Weeks of Welcome
Surrounding the start of classes will be USF's Weeks of Welcome, or WOW.
- The first two weeks of class are called Weeks of Welcome (WOW), packed with programs, events, and services.
- WOW serves as an extended orientation and helps new students get involved, find community, and learn more about the opportunities and resources at USF.
- For the most up-to-date WOW information and schedule, keep checking this webpage for details as we approach August!
Fall 2026 Weeks of Welcome: Tuesday, Aug. 25 - Monday, Sept. 7
Tuesday, August 25 - Friday, August 28
| Event | Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Learning, Writing, and Speaking Centers (LWSC) Walk-In Hours | 9 AM - 5 PM | Gleeson Library, Lower Level, Room G03 | Learn more about academic support services at USF! LWSC Front Desk are available to answer questions and assist students with making appointments. |
Tuesday, August 25 - Monday, August 31
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASA Registration Assistance | 10 AM - 4 PM | CASA Lobby, University Center, Third Floor | Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) is offering drop-in hours to all undergraduate students for general registration-related inquiries. Take advantage of this if you need help navigating registration or anything else registration-related. |
Tuesday, August 25 - First Day of Classes (FDOC)
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Back Fest | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | Privett Plaza | Welcome Back, USF! Swing by and explore all the resources and programs USF and San Francisco have to offer, all in one spot. From academic departments and local grocery stores to nonprofits aligned with your passions, this is your chance to connect with the community, discover new opportunities, and snag some free swag along the way! |
| Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor (GSS) Walk-In Hours | 1:15 - 3:15 PM | TBD | Learn more about GSS requirements, academic and social events, and opportunities to build community and create activities on gender and sexualities with GSS Minors. The first 5 students will receive a gift and enter a raffle of multiple items. |
| BRC Open House + Game Night | 2:30 - 5 PM | University Center, Fourth Floor Lounge & 415 | Join the BRC in the room 415 to meet the BASE staff team! See history, connect with vibes and join us in various games as we being the semester together! |
| Strength and Flow Yoga (Hatha Yoga) | 6 - 7 PM | Koret Health & Recreation Center | Find balance and relaxation with Strength and Flow Yoga (Hatha Yoga) at Koret! This class combines guided postures with mindful movement to promote physical and mental relaxation while improving breathing, alignment, balance, strength, and flexibility. Open to all experience levels, with modifications available. |
| Meet the Greeks | 6:30 - 7:30 PM | Fromm Complex, Maraschi Room | Join Student Leadership and Engagement to learn more about National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations represented at USF. During this event you'll hear presentations from each of the three chapters on campus, learning about what makes each one unque. You'll also meet members from all social sororities and discover how to get involved in these vibrant organizations. |
Wednesday, August 26
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBTea Time | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | University Center, Room 413 — Gender and Sexuality Center | Join us for LGBTea Time, a weekly tea party where students can meet new people, connect with others, and unwind. Tea, mugs, and snacks will be provided. |
| Justice Leadership Collective Info Session | 4 - 5 PM | University Center, Rooms 411/412 – Intercultural Center | Interested in social justice and developing your leadership skills? Join the Justice Leadership Collective Info Session to learn about this cohort-based program for USF undergraduate and graduate students. Discover how the program builds skills in identity awareness, intercultural communication, solidarity, equity, and justice while connecting you with a community of students committed to making a difference. |
| McCarthy Center Open House | 5:30 - 8 PM | Masonic Hall, Room 103, McCarthy Center | Stop by for snacks, swag, and information about how to join McCarty Center programs. |
| Pilates Mat | 6 - 7 PM | Koret Health & Recreation Center | A mat-based class focused on pelvic stability, abdominal control, joint mobility, flexibility, and strengthening exercises. Koret offers a range of group fitness classes for all fitness levels. Learn more. |
| Target Night | 6 - 8 PM | Target Store 2675 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118 | Join us for a back-to-school event with a 20% total discount for students showing their USF ID, raffles/giveaways every hour, food vendors, Student DJ, etc. The first 100 students will receive free Starbucks refreshers as well as enter into a raffle of multiple items and gift cards throughout the duration of the event. |
Thursday, August 27
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rec Sports Presents: Day on the Green | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | Welch Field | Day on the Green is open to all USF students! Discover everything the Recreational Sports Department has to offer— Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Group Fitness Classes, and more. Free t-shirts will be given to all attendees (while supplies last), and everyone will have a chance to enter a raffle for sports and recreation accessories. |
| Breaking Bread & The Binary | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | University Ministry - Romero Room (Toler 122) | Explore the intersection of faith and identity at Breaking Bread and the Binary! Join University Ministry for a weekly gathering where students can explore the connections between different spiritual traditions and LGBTQIA+ identities in a welcoming community. |
