New Student Orientation & Welcome Week

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

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

Check-in at Dome, then Residence Halls

4 p.m. | Class of 2029 Coyote Welcome, SCSC

Kick off your college journey with the whole Class of 2029! Meet on your floor at 3:45 p.m. to walk over to the SCSC together—don’t forget to rock your class t-shirt. Living off-campus? Just head straight to the SCSC and join the fun!

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

Join us for a welcome meal with your Pack Leader groups.

5-7 p.m. Community Resource Fair, MUC First Floor

Explore what Vermillion has to offer! Meet local businesses and discover resources that’ll make your life easier.

8:00 p.m. | One Crazy Welcome, SCSC

Join the Coyote Crazies and other student leaders in a welcome tradition.

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.  | Explore the Wellness Center & Natatorium 

Join some Pack leaders to check out all there is to do in the Wellness Center!  

10 a.m. | Classes: Wait, I Have to Go To Classes?!

Faculty will share their top tips for succeeding in the classroom and making the most of your college experience. Don't miss this, after all - you're here for a degree.

11 a.m. | Small Group #1/Brunch - Meet Pack Leaders at the Designated Location

Your pack leaders will discuss how to make USD your home. You'll learn about getting connected and take your first trip to residential dining.

1:30 p.m. | Sex Rules: Real Talk on Relationships, Consent & Safety

Start college feeling confident, informed, and connected. This mandatory session isn't a lecture—it's a real conversation about relationships, consent, and looking out for each other. You'll hear about setting boundaries, respecting others, and navigating college life with empathy, resilience, and clear communication. Whether you're in a relationship or not, this is for everyone.

3 p.m. | Small Group #2

Your pack leaders will review keeping each other safe with bystander intervention strategies, the safety app, and university policies.

5-7 p.m. | Dinner

7:30 p.m. | CAB Presents:  Eric Dittelman, Aalfs Auditorium

Ever wonder what it would be like to know what someone else was thinking? What if you knew exactly what someone else was going to do before they did it? Eric Dittelman knows what that’s like and has been reading minds at colleges, comedy clubs, and private events all across the country. As seen as a Top Ten finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, Eric Dittelman combines amazing mind reading with stand-up and improvisational comedy. Whether playing a round of Pictionary while Eric’s eyes are duct taped shut or having a personal thought revealed from their minds, audience members become part of the show and leave with a fun experience that they’ll never forget. Fire pits and smores to follow! 

Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025

Morning | Community Churches Welcome You

Searching for community in Vermillion? Local churches invite you to join them for worship, connection, and support.

Afternoon

1 – 3 p.m. Success Stations, Beacom

College comes with a lot to figure out—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. 

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

 

3-5 p.m. | Student Organization Fair

Explore student organizations, meet new people, and find your campus community! Visit tables to learn what each group is all about—and check in for a chance to win a prize pack.

5-7 p.m. | Dinner

Evening | 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. 24, 2025

3-5 p.m. | Patriot's Plaza Student Organization Fair

Explore student organizations, meet new people, and find your campus community! Visit tables to learn what each group is all about—and check in for a chance to win a prize pack.

Monday, Aug. 25

  8:30 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!

5-7 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

8 p.m. | CAB Presents: Singlo

Join your Campus Activities Board (CAB) for Singlo—a glow-in-the-dark twist on bingo, where the songs are the clues and the fun never stops!

Tuesday, Aug. 26

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Opportunity Center 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. 27

11:30 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 part of welcome week, and is open to all students, both undergraduate and graduate.

7-9 p.m. | Pool Party at Natatorium w/ CAB 

We’re making a splash during Welcome Week at USD! Come cool off, vibe out, and dive into the fun at our brand-new Natatorium. The first 200 students get an exclusive CAB towel — perfect for poolside flexin’. Whether you're swimming, lounging, or just here for the good energy, this is the place to be.

Thursday, Aug. 28

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

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

10 a.m. - Noon | Brunch with Badges

Start your day with good vibes, hot coffee, and even better conversation. Join the amazing UPD officers, dispatchers, and campus safety staff for donuts, food, and a laid-back chance to connect. We’d love to meet you, hear your story, and build community—one cup at a time.

Friday, Aug. 29

All Day | Wear Red Friday

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | OMA Presents: Fresh Friday with the MUC Team

Kick off the year with flavor, fun, and community at Fresh Friday! Join Outreach & Multicultural Affairs, the Student Engagement team, and our amazing campus partners as we bring together students, organizations, and campus partners for a vibrant lunch event. It’s your chance to connect, celebrate our inclusive Coyote community, and meet the MUC team — all over a delicious meal. Don’t miss it!

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

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

Saturday, Aug. 30

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!

7 - 8 p.m. | Evening Ranger Talk, Clay County Park Campground

Sit back, relax, and LEARN. Join a park ranger from Missouri National Recreational River for an evening talk to learn more about the Missouri River, its resources, history, and more! 

6-8 p.m. | OMA Block Party

Join your Outreach & Multicultural team and the 15 OMA Student Organizations for this evening of food, friends, and fun. 

Sunday, Aug. 31

All Day | Sorority Recruitment Rounds 2 & 3

1 - 5 p.m. | Swim Free at Prentis Plunge

Enjoy the end of summer and check out the community pool in Vermillion.

5-7 p.m. | Game Night in MUC Dining

Monday, Sept. 1

12 p.m. | Sorority Recruitment Bid Day

4-5 p.m. | Fraternity Recruitment Orientation

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

Tuesday, Sept. 2

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

Wednesday, Sept. 3

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

7 p.m. | Connect with CAB: Learn more about Campus Activities Board & meet more people!

7 p.m. | Big Splash Competition, Wellness Center Natatorium

Want to jump off the diving boards in the new Natatorium at the Wellness Center? Don’t miss your chance this year! The 1 meter boards have been made available for use during this special event, judged by USD Celebrities to kick off the year!

Thursday, Sept. 4

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

Friday, Sept. 5

Free Move Friday at Coyote Twin Theatre

Thursday, Sept. 11

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

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

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.

7 p.m. | USD Volleyball vs. Green Bay SCSC

Experience the first home volleyball game of the 2025 season!

Friday, Sept. 12

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | OMA Presents Fresh Friday with Athletics

7 p.m. | USD Volleyball vs. Florida Gulf Coast, SCSC

Saturday, Sept. 13

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 2025 season. 

1 p.m. | USD Football vs. Northern Colorado, Dakota Dome

WHITE OUT game! Wear your white t-shirt!

7 p.m. | USD Volleyball vs. Kansas, SCSC

WHITE OUT game! Wear your white t-shirt!