Welcome Week 2026

Move in day is the exciting first step in your journey and we’re here to make it smooth, fun and unforgettable. Please plan to arrive during your assigned move-in time slot. You’ll be greeted by a team of enthusiastic staff and volunteers ready to help you every step of the way — whether it’s unloading your belongings, finding your room, or answering any last-minute questions. Your residence experience starts here!

Your residence experience begins right on your floor — and your first mandatory floor meeting is the perfect place to kick it off! This is your chance to meet your fellow floor mates, connect with your RA, and start building relationships that will shape your first year. Whether you’re looking to make friends, learn the ins-and-outs of residence life, or just get a feel for your new community, this is where it all begins.

Join the excitement as the Windsor Lancers Football team kicks off a new season at Alumni Stadium! Cheer on the Lancers as they battle the Laurier Golden Hawks in their 2026 home opener on Sunday, September 6 at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy an electric game day atmosphere featuring live OUA football action, school spirit, and campus pride as we welcome students back to the University of Windsor. Students are encouraged to gather between Alumni Hall and Rodzik Hall at 5:15 p.m. for a spirited student parade into the stadium before kickoff. The walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or attending your first game, this is the perfect way to experience Lancer Nation during Welcome Week!

Step into the glitz and glamour of Mock Casino Night—one of Welcome Week’s most exciting events, exclusively for residence students! Whether you’re a seasoned card shark or brand new to the tables, this is your chance to experience the thrill of a casino in a fun, friendly, and risk-free environment. No real money required—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to play, laugh, and win prizes! – Learn and play popular casino games (no experience needed!) – Meet fellow residence students in a relaxed, high-energy setting – Dress up if you want—casino chic encouraged! Grab your friends, bring your best poker face, and get ready for a night of unforgettable fun—just with your residence community.

Join your squad at Alumni Stadium for a full day of high-energy challenges, inflatable showdowns, and non-stop vibes. Whether you’re here to dominate, make new friends, or just soak up the fun, this is the event you don’t want to miss!

Want a chance at winning awesome prizes like airpods, a $350 Hidden Trails gift card, and your very own Samsung tablet or iPad?! Come on down to Blue & Gold Bingo! Whether you attend alone or bring a friend, join other first year students for a chance to win big! 

This event is for all incoming first year undergraduate students.

Start off welcome week in residence with some outdoor games, dodgeball tournament, and ice cream sundaes! An evening filled with glow in the dark fun and meeting new friends, see you at Alumni Hall Field!

UWSA Tent Party

Start strong with JumpStart, a practical and supportive workshop built to help you navigate your first year with confidence. Learn essential academic skills, time management strategies, and tips for staying on track as a university student – all in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. Whether you’re looking to boost your study habits or just figure out where to begin, this session is a great first step.

The Involvement Fair is an event that hosts campus clubs, societies, and partners through information booths in the Chrysler Hall Tower Courtyard. These groups will have the opportunity to market themselves to incoming students. Future lancers will have the chance to learn about ways to get involved on campus and get acquainted with campus resources and supports available to them.

Departing from the Involvement Fair DJ booth at 1:45pm, students can decide to participate in one of the following tours:  

Across the River to Freedom  

Interested in exploring historic areas and learning fascinating history? Explore Sandwich’s historic town centre and learn all about its history. This walking tour spans 2km and will take approximately half an hour.  

Downtown Windsor Architecture and Graffiti 

Something you wouldn’t want to miss! This is your chance to take those insta pics or learn about different pieces of art and how it transformed from vandalism to an art movement. This tour will be guided by WindsorEats and Dorian Moore from the VABE program. Complimentary transportation will be provided to and from Downtown Windsor.  

Favourite Study Spaces  

From the living green wall space in Toldo Health Education Centre giving nature vibes, to the Zin room in the Odette School of Business giving minimalistic cafe, get the chance to hear current students’ perspectives on their favourite study spaces across campus! 

Indigenous History and Sandwich Town 

Explore four historical locations on the Old Sandwich-Indigenous History tour and learn how the University of Windsor and the surrounding area engage in truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and communities. This tour will take approximately 1 hour, and you will be walking on and off campus, so please ensure you are wearing comfortable shoes.  

