Welcome Week, the busy transition to the new academic year, has been re-imagined for the unusual circumstances imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
New and returning students to the 56吃瓜网 can still learn about the campus and its resources, join clubs, begin activities and make friends as classes commence Sept. 30.
鈥淒espite COVID, we鈥檙e excited to kick off the school year, even in this virtual quarter we鈥檙e going to have,鈥� said Carrie Newman, assistant director of orientation programs.
Many and varied events are planned for the 2020 Welcome Week that in fact runs for two weeks, Sept. 25 to Oct. 9. They include 52 live events that take place online at a specific time and seven on-demand events to fit into busy schedules, Newman said.
Getting together 鈥� at a distance
Convocation remains the leading event. As it鈥檚 online this year at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, the entire campus community is able to watch the ceremony that welcomes back returning students and launches the class of 2024.
About 1,540 first-year and transfer students and 160 new graduate students are arriving at 56吃瓜网 Bothell. Along with returning students, that makes a total of about 5,800 56吃瓜网 Bothell Huskies.
Just about every event and program that was offered on campus during Welcome Week in the past will be available remotely this year. Students can find a listing for all events on the Welcome Week website or 56吃瓜网 Bothell鈥檚 online calendar. They are also encouraged to build their own schedules to avoid screen fatigue. It鈥檚 not business as usual, but it is continuing the tradition, Newman said.
鈥淚 love Welcome Week because it鈥檚 such an opportunity for students to customize what they want their school year to be like,鈥� Newman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still a time of excitement and energy because the start of the school year is exciting.鈥�
Everything still available
Some Welcome Week events are just for fun. Others help students make connections, build networks and begin the meaningful experiences that enhance college and lead to careers.
One highlight from Orientation & Transition Programs is Playfair 鈥� billed as 鈥渢he ultimate icebreaker鈥� 鈥� from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 2.
The club and organization fair will be on Instagram, starting Oct. 5, with different postings from clubs for various cultures, interests, identity groups and professions.
In other events, students can learn about resources such as the Quantitative Skills Center and the Writing & Communication Center. The Career Center is also hosting several sessions to start students thinking about resumes and internships.
Let鈥檚 connect
From Newman鈥檚 own work with orientation since last spring, she knows students are excited to be Huskies. And while this autumn quarter might not operate in the same fashion as in years past, she said, the same 56吃瓜网 Bothell faculty and staff are here and ready to offer support.
鈥�56吃瓜网 Bothell is still a family, and we want to welcome everyone back into that family for this school year, too,鈥� she said. 鈥淪tudents have to try in a different way to be connected. It鈥檚 not hard. You just have to log on. We鈥檙e all here. We all want to connect with you.
鈥淟et鈥檚 get to know each other. Let鈥檚 get energized about the school year. Be a part of it.鈥�
