Welcome to Union!
We’re so excited that you’ll soon be joining the Union community! Your first steps as a Bulldog are part of the New Student Experience, a journey designed to help you feel at home, build friendships, and get ready for everything Union has to offer.
That journey begins with Union 101, an online course in Canvas that you’ll complete before attending New Student Orientation. Your invitation to begin Union 101 will arrive in early May. The course introduces you to the essentials of being a Union student and helps you get comfortable with Canvas before your classes begin.
Next comes New Student Orientation in the summer. Registration opens January 1. During New Student Orientation, you’ll meet with an academic advisor, register for classes, spend a night on campus, and get your first taste of Union’s culture and traditions.
Your New Student Experience continues in August with Welcome Week, your first days on campus before classes begin. Welcome Week is a time for educating, engaging, energizing, and exalting. You’ll settle into campus life, connect with new friends and student leaders, and start finding your place at Union.
Together, Union 101, New Student Orientation, and Welcome Week give you a strong start to your time at Union, and we can’t wait to welcome you!
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is the next step in becoming a Bulldog. Registration opens January 1, 2027. Students who have already made a tuition deposit will receive an email with registration details that day. Students who deposit after January 1 will receive the email once their deposit is made. Each session has a limited number of spots, so we strongly encourage you to register as soon as you receive your email. Registering early gives you the best chance of getting your preferred date.
Sessions for 2027 are:
- May 27–28, 2027
- June 21–22, 2027
- June 24–25, 2027
Before you attend New Student Orientation, be sure to complete Union 101 in Canvas. Look for your invitation to the course in early May.
During New Student Orientation, you will:
- Meet one-on-one with an academic advisor and register for classes
- Learn about academic life and what to expect in the classroom
- Spend the night in an on-campus apartment and experience life as a Union resident
- Explore the clubs, organizations, sports, and other activities available to you
- Connect with student leaders and members of student organizations
- Learn about and take part in campus traditions
- Have your photo taken for your Union ID and pick up your parking sticker
- Get a glimpse of the opportunities, fun, and excitement ahead of you as a Union student
What to Expect
- Check-In: Check-in begins at 9:15 a.m. on Day 1.
- Day 1: Students take part in a full day of activities that runs until 9 p.m. Parents and guests are dismissed at 5 p.m.
- Day 2: Each student follows a personalized schedule built around their advising appointment. You’ll receive your schedule at check-in, and checkout is by 2 p.m.
Keystone students: Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. for an important session. Details will be sent to you separately.
What to Bring
Please leave your luggage in your car until room check-in at 4 p.m. on Day 1.
- Bedding (a sleeping bag, or sheets and a pillow)
- Toiletries and towels
- Casual clothes and comfortable shoes (expect warm weather and long days)
- A change of clothes for Day 2
- A laptop or iPad (you’ll need it both days, so bring it to check-in)
- Your Union ID number, username, and password
Can’t find your login information? Search your inbox for an email from [email protected], or stop by the IT table at check-in.
Parents & Guests
Parents and guests will attend their own sessions designed to help families with the transition to college. These sessions cover student life, financial aid, campus safety, academic expectations, and the opportunities available to Union students.
Students stay on campus during New Student Orientation, so parents and guests will need to make their own lodging plans off campus. Union offers special rates at local hotels.
Welcome Week
A Time for Educating. A Time for Engaging. A Time for Energizing. A Time for Exalting.
Our next Welcome Week is scheduled for August 12–16, 2027.
Welcome Week is your official start to life at Union. Over five days, you’ll move into your residence hall, meet your Welcome Week small group, worship alongside the Union community, and connect with the people and opportunities that will shape your college experience, all before classes begin.
Move-In Day: Thursday, August 12
New students move into their residence halls on Thursday, August 12. More details about move-in times will be sent to you by email before Welcome Week.
