Gator Weekend of Welcome
The 2024 Gator Weekend of Welcome (Gator WOW) is an event at Allegheny College that combines academic and social programming to help new and returning students kick off the new academic year.
Weekend of Welcome Schedule
Friday, August 23rd
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
New Student Move-In Campus Center
Arrive at the Campus Center at your scheduled move-in time and pick-up everything you need for the next week including your key, ID, and orientation information |
| 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Family and Supporter Table Campus Center Lobby
Stop by to grab a free drink and snack and meet representatives from the Meadville Independent Business Alliance. |
| 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
PNC Bank Representatives Campus Center
For your convenience, PNC Bank will be on campus during move-in to help you open your student checking account. PNC Bank’s Student Virtual Wallet checking account has many great features, including no minimum balance and no monthly fee for six years. PNC’s branch is located right down the street from campus. To open an account, a student will need two forms of ID and their social security number. |
| 12:00 p.m. |
How, What, and Why of Student EmploymentSessions at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Shafer Auditorium If you want to work on campus, attend one of these sessions to submit your employment forms (I-9, W-4, etc.). Bring with you the federally required identification (i.e. original driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, passport – copies cannot be accepted). |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Welcome Lunch for New Students of Color, First Generation and LGBTQIA+ Students Tillotson Room, Tippie Alumni Center
The welcome lunch provides students (and families) with an opportunity to hear from Allegheny community members that may share similar experiences such as going away to college, adjusting to a new town, or tips for culture shock. Establishing relationships is an essential part of adjusting to a new environment and we look to do just that amongst our communities of color and first generation students at Allegheny College. If you wish to attend the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) requests that you RSVP here (form link will be updated in mid-summer. |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Commuter Check-In Campus Center
Commuters will check in the Campus Center, get a campus tour, and see the Commuter Lounge, their own space on campus. |
| 3:00 p.m. |
How, What, and Why of Student EmploymentSessions at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Shafer Auditorium If you want to work on campus, attend one of these sessions to submit your employment forms (I-9, W-4, etc.). Bring with you the federally required identification (i.e. original driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, passport – copies cannot be accepted). |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Transfer Student Welcome Meeting Campus Center, 301/302
Meet your fellow Allegheny transfer students, get some swag, and check in with Amy Stearns, Director of Transfer Advising, to ensure you understand how your transfer credits will apply toward your Allegheny degree, finalize your fall course schedule, and troubleshoot any other transfer-related questions or issues. |
| 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
Family and Support Picnic Caflish Lawn / Rain Location – Campus Center
|
| 7:00 p.m. |
Class Photo (required)Required
Wise Center Blue Courts Join the entire class of 2028 for your first big introduction to each other and to take your class photo. |
| 7:15 p.m. |
Ice Breakers with the OLs & Campus Tour (Required)Required
Wise Center Blue Courts start |
| 9:00 p.m. |
Residence Hall Floor Meetings and Meet your Community (required)Required
Your Residence Hall (your RA will provide you with more details) Meet up with your RA and your neighbors to learn more about the residence halls. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet your community and get to know the people that live around you. You play a part in shaping the culture of your community. |
Saturday, August 24th
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Upper Class Move-In Campus Center
Upper Class Students will move in to Campus on Saturday |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. |
Breakfast Brooks Dining Hall or McKinley’s
|
| 9:45 a.m. |
Meeting With Your Orientation Leader Gator Quad
Meet with your OL and get ready for the day! |
| 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Required New Student Sessions Schultz Banquet Hall, Carnegie Hall and Pelletier Library
A required session as we discuss what it’s like to live in the Allegheny College community. A community focused on consent, healthy choices, setting boundaries and bystander intervention. Followed by a question and answer with key campus partners and resources. |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
Transfer Student Lunch Pelletier Library Collaboratory
Come enjoy lunch and get to know staff from the Career Center and all the ways they can support you as a new transfer student. |
| 1:15 p.m. |
Transfer Student Campus Tour Pelletier Library
Campus Tour for new Transfer students; After lunch starting at Pelletier Library. |
| 3:00 p.m. |
Introduction to Dr. William C. Jason Diversity Lounge Brooks Hall
Enjoy a brief walkthrough of the Dr. William C. Jason Diversity Lounge. Named after the first African American graduate of Allegheny College in 1888. This is a safe space for the community of all Gators for meetings, relaxation and studying. |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Gator OuterStater Social Campus Center 301/302
Are you from out of state? Come meet other fellow students that are from out of State, learn about the special things about Meadville and everything you need to know. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
LGBTQIA+ Mixer with IDEAS Center Campus Center 301/302
Join the IDEAS Center as the team creates a comfortable environment for upper class and first year students to mingle, build some campus connections, and get to know the Center and various campus resources. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Gator Night in the Campus Center & Gator Quad Campus Center and Gator Quad
Come to the Campus Center and enjoy a variety of activities and meet new people! Spike Ball, Cornhole, crafts, Game Room, and more! |
| 8:00 p.m. |
Free Money Game Show Campus Center, Shafer Auditorium
Join in with your fellow Gators for a chance to win some Free Money! Come ready to play an interactive Game Show and have some fun, it is as simple as that! |
| 9:00 p.m. |
Late Night Breakfast Brooks Circle
Come participate in one of our traditions throughout the years. |
Sunday, August 25th
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m. |
Hillel Bagel Brunch Campus Center 301/302
Allegheny Hillel and the Fellow of Jewish Life invite new and returning students to meet Jewish students, faculty, and staff and have time to gather and learn about opportunities. |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Christian Meet & Greet (and Eat!) Pelletier Library Patio
A chance for new and returning students to meet each other, and hear more about Christian ministry on campus. Food included! |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Muslim Meet and Greet PAM House (Prayer & Meditation House)
