Freshmen and transfer students have begun to arrive for Welcome Weekend, Notre Dame’s annual orientation program that sets the tone for the Catholic mission and residential community that the University prides itself on.
This year, Welcome Weekend programming will run from Friday through Sunday, shortened by one day to account for the shifting of the first day of class from Tuesday to Monday.
Discussing the change, Emily Orsini, the program director for new student engagement and formation who leads the Welcome Weekend program, wrote in a statement to The Observer that “We’ve adjusted the schedule to make sure students still receive the essential Welcome Weekend experiences while having adequate time to settle in. Our focus is on quality rather than quantity, which means we’ve prioritized the most meaningful and impactful events so that students can start classes feeling both grounded and connected to campus life.”
Signature events of Welcome Weekend include a class photo on the football field, DomerFest, a social fest for students to connect with each other with food, music and games, a candlelit visit to the grotto, a welcome mass presided over by University President Fr. Robert Dowd and hall programming to introduce students to their new residential communities. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with their neighboring dorms through brother-sister dorm events and quad-specific activities such as West Fest, a barbecue for residents of West Quad dorms.
Students also attend academic programming such as the First Lecture Series, through which they attend a lecture on the topic of their choosing, and faculty pep talks, designed to help students get acquainted with academic life at the University and connect with classmates, faculty and staff.
Orsini wrote that students should expect “an enthusiastic welcome to the Notre Dame community.”
She explained how her team helps to ensure that students begin to feel connected to the University, noting that the moments in which this happens are often the ones that stick with them during their time at Notre Dame.
Preparing for Welcome Weekend is a year-round process. The University’s team, led by Orsini, works with students, hall staff and departments across the University to ensure programming reflects the University’s mission and meets the needs of students, Orsini explained.
“Training, logistics and planning begin months in advance so that when students arrive they feel welcomed and supported the moment they step on campus,” she wrote.
She noted that the Welcome Weekend team works closely with the Office of Undergraduate Education and other academic partners to “ensure we provide a holistic experience and orientation to Notre Dame as an academic community.”
The Welcome Weekend programming is supported by each dorm’s St. Andre Committee, teams of students who assist the freshmen and transfer students as they settle into their homes. Throughout Welcome Weekend, these committee members are dressed as dorm mascots to greet students as they are unloading their cars, lofting beds, leading hall programming and accompanying the new students to their activities.
Orsini noted that the presence of these student leaders in the hall is what makes the dorm communities feel so welcoming, writing, “This approach makes students feel known and supported from the very start.”
Molly Kenney, a member of Walsh Hall’s St. Andre Committee, shared why she applied to be on Walsh’s committee, saying, “I understand what it's like to move far away from home and not know anyone. Last year, leaving home was really hard for me and it was the welcome weekend experience that made leaving feel okay.”
She noted that the committee members left a profound impression on her welcome weekend experience, sharing that they were “so humble and kind that my worries about leaving home immediately eased.” She knew immediately that she wanted to help incoming Walsh residents have the same positive experience that she did.
Welcome Weekend introduced Kenney to some of her closest friends and new home away from home, and she shared that the connections she made were what helped her adjust to college life.
Kenney explained that one of Walsh’s dorm community traditions is assigning each committee member with five new students. Students then participate in different activities with these “family groups” to build lasting relationships among the new students.
Regarding what advice she would give to incoming students, Kenney shared, “I would encourage new students to get as involved as possible during welcome weekend … In reality, it might be quite exhausting, but it's only one weekend that can make a huge difference. Introduce yourself to everyone and you might meet your best friend.”
Orsini wrote for incoming students to “come with an open mind and a willingness to engage. You don’t need to know everything right away. This weekend is about learning, exploring, and feeling a sense of belonging. Take advantage of the opportunities to meet new people, ask questions, and be present in the moment.”
She continued, “It’s also important to take care of yourself. Rest when you need to and know that you’re not alone in this transition and have so many supportive people around. Transitioning to college is a process, and so if you don't feel you have found your footing or your “people” within the first days of the semester, don't worry! There are numerous opportunities in this first semester for new students to make connections and explore the many opportunities that Notre Dame has to offer.”
International and transfer students will attend both signature Welcome Weekend programming and additional events geared towards helping ease the transition to Notre Dame. International students moved in on Thursday to attend International Student Orientation. Transfer students were welcomed to campus on Thursday and were greeted at a transfer welcome reception by Dowd in the evening.
Orsini explained that while the majority of transfer students have been placed in residence halls, the 15 female transfer students who were unable to receive a housing assignment have been invited to participate in Welcome Weekend through the Hall Connections program, which will place them with a residence hall for programming.
