Schedule of Events

Opening Days 2025: August 20-24

PNCA Students

Information for PNCA students can be viewed on the PNCA website.

Salem Students

Opening Days 2025 will take place August 20–24, for all new Salem students, whether they live on or off campus. New students living on campus will move into the residence halls on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Parents and family members are welcome to join their students for the move-in process as well as some programs later in the day.

All residential and commuter students should plan to arrive on campus no later than 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, so they are ready for afternoon and evening programs. All students need to pick up their Opening Days packet on the Matthews Hall lawn, which contains important schedule information for the week.

Early arrival athletes (for football, soccer, volleyball, or triathlon), will receive specific information from their coach regarding a move-in date. However, all student-athletes participate in Opening Days.

Parent and Family Meal Tickets

If you are coming to the Salem campus to move your student into the residence halls and/or participate in Opening Days events on Wednesday, August 20, we welcome you to join them for a picnic dinner from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Brown Field.

You do not need to purchase a ticket for your student; their meals are covered by the Opening Days dining plan. Commuter students who did not purchase a dining plan during the school year will have their meals covered by the Opening Days dining plan from August 20-24.

You may purchase tickets online for a lower cost in advance, or you may purchase tickets in person on August 20 at Goudy Commons. Online ticket sales will open later in the summer.

View the menu and prices for the picnic dinner.

2025 Salem Schedule of Events

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

7–10 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students
8 a.m.–5 p.m.	Opening Days Headquarters Open, Office of Student Engagement & Leadership, Putnam University Center, 2nd floor Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.	New Student Check-In, Matthews Hall Pick up your Opening Days packet, residence hall key, and student ID card. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Settling-In Activities, Campus-wide Refer to the Settling-In Checklist in your packet for tasks to complete during this time. Activities are divided by those that must be done on this day and those that can be done at your leisure. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
10 a.m.–12 p.m.	Panhellenic Council Rummage Sale, Jackson Plaza Hosted by the Willamette sorority community, you'll find items commonly needed for college life, including mini fridges, hangers, alarm clocks, lamps and more. All of the items have been donated by students who've lived in the residence halls. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m.–2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2:30–3:30 p.m.	Meet Your Colloquium Associate, Quad Meet your Colloquium Associate (CA) and classmates. Look for your CA holding a sign with your colloquium name on it. Open to: First-Year Students
3:30–5:00 p.m.	College Colloquium, Colloquium Classroom Hold your first class together with your colloquium. Open to: First-Year Students
5:00–6:30 p.m.	Opening Days Kick-Off Picnic, Brown Field (south of Goudy Commons; if rain, seating available in Goudy Commons and Putnam University Center) Line starts at Hatfield Fountain A picnic dinner for new students and their families. During dinner, students can sign up for Passport to Salem. Parents and family members will need a ticket, students will use their dining plans. Tickets will be available for purchase in Goudy Commons. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a special welcome from your Opening Days leaders. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
6:30–7:30 p.m.	Opening Days Group Session #1 After the picnic, meet your Opening Days leader and group members for your first meeting. Look for your leaders holding a sign with your group number on it. Open to: First-Year Students
7:30–8:30 p.m.	Outdoor Games/Hangout, North Lawn (behind Waller & Eaton Halls) Join the other OD groups for games and activities. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Thursday, August 21, 2025

