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 accommodations, and outline the process for obtaining support.
Dive into the world of leadership with this brief introduction into the topic! We'll talk about the various ways to lead on campus, and opportunities to develop ourselves and our own skills. After all, we will each find ourselves in a leadership position at one time or another. This fun and interactive session will focus on the understanding that leadership is a skill and that it can be developed - what we do with that information is up to us.
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.
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.
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.
An interactive presentation on what the rugby community and culture at WOU looks like. Come learn a little bit about the history of the program, meet a couple players and find out how you can get involved! We might even make a quick trip out to the field to show you the basics!
Get started playing notes and chords on the world’s friendliest instrument! WOU guitar instructor Zak Zundel will teach a jump-start class on ukulele to welcome new students to campus and introduce incoming freshmen to the music department. Instruments are provided to the first 20 students who need one.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Ride Into Welcome Week with WOU Equestrian at the Mini Pony Photo Stop & Golden Ticket Prize event. Meet a miniature pony up close for fun photo opportunities, snap the perfect campus memory, and learn more about the Western Oregon University Equestrian Team while you're there. Don't forget to grab your Golden Ticket for a chance to win an exclusive “Meet the Horses” barn visit and grooming session with the team horses. . . an experience that gets you behind the scenes with the team. Whether you're curious about riding, love animals, or just looking for something fun to do on campus, this is your chance to connect, win, and discover what the equestrian team is all about.
Thursday September 24, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT The Grove
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!
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!
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!
All are welcome! Whatever your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, this session wants to celebrate you and make sure you know what Western has to offer you. Join us to meet new people while learning about available resources, helpful hints, and networking on campus.
Do you like to learn about culture and celebrate diversity? Come meet the Multicultural Student Union, one of the most active and influential student organizations at WOU that promotes cultural awareness on campus and in the surrounding community. Don't miss out on this event to hangout with friends and come have some fun!
Get started playing notes and chords on the world’s friendliest instrument! WOU guitar instructor Zak Zundel will teach a jump-start class on ukulele to welcome new students to campus and introduce incoming freshmen to the music department. Instruments are provided to the first 20 students who need one.
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." -Coretta Scott King
Come enjoy an ITALIAN SODA and meet some important folks that can fill you in on different aspects of life at Western Oregon University - from ways to report things to other campus resources. We will have you covered.
Between studying, extracurriculars, group projects, and trying to maintain a social life, who has time for more? We sure don’t. Welcome to the Purpose Pop-Up, a volunteer fair focused on one-time volunteer opportunities.
Local organizations will be here sharing information on episodic volunteer events—think painting a community mural on a Saturday morning, helping run a 5K fundraiser, or packing meals for an afternoon. Show up, make a massive impact, and walk away with zero ongoing obligations...or not - it's up to you!
Facilitated by Cristian Mendez Garcia, Assistant Director of HSI Initiatives. This much-loved game, or juego, rose from being the pastime of social elites to a national phenomenon played by friends and familia at fiestas throughout the country. Similar to bingo and the original Mexican lotería cards, our version features vibrant pictures of objects, and characters that will soon become everyday symbols for you at Western Oregon University. So if you want to have fun and possibly win some great prizes, join us for an exciting game of HSI Loteria!
Cultural Connections is a program sponsored by the PACE (Peer Allies for College Engagement) Program within the Multicultural Student Services & Programs Office, that is designed to provide an orientation opportunity to culturally diverse students. You will have a chance to meet MSSP staff members, the PACE Coordinators and the PACE Mentors that are current students who are excited to work with you and share information about programs and leadership opportunities on campus. Our goal is to support you as you make your transition to Western Oregon University. There is one Cultural Connections Session each week day of Pack Welcome Week and there will be a drawing for prizes at each session! For those of you that attend all of the Cultural Connection sessions, you will be in the drawing for the grand prize at the final session of the week!
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.
Unlock your relationship radar: learn how to spot green & red flags while dating, and what consent actually looks like with sexual activity. Come for the chats, stay for the snacks. Fries will be provided*
*Limited number of fries will be available. First come first served!
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Intramural and Club Sports are a great way to meet meet new people, be active and scratch that competitive itch! Come to this session to learn the difference between Intramural and Club Sports and for information on how to join each.
You have financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, loans, but now what? Learn how and when these funds get applied to your bill, including what happens when you have more money than your bill, how is the refund processed? What if you still owe money - what options do you have? Hear from the WOU Financial Aid Office and Business Office to learn the WOU resources to help you understand your financial aid and manage your bill.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
If life is like a box of chocolates, WOU is like a box of interlocking bricks. Come to our session to learn how to write your instruction manual, to build the YOU that you want to be.
