UB kicks into high gear this weekend with Fall Opening

After a more relaxed, slower-paced — and way too short — summer, UB kicks into high gear this weekend as the university welcomes new students, as well as returning veterans, for Fall Opening 2022.

The weekend’s activities offer first-year and transfer students a chance to meet their classmates and get the lay of the land before classes begin on Monday; returning students can meet up with old friends, as well as make some new ones.

And all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to show their True Blue UB pride by wearing their UB gear this weekend, as well as on “True Blue Fridays” throughout the year. 

New students officially began life at UB on Thursday when they moved into their residence halls, assisted by faculty, staff and student volunteers. Those volunteers also are staffing the information and assistance areas — located at the Capen bus loop and in front of the Student Union on the North Campus, and at the Main bus loop on the South Campus — providing directions and support to help students familiarize themselves with their new home away from home.

The weekend’s activities kicked off this year with a new event: the Festival of Culture Uniting Students (FOCUS) on Thursday. Open to all students, FOCUS began with a student-led parade from the Student Union to Greiner Hall, followed by a party in the Greiner courtyard with a DJ, international games and food from local restaurants.

The marquee event of the weekend — the New Student Welcome — takes place from 8-9 p.m. Friday in UB Stadium. The event includes welcome remarks from campus leaders and culminates with new students — all wearing UB T-shirts — coming together to form the university’s traditional interlocking UB logo.

Other activities designed specifically for new students include academic programming sessions organized by the various colleges and school; Bulls Like Me Meet-Ups, where students can meet peers from shared affinity groups, among them Black, Latinx, East/Southeast Asian, South Asian/Desi American, LGBTQ+, WiSE, from NYC, from small towns, gamers and outdoor adventurers; and the New Student Carnival.

The weekend also features numerous activities that are open to all students, including the Ring of Fire campfire — with s’mores — on Friday; an outdoor movie, live band and outdoor roller skating on Saturday; and the Bulls Welcome Back Blast Fireworks Specacular at 9 p.m. Sunday on the Student Union Field, featuring free Perry’s ice cream, UB coaches and student-athletes, UB spirit teams, live DJ and fireworks.

Classes for the fall semester begin on Monday.

As has been the case for the past several years due to COVID-19, UB will again have a comprehensive set of health and safety guidelines in place for the fall semester. These guidelines are based on recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health and SUNY.