7–9 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.	Opening Days Headquarters Open, Putnam University Center, Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, 2nd Floor Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.	Not Unto Ourselves: You Belong at WU (required for first year and transfer students), Smith Auditorium Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.	Opening Days Group Session, Opening Days Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2–3:30 p.m.	Colloquium Group Session, Colloquium Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students. Join your Colloquium Associate for a group session.
4-5:30 p.m.	College Colloquium Open to: First-Year Students
5–7 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Sign ups for Passport to Salem outside of Goudy. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7:30–9:00 p.m.	Residence Hall Community Gatherings All students will meet with their residence hall floor mates. Ask your RA for the meeting location. Not required for students that live off campus. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9:00-10:00 p.m.	Residence Hall Association Social Event, Montag Plaza Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Friday, August 22, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9:30-11:30 a.m.	College Colloquium Open to: First-Year Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Sign ups for Passport to Salem outside of Goudy. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30 p.m.	3-2 Engineering Informational Session, Collins 205 First-year students interested in our pre-engineering/3-2 engineering program with Columbia University and Washington University-St. Louis should attend this session to learn more about the requirements. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30 p.m.	Health Professions Session, Collins 318 All students planning careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, optometry, etc., should attend this meeting. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30-3 p.m.	Career Development Open House, Career Development Office, 3rd floor, University Center For students interested in part-time jobs or work study. Advisors will be available to answer questions, provide resume suggestions, and help navigate Handshake. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30-3 p.m.	Mosaics Mentorship Program Meetup, Renjen Center for Equity & Empowerment (E&E) Join us for a mentor/mentee meet & greet! This is where first-gen scholars who are part of the Mosaics Mentorship Program can connect and meet others who are a part of the program. Connect with the Office of Intercultural Engagement & Inclusion for questions. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2–3 p.m.	Calculus Sequence Placement Advising, Ford 217 This is an open advising session for students who are unsure about which calculus course to take. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2–3 p.m.	Music Theory Assessment, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center, Rogers Rehearsal Hall This assessment is for students who are interested in majoring or minoring in music. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
4–5 p.m.	Opening Days Group Session, OD Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem Experience the city of Salem and have fun with your new classmates! You can sign up for Passport to Salem in advance at lunch outside of Goudy Commons. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Passport to Downtown Get ready to explore downtown Salem and see local businesses. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Create a Memory Studio If you’re looking for something creative to do, sign up to paint a ceramic piece, which then will be fired for you and brought back to campus when it’s ready. Ask your OD leader for meeting location and time. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Riverfront Park Campus is surrounded by beautiful parks, and Riverfront Park is one of them. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and outdoor activities. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Oregon State Fair The official state fair of Oregon. Buses will take you to the fair, where you can enjoy rides, exhibits, and food! Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Escape Rooms Go and test your skill at an escape room. Exodus is located underneath Fork Forty Food Hall just a few blocks away from campus! Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Saturday, August 23, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9 a.m. –12 p.m.	Speak About It: Consent Education (required), Hudson Hall, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center Speak About It uses true storytelling and live performance to capture what healthy relationships and sex can and should look like. The show is performed by five actor-educators, and uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more. At 9 a.m. OD groups 20-38 attend while at 10:30 a.m. OD groups 1-19 attend. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2-3:00 p.m.	Opening Days Group Session, Opening Days Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7–8:30 p.m.	Convocation, Quad All students should attend this valued Willamette tradition! Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9–11 p.m.	Glow Up, Montag Den & Plaza Join your newly found peers in a fun night of laughing, dancing, singing, and glowing! Glow Up is a dance held on the fourth night of Opening Days after Convocation. We celebrate your transition to WU with a dance, some Bistro treats, and a lot of music. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Sunday, August 24, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.	linQ/Lavender Community Gathering, Gender Resource & Advocacy Center, Montag Center The Gender Resource and Advocacy Center and the Lavender Community are happy to invite all incoming and returning students to the first floor of Montag to celebrate the new academic year and get to know other students. linQ is a program developed for students to build connections within the LGBTQ+ community and across the student body, both on and off-campus. This social is an opportunity to begin to build these connections before classes get started. Come play games, enjoy snacks, and get to know other students. There will be a brief tour, an overview of the year's linQ activities, and some surprises. . Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.	OD Group Session, OD Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
6:30–8:30 p.m.	Willamette Night Out Willamette Night Out (WNO) showcases the many events and programs that occur on campus through the course of each semester. Activities will take place all across campus, including intramural sports tournaments, tote bag painting, board games, s’mores, acapella music, Nerf Club games, bracelet making, and so much more! For a detailed schedule, check with your Opening Days leader. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7 p.m.	Men's Soccer Game vs. Corban, Sparks Field Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Monday, August 25, 2025

7–10 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8 a.m.	Classes Begin! Classes begin for all first-year, transfer, and international students. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

4:30–5:30 p.m.	Theatre Open House All first-year, transfer, and international students are welcome to attend. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–6:30 p.m.	Theatre Scholarship Recipient Meeting Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

4–5 p.m.

