August 06, 2026
SIU offers packed event schedule to welcome students for 2026-27 school year
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Starting off the semester right is the goal, Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome — the traditional events kicking off the fall semester — are the means.
“Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome are all about helping students feel at home from the moment they arrive on campus,” said Charles Walker, interim director of New Student Programs, which coordinates many of the activities. “Whether students are joining the Saluki family for the first time or returning for another year, these events create opportunities to build friendships, discover campus traditions, and connect with the people and resources that support their success. We want every student to start the semester feeling welcomed, confident, and excited about the experiences ahead.”
The excitement begins after the official back-to-campus opening on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and the fun continues through the end of August.
Dawg Days will ignite new students with Saluki spirit
Nothing builds Saluki Spirit like a game of duct-tape dodgeball. Dawg Days is an overnight program available for new students, both freshmen and transfer. It’s an immersive, overnight experience held at SIU’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. The 100 or so students who attend participate in mostly outdoor activities such as broomball, archery and enjoy group challenges and themed socials. It’s also a chance to learn about Saluki traditions and the available support systems to keep new students academically on track.
“Dawg Days is the perfect invitation to the Saluki family.” said Andrew Taylor, coordinator of Campus Outdoor Programs and Sustainability, which oversees Dawg Days. "It gives new students a community within SIU that builds strong connections and lasting friendships all before classes even start."
The more than 30 volunteer student staff counselors are Dawg days alumni. “Dawg Days was a pivotal part of the first year my college experience,” said Katy Bernard, a junior in the mortuary science and funeral services program and member of the 2026 Dawg Days Student Leadership team. “My aim is to share that camp magic with the upcoming students in an impactful way.”
Time for Opening!
Months of preparation by SIU faculty and staff will be apparent as students move into various campus locales before classes start on Monday, Aug. 17. Move in begins Wednesday, Aug. 12, with new students and a select group of others checking into their new homes away from home. Returning students join them Friday, Aug. 14.
Numerous volunteers from campus and the community will be on hand to assist nearly 3,000 students and their families as they move into University Housing facilities. All volunteers will have lanyards and name badges, ensuring they are easy to identify. According to Kendra Bumpus, director of University Housing and Residence Life, the volunteers provide significant, much-needed, and appreciated assistance for the students and families, as well as an opportunity for students to learn more about the campus and community organizations giving of their time.
Water stations will be available at various locations on opening days, courtesy of University Housing. All-you-care-to-eat meals will be available on Wednesday and Friday at the reduced price of $9 at Lentz and Trueblood Halls, as well. That includes Trueblood’s Mongolian-style grill. Pay at the door using debit or credit card or Debit Dawg.
Creating community through Saluki Startup
Saluki Startup — geared especially toward new students —is set for Aug. 12-Sept. 4 and filled with activities to help new and returning students get acquainted with one another and all things SIU. It begins move-in day, with Sweet Goodbyes, free sweet treats for students to enjoy with their families. Convocation, which marks the ceremonial beginning of a student’s academic career — for all new students and faculty — returns to campus at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. The ceremony is immediately followed by the Chancellor’s Welcome Fest on the Shryock lawn. Welcome Fest is open to all members of the SIU community — students, faculty staff and their families.
Notable highlights of Saluki Startup include:
- Light up the Lake on Thursday, Aug. 13, as 2,000 or more students are drawn to Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion for an evening filled with “glowing” games and activities.
- The Saluki Kickoff Pep Rally on Friday, Aug. 14, at Saluki Stadium. Participants will receive a free T-shirt to wear for the annual class photo on the steps of the Banterra Center before taking the field for the pep rally. It will become a favorite part of every new student’s Saluki apparel.
- The long-time favorite Dawgs Nite Out (DNO) on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Student Center. This DNO will be a special event where we are turning the lights off and glowing in the dark! It's GLOW DNO! There will be free walking tacos, cookies, mocktails, glow bingo with prizes, cosmic bowling, billiards, esports, karaoke, crafts, free T-shirts for SIU students, and other activities. Dawgs Night Out is free for SIU students and $5 for guests over 18, with tickets available at the door.
