WELCOME WEEKEND 2024
What is Welcome Weekend?
In the weekend ahead, you’ll get an idea of what makes this place tick. We'll show you around campus, talk about standards and expectations and introduce you to long-held university traditions.
Welcome Weekend offers educational and social opportunities for you to learn about community expectations and how you connect to Eastern - opportunities that will provide you with a solid foundation for both personal and academic success.
- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Information Booth
Library Quad - 4 p.m.: New Student and Family Welcome
Groniger Arena
Each fall, EIU’s Opening Convocation celebrates the start of the academic year. Join administration, faculty, staff and students as we formally open the beginning of the academic year and officially welcome all of our entering students to the Eastern Illinois University family. Mandatory for all incoming first-year and transfer students. - 6 - 11 p.m.: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. Sponsored by EIU University Board. - 7 - 8 p.m.: Residence Hall Floor Meeting
All Residence Halls
Mandatory for students living in the residence halls. Come meet your floor community while learning how to navigate on-campus living. - 8 p.m.: GLOW Foam Party
Tarble Arts Field
The ultimate foam party experience featuring a non-stop display of glow-in-the-dark fun, foam, music, contests, giveaways, and more.
- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Information Booth
Library Quad - 9:30 - 10 a.m. Welcome Weekend Check-In & New Student Photo
O’Brien Stadium
Mandatory for new first-year and transfer students. - 10 - 11:30 a.m.: Academic Showcase
Mandatory for freshman and transfer students.- College of Health & Human Services
Charleston/Mattoon Room, MLK Jr. Union - Lumpkin College of Business & Technology
Roberson Auditorium (Room 2030), Lumpkin Hall - College of Education
Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Doudna Concourse, Doudna Fine Arts Center - Undeclared
University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union
- College of Health & Human Services
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Community Picnic
South Quad
Join the university community for lunch! Be prepared to show your Panther Card. - 1 - 2 p.m.: Panther Prep
Location Based on Student’s Assigned Advisor
Check your Panther Mail for invite. Review academic information and get prepared for the start of classes. Mandatory for all first-year students. - 2 - 3:30 p.m.: Booth Library Welcome Party
Think you know libraries? Think again!- Library-wide scavenger hunt
- Therapy dogs
- Refreshments
- Prizes
- ... and a whole lot more fun!
- 3 - 5 p.m.: Find Your Classes Tours
Depart from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 6 pm - 11 p.m.: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. Sponsored by EIU University Board. - 8 p.m.: GLOW Laser Tag
Tarble Arts Field
Experience the heart-pumping excitement of an epic glow laser tag battle and glow-in-the-dark face-off in an inflatable arena with glowing pillars, arches, and passageways.
- 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: JumpStart Community Service Projects
(On- and off-campus options)
Please see your email for check-in location. Mandatory for first-year students. - 1 - 3 p.m.: Find Your Classes Tours
Depart from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 2 - 5 p.m.: Information Booth
Library Quad - 3 - 5 p.m.: Mindfulness and Meditation
MLK Union, University Ballroom
Join Director of Campus Recreation, Sarah Daughtery, for a calming and grounding meditation session. Please note: Mindfulness sessions will begin every 30 minutes. Please wait to join until a new session begins. - 3 - 5 p.m.: Feeling Safe with EIU's Therapy Dogs
MLK Union, Charleston-Mattoon Room
Pop in for a break from the heat and hang out with EIU therapy dogs Penny and Koji. - 6 - 11 p.m.: EIU The Greatest School on Earth! Fall Fair
Tarble Arts Center Field
Free unlimited carnival rides with Panther Card! Food and games discounted with coupon. Sponsored by EIU University Board. - 8 p.m.: GLOW Movie Night: Inside Out 2
Tarble Arts Field
Time to grab blankets and lawn chairs to light up the night under the stars with a movie on a big inflatable screen featuring glow-in-the-dark giveaways, snacks, and more.
- 12 - 5 p.m.: Information Booth
Library Quad - 3 - 5 p.m.: Find Your Classes Tours
Departs from Library Quad Information Booth
Find your way around campus! Bring your class schedule. - 1 - 3 p.m.: Freshman Connections Meet and Greet
South Quad
Mandatory for all first-year students participating in the program. - 1 - 3 p.m.: Transfer Connections Meet and Greet
South Quad
Mandatory for all transfer students participating in the program. - 3 - 5 p.m.: Find Your Fit
Meet students with similar interests and start creating connections. Drop-in at your leisure and attend as many of these open houses as you want!- LGBTQIA+ Community, Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Stevenson Hall (Lower Level) - First Gen Students
McAfee Room 2631, McAfee Gymnasium - Transfer Students
Stevenson Hall Lobby - Christian Faith Communities
Library Quad
The first 250 students get a free taco! - Multicultural Community
Gregg Technology Center
- LGBTQIA+ Community, Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity
- 8 - 9 p.m.: First Night Spirit Rally
O'Brien Field
It's a must attend event! Start the new year with live student performances, Billy the Panther, First Night T-shirt giveaways, contests, prizes, and more! Sponsored by EIU Student Government.
