Media Advisory: UB students to begin moving into residence halls on Thursday

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo is ready to kick off another academic year, with students moving into residence halls and weekend activities to help newcomers adjust to life on campus.

“Opening week and our full schedule of events at UB make this one of the most exciting times of the year,” says Brian Hamluk, vice president for Student Life. “It’s a chance for students to discover new opportunities, build meaningful connections and find their place within the UB community.”

This fall, for the eighth consecutive year, UB anticipates achieving its enrollment goal of 30,000 students, including more than 5,000 first-year students. (Official enrollment numbers will not be available until mid-September.)

Move-in for first-year students begins Thursday at 9 a.m. and throughout the day at Ellicott Complex on UB’s North Campus. Students will continue to move into residence halls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In all, more than 7,500 students will move into on-campus residence halls on UB’s North and South campuses. 

Note to news media: Members of the news media are welcome to visit either North or South Campus to interview and/or take footage of students moving into their campus housing. Media are not permitted to enter residence halls. 

Welcome Weekend is an annual tradition for students, their families and the greater UB community that is designed to be both fun and informative. It features the sixth annual “Welcome Back Blast,” which starts at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Broadview Stadium.

The event will feature a musical performance by Western New York's own Letter to Elise, who appeared on NBC's “The Voice,” and live performance by Wild West star Loop Rawlins and Golden Buzzer winners Light Balance from NBC's “America’s Got Talent.” The evening will also include performances by the UB marching band and spirit teams, UB athlete introductions, student contests and more.

The finale will feature fireworks presented by the UB Student Association. Other highlights include:

• 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 1:30-3:30 p.m. – The School of Management will host a welcome party for new and transfer students in Paula T. Agrusa Plaza and the Alfiero Center. It will include mechanical bull rides, prize giveaways, an airbrush artist doing temporary tattoos and more.
• Friday, from 7-8:45 p.m. – University convocation and human interlocking UB at Broadview Stadium. President Caroline Attardo Genco will welcome the incoming class of 2026 before students form the iconic human UB class photo.
• Saturday, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. – Campus Fest in the Jarvis B parking lot and Lee Road on North Campus, featuring opportunities to learn about and take part in student-run clubs and organizations.
• Saturday, from 8:30- 9:30 p.m. – Bulls Welcome Back Blast at Broadview Stadium. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
• Saturday at 10 p.m. – Victor’s Glow Zone Dance Party on the Student Union field, following the conclusion of the Welcome Back Blast.