Weeks of Welcome
Welcome to the most exciting time of the year! Weeks of Welcome (WOW) is an ongoing series of events for new and returning students during the first two weeks of class each fall and spring semester. Students who participate in these events find connections to others, learn about our campus traditions, and gain a sense of pride in the UNC Asheville community. For more information about these events, check out RockyConnect, your centralized home for student events and programs at UNC Asheville.
Spring 2024 Weeks of Welcome Schedule
[click here for a printout version of the schedule]
Monday, January 15
MLK Day of Service
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Burton Street Urban Peace Gardens (47 Bryant Street. Asheville, NC)
Volunteers will work on community projects along with other students and community members.
Hosted by: The Key Center & Asheville Campus Entertainment
[outdoor, medium group (20-50 people), stairs]
Tuesday, January 16
Food Equity Initiative Market
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | The Quad
Stop by the weekly FEI food market for nonperishable food items!
Hosted by: The Key Center
[outdoor, small group (under 20 people), no stairs]
Bulldog Blue Desserts
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Brown Dining Hall
Welcome back, Bulldogs! Enjoy bulldog blue desserts at lunch in Brown in celebration of the first day of classes for the spring semester!
Hosted by: Dining Services
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Clear Bag Giveaway
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Brown Hall
Get ready for basketball season! Pick up game calendars and clear bags and get ready to cheer on the Bulldogs this spring!
Hosted by: Athletics & Campus Recreation
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Rave Yoga
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Meditation Room, Sherrill Center 468
This blacklight yoga class is a radiant fusion of yoga, neon vibes, and pulsating music. Join us for a vibrant, immersive experience that’ll illuminate your practice and leave you glowing inside and out. Get ready to flow, shine, and grow with us!
Hosted by: Campus Recreation
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Tuesday Trivia
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Join the ACE team for the first weekly Tuesday Trivia of the semester!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs, loud noise]
Wednesday, January 17
Bulldog Party
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Grimes Atrium, Sherrill Center 300 Lobby/Student Entry
Get ready for the Women’s Basketball game! Arena doors open at 5:30 p.m. so come by the student entrance in the Sherrill Center Lobby to get game day ready! Face painting, temporary tattoos, blue hair extensions, beads, and poster-making will be ready for the taking. Go Bulldogs!
Hosted by: Athletics, Campus Recreation & Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), stairs, loud noise]
Women’s Basketball Game vs. Winthrop
6:30 p.m. Tipoff | Kimmel Arena
Cheer on the Bulldogs as they fight Winthrop! Bring your RockyCard Student ID for free entry at the Sherrill Center Student Entrance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., entertainment begins at 6:15 p.m. and tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Rally Towel giveaway and a Swag Raffle. Go Bulldogs!
Hosted by: Athletics
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), stairs, loud noise]
Syllabi & Spaghetti
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith Student Union
All students are invited to decorate and organize a planner while enjoying spaghetti and a special workshop from the Academic Success Center!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment & Academic Success Center
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs]
Thursday, January 18
Coffee with a Cop
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Highsmith Student Union
Stop by and get a warm cup of coffee and treats with University Police!
Hosted by: University Police
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Poster Sale
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Student Life Porch, Highsmith Student Union
Poster Invasion will be on campus selling posters so you can make your space personalized!
Hosted by: Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Fair Trade Tea Tabling
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Student Life Porch, Highsmith Student Union
It’s National Hot Tea Month! Join us to trade tea and for special giveaways!
Hosted by: Dining Services
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Esports Center’s Rocky’s Reboot
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Esports Center, Student Recreation Center (400 Wellness Way)
Stop by the Esports Center for competitive matchups and coop, including SIM Racing time trials/racing, MarioKart (up to 8 players), and Overcooked duos on the PS5. Computers will be open for drop-in play, so come by and play anything you choose!
Hosted by: Campus Recreation & Esports
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Friday, January 19
Community Organization Fair
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Mountain Suites, Highsmith Student Union (228/229)
An opportunity for students to connect with local campus organizations serving marginalized populations with resources and volunteer opportunities!
Hosted by: Office of Multicultural Affairs
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Fri-YAY Karaoke
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Join the ACE team for the first Fri-YAY Karaoke event of the Semester!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs, loud noise]
Poster Sale
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Student Life Porch, Highsmith Student Union
Poster Invasion will be on campus selling posters so you can make your space personalized!
Hosted by: Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Saturday, January 20
Eems Musical Performance
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Come watch ukelele loop artist, Eems, perform live! “Eems is a singer-songwriter who uses, among other things, his ukulele and looper to create beautiful soundscapes flush with pop and R&B sensibilities.” – NPR
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs, loud noise]
Monday, January 22
Painting Party
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Student Life Porch, Highsmith Student Union
Come paint with us! We’ll have wooden frames, canvases and more! Bring friends or meet them there!
