Sustainability Green Tours
Learn more about why UMN Morris is one of the most sustainable campuses in the United States. This quick "green tour" will take you to some of our favorite sites, including our wind turbines (Bert and Ernie), solar agrivoltaic field and more!
This presentation teaches you about the history of the present site of UMN Morris as a Native American boarding school and how the university has become a NASNTI (Native American Serving Nontribal Institution.) The session takes you back in time but also brings you forward into the present and on into the future.
- Intercultural Communication Skills
This program creates community while introducing you to the diversity of UMN Morris. The session will offers tools to help talk to each other across differences.
- Student Engagement and Voting
Student engagement is a hallmark of the Morris campus and is important to student success. This session will help you to understand how to get involved in student organizations on campus. We'll also discuss the importance of voter engagement and help you register to vote for the first time.
- Sustainability Green Tours
Learn more about why UMN Morris is one of the most sustainable campuses in the United States. This quick "green tour" will take you to some of our favorite sites, including our wind turbines (Bert and Ernie), solar agrivoltaic field and more!
- 5:00 pm - Pine and Spooner Halls
- 6:00 pm - David C. Johnson Independence Hall
All first-year and new students are invited! Come meet other students while playing carnival games, winning prizes, and enjoying carnival food and drinks!
Briggs Library is one of the most important resources on campus. Get a basic introduction to the library to help you be prepared to dive deeper into the library in the future.
The panel will share perspectives from professors, tips about how to connect with your instructors, advisors, and engage with campus resources.
This informal meeting serves as an initial introduction to your adviser and advising at Morris. Your advisor will tell you a bit about themselves, explain what the academic advisor’s role is at Morris and see if you have any questions about your fall schedule or other things that are on your mind. Our advisors are all individuals and do things differently, much like Morris students!
Briggs library may be one of the most important resources on campus. This program provides a basic introduction to the library to help you be prepared to dive deeper into the library in the future.
Learn about local businesses and meet the Morris community at this welcome picnic in East Side Park.
The Extravaganza is a skit show performed by the Welcome Group Leaders and Community Advisors that teaches valuable lessons about the Morris student experience that all first year students should learn.
We'll share several wellbeing activities you can use to help manage the stress that results from being in a new environment and taking on new challenges. We'll also introduce you to key resources on the Morris campus that assist you in addressing physical and mental health needs.
- Music Ensembles and Piano Placement (1–5 p.m.)
We welcome all students, whatever their experience, to take part in a music ensemble and/or lessons (“Individual Performance Studies”). If you are unsure of your suitability or simply want to find out more, sign-up for an audition time to come and chat with one of the music directors.
- Choir Placement Auditions, HFA 170
- Woodwind, Brass, Strings, and Percussion Placement Auditions, HFA 180
- Jazz and Commercial Music Placement Auditions, HFA 82
- Piano Placement, HFA 64
Placement Audition sign-up sheets for all ensembles are posted on the bulletin board between HFA 170 and 180. For piano placements go directly to HFA 64.
For information about all our ensembles and placement auditions please review the music webpage.
- Summer Research Showcase (1:30–3:30 p.m., Student Center)
The Summer Research Showcase is a celebration of undergraduate research conducted over the summer. The campus community is invited to view posters presented by students as a way to learn about opportunities to do paid undergraduate research.
- LGBTQIA2S+ Orientation Session 2–3 p.m., Student Center, Moccasin Flower Room
The LGBTQIA2S+ Orientation Session allows you to connect with other LGBTQIA2S+ students and learn more about resources available on and off campus. This session is open to everyone.
- Campus Job and Resource Fair (2:30–4 p.m., Student Center, Oyate Hall)
The Campus Job and Resource Fair offers a great opportunity to talk with staff members about programs and services offered on campus and to look for on campus employment.
Optional Adviser Meetings (Faculty offices)
Scheduled as needed by individual faculty and their advisees.
This is your big chance to connect with the many student student organizations on the Morris campus. All groups will be tabling at this event to recruit members. Sign up for any groups you are interested in and start the journey to find your place on campus.