Welcome Week 2024
Monday, August 12 - Sunday, August 18
Welcome Plaza
Monday, August 12 – Saturday, August 17 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schroeder Plaza
Need help finding a campus building or resource? Need to know what's happening next on the Welcome Week schedule? Illinois State staff and Welcome Week student crew will be available to answer questions.
Be on the look out for our mobile Welcome Week golf cart roaming campus!
Rain location: Student Involvement Center, Bone Student Center Second Floor.
Monday, August 12
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
7-9 p.m. Welcome Week Kickoff, North Plaza outside CEFCU Arena
Join your fellow Redbirds for activities, walking tacos (including a vegetarian option), and music. While grabbing dinner you can also enjoy the fire pit, yard games, and other activities. Get excited, because we're kicking off the year with a bang! Rain location: Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center.
Tuesday, August 13
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fun in the Sun, Quad
Relax and enjoy activities on the Quad. Listen to WZND, ISU's student-run radio station, while enjoying a Big Red Chair photo op and other activities. Rain location: Circus Room & 1 West Lounge, Bone Student Center.
2-4 p.m. Make It @ Milner!, Milner Plaza Entrance
Stop by Milner Library to learn more about the special tools & services the library has available to support your creativity. Participants can make a button, use a die cutter to create some dorm décor, and do fun craft projects each day!
7-8:30 p.m. Drag Queen Bingo with Alexis Michelle & Honey Davenport, Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center
Hang out with drag queens Alexis Michelle & Honey Davenport who appeared in the ninth and eleventh seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Get ready for a show and a chance to win fabulous prizes while playing bingo! There will also be rainbow cupcakes to enjoy! Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
9:30-11 p.m. Drag Queen Bingo with Alexis Michelle & Honey Davenport, Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center
Hang out with drag queens Alexis Michelle & Honey Davenport who appeared in the ninth and eleventh seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Get ready for a show and a chance to win fabulous prizes while playing bingo! There will also be rainbow cupcakes to enjoy! Doors open at 9 p.m.
Wednesday, August 14
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fun in the Sun, Quad
Relax and enjoy activities on the Quad. Listen to WZND, ISU's student-run radio station, while enjoying a Big Red Chair photo op and other activities. Rain location: Circus Room & 1 West Lounge, Bone Student Center.
12-5 p.m. Front Yard Free-Cycle, Office of Sustainability (305 N. School St.)
Redbirds REUSE! The Office of Sustainability and the ISU Share Shop are hosting a "Front Yard Free-Cycle". Gently-used clothing (including Redbird spirit wear!), shoes, accessories, household supplies, small furniture items, books, and more will be available for FREE to ISU students. Check out the Office of Sustainability and get prepared for the fall semester!
2-4 p.m. Make It @ Milner!, Milner Plaza Entrance
Stop by Milner Library to learn more about the special tools & services the library has available to support your creativity. Participants can make a button, use a die cutter to create some dorm décor, and do fun craft projects each day!
7-8 p.m. performer TBD, Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center
9-11 p.m. Movie Night at Hancock Stadium
Join Illinois State Athletics for a movie screening at Hancock Stadium. Movie TBA.
Thursday, August 15
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. You Can Work at ISU: A Student Hiring Event, Bone Student Center – 2nd floor concourse
You're invited! Don't miss this opportunity to apply for on-campus positions from departments like Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality, Campus Recreation, and University Housing Services. View all current on-campus student employment opportunities on the Human Resources webpage, and then meet with employers in person at the event. Laptops will be available to apply on the spot!
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fun in the Sun, Quad
Relax and enjoy activities on the Quad. Listen to WZND, ISU's student-run radio station, while enjoying a Big Red Chair photo op and other activities. Rain location: Circus Room & 1 West Lounge, Bone Student Center.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Milner Library Open House, Milner Plaza Entrance
Welcome to your library, Redbirds! Milner Library is excited to greet new and returning members of the ISU community and see you in the library. Join us for an open house to explore the library and discover what's new and what we have to offer you! Participants that visit all the open house stations will earn a prize from the library.
12-5 p.m. Front Yard Free-Cycle, Office of Sustainability (305 N. School St.)
Redbirds REUSE! The Office of Sustainability and the ISU Share Shop are hosting a "Front Yard Free-Cycle". Gently-used clothing (including Redbird spirit wear!), shoes, accessories, household supplies, small furniture items, books, and more will be available for FREE to ISU students. Check out the Office of Sustainability and get prepared for the fall semester!
1-4 p.m. Veterans and Military Services Office Open House, 110 Moulton Hall Veterans Student Center
Meet the staff of the Veterans and Military Services Office and other military-connected students, enjoy light refreshments, and receive your ISU Veterans and Military Services challenge coin.
