MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Welcome Week at West Virginia University is underway, and the campus is getting ready for students to come to Morgantown this weekend.
“We are excited for this year’s freshman class to arrive on campus and begin their journey as Mountaineers,” said Maryanne Reed, WVU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.
“This group includes over 1,050 new honors students, and they bring with them their perspectives and experiences from across the country and around the globe, representing 28 nations,” she added. “We look forward to welcoming this new class to WVU and watching them achieve great things as Mountaineers.”
First-year honors students must arrive and move in on Friday due to university requirements.
The busiest time of Welcome Week will be Saturday as the majority of first-year students move into their respective residence halls. Students are given a move-in time based on their birthday to manage congestion.
Dean of Students Corey Farris said planning for this Saturday began months ago.
“It’s a whole team of people from university police, to city police, to other event staff who help us direct traffic, to sign makers,” he said. “We have up to 1,000 volunteers that will be helping students move in.”
Farris said familiarizing students with the campus and people is the goal of Welcome Week.
“The big thing we’re trying to do during Welcome Week is connect students quickly with the campus and the resources and connect students with each other because they’re brand new trying to figure out their community,” he said.
Residence hall move-ins will be followed by Welcome Week Picnics from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Student Rec Center and Mountainlair Plaza.
The new students will spend the next two days participating in a variety of AdventureWV and service projects in the Morgantown area. These projects include preparing campsites at Coopers Rock State Forest, collecting for the Mountaineer Food Bank, assisting the local Salvation Army, volunteering at Monongalia Count elementary schools and conducting activities with nursing home residents.
First-year students on Monday will have the chance to learn more about WVU’s traditions and get a class photo in the shape of the state to the tune of a special performance by the Pride of West Virginia marching band during Monday Night Lights at Milan Puskar Stadium.
The university’s annual FallFest concert is scheduled Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Evansdale Recreation Fields.
Classes for the fall 2019 semester are set to begin Aug. 21.