Dining Services Tour & Dietary Considerations, Goudy Commons

Brought to you by the Goudy Management Team. Learn about inclusive food accommodation practices available to students dining on campus. This orientation event is for students who manage food allergies, celiac disease and medical diets. The event includes a tour of Goudy that highlights need-to-know information: where to find ingredient labels at each food station, sourcing gluten free items, and a discussion of food safety practices. A question and answer session with General Manager Eric Thomas will be part of the tour.
Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

4–7 p.m.

Target Shopping Event, 3790 Center Street NE, Salem

Welcome to a special shopping event for Willamette students. Free shuttle buses will depart from the Sparks parking lot starting at 3:45 p.m. and will run until 7 p.m.
Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

8 a.m.–5 p.m.	Opening Days Headquarters Open, Office of Student Engagement & Leadership, Putnam University Center, 2nd floor Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.	New Student Check-In, Matthews Hall Pick up your Opening Days packet, residence hall key, and student ID card. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Settling-In Activities, Campus-wide Refer to the Settling-In Checklist in your packet for tasks to complete during this time. Activities are divided by those that must be done on this day and those that can be done at your leisure. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
10 a.m.–12 p.m.	Panhellenic Council Rummage Sale, Jackson Plaza Hosted by the Willamette sorority community, you'll find items commonly needed for college life, including mini fridges, hangers, alarm clocks, lamps and more. All of the items have been donated by students who've lived in the residence halls. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m.–2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:00–6:30 p.m.	Opening Days Kick-Off Picnic, Brown Field (south of Goudy Commons; if rain, seating available in Goudy Commons and Putnam University Center) Line starts at Hatfield Fountain A picnic dinner for new students and their families. During dinner, students can sign up for Passport to Salem. Parents and family members will need a ticket, students will use their dining plans. Tickets will be available for purchase in Goudy Commons. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a special welcome from your Opening Days leaders. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7:30–8:30 p.m.	Outdoor Games/Hangout, North Lawn (behind Waller & Eaton Halls) Join the other OD groups for games and activities. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Thursday, August 21, 2025

