Welcome Week

Friday, August 28

First Year Day of Service

8 am-5 pm
Ellison Campus Center, North Campus Dining, and Off-Campus Locations

First-year and new transfer students who signed up for Day of Service will be engaging in a range of service activities both off and on campus.

Vaccine Clinic

10 am-4 pm 
O'Keefe Sports Complex Arena

Join counseling and health services and Shaw's pharmacy to receive your updated seasonal and/or required vaccines. Flu, COVID, and most other vaccines will be available. No cost with insurance, please bring insurance card and photo ID. Walk-in or pre-register here.

First Friends: Floor Meeting & Dinner

Residence Halls

Meet the people who will help make your residence hall feel like home. Your Resident Assistant will lead a welcoming floor meeting where you can get to know your neighbors, begin building your community, and learn important safety information from the Guide to Living. Afterward, the floor will head to the Dining Hall together for dinner, conversation, and an opportunity to make some of your first campus connections.

Saturday, August 29

Target Takeover! 

Time TBD
Pick up / Drop off Locations: Marsh Bus Stop, Bowditch Bus Stop, Target

Just moved in and forgot some items or need something? Join the Orientation team to take over Target at the Hawthorne Plaza! 

Backyard Bash

2-6 pm
Marsh Quad

Get ready for the Backyard Bash, Sunday August 30th, 2026 from 2pm-6pm. Come on out for fun on the Marsh Quad.

We will have a BBQ, a mechanical bull, inflatables, lawn games, and music for you all to enjoy, hosted by Residence Life. We look forward to seeing you there!

Dancing with the Dean

7-10 pm
Location TBD

Join Associate Dean Cassie Kao and nationally acclaimed dancer Vladimyr Derisier for a Latin dance mixer - an evening of salsa, bachata, and merengue music. Free beginner lesson from 7 pm to 8 pm, then keep the energy going with social dancing until 10 pm. No experience or partner needed — just come ready to move. SSU students only.

Sunday, August 30

Gassett Fitness Center - Fall Hours Begin

12-5 pm
O'Keefe Complex Gassett Fitness Center

Located at the O'Keefe Sports Complex, our state-of-the-art fitness center is included in your student fees. Before your first visit, complete the online registration form and facility access waiver on our Web Portal. 

Late Night Snacks with OLs

8-11 pm 
Marsh Dining

Come find your Orientation Leaders at Marsh Dining for our popular late night snacks! Including Mozzerella Sticks! Spend some time chatting, playing board games, and get more tips and tricks how to navigate SSU!

Monday, August 31

First Year Experience Open House

9 am-12 pm
101A Dining Commons

Stop by the First Year Experience Office to learn about the resources available to you, play games, and win prizes!

Sophomore Coaching Open House

10:30 am-12 pm
Upper North Dining, Mezzanine

Welcome all Second Year students! Stop by the Coaching Mezzanine to learn more about the new resources available!

Student Involvement Pop Up

11 am-4 pm
Alumni Plaza

Join SIO with a pop up from RM & Company, a local Salem shop that sells vintage goods that are new to you!

The Math Learning Center (MLC) Experience

12-2 pm
Sullivan Building 3rd Floor

Stop by the Mathematics Learning Center to meet tutors and SI Leaders, tour the space, enjoy free coffee and snacks, set an academic goal, and enter a raffle. Snap a photo at our "I Found My Study Spot!" backdrop, tag the MLC on Instagram for an extra raffle entry, and discover your new study home!

New Transfer Student Open House

2-4 pm
Upper North Dining, Mezzanine

Welcome all new transfer students! Stop by the Coaching Mezzanine to learn more about the new resources available!!

Tuesday, September 1

Welcome Breakfast

8-9:30 am
Vets Hall

Class Photo

9:30-10 am
Alumni Field

Class of 2030 - wear your shirts from Orientation!

Academic Convocation

10-11 am
Twohig Gymnasium

Required for all first-year students.

Student Academic Welcomes

11:30 am-12:30 pm
Various locations: Sophia Gordon, Sullivan, Meier, Recital Hall

Lunch on Opening Day

12:30-1:30 pm
Marsh Dining and Marsh Quad

Mandatory Training: Title IX, Community Standards, Clery Act, Counseling and Health Services

1:30-2:45 pm
Twohig Gym

Required first-year educational training

ESP/STEP Welcome and Carnival (Coaching Meeting)

3-5 pm
Ellison Campus Center

First-year students participating in Emerging Scholars or STEP will meet with their assigned success coaches while also participating in a mini carnival.

First-Year and New Transfer Student Coaching Meetings

3-4 pm
Various Rooms (details in email)

All first-year students (those who are not in ESP/STEP) and new transfer students will meet with their assigned Success Coach to start the year off right!

Superfan Tailgate

4-8 pm
O'Keefe Complex - Alumni Field

This campus tradition kicks off the academic year and you don't want to miss it! Join us for novelties, food trucks, tie-dye, games, and giveaways. Show your support and cheer on our varsity women’s soccer team at 4 pm and varsity men’s soccer team at 7 pm.