Hosted by: Student Transitions and Family Programs
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Rubber Ducky Pool Party
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Justice Center Pool
Rubber Duckies have waddled into the Justice Center Pool! The rule is: If you see a ducky, you can bring it home with you! We will also have inflatable duck racing and a contest to guess how many ducks we dumped into the pool!
Hosted by: Campus Recreation
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs]
Tuesday, January 23
National Pie Day – DIY Pie Jars
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Brown Dining Hall
Build a Pie Jar for National Pi Day!
Hosted by: Dining Services
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Build-A-Board
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Create your very own DIY charcuterie board with friends!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Food Equity Initiative Market
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | The Quad
Stop by the weekly FEI food market for nonperishable food items!
Hosted By: The Key Center
[outdoor, small group (less than 50 people), no stairs]
Game Room Recharge
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Highsmith Student Union Game Room, Ground Floor across from the Bookstore
Check out the new features of the Highsmith Game Room! New tables, games, and gaming systems will be available for play!
Hosted by: Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Tuesday Trivia
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Join the ACE team for their weekly Tuesday Trivia!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Wednesday, January 24
Teaching Kitchen – Overnight Oats
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Brown Dining Hall
Since January’s Feel Good Food is Oatmeal, we will be featuring an Overnight Oat station in Brown Dining Hall for guests to take with them!
Hosted by: Dining Services & Campus Recreation
[indoor, small group (less than 20 people), no stairs]
Blue Out Pre-Party & Dinner
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Grimes Atrium, Sherrill 300 Lobby/Student Entry
Get ready for the Men’s Blue Out Basketball game! Arena doors open at 5:00 p.m. so come by the student entrance in the Sherrill Center Lobby to get game day ready! Face painting, temporary tattoos, blue hair extensions, beads, and poster-making will be ready for the taking. Dinner will be available for all students in Kimmel Arena on the Scholarship Deck from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Come out and support our men’s basketball team with this special campus tradition. Go Bulldogs!
Hosted by: Athletics, Campus Recreation & Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, large group (over 20 people), stairs, loud noise]
Blue Out Men’s Basketball Game vs. Radford
6:30 p.m. Tipoff | Kimmel Arena
Cheer on the Bulldogs as they fight Radford! Wear your blue! Bring your RockyCard for free entry at the Sherrill Center Student Entrance. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for dinner before the game. Tipoff is 6:30 p.m. There will be a Jersey giveaway and swag raffle. Go Bulldogs!
Hosted by: Athletics
[indoor, large group (over 20 people), stairs, loud noise]
Thursday, January 25
Fresh Produce Market
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Reed Plaza
This monthly free market features fresh produce provided for free by MANNA Foodbank. All are invited to partake!
Hosted by: The Key Center & The Food Equity Initiative
[outdoor, small group, no stairs]
Winter Comforts Meal
11:00 am – 2:00 p.m. | Brown Dining Hall
Check out our special menu featuring comforting meals to help you stay warm this winter!
Hosted by: Dining Services
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Student Involvement Fair
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith Student Union
Meet all 60+ student organizations and offices on campus during this bi-annual tabling event!
Hosted by: Highsmith Student Union
[indoor, medium group (20-50 people), no stairs]
Winter Wonderland
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith Student Union
Join us to decorate mugs and partake in other winter-related crafts and activities.
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs]
Friday, January 26
Ski Shuttle
3:30 – 11:00 p.m. | Meet at Student Rec Center (SRC) Lobby (400 Wellness Way)
Join Outdoor Programs for a weekly shuttle to Cataloochee Ski Area. Transportation is included along with your purchase of a discounted ski ticket. Get some fresh air!
Hosted by: Campus Recreation
[outdoors, large group (over 50 people), stairs, physical activity]
Fri-YAY Board Game Night
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. | The Grotto, Highsmith Student Union
Join the ACE team for their weekly Fri-YAY event with plenty of board games to choose from!
Hosted by: Asheville Campus Entertainment
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), no stairs, loud noise]
Saturday, January 27
Intro to Caving
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Meet at Student Rec Center (SRC) Lobby (400 Wellness Way)
Join Outdoor Programs for the first of two caving trips this semester! You’ll get muddy exploring local Worley’s Cave. This trip is first-timer friendly.
Hosted by: Campus Recreation
[outdoor, large group (over 50 people), stairs, physical activity]
Women’s Swim vs UNC Pembroke
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Justice Pool
Come cheer on our Women’s Swim Team as they take on UNC Pembroke on campus at the Justice Center Pool. Go Bulldogs!
Hosted by: Athletics
[indoor, large group (over 50 people), stairs, loud noise]