As summer ends and students flock back to campus, the UNC Weeks of Welcome Board has planned two weeks’ worth of new student activities.
“Our main goal is just to connect people, to get them comfortable with the Carolina community,” UNC junior and WOW board member Croft McLean said.
The WOW Board is a part of the University's New Students & Family Programs office. McLean said WOW events are intended to familiarize first-year and transfer students with the University's campus and community. Many events offer food , UNC merchandise and prizes.
McLean said that the board, composed of University students and faculty, has been planning this year's lineup since the 2024 spring semester. Upcoming events include a “Dive-In Movie” on Aug. 20, “The Price is Right!” game night on Aug. 28, and a new “Rock the Hill"concert featuring local bands on Aug. 24.
Students can view WOW scheduling on Heel Life and on the organization's Instagram account. Events run from Friday, Aug. 16 to Friday, Aug. 30.
“There's not one way to go through college, and there's not one way to start off your first couple of weeks,” McLean said.
He said the board reaches out to local companies and restaurants who sponsor and cater events and partners with on-campus organizations. Sophomore Megan Buchsbaum, a frequent attendee of WOW programming last fall, said the events helped her get her bearings around campus.
“Getting to know what other people are up to and more about UNC is always a great way to spend your time,” Buchsbaum said.
She said participating in everything she possibly could—competing in games and racing through different events gathering UNC gear—was a great way to meet people and bond with her suitemates.
