UMass Amherst Plans Special Events as Part of Fall Opening

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst begins the 2018-19 academic year Labor Day weekend as it welcomes an estimated 5,050 first-year and 1,140 transfer students to the Commonwealth’s flagship campus.

The busy schedule from Friday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 3 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 4 p.m., transfer students on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and returning students on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Big U, Friday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Haigis Mall: The University Programming Council (UPC) will host a carnival for first-year and other students who have moved 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: The 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. to 6 p.m., Student Union Ballroom: In its fourth year, this sustainability-based tag sale offers thousands of refurbished items and clothing at discount prices. Students can get deals on lamps, futons, mini-refrigerators, rugs, storage, school supplies and more.

UFest, Sunday, noon to 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. Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and other campus leaders will address the incoming class. Afterward, students wearing their new UMass colors will gather outside on the intramural fields for their class photograph.

Welcome BBQ, Monday, 4-7 p.m., Haigis Mall: UMass Dining is ready to feed 10,000-11,000 people a dinner of grass-fed hamburgers, antibiotic-free chicken thighs, veggie burgers, local corn, Asian slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, locally sourced fruit and ice cream novelties.