New Student Orientation & Welcome Week

Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

7 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Move-In

Check-in at the Dakota Dome, then follow the color routes to your Residence Hall where our team and volunteers will help you get moved in.

4 p.m. | Class of 2030 Coyote Welcome, SCSC

Kick off your college journey with the whole Class of 2030! Meet on your floor at 3:45 p.m. to walk over to the SCSC together. And don’t forget to rock your red class t-shirt. Living off campus? Just head straight to the SCSC to get your shirt and join the fun!

5-7 p.m. | Welcome Dinner, MUC First Floor

Grab dinner with your Pack Leader group and start getting to know other new students. 

7:30 p.m. | One Crazy Welcome, SCSC

Join the Coyote Crazies and other student leaders for one of USD’s favorite welcome traditions. Bring your energy and get ready to kick off the year together.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

9:45 a.m. Pack Meet-Up 

Start the day with your Pack to review the schedule, connect with each other, and get ready for the day.

10:30 a.m. | So... How Do College Classes Actually Work?

Our faculty share practical tips to help you succeed in the classroom and make the most of your academic experience. Learn what to expect and how to prepare to help you thrive at USD.

11:30 a.m. | Pack Time: Getting Connected & Brunch - Meet Pack Leaders at your Designated Location

Pack Leaders will help you get connected and talk about finding your place at USD. You'll also take your first trip through residential dining.

2:00 p.m. | The C-Word: Consent (required session on safety) 

Start college feeling confident, informed, and connected. This mandatory session isn't a lecture; it's an interactive, honest conversation about relationships, consent, and looking out for each other. Through realistic scenarios, audience participation, and open dialogue, you’ll explore boundary setting, bystander intervention, online behavior, and campus resources. Whether you're in a relationship or not, this is for everyone.

3.30 p.m. | Pack Time: Looking Out for Each Other - Meet Pack Leaders at your Designated Location

Reconnect with your Pack Leader group to reflect on what you learned and talk about how to look out for each other at USD. You’ll explore ways to support others and use campus resources when it matters.

5-7 p.m. | Dinner

6 p.m. USD Volleyball Vs Augustana University (exhibition), SCSC

Cheer on the Coyotes and experience the excitement of USD game-day energy.

8:00 p.m. | CAB presents: Fast Money Game Show and Social

Calling all pop-culture fanatics! Go wild in a “Name That Tune” style trivia game covering music, movies and TV. Scoring the most points gets you FREE MONEY! It’s as simple as that! The audience will guess the answers right on their very own phones when they know the song, movie theme or TV theme that was played. In the FREE MONEY Game Show, everyone plays! There are multiple winners throughout the game, so there are many chances to win FREE MONEY!" Stick around for a s'mores social immediately following.

Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Morning | Community Churches Welcome You

For students interested in connecting with a faith community, local churches invite you to join them for worship, connection, and support.

11 a.m. | Med Biology Majors: How to Get into Medical School, Churchill 101

Thinking about medical school? Start strong by exploring what steps you can take now to prepare for your path ahead in this interactive session. Then enjoy lunch with fellow Med Bio majors immediately following the session.

1-3 p.m. | Honors Orientation (Prior registration with honors required)

1 p.m. | Pack Check-In - Meet Pack Leaders at your Designated Location

Meet with your Pack Leader group to make a quick game plan for Success Stations. Identify your questions and decide where to start.

1:30 - 3 p.m. | Success Stations, Beacom

College comes with a lot to figure out, so let us help! Stop by interactive stations to pick up quick tips and skills that’ll make your life easier, from reading a syllabus and setting up your class schedule to mastering laundry and microwave meals. Whether it’s tech, time management, or just getting around campus, we’ve got you covered. No pressure, no lectures. Just useful stuff to help you start strong. 

3-4.30 p.m. | Student Organization Fair at Patriot's Plaza

Discover the many ways to get involved at USD! Meet student organizations, explore your interests, and connect with groups that make Yote Life fun, meaningful, and memorable. Check in for a chance to win a prize pack.

5-7 p.m. | Dinner

7-9 p.m. | Residence Hall Floor Meetings

Meet your neighbors, get the inside scoop on hall life, and learn the do’s and don’ts of living on campus. Check with your RA for time and location.

Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

3-4:30 p.m. | Student Organization Fair, Patriot's Plaza

Discover the many ways to get involved at USD! Meet student organizations, explore your interests, and connect with groups that make Yote Life fun, meaningful, and memorable. Check in for a chance to win a prize pack.

Monday, Aug. 24

  7:45 a.m. - Noon | Find My Classes Tents

Need help finding your classes? Sorority and Fraternity Life members are here to help! Stop by a tent by North Complex, Old Main, or Beacom to get directions!

