A Look at Welcome Week: The Role of College Unions and Student Activities in Welcoming Students

Members of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Central Office staff went on the road on August 18-24, 2011, making stops at 20 institutions in six states during the course of seven days. The ACUI Campus Tour: Welcome Week 2011 included visits with college union and student activities staff and students at a variety of institution types with a range of organizational models. Key trends observed about the role of the unions and activities during those first weeks of the year: (1) Host events that will draw students into the union; (2) Introduce students to ways of getting involved in campus life; (3) Serve as a hub of information for students and other members of the campus community; (4) Provide needed services for students; (5) Play a role in the coordinating and hosting of orientation and welcome events; and (6) Recruit and train student employees that will serve as ambassadors for the union. These trends are presented throughout this publication.