Vaccine Clinic 

4-8 pm
Superfan Tailgate, Alumni field

Join counseling and health services and Shaw's pharmacy to receive your updated seasonal and/or required vaccines. Flu, COVID, and most other vaccines will be available. No cost with insurance, please bring insurance card and photo ID. Walk-in or pre-register here.

Women's Soccer vs. Rhode Island College

4 pm
Alumni Field

Men's Soccer vs. Lesley College

7 pm
Alumni Field

Wednesday, September 2

Meet with Student Wellness CARE in the Library

9 am-1 pm

Student Wellness CARE supports students experiencing disruptive life events, including personal or family crises, mental or physical health concerns, basic needs insecurity, and academic challenges. CARE connects students with on- and off-campus resources and can collaborate with faculty to provide classroom presentations, wellness education programs, and initiatives focused on student well-being, including basic needs support and food security efforts. Come meet the staff and find out how they support you.

Library Welcome Table

11am-3 pm
Berry Library and Learning Commons, 1st Foor Lobby

Connect with library staff, learn about available support and programming, and gather informational materials about the library. The Welcome Table features free swag, candy, and a raffle where you can enter to win a prize!

Global Prints

8:30 am-5 pm
Alumni Plaza

Poster sale for students  

Group Exercise Classes Begin

Gassett Fitness Center

The Gassett Fitness Center offers weekly group exercise classes as a benefit of your membership which is covered by student fees for registered students. Our nationally certified instructors are here to welcome you to class and to motivate, encourage, and challenge you. Fall classes run from 9/2-12/3.

The Math Learning Center (MLC) Experience

12-2 pm
Sullivan Building 3rd Floor

Stop by the Mathematics Learning Center to meet tutors and SI Leaders, tour the space, enjoy free coffee and snacks, set an academic goal, and enter a raffle. Snap a photo at our "I Found My Study Spot!" backdrop, tag the MLC on Instagram for an extra raffle entry, and discover your new study home!

Thursday, September 3

Credit for Life Fair

10 am to 12 pm
Vets Hall

A fun budgeting game with food & prizes.

Career Closet Kickoff 

11 am-3 pm
Career Closet and Commuter Lounge, Ellison Campus Center

Join the Career Services Career Closet Kick Off! Come meet the staff, do some "free" shopping and enjoy an ice cream treat. First year students are encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Library Welcome Table

11am-3 pm
Berry Library and Learning Commons, 1st Foor Lobby

Connect with library staff, learn about available support and programming, and gather informational materials about the library. The Welcome Table features free swag, candy, and a raffle where you can enter to win a prize!

Field Hockey vs. Mount Holyoke

7 pm
Alumni Field

Sexapalooza

1-3 pm
Forten 123 (behind Starbucks)

Join counseling and health services for our biannual Sexual Health resources fair with campus resources, local off-campus resources, and student organizations to learn about how to stay healthy and reduce your risks! Free prizes & Starbucks drink for participation!

The Math Learning Center (MLC) Experience

12-2 pm
Sullivan Building 3rd Floor

Stop by the Mathematics Learning Center to meet tutors and SI Leaders, tour the space, enjoy free coffee and snacks, set an academic goal, and enter a raffle. Snap a photo at our "I Found My Study Spot!" backdrop, tag the MLC on Instagram for an extra raffle entry, and discover your new study home!

Center for Justice and Liberation (CJL)  Welcome Back BBQ

6-8 pm
Marsh Quad

The CJL staff wants to meet you! Stop by for a BBQ to learn more.

Friday, September 4

Coffee & Conversation With SGA

9-11 am
Marsh Fire Pit Area

Meet members of the Student Government Association to discuss initiatives, projects, plans, and any student issues for the year! Students who stop and talk with SGA will receive a voucher for a free grande Starbucks drink!

Blacklight Dodgeball

Check-In: 7:15-8pm
Gassett Fitness Center - Rec Courts

Teams of 6-10 players compete under the glow of the blacklights to determine a champion! Pile up wins to advance your way through the tournament bracket. Neon t-shirts and glow materials are provided. Guests over 18 are free with valid photo ID.

Games begin at 8 pm. Sign up for Blacklight Dodgeball here!

Library Welcome Table

11am-3 pm
Berry Library and Learning Commons, 1st Foor Lobby

Connect with library staff, learn about available support and programming, and gather informational materials about the library. The Welcome Table features free swag, candy, and a raffle where you can enter to win a prize!

The Math Learning Center (MLC) Experience

12-2 pm
Sullivan Building 3rd Floor

Stop by the Mathematics Learning Center to meet tutors and SI Leaders, tour the space, enjoy free coffee and snacks, set an academic goal, and enter a raffle. Snap a photo at our "I Found My Study Spot!" backdrop, tag the MLC on Instagram for an extra raffle entry, and discover your new study home!

Shuttle Trip to Willows

5-9 pm
Salem Willows

The SSU Shuttle will provide transportation to and from Salem Willows, giving students the opportunity to explore the area, enjoy the waterfront, and experience one of Salem’s most popular local destinations.