Before you dive into your first term of classes, we have a jam-packed week of exciting activities to help you become acclimated to campus life. From speakers, to socials, to signing your name on the sidewalk, join your fellow new wolves to begin making your mark at WOU!
By participating in PACK Welcome Week, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded and grant Western Oregon University the permission to use your image, voice, and likeness in any university materials or communications.
If you would like to request disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in a WOU activity or event, complete the online request form at least three (3) business days in advance. If you have questions, please contact Disability Access Services (DAS) at 503-838-8250 or [email protected].
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This presentation explores disability access at WOU, emphasizing that access is not limited to individuals with disabilities but that it benefits anyone whose learning is enhanced through flexible or alternative approaches. The session will define key concepts such as access and disability, outline the process for obtaining support, and offer tips for advocating for your needs in the classroom. We will also teach you basic sign languages!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Ready to see where your imagination can take you? In this interactive workshop, we're breaking the "rules" of traditional writing to explore the power of storytelling through different lenses.
Whether we are building scenes out of LEGOs, stepping through mysterious doorways, or crafting collaborative epics one sentence at a time, this session is all about creative problem-solving and finding your voice. No "perfect" grammar required—just a willingness to play, build, and connect with fellow students through the art of the narrative.
In this session, you will: - Connect with peers through shared creative challenges, - Develop adaptable storytelling skills applicable to any major, - Explore how visual and tactile prompts can jumpstart academic and personal writing, and - Most importantly, have fun through creativity.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Interested in joining choir? We have a choir for you! Come chat with us about the benefits and opportunities of being in a choir at WOU. We'll also discuss the audition process (it’s not scary!) and answer any other choir-related questions you may have. See you there!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
A 4.0 GPA isn't achieved overnight. Academic success takes time and a series of intentional decisions made over the course of a term in the face of all the challenges life may throw at us. But you are never alone! Join Student Success and Advising as we play a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style game in which we simulate a collegiate term, each week being asked to manage your time in unique ways with various obstacles along your path. We will teach you time management strategies as you go, clue you in on all the great academic resources WOU has to offer, and see if you have what it takes to make your first term one to remember!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Do you like Dungeons and Dragons? How about rolling dice? What about learning how to budget and save money? This session combines financial literacy with dice rolling by putting you into scenarios where you spend money before facing the final boss: paying your rent!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Looking to make new connections, share some laughs, and find your campus crew? Join us for Speed Friending — a fast-paced, low-pressure way to meet awesome new people!
Rotate through quick, fun conversations and leave with new friends (and maybe a few fun stories). Whether you're a social butterfly or just dipping your toes into campus life, everyone’s welcome. Plus, you'll get to meet the friendly faces behind the Office of Student Conduct, Dean of Student's and Abby's House — we’re more about community than you might think! Snacks, good vibes, and great connections are happening here!
Join Student Engagement to find the best involvement opportunity for you! In this session, we will cover everything from clubs and organizations to leadership opportunities on campus and everything in between. This session is perfect if you are unsure of how to get involved here at WOU! Come cultivate a sense of belonging with us!
Anxious about Canvas? Join WOU’s Center for Teaching and Learning for a no-pressure, interactive introduction to Canvas. Try out different ways to interact with course content and receive hands-on support, so that you can feel confident when you step into the classroom. Win prizes, eat snacks.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Are you interested in outdoor adventure, exploring the scenic wonders of Oregon, and making a positive contribution to the world around you? Are you looking for an exciting field of study leading to graduate school or employment opportunities in science education, environment, natural resource management, water resources, and geospatial technology? If the answer is yes, then consider a major and career in the Earth and Environmental Sciences. This session will provide an overview of the resources available to lead you down the pathway to success at WOU.
It's a big world... but how can you afford to live and travel abroad? Answer: by teaching English. There are more English as a second language users in the world than native speakers of English, and there is still demand for English teachers in countries where English is not a language used by most people at home. However, unlike in the past when any native speaker of English was assumed to be capable of teaching the language to students, today the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has become professionalized and schools want to hire trained English teachers. WOU's English Department offers a 22-credit TEFL Certificate that can be completed as a Minor in Linguistics and will complement any number of Majors from Business to Education to International or Interdisciplinary Studies or English Studies. Join us to learn about teaching abroad and answer any questions you have. Whether you make teaching your career or use your skills to live abroad for a year or two after graduating but before starting a career in the US, employers value experience abroad, and your life will never be the same.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Attend this session to get an overview of the annual financial aid timeline. From filing the FAFSA/ORSAA and Scholarships Yearly, to per term Census Date recalculations, and annual Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review, as well as information regarding new changes going into effect with regards to Federal Pell Grant & Direct Loans.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
This session will help students understand the benefits from working, as well as how to use Handshake to find opportunities. We will go over the paperwork needed for HR for on campus jobs, as well as ways to keep your position and be a good student employee.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
What requirements must be met in order to complete a degree at WOU? Where do you find those requirements? How do you know if you've completed them? We'll answer those questions, including how to navigate Degree Tracks, the system WOU uses to track progress toward your completion!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Math and science classes can be challenging. Faculty members from these departments invite you to learn about techniques that help students succeed. Current WOU students will share their experiences and thoughts on student success, as well as tips on how to connect with other students through clubs and organizations such as FEM in STEM, the Natural Science Club, the Pre-Med Club, the Math Club, and Byte Club. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the strategies and skills that will help them succeed at WOU. We welcome students who plan to major in math and sciences, as well as students who plan to major in other disciplines but want to do well in their General Education required courses.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Are you a Psychology major or thinking about becoming one? In this session, faculty from the Psychology Department will review the course requirements for the major, the approximate order in which students should complete the required courses, and special opportunities to get involved in the Psychology Department.
Come learn all there is to know about theatre at WOU!! We'll give you the haps on the curriculum, the shows, the design and tech opportunities, and how much cooler than everyone else we are!! ;)
Join us for an informative panel discussion led by the medical and administrative staff from the Student Health and Counseling Center. We will cover a range of topics, including types of services offered, confidentiality, and how to schedule an appointment.
Is cereal soup? Does pineapple belong on pizza? Should everyone have the right to vote? Is freedom of expression absolute? Learn how to engage in these conversations and many more as you navigate your time at WOU. You decide, this or that. You debate, topics of your choosing. You participate, we have giveaways. Let's engage in this interactive session to help us all better navigate conversations productively.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
So what's your major? - We've all been asked this question at least once by a well meaning adult (and maybe felt some fear in not having the "right" answer). However, roughly 80% of students change their majors at least once during their college careers. So why do we insist that students decide their major as soon as they step foot on campus? Here's a little secret...you don't have to know! Exploring different subjects before making any decisions about your major, especially if you're not sure what you want to do, is why we have the Exploratory Studies major option. In this session, we will play a round of "What's My Major?" Jeopardy to investigate the different job opportunities that come from a variety of different majors. The major and career pairings might surprise you and show you why being asked "what's your major?" isn't anything to fear!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