- The Class of 2030 Convocation from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, Shryock Auditorium. Participating faculty and students should meet at Tedrick Welcome Center between 12-12:30 p.m. for a processional to the event.
- Chancellor’s Welcome Fest on the Shryock Auditorium lawn from 2-4 Sunday, Aug. 16. Organizers say the fest will feature a “picnic in the park vibe” with tie-dye, yoga, a climbing wall, hammocks, dunk tanks, and some great refreshing treats.
Saluki Startup also includes information stations with maps, answers to questions, and directions as well as academic welcomes, classroom and campus tours, and new resident orientation. Find the complete schedule of events and details at salukistartup.siu.edu.
Weeks of Welcome won’t disappoint
The excitement continues during Weeks of Welcome, Aug. 17–Sept. 5, as students immerse themselves in the SIU community. Notable events include:
- The Fall Involvement Fair at Faner Plaza, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 20. Students can meet representatives from more than 300 registered student organizations and explore countless ways to get involved.
- Belonging Week, set for Aug. 24-28, featuring a variety of special events to foster connections, inclusiveness and a community of belonging.
- Underway Adventures — SIU Student outdoor adventures begin on Aug. 29, with the first trip of the year to Bell Smith Springs.
- Touch of Nature Student Open House, Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7. Students will be able to experience all the activities offered at Touch of Nature as they enjoy the weekend away from campus.
Dozens of additional Weeks of Welcome activities are planned throughout the first three weeks of the semester, including ice cream socials, concerts on the lawn, family-friendly activities, Morris Library’s annual open house, cultural programs, networking opportunities, and a variety of social events designed to help students connect with everything SIU.
The full event schedule and additional information is available at wow.siu.edu.
SIU Alumni Association events
The SIU Alumni Association has upcoming events for students.
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 – 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Legacy Luncheon. Saluki alumni and their children who are first-year students at SIU Carbondale are welcome to join the association under the big tent in the courtyard behind the Guida-Moller Family Alumni Center at Woody Hall for a free lunch and welcome presentation.
- Wednesday, Sept. 2 – 8:30-10:30 a.m. Paws for 5. SIU Alumni Association staff members will be giving away free cups of coffee and donuts while supplies last in front of the Guida-Moller Family Alumni Center, located in the C-Wing of Woody Hall. Students are welcome to drop by, enjoy the refreshments and learn more about association programs for students.
Media advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover many of SIU’s welcome-back events.
The best times to visit Dawg Days, Aug. 9-12, at Touch of Nature, about 8 miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road, can be scheduled through their office. For additional information about Dawg Days, contact Andrew Taylor, coordinator of Campus Outdoor Programs and Sustainability, at 618-453-2906 or andrew.w.taylor@siu.edu.
Media is also welcome to cover activities as students move into residence halls, which is set for the following times and locations:
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 – First-year and other new students will move in at all residence hall locations, along with a select group of others including Dawg Days participants, aviation and automotive students, Saluki band members and some athletes, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 14 – Returning students begin moving in across campus, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
For details or an interview regarding move-in, contact Kendra Bumpus, director of University Housing and Residence Life, at kendra.bumpus@siu.edu or 618-453-2301 or Jim Hunsaker, senior associate director of operations, at 618-453-1067, 618-201-2211 (cell) or jhuns@siu.edu.
Other activities during Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome that offer excellent media coverage opportunities include:
- Light up the Lake, Thursday, Aug. 13, 7-9 p.m. at Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion.
- Saluki Kickoff Pep Rally, Friday, Aug. 14, 6-8 p.m. at Saluki Stadium.
- Dawgs Nite Out, Saturday, Aug. 15, 7-11 p.m. at the Student Center.
- Class of 2030 Convocation, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1-2 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium, with Chancellor Austin Lane and other university administrators.
- Chancellor’s Welcome Fest on Sunday, August 16, 2-4 p.m. on the Shryock Auditorium lawn.
- Chancellor Austin Lane will be giving students golf cart rides to classes as he chats and gets acquainted with them from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17. Videos will be available on the SIU Facebook pageand Chancellor Lane’s Facebook page.
For additional details, contact Charles Walker, interim director of New Student Programs, at cmwalker@siu.edu or 618-453-6411.