Welcome Week programs are vital to your success during your first year at UT. As a freshman, you are required to attend specific activities during the first week on campus.
Required events include:
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Welcome Week Small Group Meeting #1
4:30 p.m., various assigned rooms (See your Welcome Week name tag for your room assignment.)
Meet with your welcome leader and learn about campus resources, what it means to be a Volunteer, and how to navigate campus life. These mandatory meetings will help you become more comfortable with UT and start to make you feel at home. This is a great way to start making friends and creating your UT network!
New Student Picnic
6:00 p.m., Circle Park
The New Student Picnic kicks off a night of Tennessee traditions. Meet your friends at Circle Park at 6:00 p.m. for food and fun. Following the picnic, there will be a processional to Ayres Hall for Torch Night.
Torch Night
Begins after New Student Picnic, Ayres Hall Lawn on the Hill
The Torch Night ceremony is a Tennessee tradition observed since 1925, when all new students are formally welcomed to the University community. Each fall, the upperclassmen symbolically pass the Torch of Preparation to the freshman class at Torch Night.
Night in Neyland
Begins after Torch Night, Neyland Stadium
Following the Torch Night ceremony, the evening continues with Night in Neyland, a Big Orange welcome held in Neyland Stadium. Learn the Vol cheers, hear from coaches and athletes, sing “Rocky Top” with the band, and have your first experience in Neyland Stadium as a UT student!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Welcome Week Small Group Meeting #2
3:00 p.m., various assigned rooms (See your Welcome Week name tag for your room assignment.)
Life of the Mind Discussion Groups – Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet
4:00 p.m., various assigned rooms
Your group will discuss the themes and ideas of the Life of the Mind book, Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet by Bill McKibben.
Life of the Mind Author Lecture: Bill McKibben
5:30 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena
You will hear Bill McKibben, author of this year’s Life of the Mind book. Students may get the opportunity to ask questions.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Welcome Week Small Group Meeting #3
4:00 p.m., various assigned rooms (See your Welcome Week name tag for your room assignment.)
For a complete list of Welcome Week activities, visit welcomeweek.utk.edu.
Other important reminders:
Due to high demand, First Year Studies has opened up a few additional sections of FYS 101 for the fall. If you haven’t already registered, take a look. Sections 060 (Tuesdays at 3:40 p.m.) and 062 (Mondays at 3:30 p.m.) are waiting to be filled!