As a new academic year begins, Florida State University is set to welcome thousands of new and returning students to campus, with the largest incoming class to date. In addition to helping students prepare for the fall semester, the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is providing a series of events and experiences to help them meet new people and explore new opportunities.
“Welcome FSU” kicks off Monday, Aug. 18, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 30.
Serving as the official launch for each semester, “Welcome FSU” highlights campus happenings and shares ways to get involved, academic and well-being resources and how to make FSU your home community. Through “Welcome FSU,” students learn about the numerous clubs and organizations, departments, fraternities and sororities and intramural sports offered at Florida State.
New this year, is “Ready For,” an extension of DSA’s year-long “Hello FSU!” campaign. “Ready For” will share guidance and tips on how students can prepare for a variety of FSU experiences. From getting ready for the first week of class to attending an FSU Athletics event, students can stop by the “Ready For” tent to receive information and fun giveaways throughout the fall semester.
“Being an FSU student can be an exciting adventure, but sometimes it can also be overwhelming and challenging,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “We want students to know we see them; we support them and are here for them. We hope they’ll feel welcomed and well prepared while at FSU.”
Below are some of the “Welcome FSU” fall events. For the complete list of “Welcome FSU” information and the full fall schedule, visit welcome.fsu.edu.
Monday, Aug. 18 – Friday, Aug. 29
Seminole Dining’s Trail Guide
Open Hours | Seminole Dining Locations
Grab your Trail Guide at the FSUCard Office, Suwannee Room or Seminole Café and set off on a self-guided expedition across campus dining spots to collect badges at each location. Every explorer earns a reward, and the first three adventurers to complete their Trail Guide by Aug. 29 will claim one of three grand prizes!
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Leach Center Fall Opening
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Leach Center
The Leach Center is open for the fall semester! Stop by for a workout, pick-up basketball, racquet sports, swim, run and more.
Community at the Courtyard
6 – 8 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center (ASLC) Courtyard
Enjoy free snacks, special surprises and opportunities to connect and build community together.
Movie: “Whiplash”
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends (doors open one hour before showtime for all movies).
Thursday, Aug. 21
Munch and Mingle
4 – 7 p.m. | Union Green
Kick off the semester with snow cones, popcorn and yard games and get the scoop on meal plans and campus dining. It’s the perfect vibe to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Movie: “Babygirl”
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends (also showing on Aug. 23 at 10 p.m.).
IRHC Karaoke
6 – 9 p.m. | Club Downunder
Sing your heart out at Welcome FSU karaoke night.
Movie: “Fight Club”
10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends (also showing on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.).
Friday, Aug. 22
Find Your Classroom Tours
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | HCB Atrium
Take a brief, guided walking tour around campus to help you find your way to class. Tours start at 9 a.m. and leave every 30 minutes; the last tour leaves at 11:30 a.m. (Also available on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, same time).
Food Truck Friday
Noon – 4 p.m. | FSU Lakefront Park
Join us at FSU Lakefront Park for Food Truck Friday and enjoy free food (while supplies last).
Game On
6 – 10 p.m. | Garnet Gaming Lounge at the Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy gaming on modern systems and meet new friends. Mini-events and giveaways.
Stand-Up Downunder: Comedy Show
7 p.m. | Club Downunder
Join us for some laughs and entertainment with the first comedy show of the school year.
Movie: “Get Out”
Midnight | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends (also showing on Aug. 23 at midnight and Aug. 24 at 10 p.m.).
Saturday, Aug. 23
Movie: “Flow”
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends (also showing on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.).
Last Call Before Fall Concert
8 p.m. | Union Green
Wrap up summer with us and enjoy activities and food trucks, music and more!
Sunday, Aug. 24
Out-of-State Student Welcome Mixer
3 – 5 p.m. | Club Downunder
Drop in and join us for light snacks and mingle with students from beyond Florida and meet our Noles Everywhere out-of-state student ambassadors! This is a casual, drop-in event, that is free of charge.
Floor Meetings
7 p.m. | Your Residence Hall
Meet your RA and other members of your community at your Welcome Home floor meetings!
