By SUSAN JONES
It’s hard to believe, but in just over three weeks students will begin returning to the Oakland campus. The incoming first-year class is expected to be the largest ever.
And the first ones arriving, if they so choose, are the dependents of Pitt employees. Pitt is once again offering early residence hall move-in to those students on Aug. 16.
First-year student arrival will be from Aug. 17 to 19, primarily in Forbes, Sutherland, Nordenberg and Lothrop halls, Litchfield Towers and the Schenley Quad buildings, as well as two new leased spaces — Hampton Inn on Hamlet Street and the Pennsylvania Apartments on N. Dithridge Street.
Staff volunteers are needed at those sites and days to act as Pitt greeters, welcoming students and their families and helping with general questions. Sign up here (Pitt password required).
Upperclass students who live in residence halls will move in Aug. 20 to 22.
As always, there will be traffic restrictions during the move-in days, which will be further complicated by lane restrictions on Fifth and Forbes avenues where contractors are working on infrastructure for Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s new bus rapid transit system.
Wellness Center debut
Welcome Week also will be the debut, but not full opening, of the new Recreation and Wellness Center on O’Hara Street, which has been under construction since fall 2022.
Students will be able to sign up for tours of the building and various fitness activities, like swimming and Zumba, in the new spaces from Aug. 19 to 22, as part of Panther Fit Fest. An open house is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 24, the day before classes start.
A spokesperson for Student Affairs said final details of the building’s official opening are still in the works. “While there are events in the Recreation & Wellness Center during Welcome Week, the building will not be fully open at that time. Students will need to register ahead of time to attend those events, and these groups will be escorted by staff to and from each event.”
It’s still unclear what access Pitt faculty and staff will have to the new building and whether there will be a fee. Students are charged an activities fee with their tuition for use of this building and other events.
Other Welcome Week activities
There are a variety of events from Aug. 18 to 24 for students and their families. A “Hail to Possible” tent with games, prizes, a photo station and more will be open on the Cathedral lawn from 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18 and 19. Heinz Chapel mini tours will be offered throughout the week.
New student convocation is from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 20 at Petersen Events Center, followed by a class photo. The Cathedral lawn will host a pep rally, drone show and movie night from 8:30 to 11 p.m. that evening.
A Global Carnival will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 21 on Gallagher Plaza and the lawn next to it, followed by a Pittsburgh Music Showcase, presented by WPTS, from 9 to 11 p.m. on the plaza.
Thriftsburgh will have a Reuse Rummage Sale from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24 in the O’Hara Student Center parking lot.
The week is capped off by Pantherpalooza from 8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23, at a location still to be determined, and Lantern Night at 7:15 p.m. Aug. 24 on the Cathedral Lawn.
Find the full list of activities on the Student Affairs website for Welcome Week.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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