Orientation & First-Year Programs315 Coffman Union300 Washington Avenue S.E.Minneapolis, MN 55455612-624-1979 or [email protected]
Off-Campus Living233 Appleby [email protected]
Commuter Connection204 Coffman Memorial Union
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer material.
This mailing is sent to students who do not have an on-campus housing assignment as of August 15. If you have recently changed your housing accommodations and will be living on campus, please follow the information you receive from Housing & Residential Life instead of this mailer. The U of M defines a student living off campus as any student not living in University-owned residence halls or apartments.
Welcome Week is your chance to adapt to the University of Minnesota without the pressure of managing your class schedule. Practice your commute to campus, meet friends to hang out with between classes, learn your way around campus, and engage in campus traditions. This is your opportunity to begin to make the U your home away from home. Orientation & First-Year Programs & the Office for Off-Campus Living make participating in Welcome Week easy!
your guide to welcome week
During Welcome Week, there will be multiple opportunities for you to gather with all off-campus students to figure out the best way for you to make the most of your time on campus. Whether you’re staying all day or have to catch a bus home, there will be other students to join you! Inside this guide you will find ways to prepare for your arrival and insider tips!
August 31- September 5, 2016
“My favorite part of WelcomeWeek was Pride & Spirit. It was
so much fun and I really felt like I was part of the UMN.”-Commuter from Brooklyn Park
“Welcome Week was awesome!
I met so many people and actually
found someone that I now carpool
with to school every day.”
-Commuter from Lino Lakes
Check out the complete Welcome Week schedule online at welcomeweek.umn.edu.
Starting on August 21 check your UMN email each day for a tip on how to make your Welcome Week the best it can be! The tips will answer many questions you may have around check-in, programs and events, meals, and much more.
prepare for your arrivalwelcome week insider tips
Before Welcome Week begins, make sure to plan your route to campus:• If you are driving: you will receive a parking voucher each day for the East River Parking Garage (you can get these from your Welcome Week Leader). • If you are taking the bus: Visit metrotransit.org and use the Trip Planner to figure out the best route! • If you are biking: You can park your bike right in front of Coffman Memorial Union, where you will be meeting each morning. Make sure to bring a U-Lock!
Explore the Welcome Week schedule on the U Minnesota App to familiarize yourself with events during the week and begin to plan your commute! Visit www.ofyp.umn.edu/uminnesota to download the Class of 2020 guide. Be sure to check out the off campus student track of events especially designed for students living off campus.
Engage with fellow students living off-campus:• Meet other commuting students, get updates on events, ask questions, debate topics, and start a community.• Like the Off-Campus Living’s (OCL) Facebook page, “Off-Campus Gophers” • Follow Twitter account @OffCampusGopher• Add yourself to the “UMN Gopher Hall Class of 2020” group
make travel plans
get connected
check out the events
10:00
Meet Welcome Week Leaders (WWL) who are prepared for your arrival on campus. They will be a resource for you as you try new activities, learn
about the U and build new friendships.
Meals are free! Lunch/Brunch is provided during Welcome Week programming. You decide whether
or not to stay for the evening programming and enjoy dinner with other new students.
Parking is free! You can pick up a parking coupon each day of Welcome Week.
Check out the Commuter Connection (located 204 Coffman Memorial Union) to learn of resources - like a microwave, refrigerator,
lockers, computers and lounge space - that will be helpful throughout the year.
Event modifications! Gather with other new students at Rally Points at the end of the day to determine the evening schedule that best
fits your needs.
Freebies! You will receive a free bag, water bottle, and Class of 2020 shirt upon checking in for the
program. During Pride and Spirit and the football game, we encourage you to leave these items in
your car, a friend’s car, or a locker on campus. Check out the U Minnesota Class of 2020 guide for details of where to store your bag for these events.
Bring snacks. If you are someone that gets hungry between meals, make sure to bring some
things to snack on between lunch and dinner.
Keep an open mind. Welcome Week is an amazing experience to meet other students and figure out what
it means to be part of the Gopher Community. Make sure to come in with an open mind and positive attitude
and you will surely have a fantastic week!
“Don’t miss out on College Day! You learn so much, it made me
feel much more prepared for my first day of class.”
-Commuter from St. Paul
Check out the complete Welcome Week schedule online at welcomeweek.umn.edu.
Starting on August 21 check your UMN email each day for a tip on how to make your Welcome Week the best it can be! The tips will answer many questions you may have around check-in, programs and events, meals, and much more.
prepare for your arrivalwelcome week insider tips
Before Welcome Week begins, make sure to plan your route to campus:• If you are driving: you will receive a parking voucher each day for the East River Parking Garage (you can get these from your Welcome Week Leader). • If you are taking the bus: Visit metrotransit.org and use the Trip Planner to figure out the best route! • If you are biking: You can park your bike right in front of Coffman Memorial Union, where you will be meeting each morning. Make sure to bring a U-Lock!
Explore the Welcome Week schedule on the U Minnesota App to familiarize yourself with events during the week and begin to plan your commute! Visit www.ofyp.umn.edu/uminnesota to download the Class of 2020 guide. Be sure to check out the off campus student track of events especially designed for students living off campus.
Engage with fellow students living off-campus:• Meet other commuting students, get updates on events, ask questions, debate topics, and start a community.• Like the Off-Campus Living’s (OCL) Facebook page, “Off-Campus Gophers” • Follow Twitter account @OffCampusGopher• Add yourself to the “UMN Gopher Hall Class of 2020” group
make travel plans
get connected
check out the events
10:00
Meet Welcome Week Leaders (WWL) who are prepared for your arrival on campus. They will be a resource for you as you try new activities, learn
about the U and build new friendships.
Meals are free! Lunch/Brunch is provided during Welcome Week programming. You decide whether
or not to stay for the evening programming and enjoy dinner with other new students.
Parking is free! You can pick up a parking coupon each day of Welcome Week.
Check out the Commuter Connection (located 204 Coffman Memorial Union) to learn of resources - like a microwave, refrigerator,
lockers, computers and lounge space - that will be helpful throughout the year.
Event modifications! Gather with other new students at Rally Points at the end of the day to determine the evening schedule that best
fits your needs.
Freebies! You will receive a free bag, water bottle, and Class of 2020 shirt upon checking in for the
program. During Pride and Spirit and the football game, we encourage you to leave these items in
your car, a friend’s car, or a locker on campus. Check out the U Minnesota Class of 2020 guide for details of where to store your bag for these events.
Bring snacks. If you are someone that gets hungry between meals, make sure to bring some
things to snack on between lunch and dinner.
Keep an open mind. Welcome Week is an amazing experience to meet other students and figure out what
it means to be part of the Gopher Community. Make sure to come in with an open mind and positive attitude
and you will surely have a fantastic week!
“Don’t miss out on College Day! You learn so much, it made me
feel much more prepared for my first day of class.”
-Commuter from St. Paul