During Welcome Week at Syracuse University, close to 4,000 new and transfer students come from across the nation and the world to gather for an exhilarating kickoff to the college experience. Welcome Week is all about building connections, reveling in Orange pride and setting up for a successful year.
The week is filled with activities and programming designed to help new students seamlessly transition into University life. These include unforgettable moments from meeting classmates, faculty and staff to setting up dorm rooms and discovering resources—and, of course, having fun!
New students and their families receive a warm welcome from the Goon Squad—a group of 400+ enthusiastic student volunteers who have embraced Syracuse’s 80-year tradition of helping new students move into their dorms. Incoming students will make Syracuse University's campus their new home.
Welcome Week is full of opportunities to meet and mingle with peers who will soon become classmates and lifelong friends. The week’s programming includes games, group activities, shared meals, talent shows and performances. Students also learn about the wide range of student organizations on campus, which allow them to connect with others who share their passions and to explore new interests.
Students gain comfort navigating Syracuse’s beautiful campus and find the spots that will be their favorites for studying, unwinding and gathering with friends. Guided tours introduce them to the University’s many unique traditions and events bring the campus community into the City of Syracuse to explore the local community.
Structured orientations and the energetic atmosphere on campus gives students the chance to meet with faculty and staff. Over the next few years, these relationships will provide guidance, support and mentorship to newcomers on their academic journeys of discovery and growth.
Welcome Week is a time of connection, exploration and excitement—and it sets the stage for a successful college journey at Syracuse. New students and their families will be inspired as they mark the beginning of the academic year and celebrate new students becoming Orange.
