Bearcats
Welcome
As you embark on this new experience as a Bearcat, we hope your first few weeks on campus set the stage for your college career. We hope you are just as excited to be at UC as we are to have you here!
Bearcats Welcome features signature events hosted by Student Affairs, from social to educational, and from optional to required. Don’t miss out on all the fun. Events will be shared on the GetInvolvedUC page and the Corq app. Don’t have a smartphone? No worries! We’ll also have an online schedule for you to view. All events are open to the entire campus community unless noted in the description. Follow us @uc_studentaffairs and @uofcincy for more information!
2026 Bearcats Welcome Schedule
There are a variety of events to attend during Bearcats Welcome! Don’t miss out on all the fun! You will also be able to view all events on GetInvolvedUC and the complimentary mobile app, Corq.
Schedule key
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
These events are hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, offering key programs and opportunities to connect with campus resources. Events not sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs are provided by other colleges and departments, offering a range of activities for all students.
Required Activity *Required for all first year students
These events are mandatory for all participants. Please ensure you attend as part of your Welcome Week experience.
Auditory stimulation
This event may involve activities with auditory stimulation such as loud sounds, noise, and music
Large groups
This event may involve activities with large amounts of social engagement in groups, teams, or crowds
Visual stimulation
This event may involve activities with visual stimulation, such as use of lights, colors, flashing/strobe lighting
Physical activity
This event may involve activities with physical activity, such as running, jumping, dancing, or other movements
Optional alternative activity
This event has an alternative method of participation such as a viewing location or alternative way to engage with the activity
Tuesday, August 18
11 am - 1 pm | Move-In Munchies
Marian Spencer Circle
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
3 - 4:30 pm | First Year: Fitness & Fuel
TUC 415
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation & UC Dining
7 - 9 pm | Grocery Bingo
TUC Great Hall (465)
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Wednesday, August 19
8:30 - 11 am | Move-In Munchies
Between Calhoun & Siddall
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
12 - 1:30 pm | UC International BBQ American Style
Valentine Plaza
Sponsored by: UC International & International Partners and Leaders (IPALs)
1 - 2:30 pm | First Year: Fitness & Fuel
TUC 415
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation & UC Dining
4 - 6 pm | Community Table
Market Pointe Dining Center
Sponsored by: UC Dining Services
7 - 9 pm | RecFest
Campus Recreation Center
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
9 - 11 pm | Bearcats Welcome Movie Night
Nippert Stadium
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Thursday, August 20
11 am - 1 pm | National Lemonade Day
Center Court Dining Hall
Sponsored by: UC Dining Services
4 - 5:30 pm | Commuter Student Meet & Greet
Commuter Student Lounge; Steger Student Life Center 645
Sponsored by: Center for Community Engagement
6 - 11 pm | Bearcats Kick-Off
Nippert Stadium, UC Mainstreet, & Sigma Sigma Commons
Required for all first-year students
Bearcats Kickoff will begin in Nippert Stadium from 6-7pm. Following students' official university welcome, join us on UC Mainstreet and Sigma Sigma Commons for fun, food, and fireworks! Learn more about Bearcats Kickoff!
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Friday, August 21
Various Times | College Day
Your Specific College
Required for all first-year students
Be sure to read details about College Day. These will also be sent to your email!
12 - 1:30 pm | First Year: Fitness & Fuel
TUC 415
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation & UC Dining
5 - 7 pm | Student Involvement Fair
Nippert Stadium
Sponsored by: Center for Student Involvement & Student Activities Board
7 pm | Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing
Bearcats Commons
Sponsored by: College of Arts & Sciences
9 - 11 pm | Late Night Breakfast
Dining Hall
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Saturday, August 22
10 am - 4 pm | Thrifty Move-In: Shopping, Eating, & Trips to IKEA (Trips to IKEA begin at 9:30 AM)
Lindner Hall Atrium; Bussing from Campus Green Transit Row
Thrifty Move-In: Shopping & Eating will take place in Lindner Hall Atrium from 12 - 4pm.
Thrifty-Move-In: Trips to IKEA will leave from the Campus Green drive (between Lindner College of Business & Campus Green Garage) at the following times. RSVP is required, please click links below to sign-up.
