Bearcats
Welcome
As you embark on this new experience as a Bearcat, we hope your first few weeks on campus set the stage for your college career. We hope you are just as excited to be at UC as we are to have you here!
Bearcats Welcome features signature events hosted by Student Affairs tons of events, from social to educational, and from optional to required. Don’t miss out on all the fun. Events will be shared on the GetInvolvedUC page and the Corq app. Don’t have a smartphone? No worries! We’ll also have an online schedule for you to view. All events are open to the entire campus community unless noted in the description. Follow us @uc_studentaffairs and @uofcincy for more information!
2025 Bearcats Welcome Schedule
There are a variety of events to attend during Bearcats Welcome! Our programs expand over the first three weeks of the semester. Don’t miss out on all the fun! You will also be able to view all events on GetInvolvedUC and the complimentary mobile app, Corq.
Schedule key
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
These events are hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, offering key programs and opportunities to connect with campus resources. Events not sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs are provided by other colleges and departments, offering a range of activities for all students.
Required Activity *Required for all first year students
These events are mandatory for all participants. Please ensure you attend as part of your Welcome Week experience.
Auditory stimulation
This event may involve activities with auditory stimulation such as loud sounds, noise, and music
Large groups
This event may involve activities with large amounts of social engagement in groups, teams, or crowds
Visual stimulation
This event may involve activities with visual stimulation, such as use of lights, colors, flashing/strobe lighting
Physical activity
This event may involve activities with physical activity, such as running, jumping, dancing, or other movements
Optional alternative activity
This event has an alternative method of participation such as a viewing location or alternative way to engage with the activity
Tuesday, August 19
12 - 2 pm | Move-In Munchies
Marian Spencer Circle
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
2 - 4 pm | Pop-Up Portraits and Popsicles
Campus Green
Sponsored by: UC International
7 - 9 pm | Bearcats Welcome Trivia
Lindner College of Business 1210
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
9 - 11 pm | Glow & Graeter's
Covered Area between Market On Main & Campus Recreation Center
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Wednesday, August 20
10am - 1 pm | Student Wellness Center Open House
480 Steger Student Life Center
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center, Bearcats Support Network
12 - 2 pm | UC International BBQ American Style
Valentine Plaza
Sponsored by: UC International, IPALs
12 - 2 pm | Move-In Munchies
Daniel's Circle
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
5 - 8 pm | Market Pointe Mixer
Market Pointe
Note: This mixer is an opportunity for students to meet other peers. If you would like to have a nametag provided, please complete this form 24 hours prior to the event. You are welcome to attend, even if you do not complete the form.
Sponsored by:513 Culinary Group, UC Dining Services
6 - 7:30 pm | UCBA Housing Students Welcome
Bearcat Commons
Sponsored by: UC Blue Ash Student Life & Success and Resident Education & Development
7 - 9 pm | RecFest
Campus Recreation Center
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
9 - 11 pm | Bearcats Welcome Movie Night
Nippert Stadium
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Thursday, August 21
12 - 2 pm | Move-In Munchies
Between Calhoun & Siddall
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
3 - 5 pm | Commuter Student Meet & Greet
Commuter Student Lounge; Steger Student Life Center 645
Sponsored by: Center for Community Engagement
Required for all first-year students
6 - 7 pm | Bearcats Kick-Off
Fifth Third Arena
Sponsored by: Commencement Office & Office of the President
7 pm | Bearcat Marching Band Preview Show
Nippert Stadium
Sponsored by: Bearcat Bands
7 - 11 pm | Welcome Home: City of Cincinnati Celebration
Campus Green; Rain Location: TUC 465 Great Hall
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Friday, August 22
Various Times | College Day
Your Specific College
Required for all first-year students
Be sure to read details about College Day. These will also be sent to your email!
5:00 - 7:00 pm | Involvement Fair
Nippert Stadium
Sponsored by: Center for Student Involvement, Student Activities Board
7:30 - 9:30 pm | A Shakespearean Welcome! Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Bearcats Commons
Sponsored by: College of Arts & Sciences, Cincy Shakes
Saturday, August 23
10 am - 2 pm | Thrifty Move-In: Shopping, Eating, & Trips to IKEA (Trips to IKEA begin at 9:30 AM)
Lindner Hall Atrium with bussing running from Campus Green transit row.
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Thrifty Move-In: Shopping & Eating will take place in Lindner Hall Atrium from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.
Thrifty-Move-In: Trips to IKEA will leave from the Campus Green drive (between Lindner College of Business & Campus Green Garage) at the following times. RSVP is required, please click links below to sign-up.
9:30 AM Trip to IKEA
10:15 AM Trip to IKEA
10:30 AM Trip to IKEA
11:00 AM Trip to IKEA
11:20 AM Trip to IKEA
11:45 AM Trip to IKEA
12:30 PM Trip to IKEA
1:15 PM Trip to IKEA
2:00 PM Trip to IKEA
2:45 PM Trip to IKEA
Sponsored by: College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology, Graduate CollegeLindner College of Business, UC International, CECH Admissions & Marketing, Office of Sustainability, Bearcat Pantry & Resource Center, Resident Education and Development Center, Ikea, Dibella's
8 - 10 pm | Silent Disco
Campus Green; Rain Location: TUC 300 (Atrium)
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center
Sunday, August 24
11am - 1 pm | Soccer and Sno-Cones
Sheakley Field; Rain Location: TUC 465 (Great Hall)
Sponsored by: UC International Services and the International Partners and Leaders (IPALs)
11am - 2 pm | Self-Care Sunday
On The Green
Sponsored by: 513 Culinary Group, UC Dining Services
Monday, August 25
10:30 am - 12:30 pm | First Day of Classes Coffee Truck
Outside Mantei Center & Lindner College of Business
Sponsored by: Center for Student Involvement, Parents & Family Programs
7 - 9 pm | Bearcats Welcome Trivia
TUC 200 (Cinema)
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
9 - 11 pm | Late Night Movie
Nippert Stadium
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center
Tuesday, August 26
12 - 2 pm | Plants & Pots
Campus Green; Rain Location: CRC or TUC 425
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
1 - 3 pm | Come Check Out the UC Libraries!