Take Me Out to the Movies
8 p.m. | Owen F. Sellers Amphitheater
Doors open at 8 p.m. Enjoy a feature film starting at 8:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 25
First Day Photos
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Landis Green
Celebrate your first day—or your last first day—at FSU with First Day Photos! Stop by Landis Green to snap a picture with one of our photo signs. #WelcomeFSU #FSUFirstDayPhoto
(Also available on Aug. 26, same time).
Ask A Nole
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Various Campus Locations
Don’t know where to go? Visit an Ask A Nole station to get directions and support on your first day of class. FSU has a mandatory first day attendance policy; make sure you attend all of your classes and get there on time! (Also available on Aug. 26, same time.)
Get the Scoop About Health Care
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Health and Wellness Center
Join us for free ice cream and get the scoop on the services available to support your health and well-being at FSU. (Also available Aug. 26 and Aug. 27, same time.)
Garden Workday
1:15 – 4 p.m. | Seminole Organic Garden
Learn how to grow your own produce and about native plants in the Seminole Organic Garden. Meet like-minded individuals who also care about the environment and volunteer with us.
Multi-Player Monday
5-9 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center Cyber Café
Roll the dice or pick a card—it’s board games galore in the Cyber Café.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Study Season Kickoff at Strozier
4 – 6 p.m. | Strozier Library
Join us at Strozier Library for free library resources, snacks, games and more.
Academic Resource Center Open House
4 – 6 p.m. | Academic Resource Centers
Meet the Academic support team, explore the study spaces and learn about the academic support services available to them.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Welcome Back BBQ
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Union Green/NPHC Park
Join us for some tasty eats at the Welcome Back BBQ (while supplies last) and get ready for fun!
Fall Involvement Fair
5 – 8 p.m. | Tucker Civic Center
Explore more than 300 student organizations! Meet with student leaders, learn about FSU registered student organizations and find ways to get involved.
Movie: “The Dark Knight”
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends. (Also showing Aug. 28 at 10 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28
FSU Nite
6 – 9 p.m. | Tucker Civic Center
FSU Nite is the official pep rally to start the school year. Enjoy live performances, giveaways, student showcases and all the good vibes you can handle. Saddle up for a night of Garnet and Gold!
Movie: “Juno”
7 – 9:30 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends. (Also showing on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 29
Welcome Back: Food Truck Friday and Cornhole Tournament
Noon – 4 p.m. | FSU Lakefront Park
Join us at FSU Lakefront Park for Food Truck Friday and enjoy free food (while supplies last) and participate in a cornhole tournament.
Michael Cera Event
9 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Both screenings today at ASLC star beloved actor Micheal Cera. At this themed event you can dress up as your favorite Micheal Cera character for a costume contest, doodle on McLovin coloring sheets and try your hand at Micheal Cera trivia in between the movies Juno and Superbad.
Movie: “Superbad”
Midnight – 2:30 a.m. | Askew Student Life Center
Enjoy a feature film among friends.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Garnet and Gold Tailgate
12:30 – 3 p.m. | Union Green
Join us for our First Garnet & Gold Tailgate of the season and enjoy inflatables, games, free food and water before kickoff!
Garnet and Gold Goes Green
1 – 3:30 p.m. | Three Torches
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of G4 at the first home football game of the season against Alabama. Volunteers will meet at Three Torches and be given instructions and supplies regarding recycling at the tailgates.
About ‘Welcome FSU’
“Welcome FSU” supports the Division of Student Affairs’ year-round “Hello FSU!” campaign that works with campus partners to highlight key campus events, programs, activities and services for undergraduate students:
- The Weekly Top 5 – A curated collection of the week’s biggest events, programs, activities and deadlines. (Debuts every Monday throughout the academic year on #HelloFSU social media and at hello.fsu.edu.)
- How to FSU – Connects students with how-to resources and online guides to help navigate various campus processes.
- Success Tips – Identifies resources and provides life management tips to help students succeed in and out of the classroom.
- Spotlight Stories – Special feature stories on programs, services and people from around campus.
- ICYMI – In Case You Missed It provides an extra reminder for key events or important actions.
- Always On – Highlights the many events that are always happening on campus.
- Ready For – Provides tips on how to prep for a variety of FSU experiences from getting ready for the first week of class to attending an FSU Noles Athletics event.
To stay up to date with the Division of Student Affairs, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, X and the FSU Calendar.