K Week kicks off welcoming new and returning Wildcats to campus
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2024) — This week, the University of Kentucky has been welcoming Wildcats to campus with Big Blue Move-In. As part of the warm welcome, K Week kicks off today, helping new students further transition to life at UK and on campus. The week of events will run through Aug. 25.
K Week was created in coordination with the UK Office for Student Success to help all students find and build a community from the very moment they step onto campus.
“As we welcome new students to campus, I’m most excited about seeing our incoming students connect and begin forming lifelong friendships,” said Courtney McCalla, director of the Office of Student Organizations and Activities.
K Week offers programs and events designed to help incoming freshmen meet new people and learn about UK traditions and resources. It’s the best way to get started at UK.
As the second step in the orientation process, all new undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in K Week.
“K Week is such a crucial time for our new students because it’s their first introduction to the vibrant community here at UK,” said McCalla. “Our campus is coming together to ensure that our new Wildcats not only transition smoothly into college life, but also feel a deep sense of belonging that will carry them through their entire academic journey as they go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose.”
This year, more than 150 student leaders have been selected to mentor and lead K Teams of incoming students. K Crew leaders will help incoming students navigate the campus landscape, participate and check in to all K Week signature programs and share how students can get involved.
Some of the key events for all new students include Wildcat Welcome, college meetings, Campus Ruckus, Big Blue U, Cat-A-Palooza and K Week Chill and Grill.
Beyond those, there are more than 20 events students can pick and choose based on their interests and needs. A schedule of events can be found on the UK Guides mobile app.
The list of K Week events includes something for everyone. Below are some of the main events students can attend.
Wildcat Welcome: 7-10 p.m., Aug. 21, at Alumni Commons, Rose St.
Kick off the school year at the Wildcat Welcome Festival. The UK Alumni Association invites all UK students to enjoy live music, free food, photos and games at Alumni Commons. Come celebrate the new school year and have some fun. This is also where students can grab their official 2024 K Week T-shirt from the Office of Student Organizations and Activities.
Sensory/accessibility info: This event will include large groups of more than 1,000 people and loud noises such as music and cheers.
College Meetings: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 22, at various locations
All new students should attend their designated college meetings. Specific times and locations for each college can be found on the UK Guides mobile app.
Sensory/accessibility info: Depending on the college, this event may include large groups of more than 100 people.
Campus Ruckus: 7-11 p.m., Aug. 22, at Alumni Commons, Rose St.
Campus Ruckus is the UK Student Activities Board’s (SAB) annual back-to-school bash. The event features up to 180 student organizations that will have activities and share how to get involved. SAB will provide free snacks and T-shirts, and will bring fun inflatables. Make sure to stick around for the evening drone show.
Sensory/accessibility info: This event will include large groups of more than 1,000 people and loud noises such as music and cheers.
Pick Your Path: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 23, at various locations
Pick Your Path is a day set aside for students to spend getting to know more about some of UK’s wonderful campus resources and offices. Students get to decide what resources they want more information about, and can attend as many learning sessions as they want. They will meet new people around campus, get free items and learn what UK has to offer. Check the UK Guides mobile app for information on the paths available.
Sensory/accessibility info: Depending on the session, this event may include large groups of more than 100 people and loud noises such as music and cheers.
Big Blue U: 7 p.m., Aug. 23, at Kroger Field
Join the Big Blue Nation for one of K Week’s most iconic traditions. Students will learn UK cheers and songs, hear from UK President Eli Capilouto and athletics coaches, and get a class photo taken on the football field. Students are welcome to wear their 2024 K Week T-shirts to show their Wildcat pride, and are advised to wear comfortable shoes.
Sensory/accessibility info: This event will include large groups of more than 1,000 people and loud noises such as music and cheers.
Student Organization Events and Open Houses: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 24, at various locations
Meet registered student organizations in their spaces and at their events to learn more about who they are and how to get involved during the year. Check the UK Guides mobile app for information on all the organization events and students can attend as many as they would like.
Sensory/accessibility info: Depending on the event, this event may include large groups of more than 100 people and loud noises such as music and cheers.
Cat-A-Palooza: 7-10 p.m., Aug. 24, at Gatton Student Center
Grab free food, check out a live performance from local musician Fredd C., interact with a hypnotist, recharge in the Chill Zone, enjoy making crafts and meet all the awesome people behind the amazing offices and resources in the Gatton Student Center.
Sensory/accessibility info: This event will include large groups of more than 1,000 people and loud noises such as music and cheers; a Chill Zone will be available at the event for those who need to decompress.
K Week Chill and Grill: 6-10 p.m., Aug. 25, at Woodland Glen Courtyard
Celebrate and unwind one last time before classes start. Pick up more free items, grab some food and stick around until 8:30 p.m. to enjoy watching the movie “The Fall Guy” on the lawn.
Sensory/accessibility info: This event will include large groups of more than 100 people.
At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of five areas and 25 units, together, they have one vision — to help students live a life of meaning. Student Success works through an equitable, holistic and inclusive lens to design and deliver unparalleled services and support a diverse community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success this is what we do — this is who we are. You can explore resources available to you here. If you have additional questions, you can reach a Student Success team member by calling the helpline 859-218-YouK (9685).
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.