New Blue Hens begin making their way to the University of Delaware Newark campus this week for their one-day New Student Orientation (NSO) program. Each day, hundreds of new undergraduate students will schedule their academic courses for fall semester, begin navigating campus and its resources, and learn about choices and opportunities related to their involvement, safety, and wellness. Families attending their own concurrent orientation will also meet with a variety of campus representatives and learn how they can best partner with the University to ensure their students’ success.
The orientation season at UD, scheduled this year for June 25 through July 24, brings an excited energy to Trabant University Center and the surrounding area. Faculty and staff can meet the 2019 orientation leaders on the NSO website, and can direct students to the checklists for required tasks such as the submission of their medical and immunization history forms and the completion of Alcohol Edu.
Following their summer orientation, all incoming students will be welcomed back to campus Aug. 24-26 for 1743 Welcome Days, which references the historical roots of the University. UD’s opening weekend celebration includes performances, activities and receptions designed to help new students start their University of Delaware experiences off right. 1743 begins with new student move-in on Saturday, August 24 and culminates on Monday with the annual Twilight Induction Ceremony, where students will be formally welcomed to the community by their senior administrators and student leaders.
Junior Saray Lopez, a first-generation student from southern Delaware, will address the class of 2023 during their Twilight Induction as the featured student speaker. “I’m looking forward to welcoming new students and helping them think about how to make a big campus feel small,” she said.
Lopez fondly remembered the student speaker at her own Twilight Induction, Varsha Kripalu, and her memorable words of welcome. It made her first trek away from home less daunting. Lopez now serves on the executive board for HOLA and works with the Undergraduate Research Program, in addition to welcoming prospective students as a Blue Hen Ambassador.
All University of Delaware faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the Twilight Induction Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26, where they can pick up a candle and line the edges of the Green to take part in students’ official welcome to the Blue Hen community. The full schedule for UD 1743 Welcome Days is available now for download as a guide within the Guidebook app, available on both Android and Apple smartphones.
About Student Life
The Division of Student Life includes the Office of the Dean of Students, Center for Black Culture, Center for Counseling and Student Development, Fraternity and Sorority Leadership and Learning, Office of Student Conduct, Orientation and Transition Programs, Residence Life and Housing, Student Diversity and Inclusion, Student Health Services, Student Services for Athletes, Student Wellness and Health Promotion, UD Career Center, and the University Student Centers. For more information about Student Life, visit the website.
