Week of Welcome is an immersive experience designed to highlight the distinctive and dynamic culture of Georgia College & State University. It provides an opportunity for students to become acquainted with the campus community, establish meaningful connections, engage in campus life, and explore the many resources and opportunities available throughout the university. Week of Welcome 2026 will take place from August 12–21, with additional events and activities continuing throughout the first six weeks of the semester. All sessions and programs are open to every member of the Georgia College & State University community.
*Mandatory events are indicated by an asterisk
2026 Week of Welcome Schedule
Wednesday August 12th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Floor Meetings with Your CA | 3:00 pm | A&S Classrooms | Come together with your CA and your fellow floor mates to be introduced to your new community. Your CA will share important information you need to know about living in University Housing. Your CA will review the Week of Welcome schedule and help you meet your new neighbors. Other topics will include sharing housing rules and policies and getting involved on campus. | Engage |
| *Unboxing Your Community | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | The Willow, Peabody Auditorium, and Donahoo Lounge | In this interactive session, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about your fellow Bobcats - beyond what you might see on the surface. 4pm – 5:15pm: 5:45pm – 7pm: | Advance |
| Wingo Bingo | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | MSU Den | Join the Campus Activities Board in the Den to unwind while playing Bingo and enjoying wings that are provided. CAB will also provide prizes for all Bingo winners. You don't want to miss out on the fun! | Innovate |
Thursday August 13th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness and Recreation Open | 8:00 am - 7:00 pm | WRC | Experience state-of-the-art facilities, from fitness equipment to open courts, and embark on your journey to a healthier, balanced lifestyle! | Empower |
| *Floor Meetings with Your CA | 3:00 pm | A&S Classrooms | Come together with your CA and your fellow floor mates to be introduced to your new community. Your CA will share more important information you need to know about living in University Housing. Your CA will review the Week of Welcome schedule and help you meet your new neighbors. Other topics will include sharing housing rules and policies and getting involved on campus. | Engage |
| Unboxing Your Community | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Willow, Peabody, and Donahoo | In this interactive session, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about your fellow Bobcats - beyond what you might see on the surface. 4pm – 5:15pm: 5:45pm – 7pm: | Advance |
| Welcome Night Event | 7:00 pm | Green Space area near Central Campus Residence Halls | Start your college journey with a night of fun! Meet your fellow Bobcats while enjoying a movie, creating your own Build-a-Bobcat plush, and treating yourself to Kona Ice. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, get connected, and kick off your first semester on campus | Engage/Innovate |
Friday August 14th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom Tours with First-Year Guides | 10:00 am | Arts & Sciences Fountain | Join the First Year Guides as they help you find your classrooms before the first day of classes. Get familiar with campus, learn the quickest routes, and start the semester feeling prepared and confident | Innovate |
| *GC Reads | 1:00pm–2:15pm (Group A) 2:45pm–4:00pm (Group B) | Various classrooms on campus (students will receive an email prior to this session with their assigned classroom) | To ensure a good start to your academic experience, you get to participate in one of our GC Reads Micro seminars! These seminars offer an informal introduction to college-level discussions and an opportunity to explore a subject of mutual interest with a subject matter that you selected from the summer reading essays. Get a preview of a classroom setting at Georgia College and have a discussion about compelling themes with those that share a similar interest. | Innovate/Empower |
| *The Talk: College Edition | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (opposite session from GC Reads) | Russell Auditorium | This engaging program uses humor, real-life tips, and honest conversations to engage students in essential conversations about consent, bystander intervention, healthy relationships, and Title IX. | Empower |
| Sex in the Dark | 8:30 pm | A&S Auditorium | This is an anonymous, lights-off Q&A experience where students submit their most pressing sexual health and relationship questions via phone while expert presenters offer candid, inclusive, and entertaining answers. | Innovate/Empower |
Saturday August 15th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *GCSU Gives Day | 8:00 am -12:00 pm | Students will receive an email prior with their assigned session time. | Being a student at Georgia College & State University is more than excelling in the classroom – it's about becoming a servant leader too. Join fellow members of the incoming class, faculty, staff, and community members as we come together to serve your new community. Food, water, and transportation to different service sites in the surrounding community will be provided. Be sure to wear your class shirt and closed-toe footwear as most locations will be outdoors. | Engage |
| Shopping Shuttle Extravaganza | 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm | MSU Bus Stop | Need to make a stop at Wal-Mart to purchase some last minute items for your room? Hop on the GCSU shuttle to get your shopping complete. Make sure you download the App Passio Go to follow the shuttle schedule | Innovate |
