Opening Weekend Events
We are super excited to welcome our Hawks back to campus! Opening weekend is a great time to make new friends and explore UHart student life together. Mark your calendars and jump right into the swing of things. Check out the list of events taking place throughout opening weekend:
Friday, Aug. 25
Welcome Activities in GSU 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: First-year students can take their first photo in front of the UHart photo backdrop, and celebrate becoming an official UHart student!
President's Welcome 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Families are invited to join Acting President Stephen Mulready, deans of our schools and colleges, and other administrators from campus for a snack break outside of University Commons.
Late Night Food, Music, and Games 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Join us in Poe Park and Alumni Plaza, and start making memories with your new classmates and friends around the fire!
Saturday, Aug. 26
UHart Family Mingler 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Connect with other incoming UHart families and members of the Parent Network Council to talk about your experience as a UHart parent/guardian.
First–Year Fun–Zone 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Join the Office of Residential Life for fun and games in Alumni Plaza. This is an amazing opportunity to meet some of the residential assistants and residential directors who will support you during your housing experience.
Big H Photo (Class of 2027) 4 p.m.: This UHart tradition gets the Class of 2027 together to make a large H for a class photo. This keepsake will be a photo you'll cherish through graduation and beyond! Join us on the GSU Lawn. First-year residential students will receive their H shirt during check-in. If you are a commuter student and will not be checking in on Aug. 25, please plan to pick up your shirt from the GSU Café between 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Welcome BBQ 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: All students are encouraged to enjoy a bite to eat at our Welcome BBQ on the Harry Jack Gray Center lawn. Come hungry!
Hypnotist Show 7 p.m. – 8 p.m: Who doesn't love a little entertainment? Watch this fun show with Joe Devito, celebrity stage hypnotist, in the Konover Great Room.
Block Party 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.: Join us for some fun at the Block Party in Parking Lot F. You can enjoy some dessert from local food trucks, inflatable games, a rock wall, a mechanical bull, a caricature artist, airbrush tattoos, and other fun activities.
Sunday, Aug. 27
Start Strong Adventures: If you haven't already signed up for an adventure and would like to join us, we have a number of fun options awaiting first-years! Register today!
Bishops Takeover 7 p.m.: Explore local businesses right down the road from campus in Bishops Corner! Grab your new friends and head to Target, Home Goods, Whole Foods, or Big Y to pick up any last–minute groceries or items you may need for your residential unit. Enjoy a meal at Ocho Cafe, Noodles and Company, or Blue Plate Kitchen. Shuttles depart from University Commons starting at 7 p.m. UHart shuttles drop off and pick up students at Target until 10 p.m.
Visit the UHart Hub to learn more about events happening throughout the year. Students will be required to show their digital ID or ID number at the front door of each event hosted on campus. Be sure to download the Modern Campus Presence mobile app to easily access your digital ID for event attendance.
Apple App Store: Modern Campus Presence
Google Play: Modern Campus Presence
We can’t wait to kick off the academic year! If you have any questions about events or the UHart Hub, please contact the Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion at sei@hartford.edu.