As the countdown to move-in day becomes closer for Grand Valley State University students, the Campus Board of Activities (CAB) and Student Life are preparing for Welcome Week. Students will be able to move into their dorms Aug. 22-25, and with that comes a lot of events that CAB wasn’t able to hold during the 2020-21 school year.

For these events CAB is following the COVID-19 guidelines for masks, for outdoor events students are not required to wear masks, but are welcome to if they feel more comfortable.

Last year GVSU held their Transitions program online, this year it will be a hybrid model. On Aug. 25 incoming students will be invited to Lubbers Stadium for their class photo and to listen to speaker Joe Martin. Martin will be speaking on topics such as resilience and how to be successful in college. Students will also receive a free shirt that they’ll be able to tie-dye the next day. Following that, on Aug. 26 there will be a Title IX presentation and advising center sessions. 

“We’re really excited to be able to do in-person things at the level we have done before,” said Valerie Guzman, Director of Student Life. “Obviously last year we weren’t able to do large group events. We really miss that exciting vibrant campus environment.”

Laker Kickoff will be on Aug. 27 and will feature live music, free food and giveaways. Earlier in the day is the Convocation celebration with GVSU’s President, Philomena Mantella. Following that students will be able to watch a movie in Lubbers Stadium on Aug. 28. The movie has yet to be announced, for updates on events check out Student Life’s Instagram or Twitter, @gvsustudentlife. Earlier in the day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. students can participate in the beach clean up, there will be a bus that takes them to Grand Haven State Park. 

Before Welcome Week, there will be housing block parties as students are moving into their dorms. There will be crafts and other activities that students can do to get to know their roommates and neighbors. Full details of all the events for Welcome Week can be found on LakerLink.