4-6 p.m. | Rec Fest, Wellness Center

Come join us to kick off the semester and see what the Wellness Center has to offer - sport clubs, intramurals, and group fitness. Personal Trainers will be on-site to conduct free InBody assessments for USD Students, participate in a fitness sampler to try out some classes, and participate in the IM Fast 5’s Dodgeball Tournament!

7 p.m. | Sorority Recruitment Early Bird Orientation, Aalfs Auditorium

7 p.m. | CAB Presents: Singlo

Glow up your week with music, lights, and a little friendly competition! Join us for Singlo: the ultimate neon music bingo party where your favorite songs light up the night. Whether you’re here to win prizes, dance it out, or just vibe with new friends, this is your moment to shine. Music. Bingo. Neon. Vibes. Be there.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Opportunity Center’s Campus & Community Resource Fair

6:30 p.m. | SGA Senate Meeting

7:00 p.m. | Open Mic and Game Night hosted by Black Student Union

Wednesday, Aug. 26

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Part-time / Work-study Job and Volunteer Fair

This event connects our new incoming and returning students with on-campus and off-campus part-time hourly jobs,
work-study positions, and volunteer opportunities. This event is open to all students, both undergraduate and graduate.

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. | Throwback Time Machine

Step into the Throwback Time Machine and dance your way through the biggest hits from yesterday and today! From classic party anthems and nostalgic favorites to today’s hottest tracks, we’re turning Welcome Week into a full-blown Yote party. Bring your friends, show off your best moves, and get ready for a high-energy night of music, dancing, and nonstop fun!

Thursday, Aug. 27

5:30-8 p.m. | Thursdays on the Platz

Head to Ratingen Platz in downtown Vermillion check out the live music, food trucks and vendors!

6-8 p.m. | Coyote Crazies Present: Crazy Crash Course

Join the Coyote Crazies for their first all-member meeting of the year!

Friday, Aug. 28

All Day | Wear Red Friday

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | OMA Presents: Fresh Friday with Athletics & Student Engagement/Opportunity Center

Get game-day ready at Fresh Friday! Join Outreach & Multicultural Affairs, Student Engagement, and USD Athletics for a spirited lunch before the first game of the season. Hear from USD coaches, meet the players, grab a hot meal, pick up your black Yotes T-shirt, and connect with the Coyote community as we kick off the year with energy, flavor, and pride!

8 p.m. | CAB Presents: Outdoor Movie on MUC West Lawn

Saturday, Aug. 29

All Day | Sorority Recruitment House Tours

9 a.m. - Noon | Vermillion Area Farmer's Market on the Platz!

Check out the farmer's market featuring local products - fruits, veggies, baked goods, crafts, Indigenous art, coffee, plants, and more!

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Student Tailgate, Coyote Alley

Grab your friends and get ready for the first home football game of the 2026 season.

1 p.m. | USD Football vs. Central Connecticut State, Dakota Dome

BLACK OUT game! Wear your black T-shirt! 

Monday, Aug. 31

4-5 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Orientation, Aalfs Auditorium

5-9 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Chapter Events, Chapter Houses

Tuesday, Sept. 1

3.30 p.m. | Adulting 101: High School vs. College

This workshop will highlight the key differences between high school and college. Attend this workshop to gain practical tips, realistic expectations, and strategies for navigating college life.

5-9 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Chapter Events

Wednesday, Sept. 2

3.30 p.m. | Adulting 101: High School vs. College

This workshop will highlight the key differences between high school and college. Attend this workshop to gain practical tips, realistic expectations, and strategies for navigating college life.

5.00 p.m. | AWOL Kick-off in the MUC Pit

5-9 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Chapter Events

Thursday, Sept. 3

5-7 p.m. | Food & Faith Fair, Old Main Plaza

5-9 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Chapter Events & Bid Day

Friday, Sept. 4

Free Movie Friday at Coyote Twin Theatre

7-9 p.m. | Sorority Recruitment Orientation, Aalfs Auditorium

Saturday, Sept. 5

All Day | Sorority Recruitment House Tours

9 a.m. - Noon | Vermillion Area Farmer's Market on the Platz!

Check out the farmer's market featuring local products - fruits, veggies, baked goods, crafts, Indigenous art, coffee, plants, and more!

Sunday, Sept. 6

All Day | Sorority Recruitment Rounds 2 & 3 

Monday, Sept. 7

12 p.m. | Sorority Recruitment Bid Day

Tuesday, Sept. 8

10 a.m. - Noon | Brunch with Badges, MUC Pit

Thursday, Sept. 10

5 - 7 p.m. | President's Picnic

Join President Sheila Gestring at Coyote Alley North of Tennis Courts. Enjoy music, food, traditions of USD, inflatables, giveaways, and more. All faculty, staff, students and their families are welcome.

Friday, Sept. 11

11:30 a.m. | 9/11 Day Program, MUC Pit

12.00 p.m. | Veteran Honoring, Patriot's Plaza