Welcome Week 2020

August 21-30 and September 2-12

 

About Welcome Week 

We are excited you are part of our community! Welcome Week at Winthrop is one of our biggest and best traditions. It's the official kick-off to the academic year. Upperclassmen and new students are encouraged to take advantage of all that Welcome Week has to offer - meet friends, get engaged, and find something new to try! 

The events and activities planned during Welcome Week are designed to be informative, engaging, and fun. Some sessions provide strategies and tips for academic success, while others help you identify resources and opportunities for involvement on campus. Still other activities offer opportunities for entertainment and making new friends, as well as earning Cultural Events credit.  The DiGiorgio Student Union (DSU) sponsors many of the Welcome Week activities.

Welcome Week 2020

Due to COVID-19, Welcome Week will look different this year. Some traditional Welcome Week events have been moved virtual, while others have been cancelled or rescheduled. We are excited that some new events have also been added. Regardless of what Welcome Week looks like, we are glad to welcome you to Winthrop! We are truly better together, even virtually. This year, Welcome Week has been expanded into two parts:

Garnet Welcome Week: Virtual Part 1

August 21-30

Most events during Garnet Welcome Week will be fully virtual, will occur live in real time, and will be held on a variety of platforms. There are some events that are happening locally in Rock Hill for students who are nearby and able to explore the area. There are also some events that will not happen in real time, that you'll review on your own time. The event list is linked above and includes event details for how to attend/view that event. All events listed are in Eastern time.

Gold Welcome Week: Hybrid Part 2

September 2-12

Events during Gold Welcome Week will be a mix of virtual and in-person and will occur live in real time. The event list is linked above and includes event details. If it's virtual, the platform and a link to join will be listed. If it's in-person, the location on campus will be listed. All events listed are in Eastern time.

 

Mandatory Events

All students are expected to attend the mandatory events listed on the schedule (as they apply). These events are designed to help you be successful at Winthrop. 

Mandatory Events for Freshmen

Mandatory Events for New Transfer & Adult Students

Mandatory Events for Residential Students (new and returning)

 

We invite you to take part in all that Welcome Week has to offer and are so glad to have you here as a contributing member of the Winthrop Community! 

 

Questions about Welcome Week?

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs by email at Orientation@winthrop.edu. We look forward to seeing you at Welcome Week events, and welcome to Winthrop!

#WUWelcomeWeek
Go Eagles!

 

“The thing I enjoyed the most was going to events with my friends. Welcome Week was one of the best experiences because it made the first week fun and not as nerve-racking as it could’ve been. The events around campus also helped me to find clubs and orgs that I liked.”

Junior, Early Childhood Education major from Greenville, South Carolina

“I really enjoy Convocation. It allows us to feel connected with not only the campus but also the community because so many people from Rock Hill come out to get us involved and to give us information about what’s going on.”

Freshman, Biology major from Camden, South Carolina

“I remember my new friends and I went to a salsa show DSU event, and I danced the whole time. I was so happy to attend my first Winthrop event, and I had a great time!”

Junior, Elementary Education major from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

"My roommate, now best friend, and I stayed in, decorated our room, and watched movies with pizza. It was the best thing. I also enjoyed First Night because I was able to meet my professor and the other freshmen in my class. I love Welcome Week!”

Sophomore, Elementary Education major from Florence, South Carolina

 

About Music Auditions during Welcome Week:

Students interested in auditioning for an instrumental music ensemble should contact Dr. Lorrie Crochet (122 Conservatory of Music, 803/323-4610, crochetl@winthrop.edu) before classes begin. Dr. Crochet will send detailed information regarding the audition process, and she will include a copy of the audition music for your specific instrument.

Students interested in auditioning for a choral ensemble should contact Dr. Jeremy Mims (332 Conservatory of Music, 803/323-2250, mimsj@winthrop.edu) before classes begin. To sign up for a choral ensemble audition time, go to www.winthrop.edu/music, Ensembles, Fall Vocal Placement. Schedules will also be posted in the main hallway of the Conservatory of Music. A prepared piece is suggested for the audition process.

 

Big Stuff Tips for a Successful Start

#1 - Have each other's backs! Look out for each other, take care of each other, and be an active bystander. If you see a potential problem, step up and do something about it.

 

#2 - Remember to check your Winthrop email daily! You are responsible for all information sent to your Winthrop account.

 

#3 - Read through all of your syllabi and put important deadlines in your calendar to keep yourself on track!

 

#4 - Check out all the opportunities to get involved at Winthrop! There's something for everyone! Campus involvement helps you make friends, gain leadership skills, and prepare for your chosen career.

 

#5 - Visit Center for Career Development and Internships and start your career plan! It's never too early to plan for your future.

 

#6 - Sign up for WU Alerts and practice personal safety.

 

#7 - Tips for Roommates:

For students living on campus or those living off campus with a roommate - here are some ways to ensure a healthy start to your roommate relationship:

• Get to know your roommate before move-in. We suggest you start with an email and then exchange phone numbers to continue your conversation.
• Attend to Welcome Week events together, and continue to make time for each other as you move further into the semester. The key to a good roommate relationship is communication which starts with relationship building. You don't have to be best friends, but it's important that you get along.
• If you live on campus, you are recommended to complete a Community Agreement. This document is created with specific questions for you to answer and decide on as roommates. It's your chance to set ground rules for your room.
• If you live off campus with a roommate, having a conversation about expectations similar to the Community Agreement will be important. Be sure to discuss your preferences and establish expectations early on. This way, when an issue arises, you have something to fall back on and guide your conversation.
• Be willing to compromise.
• Communicate with your roommates and be honest when something bothers you - in a constructive way.
• Be wary about involving non-roommates/friends in roommate issues. This can often backfire and cause even more conflict between roommates.
• We are all coping with COVID-19 pandemic differently, so try not to be offended if your roommates or friends are less likely to share items with you - from pens to snacks to other belongings. Have a conversation about what items you feel comfortable sharing (if any) and how often you will sanitize/clean the room.

Lastly, reach out if you find yourself getting to a point where you don't know where to go next. For on campus students, your Resident Assistant is a great resource to help mediate roommate issues. For off campus students, reach out to your Peer Mentor or Orientation Leader for guidance. Happy Rooming!