Welcome Weekend Overview
Get Ready to Find Your Power This Fall!
Penn State Berks Welcome Weekend, Fall 2022
August 19-21, 2022
The Welcome Weekend Leadership Team and Orientation Leaders are eagerly preparing for the arrival of our new students for Fall 2022. We are constantly evaluating and assessing the most up-to-date recommendations from the CDC and Penn State University leadership. Below is our current schedule, please register to receive any updates as they are made.
Register here: Fall 2022 Welcome Weekend Registration Form
During Welcome Weekend, we encourage students to use the schedule posted on sites.psu.edu/welcometoberks
Moving into the Residence Halls, Friday, August 19
Check In Registration Process: As of July 19 at noon, students who will be living in the residence halls are able to log on to e-Living to view their room assignment and schedule their arrival date and time. For more information, visit the Housing and Food Services arrival site (arrival.psu.edu/fall/berks)! We highly recommend you check out the What to Pack and What to Leave section of their website.
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
New Student Residence Hall Move In, Franco Building: You’ve selected your check in time, now you’ll head to campus so you can pick up your keys during your time slot. If you’ll be using the GPS, please use the intersection of Broadcasting Rd and Harper Rd in Spring Township to get the most accurate directions to our campus. Our signage and Orientation Leaders will help direct you to the Check In tent on Harper Rd., where you’ll meet Housing and Food Services staff to receive your keys and parking passes. We encourage families to use one car, when possible. We will only allow 1 car per student to proceed to the unloading area, other vehicles will be directed to our overflow lot until you are able to switch cars. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, however, we have limited space in our unloading areas and this process allows as many families to start their unloading process as possible. You will have 15 minutes to unload your belongings, before we will ask you to move your vehicle to the overflow lots. As they are able, with your permission, Orientation Leaders will assist with this process. Carts will be provided as available, but families are encouraged to bring their own if they have them.
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Getting Settled: Students are encouraged to continue getting settled into their spaces, grab dinner, and say goodbye to family before we begin our Residence Hall Orientation events!
6:15 p.m.
Residence Hall Orientation Begins: Once they have said their goodbyes to their families, students will go through a Residence Hall Orientation. At 6:15 p.m., students should meet in their hall’s designated area to walk to the Residence Hall Rally in the Tent on Perkins Lawn along with their RA and the rest of their community. During the Residence Hall Rally they will learn more about what it means to live in the larger Residence Hall community and learn about the resources unique to our residential students. Following the Rally, students will meet their floors and go through their first hall meeting before social events will begin!
Post Hall Meetings – 10:30 p.m.
Residence Hall Social Time: Join the Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders as we take advantage of some of the best spaces on campus! We’ll have indoor games in the Bowman Student Center and the Ivy Lounge, weather permitting: we’ll also have outdoor games available!
Saturday, August 20
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
New Student Check In, Perkins Student Center: Students are encouraged to arrive early to ensure that they have plenty of time to check in to find out their team assignment, receive their welcome bags and schedules. Our Orientation Leaders will be around to help students in navigating through this process. There will be opportunities for students to win prizes before our Welcome Program begins.
*Check your email before you arrive, you should have an email that will help you to expedite your check in process!*
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
New Student Welcome, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Sit with your team as you are welcomed to Penn State Berks and will receive information that will help you to maximize the weekend.
10:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
First Year Seminar and Specialty Small Group Rotations, Various Locations around Campus: Students will spend the day rotating between small and larger interactive sessions that will help new students feel connected to each other and campus, especially the students they’ll be working with in their First Year Seminar. Orientation Leaders have designed these to help students feel as prepared as possible for their first week of classes. Students will also rotate through breaks and lunch throughout their day.
3:00 p.m.
Rally in the Valley, Luerssen Lawn: Follow your Orientation Leaders as our alumni join us in an event you won’t soon forget, that will help you to realize how many things you have in common with your fellow new students! During this event, we’ll also be taking a first year photo, along with you and 700 of your new friends!
4:30 p.m.
Commuter Success Program, Perkins Auditorium: After spending the day learning about the resources available to all students, students commuting to campus are expected to attend the Commuter Success Program. They will get to meet their peers that will also be commuting, as well as staff that are available to support their unique needs and learn about the resources available specifically for them.
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Dinner with Residence Halls: Residential students will touch base with their Resident Assistant to re-connect with their hall mates during dinner, before attending our evening social events.
