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Sanford Hall

A page within New Student & Family Programs

  • BOLD events are specific events for new students
  • All other events are open to all UWL students
  • Time and location for events are hall specific
  • Events are subject to change, be sure to check back for the most up to date information.

Time

Event

Description

Location

3-4:30 p.m.

Ice Cream Social

Eat some ice cream, hear the marching band, mingle with other new students, and generally just get ready for the start of a great semester!

Sponsored by: International Education and Engagement

Gazebo outside WINGS Technology Center

5:30 p.m.

Moon Tunes

Free Concert series in Riverside Park. 

Sponsored by: Valley View Rotary

Riverside Park

7 p.m.

Theater Thursday 

Join us for this week’s free movie in the Student Union Theater! 

Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board (CAB)

Student Union, Movie Theater (Lower Level) 

Time

Event

Description

Location

9-11 a.m.

Community Art Project

Join us outside the Student Union to make your mark on campus as creativity and collaboration come to life! All skill levels are welcome to contribute to the chalk art. All materials provided, just show up!

Sponsored by: Eagle Guides 

Outside Student Union

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Run begins promptly at 9 a.m.

Run Around La Crosse

Join the Triathlon Club for a run around La Crosse! Choose from three routes (3 mile marsh run, 4 mile downtown run, and 5 mile bluff run) so you can choose the route that’s best for you! Afterwards, cook hotdogs on Eagle. 

Sponsored by: Triathlon Club 

Run begins on Eagle Field

2-5 p.m.

Adventure to Downtown

Join the Eagle Guides as they take you on a walk through downtown La Crosse. Visit Riverside Park, get some Ice Cream at The Pearl, or visit one of the amazing local coffee shops! 

Sponsored by: Eagle Guides 

Meet outside on the Student Union Lawn

3 p.m.

Academic and Career Trivia 

Want a chance to play trivia, win prizes and learn about potential career opportunities? Join us for an interactive trivia game where you will learn about resources available for you to find your dream career, where past UWL students have ended up, and how to make the most of your time on campus!

Sponsored by: Academic Advising Center & Career Services (AACCS)

1309 Centennial Hall

3-5 p.m.

Build Your Own Self-Care Kits 

The start of the semester is always unpredictable. Fortunately, your Peer Health Advisors have your back! Swing by and build your own Self-Care Kit to make the start of your semester a little smoother.  

Sponsored by: Wellness and Health Advocacy 

Student Union Lawn 

3-5 p.m.

Volunteer with UWL

Join the Leadership and Involvement Center as they help make dog toys for local animal shelters. 

Sponsored by: Leadership and Involvement Center (LIC)

Student Union, Entertainment Cafe (Lower Level)

4 p.m.

Academic and Career Trivia 

Want a chance to play trivia, win prizes and learn about potential career opportunities? Join us for an interactive trivia game where you will learn about resources available for you to find your dream career, where past UWL students have ended up, and how to make the most of your time on campus!

Sponsored by: Academic Advising Center & Career Services (AACCS)

1309 Centennial Hall

4 p.m.

UWL Soccer

UWL Eagles vs Carroll University. All UWL students get in free with their Eagle ID. 

Sponsored by: Athletics 

Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex 

8-10 p.m.

Yard Games and Outdoor Movie

Join the Eagle Guides and Campus Activities Board as we play yard games and enjoy an outdoor movie. 

Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Eagle Guides

Drake Field

Time

Event

Description

Location

9-11 a.m.

College Meet and Greet 

Meet other students who are studying within the same college as you! You may even find some with your same major! 

Sponsored by: Eagle Guides 

College of Science and Health – Drake Field 

College of Business Administration – Eagle Field 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (includes School of Education and Visual and Performing Arts)   Student Union Lawn 

10 a.m.

Cross Country Alumni/Intra-Squad Meet

Cheer on the Men's and Women's Cross Country runners as they race against Alumni! Free event with your Eagle ID!

-Sponsored by UWL Athletics

Myrick Park

2:15-3:30 p.m.

University Welcome and Class Photo

Gather with all the incoming students to be welcomed by Chancellor Beeby! Afterwards, we'll make our way down for to the football field for the traditional class photo!

Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field

4:30-6:30 p.m.

Yard Games

Join the FSL as we play yard games during the picnic! Bags, Spike Ball, or just toss a frisbee or football around.  

Sponsored by: Fraternity and Sorority Life 

Drake Field 

7 p.m.

Hypnotist Chris Jones 

UWL Alum Chris Jones is a hypnotist, comedian, and the host of upcoming prank series Double Take on Facebook Watch. In 2015, he made headlines by being the ONLY hypnotist ever to appear on America’s Got Talent when he successfully hypnotized judge Howie Mandel into doing the impossible. Join Campus Activities Board in kicking off the year with Chris Jones and get ready to laugh!

