Media Advisory: On Thursday, UB students start moving into residence halls

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A dance party. A parade. Fireworks.

All are part of Welcome Weekend festivities at the University at Buffalo, where thousands of new and returning students will converge beginning on Thursday in anticipation of the new academic year.

This annual tradition – for students, their families and the greater UB community – is designed to be both fun and informative, and ultimately help students adjust to campus life.

“Opening week always brings an added level of excitement to campus, providing our students the ability to explore new opportunities and build community,” says Brian Hamluk, vice president for student life. “With many impactful events planned, I look forward to seeing the campus come alive with energy, True Blue school spirit and an enhanced student experience that capitalizes on everything the University at Buffalo has to offer.”

For the seventh consecutive year, the university anticipates achieving its enrollment goal of 30,000 students. (Official enrollment numbers will not be available until the second week of classes in September.)

Note: Media are welcome to come to either North or South Campus to interview and/or get footage of students moving into their campus housing. 

When: The most move-in activity will occur Thursday morning beginning at 9 a.m. at Ellicott Complex on UB’s North Campus (see map link). Please note that media are not permitted to enter residence halls.

Students will continue to move into residence halls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during daytime hours.

Welcome Back Blast:

The fifth annual “Welcome Back Blast,” starts at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, in UB Stadium.

The event will feature singer Sydney Sterlace, a West Seneca native who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” and illusionist Leone Etienne, who will take the stage as part of his Magic Rocks! Tour. The evening will also include a performance by the UB marching band, spirit teams, UB athlete introductions, student contests presented by the National Buffalo Wing Festival and a live DJ. The finale will feature fireworks presented by the UB Student Association.

Other highlights:

• Thursday, from 8-11 p.m. – A student-led parade to kick off the Festival of Culture Uniting Students (FOCUS) outside Goodyear Hall on the South Campus, featuring games and international food.
• Friday, from 1-3:30 p.m. – The School of Management will host at Paula T. Agrusa Plaza a welcome party for new and transfer students. It will incluide a mechanical bull rides, human foosball, an airbrush artist doing temporary UB-branded tattoos and more.
  
• Friday, from 7:45-8:45 p.m. – The New Student Welcome and human interlocking UB in UB Stadium on North Campus.
• Saturday, from 5-8 p.m. – Campus Fest in the Furnas parking lot and the Student Union field, featuring opportunities to learn about and take part in student-run clubs and organizations.
• Saturday at 10 p.m. – Victor’s Glow Zone Dance Party on the Student Union field, following the conclusion of the Welcome Back Blast.