What the Week Looks Like
- Thursday: After move-in, you’ll meet your Welcome Week Leaders and small group while parents and guests attend a seminar of their own. The evening includes a welcome dinner, a time of worship as the Union community, a refreshment reception, and the Welcome Week Show.
- Friday: You’ll learn about Union’s community and academic values, have lunch with your academic department, and take your class picture. In the evening, you’re invited for ice cream at the home of President Dub Oliver and Mrs. Susie Oliver.
- Saturday: Explore campus involvement through rotating sessions on Campus Rec, GO Trips, Greek life, Life Groups, SAC, SGA, and more. You’ll also have lunch with your RAs and meet Life Group Leaders and area churches at the Life Groups and Local Church Fair. The night ends with your pick of open mic night, rec night, or a soccer scrimmage.
- Sunday: Visit a local church in the morning, then discover clubs and organizations at the Campus Life Fair. The evening brings the Student Activities Council’s Welcome Fest and the Songs and Stories worship service.
- Monday: Take care of any last details before classes, connect with your Life Group, and celebrate the start of the year at SGA’s Howdy Party.
Throughout the week, you’ll meet regularly with your Welcome Week small group, led by upperclass students who are ready to help you settle in and find your place at Union.
Opportunities for New Students
Life Groups
Life Groups are student-led discipleship groups for new students. Life Groups provide an opportunity for students to find Biblical community and supports students as they transition to life as a Union student. As students get accustomed to new classes and a new community, Life Groups serve as a source of belonging and mentorship.
Life Groups typically consist of 8-10 new students who are led by an upperclassman male and female. Life Group Leaders will invest in the lives of new students by facilitating Biblical discussions, creating fellowship opportunities, and building a welcoming community. Life Groups will walk through a book of the Bible together and spend time in fellowship each week. Life Groups may go to the movies, play pickleball, go on hikes, play board games, or do whatever the group wants to do!
How Do I Join a Life Group?
- Get to know the leaders on Instagram @uulife_groups.
- Meet the Life Group Leaders during the Life Group Fair at Welcome Week.
- Select your top 5 leader pairs that you connected with at the Life Group Fair.
- Your two Life Group Leaders will contact you on Monday of Welcome Week!
Questions about Life Groups?
Contact Hayden Phillips ([email protected]), the Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Men’s Discipleship.
Freshman Council
Freshman Council is an exciting opportunity for new students to get involved in student leadership & student government from the very beginning of your college career! The Council holds the important responsibility of serving as a voice for the freshman class as well as helping students get involved in Union life. Members of the council will receive the exciting opportunity to plan events for the freshman class, offer resources to fellow classmates, and provide support to the Student Government Association. You will be mentored by upperclassmen serving on SGA, receive specialized leadership training by a Union staff member, and attend a leadership retreat to help you learn more about your individual strengths and those of other members of Freshman Council! More than just an opportunity to serve fellow classmates, Freshman Council offers you the opportunity to receive leadership training that will benefit you throughout your college years!
The Council consists of 15-17 members who are chosen through and application and interview process with SGA officers, mentors, and the Freshman Council advisor in early Fall. If selected, it is the responsibility of each council member to keep close relationships with their peers and listen to their concerns and suggestions. You will have a huge opportunity to make an impact on Student Life at Union.
Council Responsibilities
In addition to developing close relationships with your fellow classmates, the Freshman Council has the opportunity to plan many activities, including social and service events, for the freshman class and the entire student body.
Past activities have included:
- Fall festival for all freshmen
- Concerts
- Serving with area non-profits to build houses for lower income families
- Participating in Day of Remembrance
- Attending a leadership retreats/conferences
In addition, Freshman Council elects officers from within its members, including a Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Senators. Each Senator will represent the Freshman Class at Student Senate and will vote on important issues that affect the class and the entire student body. The Council is also required to attend Student Senate every other week and write bills that will positively impact Union’s campus.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Freshman Council, please contact Will McCuistion, Assistant Director for Student Experience and Communications, [email protected].