Welcome to The Rec Zone!! Come see what Lancer Recreation has to offer by visiting this high energy traveling Toldo Lancer Centre! We’ll be hosting fun challenges and games, you can learn about all the programs offered through Lancer Recreation and win fun prizes!

Fire Up and Feast – Fire Up & Feast Join us on Tuesday, September 8th from 2–5 PM in the back of the BSI lounge for an afternoon of fun, food, and connection— exclusively for Black residence students. Enjoy camp-style games designed to help you meet new people and build community. We’ll be serving chicken, beef burgers and veggie burgers, mac & cheese, fruit, corn, and freezies. Come connect, unwind, and feast with us!

Enjoy an afternoon of directed painting with live music from the School of Creative Arts. It’s the perfect chill vibe for that #fallmood.

This is definitely NOT your grandma’s bingo. Expect wild challenges, hilarious moments, unexpected prizes, and a completely unhinged twist on the classic game. Grab your friends and get ready, anything can happen at Dirty Bingo.

Ready to play? Join us for Game On: Dining Hall Edition, a fun and relaxed evening of board games and good company! Head to the Dining Hall and choose from a variety of games—whether you’re feeling competitive or just want to laugh and unwind with new friends. From classic favourites to quickplay games, there’s something for everyone. Come solo or bring your crew—either way, it’s the perfect chance to connect, have fun, and add a little friendly competition to your Welcome Week. No experience needed—just drop in and play!

UWSA Tent Party

Celebrate the start of your UWindsor journey with your fellow Lancers! 

Following your program orientation, head to the Toldo Lancer Centre with your Faculty team. Join students from across campus as we officially welcome the incoming class and celebrate the beginning of your university experience. You’ll have the opportunity to win prizes, including our $4000 tuition draw, cheer on your faculty, celebrate the winning team for Welcome Week and hear welcoming remarks from UWindsor leaders and student representatives. Come ready to cheer, celebrate, and show your Blue & Gold spirit as we welcome you to the Lancer community! 

A low sensory space will also be available to any students attending the event.

Join us for the Turtle Island Festival, a celebration of Indigenous culture, music, food, and Uwindsor Students! 

Experience an unforgettable performance by DJ Darr Sands, who blends hip-hop, storytelling, and original music to take audiences on a powerful musical journey. Through personal stories, heartfelt tributes, and original rhymes, Darr shares a message of resilience, culture, and community while keeping the energy high from start to finish. 

Enjoy delicious Indigenous cuisine, fun games, exciting prizes, and an opportunity to come together and celebrate. Whether you’re a student, staff member, faculty member, or community member, EVERYONE IS WELCOME! 

Come celebrate, connect, and experience the spirit of Turtle Island!

Looking to connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ students in Residence? Look no further than this fun mocktail mixer and Jeopardy event! Organized by Residence’s Community Assistant for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, we encourage everyone to come out and mingle with other residents and enjoy a fun drink before competing in a queer-themed Jeopardy game.

Grab a blanket, your friends, and get ready for a cozy night under the night sky! Join us for Movie Under the Stars, a perfect chance to relax and unwind during Welcome Week. The best part? The movie is a surprise, so you’ll have to come to find out what’s playing! We’ll be set up in the green space behind Alumni Hall (or nearby Rodzik—just follow the crowd and event signs). Sit back, enjoy the fresh air, and experience a classic campus night you won’t want to miss. Free entry. Good vibes guaranteed.

UWSA Tent Party

It’s time to get your glow on Lancers! Our annual Welcome Week Glow & Grow Event is back!! This year with relaxing sunset Pilates leading into high energy Zumba classes, light up yard games and of course, all things glow! Come and join us Thursday, September 10th 8:00–10:00 pm in front of Dillon Hall for energizing music, fun fitness, soothing stretches, and the chance to make new friends! The first 50 students who register in advance will take home a care package with mental health resources, glow sticks galore, and cool swag! Please contact mike.mcmahon@uwindsor.ca if you require any accommodations. Registration open August 24th.

UWSA Tent Party

Come out and make a welcome sign for your Residence door! Make your home away from home feel more like your own while meeting other students in Residence. Every Friday in Residence, there’s a TGI Friday event, where you can come out and earn Blue and Gold Cup points for your building. The building at the end of the year wins the Blue and Gold Cup and a prize for their community!

UWSA Tent Party

Show off your student group or department at the Welcome Week Involvement Fair — the best way to connect with new students!