Welcome Week sets students up for successful start to college years

The Heidelberg community is looking forward to the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. Freshmen, upperclassmen, faculty and staff are all excited to kick off festivities for the new year. A key piece of the launch is Welcome Week, a series of events designed to help students new to Heidelberg learn about all of the aspects of Heidelberg, including extra-curricular activities.

Many of the events are mandatory for first-year students. Heidelberg wants to be sure that these students feel comfortable on campus and with every aspect of campus life. Their first week of being on campus is no different. Freshmen students must attend a series of sessions as a final introduction to academics, the Tiffin community, relationship building and student life as a whole. (Keep reading for the list of mandatory activities for first-year students.)

Student leaders especially can’t wait to get freshmen involved on campus. President of the Greek Life Council, Jocelyn Everett, emphasizes the main purpose of these mandatory events: “There are so many people excited to meet you. Go out there and find your new buddies! Through these sessions, students will become the successful, well-rounded campus citizens we know they can be!”

There are so many organizations on campus dedicated to making sure students have a fun time at Heidelberg, and all of them are excited to give you a taste of ’Berg life during Welcome Week. “Welcome Week is a great starting point for the school year,” says Student Senate President Noah Kennard. “It’s fun, it’s exciting, and everyone should take advantage of it!”

Here’s a rundown of all of the Welcome Week activities, from First-Year Check-In to S’more Fun at the Berg, and everything in between.

SOLiD

SOLiD is a leadership conference designed to help student leaders get refamiliarized with the tools needed to engage with the campus community and to help those leaders connect with potential new members.

The SOLiD Conference – 3-6 PM, Thursday, August 11

Hosted by Student Senate. Provides student leaders the tools to maintain and grow their organizations. Dinner is provided to participants after the conference.

SOLiD Movers Program

Upperclassmen who attended SOLiD are able to meet some new freshmen as soon as they step on campus by helping first-year students move in.

Residence Life

First-Year Check-In – 9 AM, Friday, August 12, in Campus Center

Mandatory. Students get valuable information, their IDs, and keys to their dorms.

Res Hall Crawl – 8 PM, Friday, August 12, in University Commons and Residence Halls

Freshmen will meet RAs, learn about Res Life services and visit Heidelberg’s dorms

Upperclass Check-In and Move-In -- Saturday, August 13, starting at 9 A.M.

Mandatory. Students get valuable information and keys to their dorms.

Mandatory for First-Year Students

AIM Hei 101 – 1:30 PM, Friday, August 12

Designated Classrooms
Introduces freshmen to the AIM Hei course and how to tackle academics.

BergServe – 9 AM, Saturday, August 13

Starting point: Seiberling Gymnasium, then various locations in the community
Introduces freshmen to service opportunities within the Tiffin community.

The C-Word: Consent – 7 PM, Saturday, August 13

Gundlach Theatre
A highly interactive and direct conversation about Title IX, sex and preventing sexual violence.

My Peers & Me: HYPE First Year Common Experience – 9 AM on Sunday, August 14

Seiberling Gymnasium
Freshmen get to meet each other through Olympic-style games. More information in the HYPE session.

Dean’s Welcome – 7:30 PM, Monday, August 15

Campus Center Front Lawn
Dean of Student Affairs Chris Abrams welcomes freshmen and shares his role in student life.

Student Organization Showcase – 8 PM, Monday, August 15

Campus Center Front Lawn
Featuring electric violinist, Alex Ahn. All student organizations on Heidelberg’s campus introduce themselves and their purposes.

Opening Convocation – 11 AM, Thursday, August 18

Seiberling Gymnasium
A Heidelberg tradition and the official opening of the academic year. Freshmen are officially welcomed into the Heidelberg family with their Heidelberg beanies, H pins and an inspiring message from ’99 alumnus and super teacher Chris Monsour.

Around the Town - 2:30 PM, Saturday, August 20

Campus Center Front Lawn (starting point)
Local businesses introduce themselves to students with booths in downtown Tiffin.

HYPE Common Experiences - Sunday, August 14

HYPE Common Experiences help introduce students to each other and set the tone for the rest of the year. By getting connected with each other and the community, Heidelberg students are ready to make professional connections and learn about caring for their communities.

First Year Common Experience - CampUs – 9 AM

Seiberling Gymnasium
Students will be sorted into color teams in Seiberling Gymnasium, and will participate in introductory and team-building activities throughout the morning. A picnic lunch will be provided at 11:30 AM.
Hoernemann Stadium - 1:00 PM
Freshmen color teams will compete in Olympic-style events.

Second Year Common Experience - Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build – 8:30 AM

Great Hall – 7 PM, Saturday, August 13
Students will attend an informational meeting with Habitat for Humanity.
Krieg Hall Parking Lot - 8:30 AM, Sunday, August 14
Second-year students will meet in Krieg Hall Parking Lot to begin building the walls for a Habitat for Humanity house. The build should be completed by noon.

Third Year Common Experience - Etiquette Dinner – 4 PM

Gundlach Theatre - 4 PM
Third Years will attend a 1-hour networking presentation
Seiberling Gymnasium - 5:30 PM
Students will receive an etiquette presentation led by Sandy Hyde of the Etiquette School of Ohio. During this presentation, students will have dinner and be able to put their networking skills to the test with local professionals and alumni.

Welcome Week Activities

Intramural Showcase -- 3 PM, Saturday, August 13

Legacy Patio
Students can attend a presentation about all of the intramural activities Heidelberg has to offer.

BEC Glow Party – 8 PM, Saturday, August 13

Seiberling Gymnasium
The Berg Events Council is hosting a huge Glow Party to welcome students back to campus. All events fit the theme of glow-in-the-dark.

Heidelberg Hunt – 2 PM, Monday, August 15

University Commons & Around Campus
Students can participate in a scavenger hunt to introduce them to key locations on Heidelberg’s campus. When students find a location, someone will be there to fill out their punch cards. Completed punch cards can be turned in for the chance to win grand prizes.

Student Organization Fair – 7 PM, Tuesday, August 16

Camps Center Front Lawn
After attending the Student Organization Showcase on the 15th, students get an opportunity to talk one on one with the leaders of student organizations that pique their interest.

On-Campus Job Fair – 11 AM-1 PM. Wednesday, August 17

University Commons
Students who are interested in working on campus can learn about all of the different jobs available.

BEC Bingo, Boards and Brownies – 8 PM, Wednesday, August 17

Legacy Patio & University Commons
The Berg Events Council is hosting a showcase of the many types of events they host. There will be several games, including games of bingo. They will be hosting and providing materials for a craft, and will be providing snacks including a brownie bar!

Greek Life Council Color Party – 8 PM, Thursday, August 18

Campus Center Front Lawn
The Greek Life Council is hosting its annual Color Party. Meet current Greek Life members and get messy (in a good way)! Remember to wear white.

S’more Fun at the Berg – 8 PM, Friday, August 19