BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will welcome new and returning students this weekend with the traditional Opening Weekend activities designed to help acclimate incoming students and provide veterans with some fun-filled events before the start of classes on Monday.

Freshmen move into their residence halls on Thursday and Friday, and throughout the weekend will have the opportunity to learn about UB resources and campus services, attend social events and meet fellow students, learn their way around the North and South campuses and take bus tours to such popular off-campus destinations as Niagara Falls, the Niagara outlet mall or the Elmwood Arts Festival.

President Satish K. Tripathi will hold a "meet and mingle" at 3:30 p.m. on Friday in the courtyard of Slee and Clemens halls, North Campus. Tripathi; his wife, Kamlesh; and other members of the UB community will welcome students, parents and families to a new academic year. Those attending will have the chance to win $100 toward books at the University Bookstore, an iPad, a free registration to Family Weekend or a "Family Gear" Basket.

Also at 3:30 p.m. Friday, the annual interlocking UB photo will be taken on the Student Union Field. More than 1,300 students will come together to form the university's logo. Those participating will receive free T-shirts.

The New Student Picnic, one of the signature events of Opening Weekend, will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Baird Point. New students and their families can enjoy a free, first-come, first-served chicken barbecue while mingling with UB faculty and staff. The Aerial Angles acrobats will perform at 6 p.m. at Baird Point.

Opening Weekend activities will continue on Saturday with UB in the Community, a series of activities focused on improving Buffalo's neighborhoods, as well as campus bike and walking tours; bus tours to Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls outlet mall and the Elmwood Arts Festival; and the Welcome Back Bash at 9:30 p.m., featuring music, a foam pit-dance party, and food and prizes.

Sunday's activities include the "We are UB" Community Photo on the steps of the Health Sciences Library on the South Campus uniting the campus and neighboring community in UB pride; the Welcome Back BBQ in the Ellicott Complex on the North Campus; and Movie Night with screenings of "The Avengers" outside in the Student Union Field and "Men in Black III" in the Student Union Theatre on the North Campus.

Opening Weekend kicks off "Fall into UB," a month-long, campus-wide series of special events designed to celebrate the beginning of the academic year

"Fall into UB" is focused on welcoming new students and their families, as well as welcoming back returning students," says Thomas Tiberi, director of student life. "All opening events are free and guaranteed to help students feel at home."

For a full schedule of events, visit the Opening Weekend website: http://welcome.buffalo.edu/open.php.