Each year, Student Involvement invites all Fresno State students to take part in events around campus that connect them to their peers and the university, later becoming some of their favorite college memories — commencement celebrations, cheering at the homecoming game, watching performances at Vintage Days, celebrating the start of the school year at Welcome Week.

As part of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Student Involvement works to foster a sense of belonging on campus for students as well as affinity for the university.

Each event hosted by Student Involvement has its own unique purpose, features and atmosphere. Most recently, Student Involvement hosted Welcome Week, celebrating the start of the academic year and connecting students with resources to aid in their success.

This year’s Welcome Week festivities took place throughout the first week of the semester and hosted over 5,000 student attendees.

Interim Associate Dean Amy Allen said, "Welcome Week brings out the energy of the campus and seeks to help students feel included and connected to our campus. We build Bulldog spirit and pride in the university … we provide access to resources for students and show them that we are all here to help them succeed."

To make Welcome Week and every other large-scale Student Involvement event successful requires extensive planning and the help of every staff member in the department.

Allen said, "Our entire Student Involvement staff is involved in Welcome Week, but several staff members take the lead on different aspects … our team begins planning in the spring semester for Welcome Week. We start with drafting a preliminary schedule, getting input from current students … We love getting insight from students to be sure we are providing what they want and need."

This year, Welcome Week consisted of:

• Welcome stations, where students could pick up campus maps and snacks and get directions from staff members.
• Big Bulldog Welcome, a kick-off celebration and resource fair.
• Bulldog Breakfast, where students received free food and T-shirts.
• Back-to-School Bowl Bash, which offered free bowling and billiards to students at the Bulldog Bowl.
• Fresno State Night at Campus Pointe, with free games, activities and entertainment.
• Sunset Picnic, which offered food, live entertainment and activities.

Annika Garza, a marketing student and member of the Student Union Board of Directors said, "The Welcome Week activities are what make the first day of school really feel like the first day of school. There’s a lot of excitement going around, and learning about all the resources … getting involved … [it] makes me proud to be a part of the Fresno State community."

Homecoming will be the next major event planned and hosted by Student Involvement — taking place the week of Oct. 23 — followed by Vintage Days and commencement in the spring.

Allen said of homecoming, "[There will be] lots of engaging and fun activities for students and the campus community! More details are coming very soon."