Pre-Welcome Programs

Traditionally occurring one to three days prior to Syracuse Welcome, new students are encouraged to participate in a Pre-Welcome Program. Organized by interests and identity spaces, programs offer students the opportunity to meet and connect to fellow new students in small groups. From outdoor adventure to on-campus acclimation, there are programs for all interests! For questions, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.

Pre-Welcome Highlights

  • Familiarize yourself with campus and resources that will support your transition to Syracuse University.
  • Build community with other incoming students and student leaders.
  • Develop skills that will help you succeed during your first year on campus.

Registration

Register for a Pre-Welcome Program today! Move-in date for each program is noted with the start date.

This program is currently full. Please complete the registration form if you are interested in participating in the program as spaces may open up moving forward.

Join your peers on a multi-day paddling and portage trek through the Adirondack Mountains! The program will consist of paddling 5-13 miles, portaging canoes ½-2 miles, setting up camp, camp chores, intrapersonal and interpersonal development activities, group development activities, daily reflection, journaling and much more. You will leave ready to start school with a strong community and new outdoor skills. You do not have to have any prior outdoor experience; however, enthusiasm and interest in spending time living outside are a must!

This program is highly focused on leadership development through experiential education, and requires active participation and engagement by all participants, in all activities. The expectation is that all will contribute to the overall daily tasks and activities. 

Due to the remote and outdoor nature of this trip, each participant must have a full understanding of the day-to-day requirements, both physically and mentally. For this reason, interviews will be conducted with each participant who registers prior to their official registration with the trip. After hearing more about the trip details, if you decide this is the trip for you, then you will be officially registered!

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Spending four days, three nights paddling and portaging through the Adirondack Mountains.
  • Diving into leadership and its components, to explore your talents and abilities, as you head into the brand new adventure that is your college experience.
  • Learning basic camping skills and techniques necessary to be comfortable and successful in the program.

Registration Deadline

Friday, July 21, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

WILD Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.

The LOOP: Adirondack Adventure program is designed to give incoming first-year students a jump-start on their college experience while engaging in outdoor adventure activities, including a low and high element challenge course, hiking, flat-water kayaking and canoeing, campfires and starry night hikes. This program provides an opportunity to move in early and go off campus to the serene setting of the Oswegatchie Educational Center, located within the majestic Adirondack Park region of New York.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • An opportunity to spend time in the Adirondacks, one of the greatest natural resources in New York State.
  • Opportunities to meet other incoming students and build relationships.
  • A day rafting on the Black River and hiking beautiful waterfalls.
  • Teambuilding and challenge course days.

Registration Deadline

Friday, July 7, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

LOOP: Adirondack Adventure Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.

Access 'Cuse is a program designed to address the unique transition of students who are planning to seek disability-related accommodations while attending Syracuse University. The goal of this program is to educate students about the differences between high school and college while engaging in small group discussions regarding the social, emotional and academic expectations you can anticipate as you navigate your college experience.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Reviewing how students can access accommodations on campus.
  • Touring the Center for Disability Resources.
  • Building a community of learners that is both empowering and positive.

Registration Deadline

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

Access 'Cuse Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Mary Kate Menges, Center for Disability Resources access coordinator, or call 315.443.4498.

The BIPOC Connections program provides incoming first-year and transfer students who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) an opportunity to connect with peers who hold this identity while learning more about the student of color experience at Syracuse University. Facilitated by Orientation Leaders (OLs), you will travel to various spaces across campus, engage in meaningful conversation surrounding this identity and learn more about campus resources to support your college transition.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Connecting with other students, staff and faculty of color.
  • Touring 119 Euclid Ave., a space that represents mutual understanding and support on campus and is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Learning about the history and current student of color community on campus.
  • Becoming familiar with important resources on campus to support you during your time at Syracuse University.

This program is specially designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color. The program is open to anyone regardless of their race, ethnicity or national origin.

Registration Deadline

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

BIPOC Connections Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

Are you looking to connect with Christians on campus and grow spiritually during college? Join incoming students and peer mentors to build community and serve others. Peer mentors will share about how to grow in your faith during college and you’ll participate in community service projects to bless your new neighborhood. You’ll also move in early to your residence hall and get comfortable on campus. This program is for anyone who wants to start college with new friends and mentors to support you in your goals to love God, serve others and share Christ.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Developing community with other Christians on campus at Syracuse University.
  • Preparing spiritually for the fall semester.
  • Building mentor and friend relationships with returning student leaders.

This program is specially designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students who identify as Christian, and to start college with friends and mentors to support goals of loving God, serving others and sharing Christ. The program is open to anyone, regardless of their religion or religious beliefs.