7–9 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.	Opening Days Headquarters Open, Putnam University Center, Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, 2nd Floor Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9 - 10:30 a.m.	Not Unto Ourselves: You Belong at WU (required for first year and transfer students), Smith Auditorium Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–7 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Sign ups for Passport to Salem outside of Goudy. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7:30–9:30 p.m.	Residence Hall Community Gatherings All students will meet with their residence hall floor mates. Ask your RA for the meeting location. Not required for students that live off campus. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9:30-10:30 p.m.	Residence Hall Association Social Event, Montag Plaza Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Friday, August 22, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch, Goudy Commons Sign ups for Passport to Salem outside of Goudy. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30 p.m.	3-2 Engineering Informational Session, Collins 205 First-year students interested in our pre-engineering/3-2 engineering program with Columbia University and Washington University-St. Louis should attend this session to learn more about the requirements. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30 p.m.	Health Professions Session, Collins 318 All students planning careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, optometry, etc., should attend this meeting. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30-3 p.m.	Career Development Open House, Career Development Office, 3rd floor, University Center For students interested in part-time jobs or work study. Advisors will be available to answer questions, provide resume suggestions, and help navigate Handshake. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
1:30-3 p.m.	Mosaics Mentorship Program Meetup, Renjen Center for Equity & Empowerment (E&E) Join us for a mentor/mentee meet & greet! This is where first-gen scholars who are part of the Mosaics Mentorship Program can connect and meet others who are a part of the program. Connect with the Office of Intercultural Engagement & Inclusion for questions. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2–3 p.m.	Calculus Sequence Placement Advising, Ford 217 This is an open advising session for students who are unsure about which calculus course to take. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2–3 p.m.	Music Theory Assessment, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center, Rogers Rehearsal Hall This assessment is for students who are interested in majoring or minoring in music. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
4–5 p.m.	Opening Days Group Session, OD Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem Experience the city of Salem and have fun with your new classmates! You can sign up for Passport to Salem in advance at lunch outside of Goudy Commons. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Passport to Downtown Get ready to explore downtown Salem and see local businesses. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Create a Memory Studio If you’re looking for something creative to do, sign up to paint a ceramic piece, which then will be fired for you and brought back to campus when it’s ready. Ask your OD leader for meeting location and time. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Riverfront Park Campus is surrounded by beautiful parks, and Riverfront Park is one of them. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and outdoor activities. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Oregon State Fair The official state fair of Oregon. Buses will take you to the fair, where you can enjoy rides, exhibits, and food! Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–9 p.m.	Passport to Salem: Escape Rooms Go and test your skill at an escape room. Exodus is located underneath Fork Forty Food Hall just a few blocks away from campus! Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Saturday, August 23, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Speak About It: Consent Education (required), Hudson Hall, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center Speak About It uses true storytelling and live performance to capture what healthy relationships and sex can and should look like. The show is performed by five actor-educators, and uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more. At 9 a.m. OD groups 20-38 attend while at 10:30 a.m. OD groups 1-19 attend. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
2-3:00 p.m.	Opening Days Group Session, Opening Days Classrooms Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7–9 p.m.	Convocation, Quad Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
9–11 p.m.	Glow Up, Montag Den & Plaza Join your newly found peers in a fun night of laughing, dancing, singing, and glowing! Glow Up is a dance held on the fourth night of Opening Days after Convocation. We celebrate your transition to WU with a dance, some Bistro treats, and a lot of music. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Sunday, August 24, 2025

8–10 a.m.	Breakfast Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.	linQ/Lavender Community Gathering, Gender Resource & Advocacy Center, Montag Center The Gender Resource and Advocacy Center and the Lavender Community are happy to invite all incoming and returning students to the first floor of Montag to celebrate the new academic year and get to know other students. linQ is a program developed for students to build connections within the LGBTQ+ community and across the student body, both on and off-campus. This social is an opportunity to begin to build these connections before classes get started. Come play games, enjoy snacks, and get to know other students. There will be a brief tour, an overview of the year's linQ activities, and some surprises. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Lunch Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5–8 p.m.	Dinner, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
6:30–8:30 p.m.	Willamette Night Out Willamette Night Out (WNO) showcases the many events and programs that occur on campus through the course of each semester. Activities will take place all across campus, including intramural sports tournaments, tote bag painting, board games, s’mores, acapella music, Nerf Club games, bracelet making, and so much more! For a detailed schedule, check with your Opening Days leader. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
7 p.m.	Men's Soccer Game vs. Corban, Sparks Field Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Monday, August 25, 2025

7–10 a.m.	Breakfast, Goudy Commons Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
8 a.m.	Classes Begin! Classes begin for all first-year, transfer, and international students. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

4:30–5:30 p.m.	Theatre Open House All first-year, transfer, and international students are welcome to attend. Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students
5:30–6:30 p.m.	Theatre Scholarship Recipient Meeting Open to: First-Year Students, Transfer and International Students

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

4–5 p.m.

Dining Services Tour & Dietary Considerations, Goudy Commons

4–7 p.m.

Target Shopping Event, 3790 Center Street NE, Salem

Opening Days 2025: August 20-24

PNCA Students

Salem Students

Parent and Family Meal Tickets

2025 Salem Schedule of Events

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Friday, August 22, 2025

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Monday, August 25, 2025

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Friday, August 22, 2025

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Monday, August 25, 2025

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Opening Days

Salem Campus

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