| Neurodiversity Connections Weekly Drop-In | 3 - 4 PM | University Center, Room 305 | On Thursdays, there will be a weekly drop-in hour for neurodivergent and questioning students and allies, too! It’s a safe space to connect, share, and support one another. There will be an optional discussion theme each week. >>Learn more |
| Economics Fall Kickoff Reception | 3 - 4:30 PM | Tarantino Plaza, Malloy Hall | Kick off the start of the academic year with faculty, staff, and fellow Economics students! Mingle with your peers and share in the excitement of the year ahead. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. |
| Movies on the Square – The Pursuit of Happyness | 6 - 10 PM | Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Enjoy a free evening of movies under the stars at Redwood City's Movies on the Square! The evening features Smurfs at 6:00 p.m. followed by The Pursuit of Happyness at 8:30 p.m. on the outdoor LED screen with immersive surround sound. Bring a blanket, arrive early to claim a spot, and enjoy takeout from nearby downtown restaurants. |
| Meet the Greeks Step into Our Yard: Divine 9 Showcase | 6:30 - 7:30 PM | McLaren Complex | Join Student Leadership and Engagement for an opportunity to learn about the Divine Nine (NPHC) organizations represented at USF. During this showcase, you'll hear presentations from each of the six active organizations on campus, learning about their histories, values, impact, and what membership and service look like within these organizations. Whether you're interested in joining a Divine Nine organization or simply want to learn more about their legacy and presence at USF, all students are welcome. |
| Paint & Sip | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | University Center, Fourth Floor Lounge | Who said you weren’t an artist? Join the students and staff of the Cultural Centers where you'll engage in conversation, build community, and leave with your own social justice-based art pieces! |
| Arts Open House | 8 - 9:30 PM | Lone Mountain, Studio Theater, Room 148 | Searching for artistic community at USF? Do you want to explore performing, making, and creating? Representatives from performing arts, media studies, art and architecture, and student organizations will be on hand to answer questions and share information about the many exciting creative opportunities on campus this fall. |
Friday, August 28
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Employment Part-Time Job Fair | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | McLaren Complex | Looking for a part-time job on or off campus? Don’t miss the Student Employment Job Fair! Meet with campus departments and local employers who are hiring for part-time roles. Whether you're hoping to build your résumé, earn some extra money, or gain valuable experience, this is the perfect place to start. Come prepared with questions, your résumé, and an open mind—you never know what opportunities you’ll discover! |
| Hilltop Street Eats | 6 - 9 PM | Gleeson Plaza & Welch Field | Hilltop Street Eats is the perfect way to kick off the new academic year! Come out and enjoy a delicious variety of bites from our food trucks, refreshing drinks, and an evening filled with great vibes and music. Follow us on Instagram @usfsle to stay updated on new events and more. |
Saturday, August 29
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBTQ+ Pajama Jam | 8 - 9:30 PM | University Center, Fourth Floor Lounge | Come meet other new and returning students at the LGBTQ+ Pajama Jam hosted by the Gender & Sexuality Center. Paint your nails, enjoy a few rounds of speed friending, and meet your community while listening to house music. Come in your comfy clothes! |
Sunday, August 30
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steph Curry Returns to USF: Silk Speaker Series | 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM | Sobrato Center | The Silk Speaker Series is excited to welcome four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and Golden State Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry back to the Hilltop. Curry will join us for an exclusive screening and panel conversation about The Baddest Speechwriter of All, the award-winning documentary he co-directed about Clarence B. Jones, a close adviser and speechwriter to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us for a compelling conversation about civil rights, social justice, and the power of storytelling. RSVP Here |
Monday, August 31
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Centers Open House | 11 AM - 6 PM | University Center, Fourth Floor | Looking to learn more about the Cultural Centers at USF? Come by our open house to see the Intercultural Center and Gender & Sexuality Center and learn what we do, what resources we have, and how to get involved as a volunteer! |
Tuesday, Sept. 1
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Ramen Remix Night | 6:30 - 8 PM | University Center, Fourth Floor Lounge | Come remix your instant ramen with the Cultural Centers!! Spruce up your instant ramen with affordable add-ins while meeting new friends. Enter a spicy noodle challenge to win a prize and prove you can't be beat! |
| Study Abroad Craft Night | 5 - 6 PM | TBD | TBD |
| Fall 2026 Performing Arts Auditions | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Studio Theater, Lone Mountain, USF | Interested in performing at USF? Audition for the Fall 2026 Music Showcase and discover opportunities to get involved with USF's vibrant performing arts community. Students interested in music, dance, and other performance opportunities can connect with the Performing Arts & Social Justice program and explore ways to perform on campus. |
| Magis Emerging Leadership Program Information Session | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Fromm Complex, Xavier Room | Want to become a leader in your first year at USF? Come meet alumni and our Magis Leadership Team to learn about the benefits of becoming a Magis Fellow! |
Wednesday, Sept. 2