Langsman Library Commons
Sponsored by: UC Libraries
6 - 9 pm | Bearcats Carnival
Campus Green; Rain Location: TUC 465 Great Hall
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Wednesday, August 27
11am - 1 pm | Wellness Wednesday
Market Pointe
Sponsored by: 513 Culinary Group, UC Dining Services
11 am - 2 pm | Commuter Student Lounge Open House
Commuter Student Lounge; Steger Student Life Center 645
Sponsored by: Center for Community Engagement
1 - 3 pm | DONuT Stress with CAPS & SWC
Bearcats Commons; Rain Location: TUC 465 (Great Hall)
Sponsored by: Counseling and Psychological Services Department & Student Wellness Center
2 - 3:30 pm | Ice Cream Social with Student Affairs
UC Mainstreet / Outside Bearcats Den
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
2 - 4 pm | UC Graduate College New Graduate Student Welcome & Orientation
TUC 465 (Great Hall) & TUC 499 (4th Floor Lobby)
Sponsored by: Graduate College
9 - 11 pm | Bearcats Welcome Movie Night
Nippert Stadium; Rain Location: TUC 200 Cinema
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Begins on Wednesday, August 28; Ends on Thursday, September 4
No set times; students can come to any library during library hours to get their stickers | Library Bearcat BINGO
UC Libraries
Sponsored by: UC Libraries
Thursday, August 28
11 am - 3 pm | Handshake Ice Cream Pop Up
Bearcat Pavilion
Sponsored by: Bearcat Promise Career Studio and Handshake
2 pm - 4 pm | LLC Welcome
TUC Great Hall (465)
Sponsored by: Residence Education & Development & UC Blue Ash Student Life
Thursday, August 28
9 am - 2 pm | RED on the Road: Findlay Market Field Trip
University Circle (Next to Marian Spencer)
Sponsored by: Residence Education & Development
Tuesday, September 2
11 am - 1 pm | Weigh the Waste
Center Court
Sponsored by: 513 Culinary Group, UC Dining Services
1 - 4 pm | Part-Time Job Fair
TUC Great Hall, TUC 400ABC
Sponsored by: Bearcat Promise Career Studio
7 - 9 pm | Bearcats Welcome Trivia
Catskeller
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Wednesday, September 3
9 am - 12 pm | East Campus Donuts & Coffee Truck
Eden Avenue
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
11 am - 2 pm | Off-Campus Housing Fair
Bearcats Commons
Note: For more information about off-campus housing, please visit this website.
Sponsored by: Center for Community Engagement, Center for Student Involvement, and Undergraduate Student Government
11 am - 1 pm | Taste of UC/513
Campus Green
Sponsored by: 513 Culinary Group, UC Dining Services
2:30 - 4:30 pm | Popsicles with the Learning Commons
French Hall West Lobby
Sponsored by: Learning Commons
6 - 8 pm | Cannon Ball Contest
Campus Recreation Center Pool
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
9 - 11 pm | Bearcats Welcome Movie Night
Nippert Stadium; Rain Location: TUC 200 Cinema
Sponsored by: Division of Student Affairs
Thursday, September 4
2 - 5 pm | Money Management Money Booth
TUC Front Steps; Rain Location: TUC 300 Atrium
Sponsored by: Enrollment Serviecs
3 - 4 pm | Popping Into the New Year Workshop: Navigating UC's Digital Tools
TUC TBD
Sponsored by: Learning Commons
3 - 5 pm | DIY Planner Making
580 Steger (Upstairs of the Student Wellness Center
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center
8 - 9 pm | Climbing Wall Twister
Campus Recreation Center
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
10 pm - Midnight | Late Night at Nippert
Nippert Stadium
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Friday, September 5
10 am - 1 pm | Student Affairs Is Here for You! - Student Affairs Resource Fair
Mainstreet; Rain Location: TUC 300 Atrium
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Transportation & Accessibility
The University of Cincinnati and City of Cincinnati are accessible through the UC Shuttle System and Cincinnati public transit system, Cincinnati Metro. UC Shuttle is available and easily tracked through the TRANSLOC app. The Cincinnati Metro partners with the University of Cincinnati to offer a discount to all students and employees for rides.
Accommodations
The Bearcats Welcome team is committed to providing full access to all of our programs and services for participants with access needs. If you require accessibility accommodations to fully participate in Bearcats Welcome programs, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources by email for assistance.
Get Involved on Campus
GetInvolvedUC is like having an involvement fair every day. It's an online community for UC students to discover opportunities to get involved on campus, join and manage student organizations, and see campus events. You can even request to join organizations through GetInvolvedUC.
Edit your profile: Personalize your profile. Change your preferred name and pronouns, update your privacy and notification settings, and declare your interests.
Download CORQ: CORQ is a mobile app that allows you to discover amazing events and groups around campus from your favorite mobile device. You can filter events for free food and giveaways. Download CORQ in the App Store or Google Play
Event Passes: Many campus events require checking in with your personal event pass. Open CORQ, sign in and go to your profile. Select 'Event Pass’ from the menu. Save it to your phone’s wallet to check in to events quickly.