Fall Welcome Weekend

Welcome to Penn State Berks!

Welcome Weekend is an event for first-year and transfer students who are new to Penn State Berks to get more comfortable with campus prior the beginning of the fall semester. With group meals, games, and opportunities to meet other new students, Welcome Weekend is packed with fun! Leadership Team and Orientation Leaders are eagerly preparing for the arrival of our new students this fall. We can't wait to welcome you home!

Shift the Semester into Gear!

Welcome Weekend 2024
Friday, August 23, through Sunday, August 25

This year's Welcome Weekend is funded by the Penn State Berks Student Initiated Fee and sponsored by the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement.

Welcome Weekend activities are
open to all new residential and commuter students!

Friday, August 23

Housing Check-In Registration Process
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In mid-July, students who will be living in the residence halls are able to log on to eLiving to view their room assignment and schedule their arrival date and time. More information to come.

New Student Residence Hall Move-In, Harper Road
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
See map for move-in directions »

You’ve selected your check-in time, now you’ll head to campus so you can pick up your keys during your time slot. If you’ll be using the GPS, please use the intersection of Broadcasting Road and Harper Road in Spring Township to get the most accurate directions to our campus. Our signage and Orientation Leaders will help direct you to the check-in tent on Harper Road, where you’ll meet Housing and Food Services staff to receive your keys and parking passes. Make sure that you complete the check-in process on eLiving before you arrive to campus to expedite your check-in experience.

We encourage families to use one car when possible. We will only allow one car per student to proceed to the unloading area; other vehicles will be directed to our overflow lot until you are able to switch cars. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however, we have limited space in our unloading areas and this practice allows as many families to begin their unloading process as possible. You will have 15 minutes to unload your belongings before we ask that you to move your vehicle to the overflow lots. As they are able, with your permission, Orientation Leaders will assist with this process. Carts will be provided as available, but families are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Farewell to Families and Friends
4:00 p.m.

This is the dedicated time to say those goodbyes, give hugs and grab the tissues as your student embarks on their journey as a Penn Stater!

Welcome Weekend Kickoff and New Student Program
Perkins Tent
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Join Student Affairs and renowned keynote speaker, Bonny Shade, to kick off Welcome Weekend and programs for new students!

Commuter Connections Dinner Panel
Tully’s
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Commuter students will enjoy dinner with commuter OLs at Tully’s. Meal vouchers will be provided to all commuter students. After dinner, students will head back to the Perkins Tent for a commuter panel and Q&A with commuter OLs. This will be a great opportunity for commuters to connect with other commuter students and build community!

Residence Hall Orientation
Residence Halls
6:00 p.m.

Throughout the evening, Resident Assistants will review important hall policies and protocols, assist in orienting students to their new communities, in addition to providing a number of opportunities for students to connect with their new neighbors through social events showcasing the amazing features of the residence halls. When you move in, make sure to touch base with your Resident Assistant who will be able to provide you with the schedule designed specifically for your new community!

Social Activities — Open to all new students!
Various Campus Locations
7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Our Orientation Leaders are preparing a variety of social activities to help you continue to connect with your peers once your formal sessions have concluded for the day. These activities include kickball (Luerssen Lawn), karaoke (Perkins Tent), bingo hosted by Berks Benefitting THON ( Perkins MPR), board games (Lion's Den, basketball (Res Hall Courts), volleyball (Res Hall Courts), and a screening of the movie Monsters University (Perkins Auditorium)!

Saturday, August 24

Breakfast
Available in Tully's Dining Hall, Perkins Student Center
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Breakfast* will not be covered during Welcome Weekend. Students are encouraged to eat before they arrive or stop by our on-campus dining hall for food before the program begins.

Residential students will use their meal plan for lunch rotations. Commuting students will receive a coupon for a discount off their meal during their lunch rotation. Students will be expected to cover the remaining cost.

*Our dining halls are cashless. If you need assistance to ensure that you are able to afford to eat during the Welcome program, please ask an Orientation Leader if you can speak with a professional staff member.

New Student Check-In*
Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center Lobby
9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

You are encouraged to arrive early to ensure that you have plenty of time to check in to find out your team assignment, receive your welcome bags, and schedules. Our Orientation Leaders will be around to help you in navigating this process. There will also be opportunities for students to win prizes before the program begins.

* Check your email before you arrive — you should receive a message that will help you expedite your check-in process!

New Student Welcome and Rally in the Valley
Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center Gymnasium
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

We hope you are as ready to join our community as we are to welcome you! Join Orientation Leaders in the gym for a welcome and orientation to Welcome Weekend. Before you head to your next session, we’ll make sure to get our annual first-year photo with you and all of your new friends!

Breakout Sessions/Lunch Rotations
11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Students will rotate through the following sessions: Keeping it Real Panel (Perkins Auditorium), Lunch (Tully's) and lawn games (Perkins Tent).

Berks Alumni Ice Cream Social
Perkins Plaza
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Join the Berks Alumni for Penn State Creamery ice cream!

First-Year Group Leader Sessions
Various Campus Locations
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Orientation Leaders will lead small group sessions and cover tips on getting involved at Berks, places to hang out on campus, resources helpful to all student, how to build community at Berks and other topics that will help students with their transition to Berks!

Break
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

First-Year Carnival and Social Activities
Various Campus Locations
5:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Our Orientation Leaders are preparing a variety of social activities to help you to continue to connect with your peers once our formal sessions have concluded for the day. In your final group sessions, Orientation Leaders will share the specific events and locations with you.

Sunday, August 25

Breakfast*
Tully's
8:00 to 9:45 a.m.

Breakfast* will not be covered during Welcome Weekend. Students are encouraged to eat before they arrive or stop by our on-campus dining hall for food before the program begins.

First-Gen Coffee and Donuts with Student Affairs
Multipurpose Room, Perkins Student Center
9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

Are you a first-generation college student? Get your feet wet with our Student Affairs staff!

First-Year Programming
Perkins Student Center Auditorium
10:00 a.m. to Noon

The following topics will be covered during the First-Year Programming sessions:

10:00 to 10:45 a.m.: Cultivating a Culture of Respect and Belonging
10:45 to 10:55 a.m.: Break (snacks/bathroom)
11:00 to 11:30 a.m.: Managing Mental Health
11:30 to 11:50 a.m.: Get Curious About Pennsylvania’s Americana Region

Lunch and Fun
Tully's, Perkins Tent/Plaza
Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Resident students will use their meal plan for lunch rotations. Commuting students will receive a coupon for a meal discount during their lunch rotation. Students are expected to cover the remaining cost.

Resource Tour
Various Campus Locations
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Orientation Leaders will take small groups of new students around campus to learn about different resources at Berks. This will be a great way to get familiar with buildings and class locations for your first day of classes!

Honors Orientation
151 Franco Building
2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

First-year students with a minimum high school or transfer GPA of 3.5 may qualify for the Penn State Berks Honors Program. If you are a highly motivated student seeking an academic challenge, please plan to attend.

Conclusion of Welcome Weekend Programming
3:00 p.m.

Residence Life Social Activities Hosted by the Resident Assistants
Bingo: Alumni Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
RA Manhunt: Village Quad, 9:00 p.m.