Welcome home!
Your Gateway to Notre Dame.
What is Welcome Weekend?
As your gateway into life as a student at Notre Dame, Welcome Weekend seeks to share the unique characteristics of our Catholic, Holy Cross undergraduate educational experience, introduce and inspire engagement in academic, residential, and co-curricular life, demonstrate our commitment to a safe and inclusive environment of teaching and learning, and facilitate the exploration of University resources available to you and your family. At Notre Dame, we believe education takes place in the context of genuine and meaningful communion with others. Thus, Welcome Weekend serves as an opportunity for our growing community to authentically encounter and embrace all students, with all of your gifts, knowledge, imperfections, and distinctiveness.
Welcome Weekend takes place during the days immediately preceding the start of classes and is required of all new students. These days consist of moving into your new residence, meeting your hall staff and fellow hallmates, connecting with faculty and staff from all corners of campus, accessing academic, spiritual, and wellness resources, and acknowledging this significant time of transition for you and your family.
If you have questions:
Email us or Review the email communications sent to students and parents
When is Welcome Weekend?
Undergraduate classes will begin on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Welcome Weekend is planned for incoming first-year students Friday, August 18, 2023 - Monday, August 21, 2023 and for new transfer students Thursday, August 17 - Monday, August 21. Parent and family programming concludes in the evening on Saturday, August 19. Additional student-only opportunities and events will continue throughout the first week of classes.
Additional information regarding welcome activities for first-year and transfer students is available throughout this website and information for exchange students is available from Notre Dame International and International Student and Scholar Affairs.
Residence Hall Move In
Experience a radical spirit of hospitality as the St. André Committee greets you and your family, helps unload your belongings, and introduces you to your new residence hall community. Check out the Office of Residential Life website for details regarding the move-in process.
University Welcome
The University Welcome formally begins your journey as a Notre Dame student. Join Fr. John I. Jenkins C.S.C., University President, and other senior leaders to learn about how Notre Dame's distinct environment of teaching and learning can transform your life.
Moreau First Year Experience Course
What are you searching for? What do you believe? What will you encounter? Questions like this will animate your first semester as a student at Notre Dame and take center stage in the Moreau FYE course. As a first-year student, you begin with a monumental first class session celebration with your classmates and, together, ignite the next chapter of your academic journey.
DomerFest
DomerFest provides a carnival atmosphere of fun, free games, free food, inflatables, and music for all incoming students. With new residence hall pride, wear your Welcome Weekend residence hall shirt and celebrate your new community of classmates.
First Trip to the Grotto
This special visit to the very heart of our campus gives you the chance to gather with your new classmates, roommates, and friends to reflect on your hopes and goals as you begin your time at Notre Dame. This “first visit” may be the first of many.
First Lecture Series
The First Lecture series invites first-year students to engage with the scholarly life of our distinct university community, integrating intellectual passion and a keenly developed moral responsibility. Join some of Notre Dame’s most dynamic and notable faculty to consider: “What matters?” and “What should we do about it?”
Moreau Course and First Lecture Locations
Each FYS 10101: Moreau section will meet individually. The link below uses your NetID to produce your personalized location information for your Welcome Weekend Moreau Class Sessions (Saturday and Monday) and First Lecture Series (Saturday). Note: Please pay particular attention to your Welcome Weekend Moreau Class Session location(s). The Moreau classroom space you'll use during Welcome Weekend is different than your normal Moreau classroom location listed on your fall course schedule.
