Welcome Week 2021

Schedule: August 19 - 29, 2021

 

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, and there are Signature Welcome Week events as well.

 

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. You may fall into one or two of the mandatory events categories (i.e. a freshman who is also a residential student or a transfer student who is a residential student). Please be mindful and read your events fully.

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!

 

About Music Auditions during Welcome Week:

Students interested in auditioning for an instrumental music ensemble should contact Dr. Lorrie Crochet (crochetl@winthrop.edu) before classes begin. A prepared piece is suggested by not mandatory for the audition process.

Students interested in auditioning for a choral ensemble should sign up for an audition time at Winthrop University Choirs: Choral Placement 2021. Contact Dr. Jeremy Mims (mimsj@winthrop.edu) with questions. Schedules will be posted in the main hallway of the Conservatory of Music. A prepared piece is suggested but not mandatory for the audition process.

Students interested in auditioning for jazz ensemble should contact Dr. Neal Postma (postman@winthrop.edu) before classes begin for more information.

 

“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

 

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 commuter students, reach out to your Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, or the Dean of Students Office for guidance. Happy Rooming!