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].
Sign up or log in to add sessions to your schedule and sync them to your phone or calendar.
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.
Did you know that ASWOU serves and supports all students on campus? Come learn about all things student government at Western: who they are, what they do, how to share your needs and opinions as a student, and how to get involved!
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.
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!
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.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
You have skills and charisma, but what has it done for you lately? Attend this session to learn about scholarship resources - where to start, and where to apply, to help you uncover options to help you pay for college.
This learning experience will introduce the audience to the Blue Zones, which are areas of the world where higher than usual numbers of people live much longer than average. Within these Blue Zones are common elements of lifestyle, diet, and outlook that have allowed residents to achieve longer, better lives. During this learning experience, participants will learn about and engage with the nine powerful but simple lessons that can put us on a path to better health, well-being, and longevity.
Come sing with us! We are a fun and friendly group who enjoys making music together. At this ED session you will make friends, learn some songs (some that may be familiar and others that night be new), as well as hearing about our club such as audition info, and what it is like to be apart of the West of Us A Capella Club! No experience is required.
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.
Come learn about how the newspaper, radio show, podcast studio, and art magazine happen, and why they need you! Student-run, student-made, and student-led, Student Media at WOU is your chance to publish, produce, create, and find an audience for your passions. Whether you want to investigate stories, write poetry, edit articles, record podcasts, or do a music hour, there’s something for every skill level and interest.
Dew glistens on the summer grass as the sun breaks over the horizon. A new generation of heroes has arrived in the fabled town of Mönmyth! They have a long adventure ahead of them, but they must first devise their plan. Can these heroes craft a budget in time to face off against a sinister Golden Dragon?
Join us for a personal finance session taught in the stylings of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Improve your understanding of basic budgeting while partaking in a collaborative storytelling game. No prior experience in either is required.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Join us for an informative panel discussion led by the counselors from the Student Health and Counseling Center. Our counselors will cover a range of topics, including the counseling process, confidentiality, types of services offered, and how to prepare for your appointment.
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.
NOTE: This session is also offered in a later Ed Session Block.
Gaining Title IX knowledge might not be on your list of to-do's this welcome week, but it will be when you realize you can do it with the help of a miniature pony!! Join the Title IX Coordinator (with the help of WOU's Equestrian team members) in a friendly competition involving obstacles, Title IX trivia, and Cookie Monster (the wonder pony)!!
Wednesday September 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT The Grove
So, you heard college was free… but then you got an unexpected email about a bill. Now what? Join our session to learn how to navigate your student account and stay on top of your finances with confidence!
The Student Activities Board (SAB) is open to any WOU student. We plan high-quality events for the entire campus community, relying on our spirited, motivated members to make them happen. Through hands-on involvement, our Executive Board and General Members build leadership and event-planning skills by participating in meetings and organizing events together.
We help coordinate beloved campus traditions such as Homecoming Week, the Holiday Tree Lighting, Casino Night, and Sunrise and Sunset events. We also plan a variety of other engaging programs, including WOU Spirit Incentive Events, hire performers like mini drag shows and mental health speakers, the Bear Boutique stuffed bear giveaway, Movie and Craft Night, and Paint and Chill.
Whether you're looking to attend exciting events or help plan the next big thing on campus, this session will show you how to get involved with SAB.
This course examines people who have made a contribution to peace in the world and explores the ways in which we can create a more peaceful society. We will discuss the lives and works of peacemakers such as Martin Luther King, Mohandas Gandhi, and Dorothy Day.
Starting college with a disability or chronic illness can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone! This session is about finding community, sharing real experiences, and learning how to navigate this new challenge… college life!
Come check out and join WOU’s Disability and Chronic Illness Club to learn about support, resources, and community here on campus.
Whether you're newly navigating a diagnosis, have years of experience, or you're a disability ally, you belong here.
Picture it- a new city, new people, new adventures. This could be your life if you participate with the National Student Exchange! Spend anywhere from 1 term to 1 year studying at one of the nearly 200 schools, including in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada! Spend some time learning about the program, the logistics for application and what you need as a student to have an experience of a lifetime.
Stop by our Basic Needs Space to learn more about what the Food Pantry and Stitch Closet on campus has to offer. We have FREE professional interview attire, casual clothing items, WOU Gear and FREE grocery items! Whether you're curious, need support, or just want to snag some goodies, this event is for you.
Come and ask a panel of WOU students questions about anything EXCEPT their sexuality and see if you can pick out who is straight! The Stonewall Center Coordinator will facilitate a discussion on stereotypes and sexuality.
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!
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.
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!
"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!
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.
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!
Dew glistens on the summer grass as the sun breaks over the horizon. A new generation of heroes has arrived in the fabled town of Mönmyth! They have a long adventure ahead of them, but they must first devise their plan. Can these heroes craft a budget in time to face off against a sinister Golden Dragon?
Join us for a personal finance session taught in the stylings of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Improve your understanding of basic budgeting while partaking in a collaborative storytelling game. No prior experience in either is required.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Learn more about WOU as we walk and learn about three unique trees on our campus and the WOU Tree Campus effort, and help plant a new tree to build your legacy at WOU.
