Welcome Days 2025
The Student Leadership Office and Student Orientation Staff host Welcome Days annually—our BIG kickoff to the new academic year! This year's events begin on Saturday, August 17, and end on Sunday, August 25.
Below is a schedule of the fun things going on throughout Welcome Days!
Saturday August 16
9am – 12pm: Hixson-Lied Commons: Welcome Days Check-In
All incoming students will check in with the Student Orientation Staff to begin their new journey at College of Saint Mary. Be sure to attend to get some amazing FREE swag
9am – 12pm: Hixson-Lied Commons and Lozier Hall: New Student Resident Hall Check-in
Students will check-in and begin moving into the residence halls and have a chance to start decorating their rooms!
5pm – 6pm: Dining Hall: New Student Community Dinner
Join the CSM community for a free community dinner as we welcome new students and their families. Meals for students and guests are free!
6pm – 6:30pm: Warde Conference Room: New Student Residence Hall Meeting
Join the Residence Advisors and Residence Life Professional Staff to learn more about living on campus.
6:30pm – 8pm: Warde Conference Room: New Flame Mixer
Join the Student Orientation Staff and Residence Advisors for a chill and fun mixer designed to ignite new connections! Sip on delicious themed mocktails and meet your fellow Flames as you dive into the College of Saint Mary community
Sunday August 17
10am – 12pm: CSM Plaza: New Student Orientation
Stop by and build your own flower bouquet, plant a mini succulent to take home with you, and create your very own stuffed animal. Grab some free mini donuts provided by Sweet Treats Mini Donuts truck and enjoy a special visit from a traveling ranch—featuring adorable farm animals you can pet and interact with!
2pm – 4pm:LFC Pool: Dive-in Movie
Make a splash and cool off with us at our Dive-In Movie during Welcome Days! Join us at the Lied Fitness Center pool for a special screening of Aquamarine while you swim and hang out with new friends. Bring your swimsuit and a towel and get ready for an afternoon of fun, floating, and film!
7pm – 9pm: Warde Conference Room: Y2K Dance Party
Bust out your butterfly clips, cheetah print, and flip phones—it’s time to party like it’s 2000! Join us for a night of dancing, neon vibes, and iconic early-2000s hits. Celebrate the start of your CSM journey with a blast from the past.
Monday August 18
8:30am – 2pm: Mandatory New Student Orientation
Learn tips and tricks about CSM that will aid in your success as a student. Lunch and free swag provided!
7pm – 9pm: Warde Conference Room: Casno Night
Join Student Senate for the annual Casino Night that includes many games, popcorn, and prizes!
Tuesday August 19
1pm – 2pm: Convocation
2pm: Hillmer Art Gallery: A comfortable, crafty, cup of tea
Activity to connect people who attended convocation
6pm – 7pm: Dinning Hall: Grocery Bingo
Campus Activities Board hosts their annual Grocery Bingo! Come play bingo and win some free groceries!
Wednesday August 20
8am – 10am: Hixson-Lied Commons: CSM Kickoff Palooza
Start the semester with energy, fun, and a little free swag! Join us for CSM Kickoff Palooza to welcome the flames back for the first day of classes. Stop by and capture the moment in our flames photo booth with printed photo strips, a build-your-own pencil bag station stocked with supplies, and free muffins to fuel your morning
12pm – 1pm: Hixon-Lied Commons: Fall Involvement Fair
Get involved with a student organization! Stop by the involvement fair and browse our amazing student involvement opportunities and sign up for a student organization.
5pm – 7pm: Center of Campus Green Space: Fall Fest Picnic
Thursday August 21
6pm – 7:30pm: Warde Conference Room: Music Bingo
Music bingo is a fun and exciting take on the classic game of bingo. With songs replacing the numbers on a bingo card, jam out to snippets of some of your favorite songs and win some fun prizes!
Friday August 22
7am: Christina's Place: Caffeine Boost
Kick off your Friday with a FREE* drink from Christina’s Place! (limited supply, first 50 students to order get free drink)
Saturday August 23
11am – 11:30am: Aksarben Cinema: Movie Matinee
Stop by Aksarben Cinema any time between 11am – 11:30am and grab a free movie ticket—good for any movie of your choice, whenever you want to use it! Come enjoy a show on us! Look for someone in a Student Orientation Staff shirt in the lobby.
Sunday August 24
10am: Aksarben Farmer's Market
Join Student Orientation Staff in walking over to the Aksarben Farmer’s Market