Islamic Cultural Association and the Fellow of Muslim Life invites new and returning students to gather, learn about opportunities, and meet Muslim students, faculty, and staff. |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Brunch with OLs Various Locations
|
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Sustainability Pop-in Carr Hall Garden (the Carr-den)
Drop by anytime to explore the campus’s organic vegetable garden and permaculture food forest, meet our chickens, and learn more about sustainability at Allegheny. Rain plan: Join us in the Office of Sustainability (in the basement of Tippie Hall) for upcycled crafts and Carrden snacks. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Building an Inclusive Community (required)Required
Wise Center, Blue Courts Join your fellow first-year students for an interactive activity that introduces you to identities that help shape who you are and provide an opportunity to discuss identities with your peers in a comfortable environment |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Woodcock Lake Park Trip Woodcock Lake Park-Buses will leave outside of Wise Center on Highland Avenue
If you want to get off campus for a bit, take a bus to Woodcock Lake Park to experience walking across the 1 mile long dam, hiking at Bossard Nature Trail across the street, and disc golf course. Buses leave at 2 p.m. from outside of the Wise Center on Highland Avenue and will return at 4 p.m. Woodcock Lake is just 10 minutes away. Bring water shoes if you plan to explore the creek at Bossard Nature Area. Register here. |
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Camp Allegheny & Food Trucks Gator Quad (Rain Location: Campus Center Lobby)
Come experience the last days of summer with camp-themed fun. You can choose your favorite camp activity or try something brand new. Activities will include arts and crafts, lawn games, food trucks, and even a chance to decorate your class’ plank. |
| 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
Catholic Mass Ford Memorial Chapel
Catholic Campus Minister Fr. Jeff Lucas celebrates Mass for students, staff, and Meadville residents. |
| 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Welcome Picnic and Rosary Ford Memorial Chapel Lawn
Mass attendees are invited to gather for a picnic dinner after which the Rosary will be prayed. |
| 8:30 p.m. |
Stock Your Room Bingo: Presented by GAP (Gator Activities Programming) Campus Center Lobby
Everyone loves bingo! GAP will be hosting their annual Stock Your Room Bingo with opportunities for everyone to try and walk away with amazing prizes for your room. You don’t want to miss the chance to win BIG! |
Monday, August 26th
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. |
Meeting with your Orientation Leader Senior Circle (Rain Location: 2nd Floor of Campus Center)
Meet your orientation leader and catch up on the weekend and get ready for your academic orientation to Allegheny. |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Matriculation and Convocation (required)Required
Shafer Auditorium (due to rain) The formal “beginning” of your Allegheny journey. You will process through campus and be welcomed by the entire Allegheny Community! Think of Matriculation and Commencement being the bookends to your Allegheny experience. |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
Meet your Advisor (required)Required
Various Locations Your first group meeting with your advisor to get prepared for the semester. |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Campus Picnic Brooks Dining Hall (Due to Rain)
|
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Celebration of Summer Research and Scholarship Campus Center Lobby
Come join students, faculty, staff and community partners to learn about the research, scholarship and experiences that have been done throughout this summer and about how to pursue similar opportunities during your time at Allegheny.
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
Wellness Walkabouts |
| 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. |
Sundaes on Monday Lawrence Lee Pelletier Library
Get a preview of all the resources the library has to offer you over your next four years. Learn a little bit about all these areas and be rewarded with ice cream and a chance to win a prize. |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Hangout in Residence Hall with RAs Your Residence Hall
Keep your eye out for information from your RA about an activity! RAs will be planning an event just for you with snacks provided. This is a great chance to build a strong relationship with both your RA and your neighbors. |
Tuesday, August 27th
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. |
Classes Begin!Get into the groove of the school year! Remember to contact any of our support offices if you find yourself in need! |
Week of Welcome Campus Hours and Services
Campus Center
- August 15th – August 22nd: unlocked – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; card access 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Friday August 23rd – Saturday August 24th: unlocked 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; card access 6:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Sunday, August 25th: unlocked 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; card access 6:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Monday August 26th: Regular Hours Resume
Wise Sport and Fitness Center
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Merriman Campus Store and Post Office
Hours are subject to change depending on staffing availability.
- The Post Office and Book store will be open August 13th – 25th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Normal Post office and Bookstore hours will resume on Monday August 26th.
- Post Office 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Book Store – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday,
- Book Store – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays while classes are in session
Pelletier Library
Pelletier Library will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
After the Weekend of Welcome, please check for library hours.
Wi-Fi Support and ITS
- Weekend of Welcome Hours – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Students who need support connecting their devices can visit the IT help desk website.
- For non Wi-Fi related requests, please submit a ticket with Allegheny ITS at webhelp.allegheny.edu.
- Phone: 814-332-2755
- Normal walk-in hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Murray Hall
Parking Passes
Please complete the parking pass registration form on your Self-Service. Parking passes are available for pickup in Murray Hall at the Public Safety desk 24/7. See screenshots on how to fill out your Vehicle Registration.
Dining
Brooks Dining Hall – Will be open during move-in – Normal Hours resume 8/23/24
Brooks is our all-you-care-to-eat dining hall on campus. Featuring a unique mix of stations to please everyone. Brooks uses your meal swipes, one swipe per entry. Brooks is open for Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m., 5:00-8:30 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 5:00-8:30 p.m.
McKinley’s Food Court (inside the Campus Center) – will not be open until 8/23/24
McKinley’s is your own campus food court.
Retail Items available at the Checker/Cashier Stations
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
