Welcome Week

Welcome Week — New Student Orientation

Welcome Week is SBU’s new student orientation program. Welcome Week will take place August 14 through August 16 for Fall 2026 incoming students.

Welcome Week provides a great opportunity for new students, both freshmen and transfer students, to become better acquainted with SBU and with one another. The weekend’s events will help you meet new friends, make the transition academically, and provide opportunities for you to begin thinking about what it means to follow Christ in a collegiate environment.

Fall 2026 Welcome Week Schedule

Friday, August 14

8:00am - 12:00pm	Move-in and Registration (Student Union)
11:30am - 1:00pm	Lunch (Marketplace)
1:30 - 2:00pm	Meet your Welcome Week Group Color Teams (Students) Supporting Your Student (Parents in Pike Auditorium)
2:15 - 3:00pm	Meet the President (Parents & Students)
3:15 - 3:30pm	Goodbye on the Forum
3:30 - 3:45pm	Start lining up for processional (attended by faculty and staff)
3:45pm	New Student Processional into Pike Auditorium
4:00 - 4:30pm	Welcome Session (Dr. Woodyard, VP of Student Life)
4:30 - 5:00pm	Meet your RA/Hall
5:00 - 6:30pm	Dinner
6:55 - 7:00pm	Meet at the Forum with Color Teams
7:05 - 8:00pm	Capture the Flag
8:00pm - Onward	Set up dorm rooms, relax, hang out with hall

Saturday, August 15

8:00 am	Meet on the Forum
8:00 - 9:15am	Breakfast
9:30-10:30am	Worship & Devotional in Pike Auditorium
10:30 -11:00am	SBU Portal Training in Pike
11:00am - 12:00pm	Campus Tour w/Scavenger Hunt
12:00 - 1:00pm	Lunch in the Marketplace
1:00 - 2:00pm	Welcome Week Group Time
2:00 - 6:00pm	Free Time
6:00 - 7:15pm	Tailgate Dinner (Plaster Stadium)
7:30pm	SBU Football Scrimmage
8:30pm	Glow Night

Sunday, August 16

8:30am	Local Church Info & Rides (Student Union)
9:00am - 12:00 pm	Local Church Worship
12:00pm	Lunch in the Marketplace
7:30pm	Campus Wide Meeting (Pike Auditorium)
8:30pm	Reunion in the Union

Other Events

Monday 8/17	First Day of Class + Chapel 10:00-11:00am (Pike Auditorium)
Tuesday 8/18	Tenth Avenue North Concert 7:00-8:30pm (Pike Auditorium)*
Thursday 8/20	Community Fair 6:00-8:00pm (Intramural Gym )
Friday 8/21	Freshman Sunrise at sunrise
Saturday 8/23	Convoy of Hope Service day 7:30-11:30am

*Tenth Avenue North Concert Ticket Prices:
Freshmen - First 75 Free, Current Students/SBU Employees - $10, General Admission - $20

Tenth Avenue North Concert Info

What Students Are Saying

"Welcome Week helped me feel like I was already part of a group before classes even started. It helped me see a familiar face even if I didn't know them that well." — Landree Garrison

"My Welcome Week group was basically my first friend group on campus. Having that group to live life with the first semester was incredibly impactful. My leaders reach out to me to this day and communicate with us honestly, which made the whole experience even more impactful." — Addison Palmer

"Welcome Week helped me get comfortable with SBU. It helped me get out of my shell and gave me knowledge about the new clubs I've joined. It showed me that there are people who I can go to if I need help or someone to talk to." — Angela Anderson