Welcome Week Schedule

Move-In Day Checklist

  • After you've moved most of your things in, come by the tent at Pietz Plaza between the GC and Raley Chapel to pick up your Welcome Week t-shirt, nametag and schedule.
  • Textbook Butler - if you used this service with the OBU bookstore, then your books will be in your residence hall, either in the lobby or by your door. [If you can not locate them, please contact your RA or RD for help.]
  • Get your ID. (GC 101)
  • Get your mail key. (Downstairs GC – Have your OBU ID or driver’s license with you.)
  • Get your parking sticker. (at your residence hall on Saturday and at the Police Dept. all other days.)
  • Get hooked up to the OBU network. (See Computer Services Staff in your residence hall lobby.)
  • Have questions?? See the information table in the downstairs GC 101.

Welcome Week Schedule

Saturday, August 17

9:00 a.m.

Residence Halls Open

3:00 p.m.

New Student Orientation (Raley Chapel) / New Parent Orientation (Noble Complex)

  • This event kicks off Welcome Week.. you don’t want to miss this!!

4:00 p.m.

Small Group Session  - Raley Lawn

  • Meet other freshmen and your VERY OWN TRI-W’s (Welcome Week Workers)

4:30 p.m.

Goodbye to Mom and Dad

  • Don’t forget to take a picture as you say “See ya later” to Mom and Dad. Oh...and you might say thanks for all they have done for you!!!

5:00 p.m.

Sub-Group Sessions "OBU Traditions"

5:30 p.m.

Stake Your State Picnic - GC Concourse

  • Meet other people from YOUR state or region.

7:00 p.m.

Sub-Group Sessions "Dorm and Campus Life"

8:00 p.m.

Residence Hall Meetings

  • The WMU Residence Director will meet with WMU residents on the front steps of WMU.
  • The Kerr Residence Director will meet with new students living in Kerr in the Kerr lobby.
  • The Agee Residence Director will meet with new male students in the 1st Floor Agee Lobby.
  • The Lodge Resident Director will meet with new male students in the 1st Floor Lodge Lobby.

8:30 p.m.

First Night

  • Women meet in the Oval. (In the event of rain, all women meet in the Kerr Lobby.)
  • Men meet on the Agee Lawn. (In the event of rain, all men meet in the Agee Lobby.)

Sunday, August 18

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast – GC Cafeteria opens for Breakfast

9:15 a.m.

Sub-Groups meet in Raley Chapel to attend Bible study

9:30 a.m.

Bible Study – Raley Chapel

  • Your first chance to worship with your class

10:30 a.m.

Worship – Raley Chapel

12:00 p.m.

Lunch - Cafeteria

12:45 p.m.

Sub-Group Session prepare for "A Day in the Life"

1:00 p.m.

New Student Simulation. "A Day in the Life"  - Oval Fountain

  • Learn what you can expect a ‘normal’ day might look like as well as learning the buildings/areas on campus.

2:15 p.m.

Sub-Group Meetings - Meet in Raley for SGA "Let's Talk" event.

2:30 p.m.

SGA: Let's Talk - Why College Matters student panel

4:00 p.m.

Leisure Time & Dinner (Wal-Mart Trips, Sleep, Decorate Room, Coffee Shop, etc.)

5:00 p.m.

Transfer-mation Dinner – Upstairs GC 218

  • All new Transfer students are welcome to attend a dinner just for you!

7:00 p.m.

The President’s Vision - GC Concourse

  • Hear from OBU Interim President Dr. Pat Taylor and his vision for YOU and our University.

8:30 p.m.

Welcome Week Skits -GC Concourse

  • Come ready to laugh at these upperclassmen. This event might be one of the highlights of your WW experience.

Monday, August 19

7:15 a.m.

Cafeteria opens for Breakfast - GC Cafeteria

8:00 a.m.

Community Service Project - "Serve Shawnee" - Meet in Raley

  • We begin the week by getting to serve our community. Come ready to serve all over the city and get your hands dirty alongside your peers.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch - GC Cafeteria

1:00 p.m.

Sub Group Sessions  - "Academic Success" and gather to be lead out to your specific academic meeting location.

1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Academic Meetings

New students will meet with their deans & academic advisors, view schedules and finalize registration

5:30 p.m.

Bison Family Dinner (Dinner with Faculty/Staff)

  • You get the opportunity to get personal and have dinner with a Faculty or staff member. They are SO excited that you are here!!! (You might even get invited over to their home!!!)

7:45 p.m.

Sub-Group Session (Ka-Rip Wars)  - Oval

  • Show off your Ka-Rip chanting skills as well as your glorious harmonies of the Alma Mater.

8:30 p.m.

Practice walk - Oval

9:00 p.m.

Unity Gathering – GC Concourse

  • Hear from a senior about their OBU experience and what they hope you get from your time here.

9:30 p.m.

Small Group Session

Tuesday, August 20

Division of Music Auditions and Placement

7:15 a.m.

Cafeteria opens for Breakfast - GC Cafeteria

12:00 p.m.

Lunch - GC Cafeteria

1:15 p.m.

Sub-Group Session "What to do at OBU"

2:00 p.m.

Un Cuerpo - RAWC

  • Meet up with your small group
  • Sports teams, performance groups, social clubs, ministries, Student Government, the arts, service opportunities, and MORE will be represented

7:00 p.m.

Meet for The Walk (Don’t forget to wear your Welcome Week Shirt & Beanie) - Oval

7:30 p.m.

The Walk

  • A very special tradition. It is how you start and end your time here at OBU.

8:00 p.m.

Chapel: Fall Challenge

  • A time to connect with your class through worship and the study of God’s word.

9:00 p.m.

Ice Cream Party sponsored by Student Government Association (Lower GC)

Wednesday, August 21

Division of Music Auditions and Placement

10:00 a.m.

Chapel: Fall Challenge – Raley Chapel

11:00 a.m.

Global Cafe: A space for students to meet others from around the world! Snacks and drinks will be served. (GC - Spiritual Life Gathering Room)

1:30 p.m.

Community Standard Conversation (required for all new students)

Men - Raley Yarborough Auditorium

Women - Raley Potter Auditorium

3:00 p.m.

Intramural Kick Off!

Spikeball Tournament (Sand Volleyball Courts)
Ultimate Frisbee Tournament (Intramural Fields)

6:00 p.m.

Chapel: Fall Challenge – Raley Chapel

Thursday, August 22 (First Day of Classes)

1:00 p.m.

Music Student Meeting in RC 203

3:00 p.m.

University Ringers Fall Auditions in RC 122

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Spotlight on Shawnee – Oval

  • This is your chance to see what churches, businesses and non-profits there are in Shawnee. Oh...and they give away FREE STUFF, so that’s pretty great as well. And not just FREE STUFF...but GREAT FREE STUFF!!!

Friday, August 23

10:00 a.m.

Chapel: Fall Challenge – Raley Chapel

8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Night at the RAWC - open to ALL students!

  • Come play at the RAWC and discover the myriad of ways in which you can glorify and worship God through activities, organizations and events at OBU.
  • Glow-in-the-Dark events begin at 10 p.m.

Saturday August 24

10:00 a.m.

Intramural Sand Volleyball Tournament with Tailgate by Beta Gamma Theta @ Sand Volleyball Courts

5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

OBU Welcome Carnival - field between Raley Chapel and the GC

  • Greek Life Clubs will be present and host individual carnival games and food in collaboration with Chartwells
  • Come with your new friends, bring your whole hall and enjoy the carnival!