Registration Deadline

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

Christian Student Welcome Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Kate Bartholomew, Baptist Campus Ministry campus minister, or call 716.531.0564.

Are you the first in your family to attend college? The 'Cuse First program is designed for incoming first-year and transfer students that identify as the first in their family to attend college or their parent(s), supporter(s) or legal guardian(s) did not receive a college degree. Facilitated by Orientation Leaders (OLs) who also hold a first-generation (first-gen) identity, you will have opportunities to meet other first-gen students, explore what it means to be a first-generation college student and understand how to navigate Syracuse University!

Please note that the first-gen definition is complex and even if you do not feel as if you fit within that scope, you may personally identify as a first-gen student based on your own unique experiences. Taking that into consideration, we highly encourage those interested to register for the program.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Exploring the first-generation college student identity.
  • Connecting with other first-gen college students, staff and faculty.
  • Learning about important campus resources and events that will support your transition to campus.

This program is specially designed to explore and discuss issues that are unique to first-generation identifying college students. However, anyone is welcome to participate.

Registration Deadline

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

'Cuse First Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

Kick your Syracuse University experience into overdrive with the Esports and Gaming Community Pre-Welcome Program! This program will introduce students to the many facets of esports and gaming, including participating on competitive teams, producing live streams, discovering the joy of retro and role-playing games, and an immersive escape room experience. There is something for everyone!

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Learning about the value of teamwork in a competitive esports environment while also having the opportunity to serve as the leader/shot caller of an esports team.
  • Engaging in opportunities to develop creative problem-solving and critical thinking strategies.
  • Having the opportunity to learn how to broadcast gaming talents over Twitch and YouTube using popular software and high-end streaming equipment.
  • Discovering how gaming can have a positive influence on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) topics.

Registration Deadline

Friday, July 14, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

Esports and Gaming Community Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Rob Snow, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of esports, or call 315.443.5769.

Hillel FreshFest is Syracuse University's largest Pre-Welcome Program hosted by Hillel, the Jewish chaplaincy at Hendricks Chapel!

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Moving into your residence hall early.
  • Getting to learn about campus and cool spots around Syracuse.
  • Meeting upper-division student mentors.
  • Socializing with first-year students.

This program is specially designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students who identify as Jewish. The program is open to anyone regardless of their religion or religious beliefs.

Registration Deadline

Saturday, July 15, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

FreshFest Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Ian Solow-Niederman, Syracuse Hillel assistant director, or call 303.345.5200.

The Indigenous New Student Orientation is designed for all Indigenous first-year and transfer to get a head start on campus.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Learning about Indigenous support and campus resources.
  • Connecting with Indigenous faculty and staff.
  • Attending a dinner with Syracuse University Native Faculty and Staff (SUNFAS) at the Sheraton Hotel.

This program is specially designed to explore and discuss issues that may be unique to students identifying as Indigenous. The program is open to anyone regardless of their race, ethnicity or national origin.

Registration Deadline

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

Indigenous New Student Orientation Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Bailey Tlachac, Native Student Program program coordinator, or call 315.443.0258.

The LOOP: Odyssey Adventure Program will be sure to kick your first year into high gear! We will gather on the Syracuse University Quad, where you will meet your peer facilitators and get to know your fellow LOOP: Odyssey Adventure participants through a series of team-oriented activities, icebreakers and initiatives. The following two days will be spent developing your skills on the outdoor “Odyssey” style challenge course.

Highlights of this program include the following.

  • Experiencing a high element challenge course (including the 25-foot "Leap of Faith").
  • "Learning the ropes" as you learn the basics of challenge course facilitation.
  • Developing skills that will help you on your journey through college, such as positive relationship and trust building, effective communication, resiliency, determination and problem-solving.

Registration Deadline

Friday, July 7, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

LOOP: Odyssey Adventure Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Sandy Paul-Wei, Barnes Center at The Arch outdoor education coordinator, or call 315.443.1130.

This program is designed with the needs of Syracuse University's incoming Muslim students in mind. Meet other Muslim students, participate in games and activities that will help you navigate the University, become familiar with the area, learn how to balance your academic and spiritual life and more! This program is led by Muslim student leaders known as Muslim Student Life Mentors. Muslim Student Life Welcome is the best way to settle on campus and connect with other Muslim students!

Highlights of the program include:

  • Making new connections with new and current Muslim students.
  • Find resources on campus.
  • Explore the city of Syracuse, NY.
  • Locate class locations.

Registration Deadline

July 31, 2023

Registration

Muslim Student Life Welcome Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Amir Duric, Muslim Chaplain or call 856.266.8625.