-Sponsored by Campus Activities Board (CAB).

Student Union, The Bluffs (Second Floor)

Time

Event

Description

Location

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Breakfast

 

Whitney Center

10:00 – 11:30p.m. 

Choose your Own Eagle Guide Session 

-Getting Involved 
-Surviving Your First Year
-Life after Day 1 
-Explore La Crosse 

 

Our upperclassmen provide their perspective on the following topics. Each session is 20-25 minutes; choose to attend one, two, or three!  

Sponsored by: New Student and Family Programs 

Centennial Hall: See below for what rooms each session will be presented in! 

Getting Involved: 1400, 2201, 2204, 2310, 2311, 3105, 3106, 3302, 3305

Surviving Your First Year: 1309, 2205, 2211, 2313, 2314, 3201, 3204, 3310, 3311

Life After Day One: 1404, 2213, 2215, 3101, 3102, 3205, 3211, 3313, 3314

Explore La Crosse: 1303, 1403, 2302, 2305, 3103, 3104, 3213, 3215

Click Here for Digital Flyer!

12-1 p.m.

Lunch

 

Whitney Center

2 p.m.

Cinema Sunday 

Join us for this week’s free movie, in the Student Union Theater! 

Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board (CAB)

Student Union, Movie Theater (Lower Level) 

2-5 p.m.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Explore!

Explore Campus:
Walk your Schedule

Explore La Crosse:
Biking Around La Crosse with Drift Cycle (Registration required, please click here).

Explore Downtown La Crosse with friends

Explore the Marsh

Truly, choose your own adventure exploring campus and the surrounding areas. Walk through your schedule, so you know exactly where all you're classes are! OR join Drift Cycle in a bike ride around the city! OR take this opportunity to walk to the marsh for a great view of the Bluffs. We want you to feel at home here, so use this time to get to know the area! Various Locations
5-7 p.m. Theatre Trivia

Join the drama club and test your theatre knowledge. Grab some friends and form a team!

Sponsored by: The Drama Club
Student Union, Entertainment Cafe (Lower Level)

5-9 p.m. 

Super Smash Bros. Club Melee, Meet, and Greet 

The Super Smash Bros. Club challenges you to the ultimate Melee! Whether interested in joining or returning members, all are welcome! 

Sponsored by: Super Smash Bros. Club 

Student Union TBD 

5-9 p.m. Yard Games

Join Fraternity/Sorority Life in yard games on Drake Field. Meet new people and see who has the best bag toss!

Sponsored by: Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship 
Drake Field
5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner

 

Whitney Center
6-9 p.m. Dance on the Lawn

The opening swing dancing event will be a beginner friendly lesson on east coast swing followed up by social dancing where they can try out the new moves they just learned and meet new people!

Sponsored by: Ballroom and Swing Dancing Club

Student Union Lawn
9 p.m. Moonlight Mile

Come walk or run a mile through campus with Rec Sports! The route starts at Hoeschler Clocktower and finishes in Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field under the lights with games and music. No advance registration is required. Arrive early as the first 250 students that check-in get free glow sticks!

Sponsored by: REC

Hoeschler Clocktower

Time

Event

Description

Location

Between Commitments

Prep for First Day of Classes

Use your free time today to make sure you are ready to go for the first day of classes!

-Get your Books.
-Complete your Mandatory Trainings (check Canvas, a hold will be placed on your account if this isn't completed!).
-Walk your Schedule
-Pack your backpack.
-Make sure everything is charged.

Around Campus

8-9 a.m.

Breakfast

 

Whitney Center

9-10 a.m.

Eagles Stand UP: Active Bystander Training   The Bluffs, Student Union Second Floor

10-11 p.m.

Dialogue Matters: Bridging Voices at UWL 

Join us for a session focused on fostering dialogue to cultivate a resilient campus community that values civil discourse, inclusivity, and free expression. Objectives include promoting self-awareness through inclusive conversations, understanding boundaries of lawful speech, and familiarizing students with campus resources. This session aims to empower students to positively contribute to campus life through respectful dialogue and active engagement.

Sponsored by: Diversity and Inclusion

Centennial Hall, Various Rooms

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Res Hall Meeting

 

Check with RA

12-12:30 p.m.

Lunch

  Whitney Center
5-6 p.m. Dinner

 

Whitney Center

6-8 p.m. REC Fest

Come learn everything you need to know about Rec Sports! We will have representatives from all areas to talk to you about our programs, employment opportunities, and spaces around the REC. Register for intramurals, talk with sport clubs, interact with staff, learn about the Outdoor Connection, check out the Fitness Center and climbing wall, and so much more. GIVEAWAYS & PRIZES!

Sponsored by: REC

REC