Westminster welcomes new and returning to students to campus with Weeks of Welcome—a series of activities happening during your first 5 weeks on campus. Events take place both in-person (with COVID-19 protocols) and virtually. Weeks of Welcome events are a great way to make new friends, develop academic skills, join an ASW student club, find a campus job, learn wellness skills, and have fun!
Weeks of Welcome 2020
Aug. 19–Sept. 30
WOW 2020 Activities
Collect 3 stickers from each of the event themes (total of 12) and enter to win a Sony VR game system.
I Belong Here
I Belong Here experiences allow you to make connections with new and returning Griffins. You'll meet new people, learn new ways to make friends, and find your "home away from home."
Griffin Values
Griffin Values experiences help you learn Westminster values and explore how they will help you create a better world. Values include diversity, inclusion, care of others and environment, perspective taking, personal and social responsibility, and moral and ethical development.
Legends Tour
Aug. 15, 8:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m. | Throughout campus
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Is Westminster haunted? Find out for yourself as students take a guided tour across campus, learning about the history of Westminster and all of its ghosts. Bring your student ID for check in.
Scavenger Hunt
Aug. 16, 7:30–10:00 p.m. | Throughout campus
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Want to learn more about the Westminster campus and find cool spots that are true gems? Join ASW in a fun-filled scavenger hunt.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Aug. 16, 7:30-10:00 p.m. | Throughout campus
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come and join the ASW scavenger hunt event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Movie on the Screen
Aug. 17, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. | Giovale Library lawn
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join ASW in a Westminster tradition, an outdoor movie under the stars. Meet returning and new students while watching a popular movie that everyone will love.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Aug. 17, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. | Giovale Library lawn
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to the Movie on the Screen event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Virtual Student Employment Day
Aug. 18, 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: the Career Center
Looking for an on-campus job? Schedule a time in Handshake to hop on a Teams chat with the Career Center. They are ready to answer any questions you have about getting hired on campus.
Sugar House Coffee Buy-Out
Aug. 19, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Sugar House Coffee
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Take a break from your first day and grab a free coffee or ice with your student ID.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Aug. 19, 1–3:00 p.m. | Sugar House Coffee
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come enjoy a cup of coffee and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Welcome Back Concert
Aug. 20, 7–8:30 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join ASW Events in a night of great music from a local band.
Meet a Friend Soirée
Aug. 25, 4–6:00 p.m. | Outside of Bassis, on the west side
Hosted by: the Dumke Center for Civic Engagement, Environmental Center, and Student Diversity and Inclusion Center
Come meet the staff and student leaders from the Dumke Center for Civic Engagement, Environmental Center, and Student Diversity and Inclusion. This is a great way to make new friends!
CANCELLED Office for Global Engagement Open House
Aug. 25, 4–6:00 p.m. | Walker Hall patio
Hosted by: the Office for Global Engagement
Meet the staff and student leaders from the Office for Global Engagement. Explore options for completing your Engaging the World experience and meet international students.
ASW Clubs Virtual Fair
Aug. 27, 12:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Interested in joining a club? ASW Clubs is hosting their fall club fair in a virtual format. You can video in and meet leaders from any of the 50 student clubs on campus! To know more information on how to navigate the virtual club fair, please refer to your Westminster email for the presentation that provides links to each clubs teams call. If you did not receive this email, please email Aswclubs@westminstercollege.edu to receive access to the virtual fair.
Heart Talks: Connect with the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Aug. 30, 5–6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Connect and find community during these changing times. Come learn about opportunities for faith-based and interfaith club involvement, work with the office, retreats, service projects, book groups, and more.
CANCELLED Student Diversity and Inclusion Program Tabling
Sept. 1–4, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Outside of Bassis
Hosted by: the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center
Learn about the five student development programs offered through the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center.
CANCELLED Queer Study Nights
Sept. 1, 6–10:00 p.m. | Center for Centers in Bassis
Hosted by: the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center
Enjoy snack and community during Queer Study Nights.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Sept. 2, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Outside of the Givovale Library entrance
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to Giovale Library Fair event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people.
CANCELLED Tailgate
Sept. 5, 4–6:00 p.m. | Dumke field entrance
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join the ASW Events as they provide food and prizes to students who come out and support our Westminster athletes. Go Griffins!