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dance Outdoors with Rhythm & Motion | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco, CA | Get moving at Yerba Buena Gardens with Rhythm & Motion! This free outdoor dance workout combines the energy of a dance party with the challenge of learning choreography. All experience levels are welcome to join this lively community dance experience in the heart of San Francisco. |
| Bachata Dance Workshop | 4:30 - 5:45 PM | Koret Rec Center, Aerobics Room | Come out to this beginner-friendly dance workshop to learn how to dance Bachata! This session will focus on different styles of footwork and will advance from beginner to intermediate-level steps. The instructor for this workshop, Diana Garcia Rodriguez, is a recent USF alumna and received her training in bachata dance from In'Lakech Dance Academy, a Latinx dance school that centers Queer dancers in the Bay Area. |
Thursday, Sept. 3
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLE Fall Involvement Fair | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | Gleeson Plaza & Welch Field | Chat with representatives from 150+ student organizations to find out how you can get involved at USF. For more information, visit Student Leadership and Engagement on the University Center 4th Floor, follow @usfsle or learn more on the SLE website. |
| Market/Value Artist Tour & Opening Celebration | 4 PM - 5 PM | Preview with the artists 5 PM - 7 PM |Opening Celebration | Thacher Gallery, Gleeson Library | Join Thacher Gallery as we celebrate the opening of the 26-27 season with Market/Value featuring installations by Reniel del Rosario, Kathryn Kenworth, Kevin Lopez Pardillo, Madi Reyes, Jasmine Ross, and Jeffrey Sincich. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists! |
| Cuban Afro-Latin Funk with Los Calderones | 6:30 - 7:30 PM | Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco | Enjoy an evening of Cuban Afro-Latin Funk with Los Calderones at Yerba Buena Gardens. Led by trombonist, arranger, and rapper Obrayan Calderon, the group blends Cuban reggaeton, timba, and traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms for an energetic outdoor performance. |
| USF Dance Ensemble Auditions | 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Kathi Gallagher Dance Studio, Koret Center | Interested in dance? Audition for the Fall 2026 USF Dance Ensemble and work with Bay Area guest choreographers to create original works. No choreography needs to be prepared in advance. Auditions include a group warm-up followed by time working with each choreographer. Students of all experience levels are welcome to participate. |
| Movies on the Square – Freakier Friday | 8:30 PM - 10:15 PM | Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 | Enjoy a free movie under the stars at Redwood City’s Movies on the Square! Catch Freakier Friday on the big LED screen with immersive surround sound. Bring a blanket or arrive early to claim a spot, and enjoy takeout from nearby restaurants while experiencing this popular summer tradition in the heart of downtown Redwood City. |
Friday, Sept. 4
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland First Fridays | 5 - 9:30 PM | Telegraph Ave between 27th Street & 22nd | Celebrate creativity, identity, and community at Express Yourself, an Oakland First Fridays event uplifting LGBTQ+ voices through art. Experience powerful visual works and live performances that showcase pride, individuality, and the joy of coming together. |
SATURDAY, Sept. 5
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Shakespeare in the Park: Antony and Cleopatra | 2 - 3:30 PM | Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park, San Francisco, CA 94062 | Enjoy a free outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra at beautiful McLaren Park! Experience this timeless tragedy performed under the trees as part of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s 2026 Free Shakespeare in the Park season. |
| Yerba Buena Movie Night: Black Panther | 7 - 9:30 PM | Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco, CA | Movie Night returns to Yerba Buena Gardens! Enjoy an evening under the stars with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, directed and co-written by Oakland native Ryan Coogler. Come early to picnic on the lawn and enjoy pre-show entertainment, activities, games, and fresh popcorn. Blankets, low lawn chairs, and Black Panther-inspired costumes are encouraged. Free RSVP. |
Tuesday, Sept. 8
| Event | Time | LOcation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internships and Ice Cream | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | McLaren Complex, Room 252 | The time to apply for summer 2027 internships is now! Get a FREE ice cream bar and learn about the best internship search resources, using your network to find an internship, and how to stand out on your application. |
| McCarthy Fellows and USF in DC Information Session | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Online - Zoom | Interested in gaining professional experience while making a difference in your community? Join the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good to learn about fellowship opportunities, including McCarthy Fellows in San Francisco, McCarthy Fellows in Sacramento, and USF in Washington, D.C. Discover how these programs combine internships, academic learning, professional mentorship, and community engagement. >>RSVP |
| Welcome B(l)ack | 5 PM | McLaren Complex | Join us for an evening of connection and community as Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni come together to celebrate our shared contributions to USF's dynamic culture. This event is open to all USF community members. |
Certain events will be photographed and/or video recorded for archival, educational, and related promotional purposes. By attending or participating in this event, you grant USF the full unrestricted rights to your photograph, voice and likeness in any manner or media whatsoever worldwide for educational marketing purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or video recorded, please inform the camera person at the start of each event.