(August 20, 2015) — Classes at Fresno State begin Tuesday, Aug. 25, but the campus will host a flurry of activity for back-to-school preparation starting Friday morning (Aug. 21) with 950 students moving in to nine residence halls on campus and University President Joseph I. Castro delivering the State of the Campus talk to employees.

The action continues this weekend with #FresWOW Weeks of Welcome events starting Saturday with a scavenger hunt for all students, and continuing Sunday with a Jeopardy-style game and back-to-school bowling bash in the University Student Union.

On Monday, the University will formally welcome its newest students – about 5,700 first time freshmen and transfers – at the revived New Student Convocation at the Save Mart Center.

Then on Tuesday, a projected 23,882 students – the largest number in University history – will begin the university’s 105th year of instruction. Last year’s official enrollment was 23,179.

Ongoing campus construction and infrastructure improvements over the next two years have officials reminding everyone to be aware, exercise caution as the university continues its second century of growth. The new Physical Therapy and Intercollegiate Athletics building is nearing completion for a Sept. 15 ribbon cutting and grand opening.

Traffic and parking are often congested the first few days of instruction, so students and employees are reminded to arrive early, campus officials said.

The Division of Student Affairs has planned a lineup of welcome events beginning Saturday through Sept. 4 to encourage new and continuing students to engage in campus activities. Here is a rundown of action over the next two weeks:

Friday, Aug. 21

9 a.m. – Faculty-Staff Fall Assembly: Castro will address University employees at the Save Mart Center from about from 9:15-10 a.m. He will review his second year as president and share recent University accomplishments. Faculty Senate chair Dr. Kevin Ayotte and Staff Assembly chair Katherine Williamson will offer brief comments before Castro’s speech. California Faculty Association chair Lisa Weston and Provost Lynnette Zelezny will speak following the president’s remarks.

9 a.m.-11 p.m. – University Courtyard move-in:  About 950 Fresno State students will move in to University Courtyard residence halls through 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. They will be greeted by the University’s Baggage Buddies — members of student clubs who volunteer to provide a warm welcome and help incoming students unload suitcases, bed linens, TVs and other college-living essentials. Castro will greet new residents and their families from about 10:30-11:30 a.m. He returns that afternoon to formally welcome students and parents during the welcome barbecue from 4:30-7 p.m. The Bulldog Marching Band will perform at about 5:30 p.m. Fresno State offers traditional community-style halls (Baker, Graves and Homan) and suite-style accommodations (Aspen, Sycamore, Ponderosa, Sequoia, Birch and Cedar halls).

8 p.m. – Color Games kickoff and dance for University Courtyard students on Atrium lawn

Saturday, Aug. 22

3-5 p.m. – Water Games for University Courtyard students at the Homan Hall pool

7-9 p.m. – #FresWOW Weeks of Welcome events begin. Weekend events for all students, including the campus scavenger hunt at the University Courtyard

Sunday, Aug. 23

1 p.m. – Watermelon Games on the Aspen/Ponderosa halls lawn for University Courtyard students

4-10 p.m. Back to School Bowl Bash: Free bowling, billiards and Xbox gaming for Fresno State students at Bulldog Bowl

9 p.m. – Casino Night in North Gym 118 for University Courtyard students

Monday, Aug. 24

3 p.m.New Student Convocation: Faculty, staff and administration officially welcome all new students to the Fresno State family at the Save Mart Center followed by an after party in the Student Recreation Center and parking Lot P1. The Fresno State Alumni Association will be at the New Student Convocation Bulldog Bash after party giving away official Bulldog for Life selfie sticks to new students.

Additional #FresWOW events include:

  • Aug. 25 (9:30-11:30 p.m.): Target Back to College Night for Fresno State students at the Target store at Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis with shuttles running to and from campus.
  • Aug. 26 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.): Traditions Day featuring the Student Organization Fair with Fresno State ice cream and grilled corn, the spirit team and marching band located outside the University Student Union.
  • Aug. 29 (4 p.m.): Luau Pool Party gives students a chance to use the Olympic-sized pool at the Fresno State Aquatics Center on campus.
  • Aug. 31 and Sept. 1: Student Affairs Eat and Greet will give students the opportunity to explore various resources throughout campus, such as the University Center, Student Health and Counseling Center, Joyal offices and more, while picking up a free lunch. Visit the events calendar for times and locations.
  • Sept. 2 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.): Community Service Opportunities Fair and Taste of Service will present students with opportunities for involvement in their community on the lawn in from of the Kennel Bookstore.
  • Sept. 3 (7 p.m.): First Fresno State football home game vs. Abilene Christian.

The full updated schedule of events can be viewed at http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/welcome-week/events/.

For more information about welcome events, call the Student Involvement Center at 559.278.2741.

 

Back-to-School name reminder:  the university’s official names are Fresno State and California State University, Fresno.  We generally use the long name for official documents and encourage the use of the shorter name for media and general materials. We ask that any other variations or the CSUF acronym (belongs to CSU Fullerton) NOT be used. Thank you!

The university’ social media accounts are www.Facebook.com/FresnoState and @Fresno_State (Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat).

Related links:

#FresWOW Weeks of Welcome – http://www.fresnostate.edu/welcome-week

University Courtyardhttp://www.universitycourtyard.org/

New Student Convocationbit.ly/FSN-NewStudentConvo15