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Social Activities, Various Locations: Our Orientation Leaders are preparing a variety of social activities to help you to continue to connect with your peers after the formal sessions have concluded for the day. Your Orientation Leader will share the specific events and locations with you.
Sunday, August 21
9:15–9:45 a.m.
Late Check In, Perkins Auditorium: For students who were not able to attend our events on Saturday, they can check in at the Perkins Lobby to receive their welcome bags and information for their day’s schedule.
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Brian Miller’s Magical Connections, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Enjoy the magical wisdom as Brian Miller shares tips, tricks, and pointers for making the most of your first semester of college.
11:15 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Small Group Rotations, Various Locations around Campus: Students will have the opportunity to connect with their peers, while also rotating through a variety of resource sessions, and exploring the campus to find their classes. We encourage students to ask their Orientation Leaders any questions they hope will be answered before they start classes on Monday, August 23!
4:00–4:45 p.m.
Community Weekend Teaser: The fun and connections don’t need to end once Welcome Weekend comes to a close: see what you have in store with our Community Weekend teaser! And then join us the following weekend to continue the fun with our Color Wars on Saturday, August 27 and Color Run on Sunday, August 28.
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Social Activities, Various Locations around Campus: Orientation Leaders will host a variety of activities around campus that we hope will help you to feel excited and prepared before the start of the school year.
Follow our Orientation Leaders on Instagram: @berkswelcomeleaders
Welcome Week
Our Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a student-run organization that utilizes student funding to provide a large portion of our Welcome Week events. For more information about attending any of the CAB events below, visit their website (https://sites.psu.edu/berkscab/) or follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with all of their events (@psubk_cab).
Monday, August 22
12:15 p.m.
Convocation, Tent on Perkins Lawn: New students are expected to attend this prestigious event where they will be welcomed into the Berks’ academic community.
8:00–10:00 p.m.
Glocade, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Join CAB for a fun night of glow in the dark fun with outdoor games under the tent on Perkins Lawn!
Tuesday, August 23
8:00 p.m.
CAB presents John Cassidy Balloon Comedian, Perkins Auditorium: John Cassidy is a Welcome Weekend staple, delighting Penn State Berks students for years with his balloon comedy!
Wednesday, August 24
12:15 p.m.
Student Government Association presents Club Rush, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Penn State Berks has a variety of clubs, organizations, or club sports teams available for its students. Club Rush offers an opportunity to meet members of clubs and find ways to get involved.
9:00 p.m.
CAB presents Crazy Bob Electronic Giveaway Dance Party, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Bob is a campus favorite, he’s always ready to help Penn State Berks kick off a school year with fun... and amazing prizes!
Thursday, August 25
4:00 p.m.
Superhero Training Academy: Stuff a Plush, Perkins Lobby: Join CAB as you can build your own hero for this semester!
5:00–6:30 p.m.
Superhero Training Academy, Perkins Auditorium: Marvel Drawing Class, Perkins Auditorium: Join Marvel artists as they walk you step by step through the process of drawing and coloring a custom superhero!
7:00 p.m.
Berks Theatre Society Trivia, Perkins MPR: Put your knowledge to the test during our trivia event!
Friday, August 26
12:15 p.m.
DEIB Welcome Back BBQ, Alumni Pavilion: Join our Diverstiy, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee as they welcome students, both new and returning, with their annual picnic in the alumni pavilion, near the Residence Halls!
2:00 p.m.
Beaver Athletic and Wellness Center Re-Dedication Ceremony: Over the last few years, our campus has eagerly watched as our Beaver Athletic and Wellness Center has been renovated. Join Penn State leadership as they re-dedicate this building’s beautiful updates!
6:00 p.m.
Arts & Lecture Series presents Animal Adventures, Tent on Perkins Lawn: Things will be getting wild under the tent when Ed Laquidara brings his animal friends for adventures during his presentation.
Community Weekend
Saturday, August 27
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Color Wars, Check In at the Tent on Perkins Lawn: We’re excited to host a variety of games for you to participate in. Whether you come by yourself or you bring your roommate, a friend from class, or that person you bumped into on your way to lab, let the Orientation Leaders help you relax after your first week of classes!
7:00 p.m.
BSU Pool Party, Location TBA: Black Student Union is eager and excited to relax and cool off after the first week of classes! Keep an eye on email for the location of their pool party!
Sunday, August 28
10:00 a.m.
Color Run, Check In at the Tent on Perkins Lawn: Check in for the return of our Community Weekend Color Run beginning at 9:30 a.m.! The first 50 students to check in will receive a free shirt!