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Sept. 5, 4–6:00 p.m. | Dumke field entrance
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to a tailgate party and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Sept. 8, 7–9:00 p.m. | Gore and MS Teams
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to the Taboo Talks event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
HWAC Happy Hour
Sept. 11, 3–4:00 p.m. | HWAC Special Events Room
Hosted by: the Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation Department
Need new recipes? Join the Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation department to learn how to cook healthy, budget-friendly food in a pressure cooker.
Two-on-Two Volleyball Tournament
Sept. 11, 12–3:00 p.m. | Sand volleyball area in the Residential Village
Hosted by: the Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation Department
Find a partner and register on IMLeagues' website for the annual 2-on-2 volleyball tournament.
CANCELLED Socially Distanced Sleepover Under the Stars
Sept. 16, 9 p.m. | Dumke Field
Hosted by: the Outdoor Program
Join the Outdoor Program and a star-gazing expert on campus for the evening. Learn about the universe, make friends, and enjoy stories before falling asleep under a blanket of September stars. Weather dependent.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Sept. 16, 9 p.m. | Dumke Field
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to the Sleepover Under the Stars event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Heart Talks: Building a Community Based on Race Unity
Sept. 20, 5–6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Listen to and share with others in a safe space about race unity and social cohesion with Pastor Marlin from Kingdom Huddle and the global peace and spirituality office team.
Arts Festival
Sept. 24, 5–8:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Take a break from your daily grind and relax with some great art projects. Take your craft home or give them to a friend. Let's get crafty!
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Sept. 24, 5–7:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to the Arts Festival event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Late Night at HWAC
Sept. 25, 9–11:00 p.m. | HWAC
Hosted by: the Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation Department
During Late Night at HWAC, the center is open only to first-year students. Free t-shirts, pizza, flu-shots, and $150 worth of gift cards will be given out.
Pop-Up
Oct. 1, 4–6:00 p.m. | outside ASW Office in Shaw
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Come by and check out ASW Events' monthly pop-up.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Social
Oct. 8, 5:30–9:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention
Come to the Hot Drinks Hot Topics event and meet other sophomore students with similar interests as you. Have fun and meet your people!
Heart Talks: Building a Community Based on Race Unity
Oct. 18, 5–6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Listen to and share with others in a safe space about race unity and social cohesion with Pastor Marlin from Kingdom Huddle and the global peace and spirituality office team.
Heart Talks: Building a Community Based on Race Unity
Nov. 15, 5–6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Listen to and share with others in a safe space about race unity and social cohesion with Pastor Marlin from Kingdom Huddle and the global peace and spirituality office team.
Heart Talks: Building a Community Based on Race Unity
Dec. 6, 5–6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Listen to and share with others in a safe space about race unity and social cohesion with Pastor Marlin from Kingdom Huddle and the global peace and spirituality office team.
COVID-19 Information Session with SHS Nurse Practitioners
Aug. 26, 12–1:00 p.m. | Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center Special Events Room
Hosted by: Student Health Services
Have questions about COVID-19? Join Student Health Services and ask Westminster nurse practitioners anything related to COVID-19.
Sex, Sexual Assault, and Bystander Intervention
Sept. 8, 4–5:30 p.m. | Courage Theater in Jewett
Hosted by: the Dean of Students Office
This workshop will discuss sex positivity, discuss sexual assault, and tips for bystander intervention.
Courageous Pluralism Coexist Café
Sept. 9, 5:30–7:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Sponsored by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join a speaker from Black Lives Matter as they discuss what can be done to build a better world for everyone.
Racial Solidarity in the Outdoors
Sept. 10, 12–1:00 p.m. | Center for Centers in Bassis
Hosted by: the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center and the Outdoor Program
Do you care about justice and have an interest in the outdoors? The Outdoor Program and the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center are co-hosting this session to discuss, learn, and promote awareness about ways to include justice values in outdoor experiences. Everyone is welcome!
9/11 Remembrance
Sept. 11, 9:00 a.m. | Converse circle (flag pole)
Hosted by: Center for Veteran and Military Services and Associated Students of Westminster
Join the campus community in celebrating and recognizing Westminster’s veteran and military members, as we take time to honor those lost in 9/11.
COVID-19 Information Session with SHS Nurse Practitioners
Sept. 14, 6–7:00 p.m. | Health. Wellness, and Athletic Center Special Events Room
Hosted by: Student Health Services
Have questions about COVID-19? Join Student Health Services and ask Westminster nurse practitioners anything related to COVID-19.
