Winter Welcome
Prepare for the start of the spring semester during this on-campus program.
Please check back in October for information about Winter Welcome in 2025. Use the 2024 Winter Welcome details below as a reference for what to expect.
Winter Welcome is the official kick-off to the spring semester for new students. The two-day, on-campus experience in January will help you prepare for academics at UB, explore UB resources and connect with other students.
We cannot wait to welcome you to UB and help you plan for a successful first semester!
During Winter Welcome, you will:
- Be welcomed to UB
- Prepare for academics
- Explore out-of-classroom activities
- Connect with others
- Begin the adjustment to life as a UB student
- Explore UB campuses
Winter Welcome is an on-campus experience on Monday, January 22 and Tuesday, January 23; classes begin Wednesday, January 24.
If you are living in on-campus housing, new student move-in is Sunday, January 21. The earliest on-campus move-in date for new students is Saturday, January 20. You will receive more specific information about move-in from Campus Living in January.
If you are living off-campus, plan to arrive and get settled in your space on or before Sunday, January, 21. You will commute to campus for Winter Welcome.
Dates
- January 21 - arrive in Buffalo, NY no later than this date
- January 22-23 - attend Winter Welcome
- January 24 - classes begin
Learn more about:
What's Required
All new students are expected to attend Winter Welcome. The program will help you get to know your new university, including academic expectations and helpful on-campus resources. You will also connect with other new students and hear from current students.
First-year students are required to participate.
Transfer students are not required, but highly encouraged to participate.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Have a question about Winter Welcome or anticipate a conflict? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for guidance.
How to Get to UB
Check-in for Winter Welcome takes place at the Center for the Arts on the University at Buffalo's North Campus. Plan to arrive between 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. to receive program materials, including a printed schedule.
If you plan to arrive by UB bus/shuttle, view the schedule for "North Campus Shuttle" and pick up the shuttle at your location to arrive to the Center for the Arts no later than 10:15 a.m.
If you plan to drive to UB, you may park at the Slee A Lot (enter 'Slee A Lot, University at Buffalo' in your GPS or navigational tool, or visit Google Maps for directions to Slee A Lot). Make sure your license plate is on record before your trip to campus; register your plate now (requires UBIT name/password).
Additional Resources
Winter Welcome Schedule Overview
You will receive a detailed printed schedule when you check in on Monday, January 22. Review the schedule overview below for what to expect during the program and how to maximize your time on campus.
On-Campus Resources
| TIME | EVENT |
| 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | New Student On-Campus Move-In
In early January, Campus Living will email students with arrival instructions.
|
| 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Orientation Office Hours
Contact us for questions or assistance prior to Winter Welcome.
|
| TIME | SESSION |
| between 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
Winter Welcome Check-In at the Center for the Arts on UB's North Campus
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
Welcome Session introduces you to your new school and begins your Winter Welcome experience.
|
| 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
Meeting with Orientation Leaders includes lunch and a North Campus walking tour.
|
| 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Academics at UB provides faculty and academic advisor perspectives on success in the UB classroom.
|
| 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. |
"How to UB" Sessions offer you the choice to attend sessions about a specific topic or campus resource.
|
| 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Shopping Trip/Shuttles to Nearby Stores |
| TIME | SESSION | |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
"The Hook Up" is an interactive improv show about relationships. This session is required for first-year students.
| |
| 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. |
UB Well is an opportunity to explore resources and strategies to manage stress and practice self-care.
| |
| 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Campus Tours and Exploration | |
| Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt | Explore campus and locate campus resources. View the Explore instructions. | |
| Learn the On-Campus Bus Routes | Ride with Orientation Leaders on the UB Stampede, departing from Flint Loop. | |
| Drop In to Campus Offices | Visit UB offices (including 1Capen!) if you require one of their services. | |
| 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. |
Sell Me This is a fun, fast-paced selling experience where where students will learn the Anatomy of a Pitch (in 7 minutes!!) and compete for the audience vote to win Campus Cash. Hosted by the CoLab.
| |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Diversity Dialogue is a session about engaging with and contributing to UB's diverse community. This session is required for first-year students and highly encouraged for transfer students.
| |
| 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. |
Bulls Like Me helps make UB a home away from home by connecting you with current students with shared identities and experiences. This event introduces you to resources for students who identify as: Latina/o/x, APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American), Black, LGBTQ+, Neurodiverse, and WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering).
| |
| 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Early Evening Social with Orientation Leaders is an opportunity to continue getting to know other UB students. Expect chill board games and crafts, grocery bingo, UB game show, and more! Food provided.
| |
| 7:00 p.m. | Go with Orientation Leaders to the Men's Basketball Game. | |
| TIME | EVENT |
| 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Ask Orientation Leaders
Look for orientation staff at key locations for help finding your way around campus the first day of the semester. |
| 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | First Day Photos
Celebrate the first two day of classes at UB with us in One World Café! We'll have signs and photographers to help you capture the moment.
If you post on social media, be sure to tag us (@ubstudentexp) and use UB hashtags (#ubuffalo and #NewtoUB). |
| TIME | EVENT |
| 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Campus Involvement Fair
Looking for student organizations to join? Attend this event in the Student Union room 145 to connect with clubs, organizations, and campus departments. Learn more on UBLinked.
|
Complete these tasks during or shortly after Winter Welcome.
- Sign up for UBAlert to stay informed.
- Download the GET App to order and pay for campus meals using your meal plan from the convenience of your phone.
- Connect to UB's eduroam Wi-Fi. eduroam is UB's official Wi-Fi for internet almost everywhere on campus. Follow the instructions for connecting your device and you'll stay connected wherever eduroam is available.
- Make a plan for how you'll get your textbooks: buy, rent, borrow, and/or share.
- Set up UBmail on your devices. Learn how to set it up on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
- Understand bus and shuttle schedules to get around and between campuses. View the bus schedules.
- Download UB Mobile to take UB with you wherever you go.
- Download the UB Rewards App and create your account using your UB email to access your tickets to all UB Athletics events.
- Complete part 2 of UB's required online health/safety courses (AlcoholEDU and Sexual Assault Prevention); instructions will be sent to your UB email 40 days after completing part 1. Learn more about both programs on the Health Promotion website.
STAY ON TRACK
Take action on the New Student Checklist tasks during or shortly after Winter Welcome.
Helping new students transition to life at UB:
Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
Student Life
University at Buffalo
112 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6125