Opening Day

When you get here and are settled in, it's time to meet new people and get active on campus. This is where Academic Opening Day comes in. You'll gather in small groups with your fellow incoming Blugolds and learn a little more about the academic side of being in college. Academic Opening Day is required of all new first year students. Transfer students are encouraged to attend the Academic Major Meet & Greet sessions held in the morning.

Opening Day programs for the fall 2025 semester will take place on Tuesday, September 2.

Details on the full Opening Day schedule, including your assigned locations, will be emailed to you prior to the event, and a general rundown of the day is included below. Be sure to check your UWEC email account for more information as we get closer to the fall!

There is no formal Opening Day for spring admits, but the information is included in orientation programs during their spring Blugold Experience Day held in January. 

Academic Opening Day Schedule (subject to change)

• New Student Parade: Walk with your classmates and be cheered on by staff and faculty as you approach the Campus Mall for your welcome speaker series - and make sure to grab some breakfast along the way! Light breakfast items include apples, muffins (w/ GF options), granola bars, and water.**
• Opening Day Speaker Series: Academic Opening Day begins with music and our series of Welcome Speakers on the Campus Mall, including messages from our student body president and Chancellor Jim!
• Students are dismissed from the Campus Mall to go to Meet & Greet locations.
• Academic Meet & Greet Program: Connect in major cohorts to discuss your academic journey at UW-Eau Claire. This session will happen in various buildings across campus (your UWEC email will have your specific details).
• Picnic Lunch + Campus-wide scavenger hunt: we'll have a picnic lunch, outdoor games, class t-shirt pickup, and a class-wide scavenger hunt that happens in the afternoon. Picnic lunch items include burgers, hotdogs (with veggie option) + the fixings, chips, watermelon/oranges, and water.
• Blugold Marching Band Performance: Hang out on the mall while we pump up the noise with Blugold Marching Band!
• Class Photo: Wrap up your day by taking our class photo on the campus mall in your new student shirt!

**In the event of inclement weather, students will be notified of any changes to the program via UWEC email.