May Term Fair
Sept. 17, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: the Office for Global Engagement
Learn about the 2021 May Term Study Experiences in person at the May Term Fair or sign up for virtual information meetings to hear directly from the faculty leaders and get all your questions answered.
CANCELLED - Flu Shot Clinic
Sept. 30, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: Student Health Services
Get your flu shot for $10.
Sophomore Sync-Up: Service Learning
Sept. 10, 12–1:00 p.m. | Center for Centers in Bassis
Hosted by: the Office of Student Success and Retention and the Dumke Center for Civic Engagement
Come together with other sophomore students to activate your passions through a service project that impacts our community.
Courageous Pluralism Coexist Café
Oct. 7, 5:30–7:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hosted by: the Office for Global Peace and Spirituality
Sponsored by: Associated Students of Westminster
Come learn about how various rules affect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and international students’ access to resources and opportunities. Discover what you can do to help increase equity.
Hot Drinks Hot Topics
Oct. 8, 5:30–9:00 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join ASW over hot drinks as students discuss the latest hot topics out. Let's spill some tea!
College Hacks
In College Hacks experiences, you'll learn how to build your academic skills in and outside the classroom, including creating study groups, using campus resources, managing time, communicating with professors, and connecting with tutors. You'll also be able to connect with peers who share your academic interests.
Develop Your Superpower
During Develop Your Superpower experiences, you'll build social skills and learn about tools to help you succeed, including wellness strategies, stress management, budgeting, and creating an inclusive and safe community for all Griffins.
Study Abroad Money Matters
Sept. 2, 4–5:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: the Office for Global Engagement
Students cite money as one of the biggest barriers to study abroad but planning and initiative can make this opportunity a possibility for any student. Come learn about the true cost of study abroad programs, available scholarships, and financial planning tips.
Library Fair
Sept. 2, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Outside of the Giovale Library entrance
Hosted by: Giovale Library
Stop by Giovale Library Fair to unlock the secrets of the library. Learn how to take advantage of the library's resources and get to know the library staff—you may even win a prize!
CANCELLED Are You Ready for Mid-Terms? Sharpen Your Test Taking Skills
Sept. 29, 4–5:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: Student Success and Retention
Are you ready for mid-term exams? Come hear from advanced students on the best ways to prepare for your upcoming exams.
Are You Ready for Mid-Terms? Raising Your Note-Taking Game
Oct. 6, 4–5:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: The Office of Student Success and Retention
Are you ready for mid-terms? You can't study effectively if your notes are a mess. Come hear tips, tricks, and systems that will help you get more organized and take better notes.
Intro Climbing Hour
Aug. 28, 1:00 p.m. | Climbing Wall in HWAC
Hosted by: the Outdoor Program
If you're new to climbing, come over to Bishop's Wall in the Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center to learn the ropes. Equipment that you might need will be provided, so come ready to climb and unwind from a week of classes.
Taboo Talks
Sept. 8, 7–9:00 p.m. | Gore and MS Teams
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Taboo Talks creates a fun and inclusive space for students to engage in dialogue around topics that are sometimes considered "taboo."Condom Olympics
Sept. 14, 12–3:30 p.m. | Richer Commons (or inside Shaw if it is raining)
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Join student club leaders and ASW Events as they host the annual Condom Olympics, a fun and educational program about healthy and safe sexual practices.
Cooking Demonstration
Sept. 17, 5–7:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: Associated Students of Westminster
Want to know what's cookin'? Join ASW and fellow students as you try out some new recipes.
Be Well at Westminster Workshop
Sept. 23, 4–5:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: the Counseling Center
Need to find some balance in your transition to college? Take a wellness assessment, learn more about the dimensions of integrated wellness in the college setting, and get connected to various wellness programs on campus.
Stay Out Ahead Of It: A Prevention Model for Good Mental Health
Sept. 28, 3–4:00 p.m. | MS Teams
Hosted by: the Counseling Center
In today's world, there is much to feel overwhelmed by. How do we get out ahead of these intense and often stressful elements of life? Learn tools and hear about how others are combating the mental health challenges of today.
Resilience skills/tools training via short video clip and links to on-line resources.
Stress management and avoiding burnout.
Communication Skills and conflict resolution/self-advocacy skills/tools.