Fall Fest 2019 | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
With First Weekend right around the corner, new students may have questions about the large, three-day event. First Weekend takes place from August 20-22 and is packed with welcome activities, speakers and events to help new students acclimate to student life.
Associate Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Debbie Lamp answered some commonly asked questions.
Do I need to attend first weekend?
All first-year students attending Wright State University are expected at First Weekend. It is the final step in orientation and the best way for students to feel acclimated to campus and meet other people.
Do commuter students have to preregister?
Commuter students must register for First Weekend. This is how the event planners know if commuter students want meals and what T-shirt size they need.
Do commuters have to purchase meal tickets?
Commuters do not have to eat on campus at all if they do not want to. It is recommended that they purchase meal tickets all weekend, but at least for Friday, since there is not much time to eat. Meal times are also a great time to visit with other students.
“The meals don’t have a ton of time built around them the whole day, so it might be difficult for them to run off campus to get some,” Lamp said.
Can commuters come to party in the woods?
Party in the Woods takes place August 19 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Students should have received a post card in the mail containing all first weekend information. Although First Weekend does not technically start until Friday, commutes are encouraged to attend Party in the Woods.
Do I need a parking pass for First Weekend?
Parking permits are not required for First Weekend, but students are expected to at least begin the process of paying and ordering the parking permit. Permits will be required once the fall semester begins.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
“We want them to be comfortable,” Lamp said. “We completely understand that it potentially is a place to be seen and its first impressions, but again, whatever you are comfortable in. Be authentic.”
Each student will receive a green shirt upon arrival at First Weekend. According to Lamp, students do not have to wear the shirt all day, but should plan to put it on for a group picture at the beginning of First Weekend.
Students may want to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes for walking.
What should I expect?
“They may see that the day is back to back to back, and again that is by design, so that we can put as much information in there as possible,” Lamp said.
Students should expect First Friday to be busier and Saturday and Sunday to be a bit more relaxed. Students will have the opportunity on Saturday and Sunday to spend more time with other students they meet.
How can I get involved?
If students are looking to get involved, they should attend Do the U during First Friday from 4-6 p.m., sign up for some organizations and start following them on their social media.
“We don’t have carrier pigeons or smoke signals or planes flying over with banners but I feel like the students do pretty much everything else beyond that.”
