The Class of 2027 arrives at U of M Twin Cities, setting records and representing Minnesota’s diversity

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (08/28/23) — Leading into the fall semester, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus will welcome an exceptional class of students that is one of the largest and the most diverse in campus history. Roughly 6,700 first-year students and 1,600 transfer students arrive starting with residence hall move-in on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a series of activities designed to help them develop a sense of belonging and understanding of campus life.

Welcome Week — Wednesday, August 30 through Monday, September 4 — is much more than a simple welcome to campus. It’s a transition program that provides an opportunity for new Gophers to quickly adjust to student life, connect with new peers, learn their way around and discover resources and University traditions.

Over 200 Welcome Week Leaders — upper-class student volunteers — will help guide students through a variety of activities and events, such as:

• Pride & Spirit, Wednesday, Aug. 30  at 8 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium 
  Interim President Jeff Ettinger will welcome students in person before they learn gameday cheers and traditions, as well as take the giant “M” photo on the football field.
• New Student Convocation, Thursday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at Northrop Auditorium (livestreamed at 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.)
  Convocation is the official welcome ceremony for the Class of 2027. Media must RSVP and are encouraged to attend the 9 a.m. session to maximize visual opportunities, including the Marching Band interacting with students as they exit around 9:45 a.m.
• ExploreU, Saturday, Sept. 2 from 1 - 4:30 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium
  This event gives new students a chance to connect with student groups as well as local businesses and organizations. 

Welcome Week is hosted by Orientation & Transition Experiences in the Office of Undergraduate Education, and made possible through the hard work of hundreds of University employees and volunteers as well as numerous campus and community partners.

Media Note: Welcome Week events are generally closed to the public but media are invited to join for Pride & Spirit on Aug. 30 and New Student Convocation on August 31. Media interested in attending Convocation must RSVP to Christopher Kelly ([email protected]) to guarantee access as space is limited.