| Silent Disco | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Magnolia Ballroom | The Resident Student Association (RSA) invites you to their annual Silent Disco! Silent Disco is a unique way of experiencing music. Guests wear wireless headphones, and a silent atmosphere instantly transforms in to a high- energy musical performance. Enjoy the work of a professional DJ or make requests for your favorite tracks, the choice is yours. Tune in to up to three channels and different types of music and create the party you would prefer. | Innovate |
Monday August 17th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Class Photos | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm | A&S Fountain | Join the Office of Student Success & Career Development to kick off the semester. Stop by for fresh doughnuts, snap a fun photo at our photo booth, and celebrate the start of a great semester. Whether you're meeting new classmates or reconnecting with friends, it's the perfect way to begin the school year. | Engage/Innovate |
Tuesday August 18th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Class Photos | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm | A&S Fountain | Join the Office of Student Success & Career Development to kick off the semester. Stop by for fresh doughnuts, snap a fun photo at our photo booth, and celebrate the start of a great semester. Whether you're meeting new classmates or reconnecting with friends, it's the perfect way to begin the school year. | Engage/Innovate |
| Rec Fest | 6:00 pm | Wellness & Recreation Center | There will be games for all skill levels. Come try some of the fitness equipment or the climbing wall. Join in on a game on one of the courts or come watch the action. We will host Think Fast Trivia” with a $200 Amazon gift card prize. | Empower |
Wednesday August 19th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introvert Party | 7:00 pm | The Depot | Feeling overwhelmed by the college social scene? Do you crave connection but find large, noisy gatherings to be draining? The Introvert Party is for you! Come by yourself or bring a friend to a relaxed atmosphere where you can focus on shared interests and low-key fun while connecting with like-minded students. If you're feeling awkward, we all are! The Introvert Party is a no-pressure event. You choose your activities and the level of socializing you're ready to engage in. Find your people and discover a social scene that suits you. | Innovate |
Thursday August 20th, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat Brain Freeze | 6:00 pm | Residence Halls | Cool off and connect at Bobcat Brain Freeze! Build your own ice cream sundae while exploring interactive stations throughout the residence hall that highlight community living, campus involvement, and ways to make the most of your GCSU experience. It's a fun opportunity to meet fellow Bobcats, learn about Thunder Cup, and discover how you can earn points for your residential community throughout the first 6 weeks. Free ice cream while supplies last. Contact your Community Advisor (CA) or Community Director (CD) for more information. | Engage |
Friday August 21st, 2026
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meet your Major | 2:30pm | Locations will vary | Meeting with your college major is like having a seasoned mentor in your corner. They're there to decode the complexities of your degree, offering personalized advice on classes, internships, and career paths. It's a chance to explore your passions and get practical insights that shape your academic and professional future. | Engage/Innovate |
| Convocation | 4:00 pm | Centennial Center | Convocation is your official induction into the Georgia College & State University family, and, in many ways, marks the beginning of your collegiate journey. Convocation will feature a welcome from our President, SGA President, and keynote speaker, Dr. Brooke Conaway, Professor of Economics. By attending convocation, you are not only joining a long list of Georgia College community members, you are also demonstrating your bond to your classmates and commitment to our shared principles of “Reason, Respect, and Responsibility.” | Distinguish |
| Convocation Picnic | 5:00 pm | Front Campus | Join faculty, staff, and your fellow Bobcats for a cookout. | Engage |
| Block Party and Bobcat Marketplace | 7:00 pm | Greene St. | To celebrate the first week of classes come out to Greene St. to enjoy live music, interact with student groups, departments, and offices, and fun attractions like the Giant Slide and ziplining. Live music will be performed by Little Gracie. Student groups will be present to provide information on how to get involved on campus and join the group. | Innovate |
Week of Welcome Signature Programs
Unboxing Your Community
In this interactive session, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about your fellow Bobcats.
GC Reads
To ensure a good start to your academic experience, you get to participate in one of our GC Reads Micro seminars! These seminars offer an informal introduction to college-level discussions and an opportunity to explore a subject of mutual interest with a subject matter that you selected from the summer reading essays.
GCSU Gives Day
Join fellow members of the Class of 2029, faculty, staff, and community members as we come together to serve your new community. Food, water, and transportation to different service sites in the surrounding community will be provided.
Be sure to wear your class shirt and closed-toe footwear, as most locations will be outdoors.
Convocation
Convocation is your official induction into the Georgia College family, and, in many ways, marks the beginning of your collegiate journey.
Rec Fest
Come try some of the fitness equipment or the climbing wall. Join in on a game on one of the courts, or come watch the action. There will be plenty of fun.
Silent Disco
The Resident Student Association (RSA) invites you to their annual Silent Disco! Silent Disco is a unique way of experiencing music. Guests wear wireless headphones, and a silent atmosphere instantly transforms into a high-energy musical performance.
Block Party and Bobcat Marketplace
Come out and enjoy live music from the band The Stews. There will also be fun attractions, Kona Ice, and much more.