Palousafest 2020
Join thousands of new and returning Vandals Aug. 22 for U of I's premier welcome back street fair.
Vandal Welcome Events
Vandal Welcome begins Wednesday, Aug. 19. This is the chance to move in, settle in after Greek recruitment and attend events with other incoming students and families. All Vandal Welcome events have been crafted to deliver important information and help students arrive on campus. New Student Orientation and the Department of Student Involvement are both available to help. Enjoy these next few days and weeks - this is the beginning of a new adventure!
It is an expectation that all first-year students attend programming Aug. 19-23. Any events after Aug. 23 are open to all and dependent on class schedules. Attend as you’re able, we’d love to see you there.
International Student Orientation, 8:30 a.m.- 5:15 p.m.
Orientation activities for new international students.
- Bruce M. Pitman Center International Ballroom
Vandal Welcome Check-In, 8 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Check-in for Vandal Welcome and receive event materials. Fraternity & Sorority Life and off campus students can check in at the Theophilus Tower Lawn, and Residence Hall students will be able to check in when they receive their room keys.
- Check-in at the Tower Lawn, and assigned Residence Halls.
Move-In Day, 8 a.m. through 3 p.m.
- Check-in between the Tower and Tower unloading lot.
Convocation, 4-5 p.m.
- ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center
Residence Hall Meetings, 7 p.m.
Vandal Welcome Meet Up, 8:30 p.m.
All new first year students come meet your Orientation Leader and learn more about upcoming programs.
- Theophilus Tower Lawn
Late Night at the Rec., 9-11:30 p.m.
Games, food, and fun! Meet other students, explore the Rec Center, and choose from dozens of activities including climbing, Zumba, dodgeball, volleyball, and basketball. Be sure to wear athletic shoes! Hosted by Campus Recreation.
- Student Recreation Center
Orientation Group Meetup, 9 a.m.
Meet up with your Vandal Welcome Group and discuss the day.
- Administration Lawn
Vandal EDU Student Session 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Various locations
Vandal EDU Student Session 2, 11 a.m.-noon
- Various locations
Vandal Welcome BBQ, Noon-1:15 p.m.
Enjoy lunch with your Orientation group, family and new friends!
- Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB) Plaza
College Meetings, 1:30-4 p.m.
Your Orientation Leader will walk you to your academic college meetings. Get any last-minute questions answered before classes start on Monday.
- Various locations
Ice Cream Social with Advising Services, 4 p.m.
Meet up with your family after a long day, get ice cream, and hang out with Joe Vandal. Advising staff and Orientation Leaders will be there to help you find your family!
- ISUB Plaza
Meetup for the Soccer Game, 6:45 p.m.
Not sure how to get into the game? Your Orientation Leader will walk you over and show you the ropes!
- ISUB Plaza
Women's Soccer, 7 p.m.
- ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center
SYNC, 8 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.
Serving Your New Community (SYNC) is the first and largest volunteer event of the year. SYNC provides an opportunity for incoming students to connect to their new community through a variety of service opportunities. Hosted by the Center for Volunteerism & Social Action and the Department of Student Involvement. Free and open to all.
- Session 1 participants check-in at 8 a.m. on the Theophilus Tower Lawn
- Session 2 participants check-in at noon on the Tower Lawn
Palousafest, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Palousafest is the premier welcome back event on campus. Each year 3,000-5,000 new students, returning students and community members attend this street fair to browse hundreds of student organizations, campus departments and local businesses and non-profits and find out how to get involved with the Palouse community. Hosted by the Department of Student Involvement. Free and open to all.
Screen on the Green, 8:45-11 p.m.
Free, family-friendly summer film series. Hosted by the Department of Student Involvement and Vandal Welcome. Free and open to all.
Classroom Finder, 1-3 p.m.
Wondering where some of your classes are for Monday? Let a campus expert show you. Orientation Leaders will be available to show you to your classrooms across campus! Groups will leave every 20-30 minutes.
- Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB) Plaza
Vandal Walk and President's Welcome Barbecue, 4-6 p.m.
Learn the Fight Song and be in the incoming class “I” formation photo. The first 1000 new students receive a Vandal Game Day T-shirt; students who have completed 15 traditions from the Tradition Keepers book will receive their pins. The university president will then lead you through campus to the Administration Lawn where faculty and staff will be waiting to serve you dinner. This is your official Vandal Walk into campus.
- Start in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center and end at the Administration Lawn
LGBTQA Ice Cream Social, 6:30 p.m.
Join the LGBTQA Office for the LGBTQA Ice Cream Social. Come out and meet new students, make friends, and learn more about the LGBTQA Office. All are welcome!
- ISUB Food Court
View clips from Palousafest 2018, featuring an inflatable obstacle course, tilt ball and more.