SDSU Welcome Week Set to Kick Off

SDSU Welcome Week activities begin Friday, Aug. 24, and provide opportunities for new Aztecs to connect with fellow students and university activities and resources and allow returning students to transition into the new academic year.

“Welcome Week activities create a better sense of belonging to the institution and make it feel like home,” said Dean of Students Randy Timm. “We want students to have that same level of connection.”

The week combines long-running popular events, such as the Campus Carnival, Red and Black Welcome Back dance and ARC ’til Dark, with new events that include the Academic Involvement and Support Expo.

Welcome Week kicks off Aug. 24 with a decades-long SDSU tradition, now called Templo del Sol, that welcomes new freshmen and transfer students to the Aztec community with entertainment, a crash course on university customs and a walk through the Hepner Hall arches. Returning students are invited to a dive-in movie at the Aztec Aquaplex. On Aug. 25, the university community will officially welcome the more than 11,000 new students and their parents into the Aztec family during New Student and Family Convocation at Viejas Arena.

Welcome Week events include:

• Aug. 24: Templo del Sol, an Aztec Nights event beginning at 9 p.m. at Hepner Hall for new freshman and transfer students. Aztec Nights events are free for students with a valid SDSUid.
• Aug. 24: Float into Fall dive-in movie at 8 p.m. at the Aquaplex for returning students.
• Aug. 25: New Student and Family Convocation begins at 10 a.m. at Viejas Arena for new students and their families. At 8:30 a.m., residential students and families meet at the residence halls and commuter students and families meet at the Goldberg Courtyard of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union for the Band Run to Viejas Arena.
• Aug. 25: Aztec Football Swarm includes a special open practice of the Aztec football team, beginning at 4:45 p.m. at the Aztec Football Practice Field behind Parking Structure 7, and student participation in the giant “S” photo. 
• Aug. 25: The Red and Black Welcome Back Dance is 10 p.m. at Hepner Hall.
• Aug. 26: Enhancing well-being and safety is the focus of the Live Well Aztecs Festival from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Goldberg Courtyard of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
• Aug. 26: How to respond and stay safe in an active shooter situation will be covered during the Active Shooter Response Training at noon and 1 p.m. in the Park Boulevard Suite of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
• Aug. 26: Take part in skills contests and learn more about the Aztec Recreation Center from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at ARC ’til Dark.
• Aug. 26: Watch “Up” and “The Little Mermaid,” beginning at 9 p.m. on Aztec Green, during Screen on the Green.
• Aug. 27: The One SDSU Kickoff, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the North Library Walkway, celebrates the inclusive diversity of the Aztec family.
• Aug. 30: Find out about academic organizations and resources at the Academic Involvement and Support Expo, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Campanile Walkway.
• Aug. 30: Thursday’s a Drag, the annual Dragtastic show, begins at 8:30 p.m. in Montezuma Hall at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
• Aug. 31: The Campus Carnival, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. along Campanile Walkway, will feature a 40-foot ferris wheel, bumper cars, game booths and a DJ.
• Sept. 1: Come see your favorite student performers at Unionfest: Jam Night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Sept. 2: Enjoy “The Avengers:  Infinity War” during Superheroes Under the Stars in the Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

The complete Welcome Week schedule and the Aztec Nights schedule through September can be found online.