Special Events Planned Labor Day Weekend to Mark Arrival of Students and Opening of Fall Semester at UMass Amherst

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Special Events Planned Labor Day Weekend to Mark Arrival of Students and Opening of Fall Semester at UMass Amherst

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts begins the 2019-2020 academic year Labor Day weekend as it welcomes an estimated 5,800 first-year and 1,050 transfer students to the Commonwealth’s flagship campus. Fall semester classes begin next Tuesday.

The busy schedule from Friday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2 is part of the New Students Orientation and Welcome Week programs. Highlights include:

Student Move-In: First-year students move in Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., transfer students on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and returning students on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Big U Carnival, Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight, Haigis Mall: The University Programming Council (UPC) will host a carnival for first-year and other students who have moved back to campus. It will feature snow cones, cotton candy, the Baby Berk food truck, carnival games, bowling and bounce houses.

Many Voices. One Community, Saturday, 6 p.m., Mullins Center: This annual event offers award-winning international cuisine and musical, dance and comedy performances from student groups on campus. The event celebrates the differences that together make UMass a strong and inclusive living and learning community.

New2U Tag Sale, Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Curry Hicks Cage: In its fifth year, this sustainability-based tag sale offers thousands of refurbished items and clothing at discount prices. Students can get deals of lamps, rugs, mini-fridges, storage, clothing and school supplies.

UFest, Sunday, noon-5 p.m., Goodell Lawn: Highlights include student performances, games, interactive displays, carnival activities, sidewalk chalk contest, library tours and UMass Dining food tents.

New Students Convocation, Monday, 2:30 p.m. Mullins Center: Students will learn the university cheer, fight song and alma mater. Campus leaders will address the incoming class. Afterward, students will gather for a class photo, and then join the UMass Marching Band for the traditional Minuteman March to the Fall Welcome Barbeque on Haigis Mall.

Welcome BBQ, Monday, 4-7 p.m., Haigis Mall: UMass Dining is ready to feed more than 10,000 people a dinner of grass-fed hamburgers, antibiotic-free chicken thighs, veggie burgers, local corn, Asian slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese and locally sourced fruits and ice cream novelties.