UA and Tucson Community to Welcome New and Returning Students

Wildcat Welcome events will take place from Aug. 19-28. UA and Tucson organizations are invited to participate in welcoming the newest freshman class to campus.

The newest freshmen class will descend upon The University of Arizona campus on Aug. 19 and will be greeted in grand fashion through more than 40 on- and off- campus events hosted by the UA and Tucson communities.

Wildcat Welcome is in its 11^th year and not only has the student population that it welcomes grown but so too has the program.

"Individual UA departments used to do their own thing to welcome students but we thought we could do more collectively so we pulled together a committee and devised a proposal," said Juliette Moore, director of UA Campus Recreation and a founding Wildcat Welcome committee member. "Former president Peter Likins supported the idea and provided funding in 1998."    

Events kick off with the Residence Hall Move-in Event on Aug. 19 with representatives from several campus units helping to move students into their residence halls.

"The move-in sets the tone for the whole week. Parents really appreciate the help and it builds on the idea of camaraderie – we are all in this together," Wildcat Welcome co-chair Chrissy Lieberman said.

Keynote events that bring families and new students together include the Wildcat Welcome Barbecue on Aug. 21, the Residence Hall Block Party on Aug. 22 and the Wildcat Bon Voyage Brunch on Aug 23.

"We've gotten such wonderful comments from parents on the events. They are surprised by how much is available on campus and that so many things are free," Moore said.

Tucson community organizations and businesses are contributing to the Wildcat Welcome by participating in the Community Day Open House on Aug. 25, the Club Fair on Aug. 27 and the Vendor Fair on Aug. 26 and 27.

Fry's Supermarket is sponsoring a shuttle to take students shopping at Fry's and the Tucson Mall from Aug. 21-23.  

"The Vendor Fair and the Club Fair will be awesome to behold. For two days, the UA Mall will be full with hundreds of people including vendors and student clubs. It really sets the bar for student expectations and their University experience," Lieberman said.

Wildcat Welcome events support the UA's retention efforts and participation and involvement of all students is encouraged.

"We know in terms of retention that students need to find someone to connect with early on. If they can connect with someone within six weeks of classes our chances of retaining them through graduation is higher," Lieberman said.

"The great thing about the events is that they are open to all UA students – transfer students, international students or anyone who wants to participate. We want everyone to get involved," Moore said.

Events will take place from Aug. 19-28 and UA volunteers are still needed for the Move-in and for Ask Me booths that are set up around campus to help students find their way. Volunteers will be accepted up until the first day of the Wildcat Welcome.