It's time for the new Cougs to move in! 📦
Friday, August 22 - Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Fall 2025 Welcome Weekend is the time you've been waiting for all summer! Friday,
August 22 is Move-in Day for new residential students and Check-in Day for new commuters.
This day will be filled with excitement and fun as you and your family arrive, move
in, and get settled at SAU. Friday afternoon through Tuesday, August 27 begins New
Student Orientation where you will meet staff, faculty, and student leaders throughout
the weekend, make new friends, and become an expert of campus resources and programs.
We believe Welcome Weekend is a highly valuable time that directly correlates to your future success here at SAU. If there is a conflict with participating in any part of Welcome Weekend, we ask that you communicate that conflict directly with your Admissions Rep before your arrival, or with Chelsae Burk, Director of Student Engagement, at [email protected]. We encourage your family to join you in the festivities on Move-in Day. No event registration is required to participate.
We can't wait for you to take your place as an official SAU Cougar!
- When you arrive, you will be guided to park in the General Student Parking Lot and will check-in at the Poling Center located on Ogle Ave.
- Each new student and their family will receive a complimentary meal ticket to join us for lunch on Friday in our Dining Commons.
- We will have our traditional ribbon cutting ceremony called Parting at the Plaza at 4pm on Friday. This ceremony is for new students and guests to celebrate the beginning of this new college experience and to reflect on the journey of getting to this moment. During this time, we will be dividing into CORE groups (everyone in your CORE 100 class). We will then ask that family and students say their goodbyes and part ways. From that moment on we will only have activities planned for students for the remainder of the weekend.
- We encourage parents and families to continue staying involved throughout the academic year. If you have questions about resources we provide on campus or would like to discover campus events and other ways your student can get involved, please reach out to us by phone at 517.750.6330 or by email at [email protected]. You can also stay involved by joining our SAU Parents Facebook page to meet other parents, hear about upcoming events, and post questions.
Early Arrival Move-in Dates
If you believe that you are expected to arrival early, all early arrivals require
pre-approval through the Housing office, coordinated by your coach or direct supervisor.
If you are unsure about whether you are expected to arrive early, please contact your
coach or supervisor.
Returning Students
Move-in Day for returning SAU students is after 2:00pm on Saturday, August 23.
New Students
When you arrive at the welcome area (Poling Center lobby) you will receive your welcome
packet and room key if residing on campus.
Welcome Weekend Schedule
**This is an example of the 2024 schedule. The 2025 schedule will be updated later this year.**
Friday, August 22, 2024
| Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| Poling Center | 10:00am-12:00pm | Check-in at Your Assigned Time – The Poling Center is located near the general student parking lot |
| Dining Commons | 11:30am-1:30pm | Complimentary family lunch in Dining Commons (Assigned lunch times on check-in packet) |
| Oak Tree | 12:30pm-3:30pm | Kick-off festivities-music, games food and fun (optional) |
| Poling Center | 3:00pm-3:30pm | Commuter Check in at Poling |
| Plaza | 4:00pm-4:30pm | Parting at the Plaza |
| Various Locations | 4:45pm-7:00pm | Core Group Meetings, various locations see Peer Advisor |
| Dining Commons | 4:45pm-10:00pm | Celebration Dinner |
| Various Locations | 7:00pm-9:00pm | Friday Night Fun |
| Various Locations | 9:15pm-10:00pm | All Call Hall: Welcome Home! |
Saturday, August 24, 2024
| Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Plaza | 9:00am-9:30am | Devotions & Continental Breakfast (muffins, fruit, coffee) |
| Centennial Plaza | 9:30am-12:00pm | Operation Community |
| Dinin Commons | 12:00pm-1:30pm | Lunch |
| Various Locations | 2:00pm-4:00pm | You Choose: Afternoon Excursion |
| Dining Commons | 5:00pm-6:30pm | CORE Group Dinner |
| President's Lawn | 6:00pm-7:30pm | Ice Cream with the President |
| Soccer Complex | 7:00pm | Women's Soccer Game |
Sunday, August 25, 2024
| Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Arbor Church 120 E Main St. |
10:30am-11:30am | Arbor Church Service (optional) |
| Dining Commons | 11:00am-1:00pm | Brunch with Your Floor |
| Residence Halls | 1:00pm-4:00pm | RA Afternoon Takeover |
| Various Locations | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Devotional and Self-Reflection Time/Free Time |
| Dining Commons | 5:00pm-7:00pm | Floor Dinner |
| Oak Tree | 8:00pm-10:00pm | Arbor Nights |
Monday, August 26, 2024
| Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Commons | 7:40am-8:40am | Breakfast (optional) |
| White Auditorium | 11:15am-12:00pm | Sophomore's welcome back orientation |
| The Arbor Church | 11:15am-12:00pm | Junior's welcome back orientation |
| MAC | 11:15pm-12:00pm | Senior's welcome back orientation |
| Dining Commons | 12:00pm-2:00pm | Meet your major at lunch |
| Various Locations | 4:00pm-6:00pm | Athletic Practices |
| Dining Commons | 5:00pm-7:00pm | CORE Group Dinner |
| MAC | 8:00pm-9:00pm | Residence Life Mandatory Meeting |
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Classes begin!
New Student Retreat at Camp Michindoh
Friday, August 29 - Sunday, August 31, 2025
Mark your calendars for the New Student Retreat, a weekend getaway at Camp Michindoh full of team building and adventure! All new students are required to attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].