9:30 AM Trip to IKEA
10:15 AM Trip to IKEA
10:30 AM Trip to IKEA
11:00 AM Trip to IKEA
11:20 AM Trip to IKEA
11:45 AM Trip to IKEA
12:30 PM Trip to IKEA
1:15 PM Trip to IKEA
2:00 PM Trip to IKEA
2:45 PM Trip to IKEA
Sponsored by: College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology, Graduate College, Lindner College of Business, UC International, College of Engineering & Applied Science
7 - 11 pm | TUC Takeover
Tangeman University Center
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Sunday, August 23
10 am - 1 pm | Soccer and Snow Cones
Sheakley Field
Sponsored by: UC International Services and the International Partners and Leaders (IPALs)
Monday, August 24
10 am - 12 pm | First Day of Classes Coffee Truck
Outside Mantei Center & Lindner College of Business
Sponsored by: Center for Student Involvement & Parents & Family Programs
5 - 7 pm | Lead & Belong: Student Leadership Programs Open House
The Cultural Center
Sponsored by: Student Leadership Programs
8 - 10 pm | Late Night Movie
Nippert Stadium
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center
Tuesday, August 25
UC Libraries Passport
Not set times; Students can come to any library during library hours to get their passport stickers beginning Tuesday, August 25 - Friday, August 28. Complete the passport and return to the Walter C. Langsam Library for a prize.
All UC Libraries
Sponsored by: UC Libraries
11 am - 1 pm | GrubHub Welcome
On the Green Dining Center
Sponsored by: UC Dining Services
12 - 2 pm | Plants & Pots
Sigma Sigma Commons
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
11 am - 2 pm | UC Graduate College Welcome & Orientation
TUC Great Hall (465) & TUC 400 ABC
Sponsored by: Graduate College
1 - 3 pm | Come Check Out the UC Libraries!
Langsman Library Commons
Sponsored by: UC Libraries
7 - 9 pm | Trivia Tuesday
TUC 400 ABC
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Wednesday, August 26
10 am - 2 pm | World Language Day
UC Mainstreet (Between Lindner College of Business & TUC)
Sponsored by: Division of Student Success and Access; College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Asian, Eastern European and German Studies; Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literature; Department of Asian, Eastern European and German Studies; Department of Judaic Studies
11 am - 2 pm | Commuter Student Lounge Open House
Commuter Student Lounge; Steger Student Life Center 645
Sponsored by: Center for Community Engagement
1 - 3 pm | Center for Student Involvement Open House
Steger Student Life Center, 8th Floor
Sponsored by: Center for Student Involvement
6 - 9 pm | Cornhole Tournament
Sigma Sigma Commons
Sponsored by: Campus Recreation
8 - 11 pm | Night at Nippert
Nippert Stadium
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Thursday, August 27
11 am - 1 pm | Meet the Dietitian
Center Court Dining Hall
Sponsored by: UC Dining Services
1 - 3 pm | Student Wellness Center Open House
Steger Student Life Center, Suite 480
Sponsored by: Student Wellness Center
2 - 4 pm | Pop-Up Portraits & Popsicles
Bearcat Bench @ Sigma Sigma Commons
Sponsored by: UC International & International Partners and Leaders (IPALS)
7 - 9 pm | Fraternity & Sorority Life Block Party
Bearcats Commons
Sponsored by: Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Division of Student Affairs
Friday, August 28
7 - 11 pm | Bearcats Carnival
Sigma Sigma Commons
Student Affairs Sponsored Activity
Transportation & Accessibility
The University of Cincinnati and City of Cincinnati are accessible through the UC Shuttle System and Cincinnati public transit system, Cincinnati Metro. UC Shuttle is available and easily tracked through the TRANSLOC app. The Cincinnati Metro partners with the University of Cincinnati to offer a discount to all students and employees for rides.
Accommodations
The Bearcats Welcome team is committed to providing full access to all of our programs and services for participants with access needs. If you require accessibility accommodations to fully participate in Bearcats Welcome programs, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources by email for assistance.
Get Involved on Campus
GetInvolvedUC is like having an involvement fair every day. It's an online community for UC students to discover opportunities to get involved on campus, join and manage student organizations, and see campus events. You can even request to join organizations through GetInvolvedUC.
Edit your profile: Personalize your profile. Change your preferred name and pronouns, update your privacy and notification settings, and declare your interests.
Download CORQ: CORQ is a mobile app that allows you to discover amazing events and groups around campus from your favorite mobile device. You can filter events for free food and giveaways. Download CORQ in the App Store or Google Play
Event Passes: Many campus events require checking in with your personal event pass. Open CORQ, sign in and go to your profile. Select 'Event Pass’ from the menu. Save it to your phone’s wallet to check in to events quickly.