Events celebrating the arrival of new Cougs as well as the return of thousands of students, faculty and staff are officially underway across the Washington State University system.
Fall 2026 kickoff events are taking place across the system throughout the month of August. The semester officially gets underway Monday, Aug. 24.
Detailed information about each campus’ Week of Welcome events is available below:
Pullman
The WSU Pullman campus will celebrate its Week of Welcome this week.
The Be #PullmanProud Ice Cream Social is happening today from 3-5 p.m. at the Brelsford WSU Visitors Center, with the invitation extended to all members of the WSU community. This evening will see the Student Recreation Center converted for Casino Carnivale, a chance for all Cougs to play games, earn tickets, and win prizes from 6:30-9 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Compton Union Building will host a Student Employment Fair from 1-3 p.m.
This fall’s New Coug Photo is set for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on GESA Field. The Student Entertainment Board is hosting an evening of games, crafts, music and more with Up All Night beginning at 8 p.m. at the Compton Union Building.
Students will have the chance to connect with their college with the Academic College Kickoff on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. All new Cougs should meet at the Glenn Terrell Mall.
Convocation for the Pullman Campus will take place at Beasley Coliseum from 10-11 a.m. on Friday. Immediately following convocation is the All-Campus Picnic and Resource Fair in and around the Compton Union Building.
A complete listing of Pullman Week of Welcome events and more details is available online.
Global Campus
The WSU Global Campus will welcome its new and returning students with a slate of event this week.
The Global Connections Kick Off – where students can meet with the campus team and learn about programs, events and opportunities – is happening at noon today. Two events focused on mindfulness and wellbeing are also planned for today:
- Oh Shift: Adapting, Adjusting, and Thriving at 5 p.m.
- Intentions and Mindfulness: Breath In, Begin Well at 6 p.m.
Crimson Compass Mentorship and Career Services staff are hosting a session on mentorship and career readiness Tuesday at Noon. At 5 p.m., Accessibility and Accommodations alongside the Center for Civic Engagement are hosting a session on creating an inclusive and supportive campus community.
Information about resources for research, tutoring services and other tools related to student success will be presented on Wednesday at Noon. Later in the day, students will have the chance to learn about campus clubs and student organizations during Student Involvement Night beginning at 6 p.m.
Thursday’s events include a game of Jeopardy centered around financial aid resources at noon, as well as a session on the Cougar Desk and WSU’s IT Help Desk at 5 p.m.
Global Campus wraps up its Week of Welcome events with Cougar Car Connections, a student resource fair at Noon on Friday, as well as a social event for students to relax and connect with their peers at 5 p.m.
A complete listing of Global Campus Week of Welcome events is available online.
Vancouver
The WSU Vancouver Campus community is welcoming its new incoming students with an event on Aug. 21 from 12:30- 2 p.m. of the WSU Vancouver community are asked to RSVP ahead of the event.
To kick off the first week of the fall semester, the annual Wave the Flag event kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 24. This year’s locations will be the intersection of NE 134th Street and NE Salmon Creek Avenue, the WSU Vancouver campus entrance, and the top of the hill on the WSU Vancouver campus.
Later that day, the Student Activity Board will host a welcome event on The Quad from Noon until 2 p.m.
The Quad will host a Coug Life and Campus Connections event on Aug. 25 as well as the annual Back-To-School BBQ on Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Week of Welcome activities shift to the Firstenburg Student Commons for Thursday and Friday’s events, a student job fair and a UNIV 104 and First-Year Fridays. The latter offers new students the chance to learn about UNIV courses as well as connect with their fellow first-years. Both events will be active between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Spokane
Week of Welcome at WSU Spokane is taking place Aug. 31 – Sept. 4. This year’s All-Campus Picnic is happening Wednesday, Sept. 2, with an Involvement Fair – where new and returning Coug learn about opportunities in and around the campus – taking place on Sept. 3.
More information about Spokane’s Week of Welcome activities is available online.
Tri-Cities
Members of the WSU Tri-Cities community will herald the start of a new semester with a Wave the Flag event from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Aug. 24.
More information is available on WSU Tri-Cities Week of Welcome website.
Everett
Week of Welcome events on the WSU Everett campus will take place from Aug. 24-28. The week begins with Resources Day on Monday, with students having the chance to grab breakfast from 9-10:30 a.m. in the first-floor lobby, as well as learn about campus resources, and assemble their own DIY self-care kits from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in room 101.
A Welcome Back and Ice Cream Social is planned for 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Later that day, students with have the chance to learn about the MESA program – a career-connected learning program supporting students pursuing STEM careers – between 4-5 p.m. inside the MESA Center, room 330.
Wednesday is dedicated to helping students discover WSU Everett. The director of the MESA Program will connect with students over donuts from 8:30-10 a.m. in the first-floor lobby, which will then host a Campus Connections Fair from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
A Snack Break Social is taking place from 2:30-4 p.m. on Thursday inside the first-floor lobby.
To conclude Week of Welcome events, the WSU Everett community will celebrate Spirit Day by wearing Crimson and Gray. At Noon, a campus photo is being taken at the cougar Statue, followed by an all-campus Barbeque.
