2026 Welcome Week

September 2 - September 12

Get your fall semester off to an exciting start by getting involved in OU's Welcome Week, September 2 - September 12. To learn how to get more involved, visit the Office for Student Involvement.

Group of people for welcome week

Housing Grizzly Greetings

Monday, August 31

Housing Grizzly Greetings

August 31 - September 1

8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Housing Move In

Monday, August 31 - Tuesday, September 1

6 - 8 p.m.
Rockin' with the Rec
Oak View Hall Lawn
8 - 9 p.m.
Grocery Bingo
Oak View Hall Lawn

Tuesday, September 1

5 - 7 p.m.
Welcome Back BBQ
Hamlin Circle
7 - 9 p.m.
SPB Live Band Karaoke
Oak View Hall Lawn
6 - 8 P.M.
Graduate School New Graduate and Professional Student Orientation and Welcome Reception
Banquet Room A, Oakland Center
9-11 p.m.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Bonfire
OU Bonfire Pit

Welcome Week Events

Wednesday, September 2

8 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.
OSI/OC Information Station at OC Welcome Desk
OC Welcome Desk

Runs Sept. 2-4, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Wednesday-Friday)

Art in the Elements 2026 at Meadow Brook Hall featuring Across the Universe
Meadow Brook Hall

Runs Sept. 2-7

TBA
SPB 1st Hump Day
TBA

More information to come through SPB Remind Text (text @SPBOU to 81010)

1:30 - 6 P.M.
New Student Welcome

1:30-2 p.m. Clap-In, In front of the OUCU O'rena
2-2:30 p.m. New Student Welcome, OUCU O'rena
3-5 p.m. Party at the Tower
3-5 p.m. Student Support Offices Open, Across Campus
4:30-6 p.m. Sailesh: The Hypnotist Show, Founders Ballrooms, Oakland Center

7 - 10 P.M.
OUSC Eats and Beats
OU Bonfire Pit, P11 Parking Lot

Thursday, September 3

First Day of Classes
8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
OSI/OC Information Station at OC Welcome Desk
OC Welcome Desk

Runs Sept. 2-4, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Wednesday-Friday)

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Welcome to OU with “I heart OU” Day with OU V.I.P. Greeters
Oakland Center
2-5 p.m.
Grizzly Catholic Ice Cream Social
Outside, South of the Oakland Center
6 - 8:30 p.m.
ABS and CMI Welcome BBQ
Elliott Tower
8 - 10 p.m.
“The Walk” to Meadow Brook Hall
Meet at Hamlin Circle

Friday, September 4

8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
OSI/OC Information Station at OC Welcome Desk
OC Welcome Desk

Runs Sept. 2-4, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Wednesday-Friday)

11 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Student Success Celebration
Outside North Foundation Hall
Golden Grizzlies Cross Country Open
OU Cross Country Course

Women: 12:05 P.M.
Men: 12:35 P.M.

3 - 4:30 p.m.
Global Education, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and Office for Student Involvement International Welcome Reception
Banquet Rooms, Oakland Center
5 - 8 p.m.
Sigma Pi 32nd Annual Pig Roast
P37 Parking Lot
5 - 11 p.m.
SPB "Outer Space" Carnival / WXOU Music / SVP Movie featuring "Monsters vs. Aliens"

5-9 p.m. “Outer Space” Carnival, P37 Parking Lot
9-11 p.m. Movie: Monsters vs. Aliens, The Habitat, Oakland Center

Saturday, September 5

6 - 9 p.m.
NPHC "Soul Train" Yard Show
Elliott Tower/OC Southeast Entrance

Sunday, September 6

7 p.m.
OU Women's Soccer vs Rochester Christian University (Senior Night)
Oakland Soccer Field

Monday, September 7

Labor Day Recess (No Classes)

Tuesday, September 8

NPHC Week

Runs Tuesday September 8-Friday, September 11

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Michigan Secretary of State Mobile Office
Elliott Tower/OC Southeast Entrance
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
American Red Cross Club Blood Drive
Rooms 128-130, Oakland Center
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
“OU Opening Day” and Grizz Fest at Elliott Tower
Elliott Tower

11:30 a.m.-Noon OU Opening Day Ceremony
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Grizz Fest Tabling

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Athletics Welcome Week T-Shirt Exchange
Outside of the O'rena
4 - 8 P.M.
Grizzly Catholic Fall Fest
St. John Fisher Parish, 3665 E. Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills
7-10 p.m.
WXOU's Social at the Circle
Hamlin Circle
9-11 p.m.
OU Night at Kroger Rochester Hills
65 S. Livernois Rd., Rochester Hills

Free Shuttle Transportation at Oak View Hall

Wednesday, September 9

SPB Hump Day
TBA

More information to come through SPB Remind Text (text @SPBOU to 81010)

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
OSI Volunteer Fair
The Habitat, Oakland Center
12:15 - 3 P.M.
Grizzly Catholic "Mass on the Grass" and Meal
North Side of the Oakland Center
1 - 3 p.m.
GSC Out & About Welcome (Back) Celebration
Elliott Tower
1:30 - 3 p.m.
OSI Be Well Wednesdays Kickoff featuring Wednesday Matinee "School of Rock"
The Habitat, Oakland Center
7 p.m.
OU Men's Soccer vs Cleveland State University (Glow Gold Night)
Oakland Soccer Field

Thursday, September 10

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
OU Fraternities and Sororities Greek Fest
Elliott Tower
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
University Libraries 4th Annual Student Success Open House
Lobby, Kresge Library
5-9 p.m.
OU Night at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills
Great Lakes Crossing: Free Bus Transportation at Oak View Hall

Friday, September 11

10 a.m.
OU Women's Volleyball vs UAB
OUCU O'rena
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance: Strength and Spirit Fest
Elliott Tower and Campus Rec

9/11 Remembrance 11:30 a.m. - Noon, Elliott Tower
Tower Climb Noon - 4 p.m., Campus Rec

4:30 - 11 p.m.
SPB OU Night at Comerica Park
P35 Parking Lot; Tickets on Sale at the OSI Service Window
6-9 p.m.
Costume and Cosplay Club Friday Night at the Movies featuring "Project Hail Mary"
The Habitat, Oakland Center
7 p.m.
OU Women's Volleyball vs Montana (Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day, Fan Appreciation Day)
OUCU O'rena

Saturday, September 12

10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Formula SAE 3rd Annual OU Grand Prix 2026
P37 Parking Lot
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
OSI Student Organization Training (In Person)
Banquet Room A, Oakland Center
2 P.M.
OU Men's Soccer vs Northern Illinois University (Club Day, Camper Reunion Day)
Oakland Soccer Field
3 p.m.
OU Women's Volleyball vs Eastern Michigan University (Kids Day, Camper Reunion Day)
OUCU O'rena
10 p.m. - Midnight
Housing Midnight Block Party
Oak View Hall Lawn

Office For Student Involvement (OSI)

Location: Lake Superior Room
Office: (248) 370-2400 | OSI Email: [email protected]
OSI Website: www.oakland.edu/osi | OSI Instagram: @osi_ou

Golden Grizzlies Pantry

Location: Lake Michigan Room

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