Bluffton University

Fall Welcome Week

Our Fall Welcome and Welcome Week program is designed to make the start of your college experience a positive one inside and outside the classroom. New students will arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 13, and participate in many activities and events to get to know the campus before classes begin on Aug. 19. You will not want to miss what this important program has to offer so you can be Day One Ready!

All new students are assigned to a Welcome Group for the week’s activities based upon your Becoming a Scholar (BaS) class section. Transfer students not enrolled in this class will be assigned to a Welcome Group. Check with your admissions counselor.

dates for fall 2024

• New student move-in - Tuesday, Aug. 13
• Fall Welcome Week - Tuesday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 18
• Fall semester classes begin - Monday, Aug. 19

Fall orientation at a glance

Activities are subject to change

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 TUESDAY DETAILS 8 - 11 a.m. Residential student check-in Students move in during designated times based on their residence hall.  Sommer Center 8 a.m.-1 p.m. One Stop Center Sommer Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Campus Bookstore open Marbeck Center 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Welcome Picnic The Commons, Marbeck Center 12:30 p.m. Transfer student reception Kreider Room, Marbeck Center 1:30-2 p.m. Farewell to families   2:30 p.m. Welcome Group Session #1 Bluffton 101: How to Be a Beaver! Yoder Recital Hall 3:30-5 p.m. Welcome Group Session #2 Make sure you know your BaS section number! It can be found on your class schedule See daily schedule for times/places 5:30-7 p.m. Dinner  The Commons, Marbeck Center 7 p.m. Residence Hall floor meetings Check signs posted on hall floors for location 8-10 p.m. President’s Reception and The Lantern Tour: Discover Bluffton’s History, Legends and Traditions Bob’s Place, Marbeck Centrer Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 Wednesday details 7-9 a.m. Breakfast The Commons, Marbeck Center 10 a.m.-noon Student Success Session #1 Community Living Yoder Recital Hall Noon a.m.-1 p.m.  Lunch The Commons, Marbeck Center  1-1:30 p.m. Learn & Earn: Orientation to Campus Work Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Hall 5:30-7 p.m. Dinner The Commons, Marbeck Center 7 p.m.  DIY: Doorstop and Dorm Room Decor Residence halls (Check with your RA for location) Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 Thursday events 7-9 a.m. Breakfast The Commons, Marbeck Center 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch The Commons, Marbeck Center 1-4 p.m. Student Success Sessions #2 See below   Achieving Academic Success Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Supporting Your Well-Being Yoder Recital Hall Course Materials: Being Day One Ready The Commons, Marbeck Center 1-1:50 p.m. Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 2-2:50 p.m. Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 3-3:50 p.m. Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 5:30-7 p.m. Dinner The Commons, Marbeck Center 8:30-10:30 p.m. Welcome Week Activity Bluffton Splash Bash Bring your swimming suit!  Bluffton Commuity Swimming Pool, 205 Snider Road Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 Friday details 7-9 a.m. Breakfast The Commons, Marbeck Center 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch The Commons, Marbeck Center 1-4 p.m. Student Success Sessions #3 See below   Honor Code and Library Support Services Musselman Library Bluffton Cares: Consent Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Required for all new students Starting Strong Yoder Recital Hall 1-1:50 p.m. Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 2-2:50 p.m. Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 3-3"50 p.m. Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 4 p.m. Bluffton Olympic team preparation Welcome Group meeting locations 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner The Commons, Marbeck Center 7 p.m. Bluffton Olympics Alumni Field, Sears Athletic Complex Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 Saturday details 9:30-11 a.m. Continental breakfast The Commons, Marbeck Center 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch The Commons, Marbeck Center 1-4 p.m. Student Success Sessions #4 See below   Supporting DEIB Yoder Recital Hall Community Living #2 Welcome group meeting locations How to Moodle & More Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial 1-1:50 p.m. Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 2-2:50 p.m. Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 3-3"50 p.m. Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 Groups 4, 5, 6 Groups 1, 2, 3 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner The Commons, Marbeck Center 7-9 p.m. Beaver Block Party Bren-Dell Lawn Sunday, August 18, 2024 Sunday details 11 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Prayer Labyrinth (near Sauder Visual Arts Lawn)  Rain location: Yoder Recital Hall Noon-1 p.m. Lunch The Commons, Marbeck Center 6-7 p.m. Picnic Library Field 7 p.m. Welcome Group Session #5 College Hall Green Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 Monday details 8 a.m. Classes begin   9:30 p.m. Residence hall floor meetings Check signs for locations 10:30 p.m. All hall meeting Residence hall lobbies TUESDAY, AUG. 20, 2024 Tuesday details 10:45 a.m - noon Opening Convocation Yoder Recital Hall

---