Welcome Week

Society Rush is a crazy time of year where you’ll choose a society to get involved in for the rest of your college experience. It's good to do your research ahead of time, take advantage of all the freebies you’re offered, and have a blast meeting and hanging out with other students.

We’re glad you’ve joined the Bruin Nation! To celebrate and to get to know you a little better, our Student Engagement & Success team hosts a fun activity where you’ll eat good food, meet other new students and enjoy games together.

Your official welcome as a BJU Bruin comes during this annual tradition. After you join the procession into the Founder’s Memorial Auditorium, you’ll be challenged by student leaders and hear your professors commit to supporting you through prayer and encouragement. This annual tradition not only sets the spiritual tone for the year, but also bookends your college experience. And most importantly, you’ll hear encouraging and challenging messages that will help orient your heart toward following Christ and cultivating a lasting relationship with Him.

Explore dozens of ways you can get involved in the student body at the Campus Opportunities Expo. All student organizations gather in one location and set up booths so you can find the opportunities that interest you. Make sure you talk with the student representatives and ask about openings in their group for you. Some may want you to complete your first year before you can join, but it’s good to let them know now that you’re interested.

Outreach in the local community is a vital part of your education at BJU. At the Community Outreach Fair you’ll have the opportunity to explore and sign up for events that will take place during the first few weeks of school.

• Residence Hall Move-In
  When you arrive on campus, head to your residence hall and move in before coming to the Davis Field House to check in. Check your student email to locate your residence hall.

• Student Services Hub Open (Student Center, 2^nd Floor)

• Check-in (Davis Field House)
  After moving into your residence hall room, come to the DFH to complete your academic check in, pick up your class shirt, activate your ID card, connect your laptop, and more.

• New Parent Orientation — (Stratton Hall)
  If you were unable to attend Summer Orientation, this session offers a quick overview of the topics covered in the parent session at orientation.

• Presidential Welcome to New Students & Parents (Davis Field House)
  Welcome to Bruin Nation! Bring your parents and meet President Pettit and student body leaders as you begin your transformational journey.

• New Student Class Picture (Davis Field House) (front steps)
  Wear your new class T-shirt and say “Go Bruins!” It’s your first school picture… well, besides all the selfies you’ve been snapping. We’ll take your freshman class picture in front of the Davis Field House.

• Church Services (Greenville Area)

• Campus Tours (Welcome Center)
  This is not your normal campus tour! Learn the ins and outs of campus, shortcuts to get from class to class, in and out of chapel, and the fastest way to lunch!

• New Student Welcome Activity (Activity Center)
  Head to the Activity Center where you will have a chance to meet the Student Life staff and get to know other new students as well. Casual attire is recommended.

• New Student Orientation (Stratton Hall)
  This required meeting will get you up to speed with campus life and provide a good start for your academic career. This is required meeting for all first-year and transfer students.

• Society Preview (Stratton Hall)
  Wondering what societies are? Hearing about “Rush”? Come see what it is all about. For new students only.

• First-year Advisors (Academic Resource Center, Alumni 213)
  If you have questions about your schedule, your First-year advisor is in the Academic Resource Center to answer your questions.

• Placement Tests (Alumni 220)
  In the interest of your academic success, you may be required to complete a placement test and/or auditions.

• Missionary Kid Forum & Fellowship (Alumni Building, Center for Global Opportunities )
  If you’re a new student and a missionary kid, please join us as a panel of MKs talk about their experiences in adjusting to life at BJU.

• Class of 2026 Processional Meeting (Rodeheaver Auditorium)
  Your class will be presented by the student body leaders and welcomed by the president as members of the university community. The incoming freshman class processional is a tradition of the Opening Exercises each year.

• Opening Exercises for 2022-2023 Academic Year (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)

• Society Rush Begins (Ends Saturday, Sept. 10)

• Major Meet & Greet (Locations listed in Welcome Week booklet)
  For all new students! Meet your classmates and faculty in your program. The faculty in your program of study are eager to welcome you to the family. Make connections that will help you as you face the challenges of your new pursuit.

• Student Seminar (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
  Required meeting for all undergraduate students. This seminar explains how the student covenant and the code of conduct contribute to helping the whole student grow toward Christlikeness.

• Student Seminar Breakouts for Residence Hall Students (Various Locations)
  Required meeting for all residence hall students. Please look for an email from residence hall staff communicating your breakout session location.
• Student Seminar Breakout for Day Student Men (Rodeheaver Auditorium)
  Required meeting for all undergraduate day student men.
• Student Seminar Breakout for Day Student Women (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
  Required meeting for all undergraduate day student women.

• Campus Opportunities Expo (Student Center Mall)
  Different from the Summer Orientation’s Information Fair, this event will introduce you to opportunities on campus to get involved with different organizations, associations and forums to enrich your college experience.

• Music Auditions (Gustafson Fine Arts Center)
  If you plan to take music lessons, participate in a music ensemble, band, orchestra, or choir, you will need to audition.

• Evangelistic Meeting (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)

• Day Student Eat & Greet (Dining Common, Kalmbach Room)
  Enjoy refreshments and take the opportunity to meet the president, Student Leadership Council members and the Student Life team as well as make connections with others. During the event you can enter to win $100 in Bruins Bucks for Day Students only!

• Society Prayer Meetings (Locations listed in Welcome Week booklet)
  New students may attend any society of your sex.

• Drop/Add Period Begins (Closes Monday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m.)
  Access under the Registrar menu option in StudentCentral.

• Classes Begin
  After completing registration, please print and follow your class schedule, as rooms may have changed since Summer Orientation.

• International Student SEVIS Registration (The Hub - Student Center, 2^nd Floor)
  All F-1 international students must register with SEVIS for their initial enrollment of the academic year.

• Chapel (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
  Please be seated in your assigned chapel seat.

• Evangelistic Meeting (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
  Please be seated in your assigned chapel seat.

• Residence Hall Parties
  Please look for an email giving you more information.