UMD News Releases

Projected Total Enrollment is 10,700
Freshman Enrollment Projected at 2,200

90% of Freshman to Live on Campus

Total of 3,020 Students to Live on Campus

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) New Student Move-In Days are set for Thursday August 28 (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Friday, August 29 (9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.), filling the campus with students, parents, grandparents, and siblings as well as food, music, fun and campus orientation activities. Unloading of vehicles will take place at Lake Superior Hall and Griggs Hall. Food tents will be set up near "Griggs Beach" (behind Lake Superior Hall).

ALSO--UMD is proud to announce the inaugural year of its FRESHMAN SUCCESS PROGRAM----"WELCOME WEEK & BULLDOG BASH". Building on 12 years of its optional Bulldog Bash program, UMD has taken a leap forward this year by creating a program that will help all freshman students with their transition to the college and the community. The new program, "WELCOME WEEK & BULLDOG BASH" is required for all new freshman students and features a greatly expanded and comprehensive schedule of events.

The program is an all-campus effort that will involve more than 100 faculty, 150 staff members, 175 student leaders and 2,200 freshman students.

Note: A complete description of the exciting new program is explained below.

ALL freshman students will participate in "WELCOME WEEK & BULLDOG BASH" events beginning on Friday, August 29 and continuing through Monday, September 1. Fall-semester classes begin at UMD on Tuesday, September 2.

Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin, along with vice chancellors, deans, professors and staff, will be on hand to meet, greet and welcome students and their families as students move into their campus residence halls.

As the "Chancellor's Welcome Team" greets parents, answers questions and visits with students, all will be wearing special Chancellor's Welcome Team t-shirts. Over 150 student volunteers from a variety of campus organizations will also be on hand to assist students and their families. The volunteers will "fetch and tote" helping with moving chores and providing information on student clubs and activities.

For a complete schedule of programs and activities for WELCOME WEEK & BULLDOG BASH events please see
http://www.d.umn.edu/fye/freshmen/bash/

ABOUT THE NEW, EXPANDED UMD WELCOME WEEK & BULLDOG BASH

University of Minnesota Duluth is proud to announce the inaugural year of its new freshman-success program, Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash. Building on 12 years of its optional Bulldog Bash program, UMD has taken a leap forward this year by creating a program that will help all freshman students with their transition to the college and the community. The new program, Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash, is required for all new freshman students and features an expanded and more comprehensive schedule of events.

"We know that certain experiences at the beginning of a student's freshman year can have a tremendous impact on that student's transition from high school to college," says Megan Perry-Spears, Program Coordinator for First Year Experience in the UMD Office of First Year Experience & Students in Transition. "Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash will help all freshmen learn the basics of college success. The program focuses on academic achievement, student-to-student connections, connection to campus and community, and students' role in their own success."

All freshman students will participate in Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash events beginning on Friday, August 29 and continuing through Monday, September 1. Fall-semester classes begin at UMD on Tuesday, September 2.

Students living on campus will arrive on Thursday, August 28 to settle into their new living spaces. Commuter and off-campus students begin the program with the Commuter Student Welcome on Friday, August 29. The Commuter Student Welcome includes survival tips for freshmen living off-campus and will also feature Thomas DeMinico, student coordinator for the UMD Better Neighbors Program. Thomas will talk with the commuter students about building positive relationships with other residents in their neighborhood.

Required events for all students begin with the Chancellor's Welcome & Convocation on Friday, August 29 at 1:00 p.m. in Romano Gymnasium. Chancellor Kathryn Martin will provide a kick-off for the academic year and will share her vision for a successful undergraduate education at UMD. Parents and families are welcome to attend the Welcome & Convocation event, although seating is limited.

Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash features a number of brand-new initiatives at UMD. New highlights of Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash include:

• Rock Groups: All freshmen will be assigned to groups of approximately 15 new students, led by a current UMD student-leader. These groups will meet 6 times during the program, and provide opportunities for freshmen to meet one another, explore the campus and neighborhood, and get their questions answered before classes begin. Every new student will have individual attention during his or her first days on campus.
• College Welcome Events: Each of the five undergraduate colleges is hosting events for their new students. Freshmen will meet with faculty and administrators to talk about academic expectations, the purpose of a college education, academic achievement, and academic achievement.
• "Building Success at College" Workshop Series: Each freshman student will attend three workshops of their choice; students will sign up for workshops they believe will benefit them most in their first semester at UMD. Each of the 65 workshop options are broadly tied to the theme of building success at college, and are being presented by faculty and staff members from across the campus.
• UMD and Duluth Rocks: Students are encouraged to explore beyond the boundaries of the UMD campus. Students will have the option to explore Duluth by foot, by bicycle or by bus. These events primarily take place on Sunday afternoon, although many students will be touring the near-campus neighborhood on Monday morning.

Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash is coordinated by the Office of First Year Experience & Students in Transition. The program is an all-campus effort that will involve more than 100 faculty, 150 staff members, 175 student leaders and 2,200 freshman students.

REQUIRED events for freshmen end on Monday, September 1. Kirby Student Center continues Bulldog Bash with events for all UMD students through the first week of fall-semester classes.

Schedules of events are posted online:

• Welcome Week & Bulldog Bash: August 28-September 1
  http://www.d.umn.edu/fye/freshmen/bash/
• Bulldog Bash events through Kirby Student Center, September 2-September 6
  http://www.d.umn.edu/kirby/ (Check the Student Events Calendar)