Welcome Weekend

August 23-26, 2024

Welcome Weekend is the beginning of many Taylor traditions. Along with Taylor’s First-Year Experience program, Welcome Weekend can help you meet new friends, make the transition academically, and provide opportunities for you to know yourself and God in a deeper way.

New Student/Transfer Schedule Parent/Family Schedule Comprehensive Schedule

A Taylor student helping move in a freshman

A group of students in yellow shirts laughing

A student jumping over another student outside Bergwall Hall

Michael and Rebecca Lindsay helping freshmen move in

A student in a teal shirt helping freshmen move in

Student Body Vice President, Jorge Martinez de Santiago helping freshmen move in

Dr Michael Lindsay shaking hands with a student next to a TU golf cart

Welcome Weekend & Orientation Details

August 23 (Friday) to August 24 (Saturday)—Welcome Weekend for Students and Families
August 24 (Saturday) to August 26 (Monday)—New Student Orientation for First-Time and Transfer Students
Early Arrivals:
- International Orientation begins August 20 (Tuesday).
- Athletes, check with your coach for arrival details.

Important Notes

Residence halls will be open for move-in from 8 am–6 pm. After your vehicle receives a welcome from the President, please check in at your residence hall prior to moving in. We encourage all move-in activity to be completed within those hours.
Transfer students are invited to move in on Friday and participate in Welcome Weekend and New Student Orientation.
Move-in for upperclassmen starts at 10 am on Saturday, August 24.

Other Helpful Links

Campus Map—Need help finding your way around? This campus map will provide you with building names and information. You will also be able to find a printed map at the front desk of each residence hall.
Computer and Network Registration—Connect your devices to Taylor’s WiFi.
Area Information—Lodging, Dining, Maps/Directions, etc.
Weather Forecast

FAQs

Is Welcome Weekend for the entire family or just for students and parents?

Your entire family is absolutely welcome on campus, but it’s completely up to you who you choose to bring.

When do families typically leave to head home?

You and your family are welcome to stay in the area and participate in all the events on Friday and Saturday morning. These events include an Information Fair and Celebration Service on Friday as well as a Dedication Service and Farewell Brunch on Saturday morning. Parents are then encouraged to say their goodbyes at 1 pm on Saturday as the rest of the programming that weekend will be for students only.

What should we do once our son/daughter is moved into their residence hall?

The residence halls open at 8 am and you will have the entire day to move in. The other events on the schedule that day are options for you when you are done moving in. You may want to run to the store with your son/daughter to get any missing supplies they need, go to Ivanhoe’s to get ice cream, check out a local coffee shop, explore campus, walk around Taylor Lake and Taylor Woods, or check out the Campus Store. There will be a Parent and Family Hospitality Corner at the Memorial Prayer Chapel if you need a space to relax and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. The day will really be what you want it to be. I’d encourage you to be back on campus in time for the evening Welcome Celebration Service, however, as this is such a meaningful highlight of Welcome Weekend. On Saturday morning, we have a special Dedication Service and Farewell Brunch before you say goodbye to your student.

Do we have to eat our meals on campus during Welcome Weekend?

Student can begin utilizing their meal plans starting at Friday lunchtime. Every new student will receive two complimentary meal tickets to the Friday Dinner and Saturday Farewell Brunch. Meal tickets may be purchased for additional family members should they want to join. More information regarding meals and dining services will be posted to the Welcome Weekend website in July.

You are also very welcome to enjoy any of the local food options in the area.

Is there a reliable shuttle to take students to/from the Indianapolis or Fort Wayne airports?

Yes. The name of the company is Hoosier Shuttle. The shuttle will drop off/pick up passengers at the Cracker Barrel restaurant at exit 259 on I-69.

If we are coming from overseas, when should I arrive to campus?

For our international students/families, International Orientation takes place the week leading up to Welcome Weekend, August 20–22. The Office of International Programs oversees this event. Nate Chu is the Director of International Student Programs and can answer your questions.

After International Orientation, we would love for you to stay and participate in all the Welcome Weekend events on Friday and Saturday if you are able. These events will include an Information Fair and Welcome Celebration Service on Friday as well as a Dedication Service and Farewell Brunch on Saturday morning. Parents are then encouraged to say their goodbyes at 1pm on Saturday as the rest of the programming that weekend will be for students only.

Does Taylor provide housing accommodations for parents or families on campus?

We do not have housing accommodations for parents/families. You will need to make your own arrangements. Find some lodging options in the area.

How do we know if my student needs to take a proficiency exam?

While proficiency testing is available for all students, not all students will need to take them and can be determined by ACT/SAT scores. When your student receives their fall schedule information from the Registrar’s Office, there should also be information about whether he/she will need to take a proficiency test. Proficiency testing will be offered at Summer Orientation on June 14, throughout the summer on an individual basis, and during the first week of the semester.

Further questions about proficiency testing can be directed to Cindi Carder at jccarder@taylor.edu. For questions regarding language placement and testing, please contact Melinda Clester at melinda_clester@taylor.edu.

When can upperclassmen begin moving in?

Returning students can begin moving in on Saturday at 10 am.

When do classes begin?

Classes begin at 5 pm on Monday with the first full day being Tuesday.

Questions?

Email WelcomeWeekend@taylor.edu.

*The First-Year Experience® is a service mark of the University of South Carolina. A license may be granted upon written request to use the term The First-Year Experience in association with educational programmatic approaches to enhance the first college year. This license is not transferable without written approval of the University of South Carolina.