3-6 p.m. Destination Uptown, Center for Civic Engagement & Uptown Normal
Join the Center for Civic Engagement and Uptown Normal to get acquainted with your new community and explore all the potential Uptown Normal has for you - great food, entertainment, community resources, and employment near campus. Complete the scavenger hunt as you explore your new community, get freebies, and enjoy music in Uptown Circle from Backseat Radio Acoustic, a modern hits tribute. Start at the Center for Civic Engagement (300 W. North Street) and wind your way through Uptown.
5 p.m. Redbird Soccer vs Green Bay, Adelaide Street Field
Illinois State Soccer hosts its regular season home opener. Doors open at 4 p.m.
7-8 p.m. Redbird Rally, CEFCU Arena
Come out to CEFCU Arena for contests, prizes, and free food. Hear from head coaches Allie Matters, Kristen Gillespie, and Ryan Pedon at the first pep rally of the school year. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Friday, August 16
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
9-11 a.m. Honors Welcome EXPO, Old Main, Bone Student Center
Join us for the Honors Welcome EXPO as we kick off a new school year! Grab some treats, meet and greet with current Honors students and staff, and meet your Honors Mindset Seminar peer mentor.
11:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. ISU Spirit Picnic Kickoff with Big Red Marching Machine, Schroeder Plaza
Listen to the Illinois State University marching band, then head to the Spirit Picnic on the Quad. Each year, the “Big Red” performs at home football games, exhibition performances around the state of Illinois, and at the Illinois State Marching Band Championships.
12-2 p.m. ISU Spirit Picnic, Quad
Join the campus community for a picnic lunch full of ISU spirit. Listen to WZND, ISU's student-run radio station, while visiting with campus departments and picking up your academic planner. We'll have spirit beads, red & white poms, and mini foam fingers as well as make your own bamboo plants in custom Welcome Week jars. Rain location: Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center.
1-4 p.m. Veterans and Military Services Office Open House, 110 Moulton Hall Veterans Student Center
Meet the staff of the Veterans and Military Services Office and other military-connected students, enjoy light refreshments, and receive your ISU Veterans and Military Services challenge coin.
2-4 p.m. Multicultural Center Open House, Multicultural Center
Students will be able to engage with different spaces in the Multicultural Center while meeting new people. There will be various activities hosted by the Black Student Union, Association of Latin American Students, Asian Pacific American Coalition, Pride, and Tribe. There will be a dessert bar as well.
2-5 p.m. Fear the Bird Friday, Bone Student Center
Kick off Fear the Bird Fridays with Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality at the Bone Student Center. Enjoy snacks and music while participating in a variety of fun activities.
6:30-7:30 p.m. Transfer Student Social, The Atrium, Bone Student Center
Meet other transfer students and learn important information about getting involved, academic resources, and making a successful transition to Illinois State.
8-11 p.m. Welcome Week After Dark, Bone Student Center and Bowling & Billiards Center
Spend your Friday night making Redbird memories.
Saturday, August 17
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Back to School Poster Sale, Quad
Stop by to browse a deep selection of posters for purchase. The poster sale will be open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day through Friday, August 23. Sponsored by the National Art Education Association, Illinois State University student chapter.
3:15 p.m. Redbird Spirit Photo, Hancock Stadium
Wear red to show your Redbird spirit and join the largest group photo taken at Illinois State. A limited number of free t-shirts will be available. Meet at the southwest gate for entry.
8-11 p.m. Let’s Glow, Quad
An epic night of glow in the dark and blacklight fun with music and activities.
Rain location: Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center.
Sunday, August 18
We're currently working on finalizing the details for the individual days. Check back regularly for new information.
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Back to School Poster Sale, Quad
Stop by to browse a deep selection of posters for purchase. The poster sale will be open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day through Friday, August 25. Sponsored by the National Art Education Association, Illinois State University student chapter.
1-2 p.m. Transfer Student Social, Old Main Room, Bone Student Center
Meet other transfer students and learn important information about getting involved, academic resources, and making a successful transition to Illinois State.
2-4 p.m. The Multicultural Center presents "The Family Reunion", Multicultural Center Parking Lot
The Multicultural Center welcomes students to a family affair with good food, music, line dances, giveaways, carnival theme activities, and so much more. Make new friends, get a preview of the new Multicultural Center, and engage with Black Student Union, Asian Pacific American Coalition, Association of Latin American Students, Tribe, PRIDE, and other culturally-based student organizations. Rain location: Multicultural Center.
5-9 p.m. Residential Floor Meetings
Times and locations vary by community. Ask your RA/CA for more information.