Palousafest 2019
Join thousands of new and returning Vandals Aug. 24 for U of I's premier welcome back street fair.
Vandal Welcome Events
Vandal Welcome begins Thursday, Aug. 22. 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. The Orientation Programming office and 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. 22-25. Any events after Aug. 25 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, 8:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.
Check-in for Vandal Welcome and receive event materials and giveaways. 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, 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.
- Check-in between the Tower and Tower unloading lot.
Convocation, 4-5 p.m.
- ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center
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 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.
Orientation Group Meetup, 9 a.m.
Meet up with your Vandal Welcome Group and discuss the day.
- Administration Lawn
Session 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Group A - Vandals in the Know, Bruce M. Pitman Center
- Group B - Diversity & Inclusion: The Vandal Way, Memorial Gym
Session 2, 11 a.m.-noon
- Group A - Diversity & Inclusion: The Vandal Way, Memorial Gym
- Group B - Vandals in the Know, Bruce M. Pitman Center
University Lunch, Noon-1:15 p.m.
Enjoy lunch with your Orientation group, family and new friends!
- Idaho Commons 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!
- Commons 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!
- Commons Plaza
Women's Soccer vs. Boise State, 7 p.m.
- ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center
SYNC, 8 a.m.-4 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 showing Captain Marvel. 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 Commons 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!
- Idaho Commons Food Court
First Day of School Pictures, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Whether it’s your first day of college or the last first day of your academic career, come strike a pose and take a picture to send to your family! Hosted by the Interfraternity Council and the Department of Student Involvement. Free and open to all.
- Idaho Commons Plaza
GlowRage Paint U Paint Party, 8-10 p.m.
Dance and get blasted with gallons of colorful, neon glow paint during this high-energy party hosted by Vandal Entertainment, the Residence Hall Association, and Fraternity & Sorority Life. Free to University of Idaho students.
- Theophilus Tower Lawn
Student Spotlight with Two Point Oh, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
High energy rock n’ roll with powerhouse vocals. Hosted by Vandal Entertainment. Free and open to all.
- Idaho Commons Plaza
Moscow Food Tour, 3:30-5 p.m.
This walking tour will introduce you to all the places to eat on campus, and some of the highlights on Main Street. Come ready to get your steps in and talk about food! Hosted by the Global Student Success Program.
- Memorial Gym 111
Trivia Night, 8-9 p.m.
Test your knowledge of Moscow and the University of Idaho and win prizes! Hosted by Vandal Entertainment, the Homecoming Committee, and Moscow Chamber of Commerce. Free and open to all.
- ASUI Vandal Student Lounge
Therapy Dogs, 9-11:30 a.m.
Come relax, unwind and de-stress with therapy dogs from Palouse Paws. Drop-in any time during the session as your schedule allows. Hosted by Vandal Health Education.
- ASUI Vandal Student Lounge
Student Spotlight with Hayden Newland, Noon-1 p.m.
Mellow instrumentals and beats through acoustic covers and original songs. Hosted by Vandal Entertainment. Free and open to all.
- Idaho Commons Plaza
Moscow Mountain Hike, 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $5, limited space is available. Sign-up at the Outdoor Program Office located in the Student Recreation Center. Vandal Welcome Hours Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11a.m. - 6 p.m., and Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Hosted by the Outdoor Program.
Cereal & Board Games, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Play games, eat cereal, and meet your new student body representatives. Hosted by Vandal Entertainment, the Residence Hall Association, and ASUI. Free to University of Idaho students.
- The Hub (Wallace Residence Center)
Student Spotlight with Geno, 11:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.
Original songs and covers on ukulele. Hosted by Vandal Entertainment. Free and open to all.
- Idaho Commons Plaza
Smoothie Demo, 12-1 p.m.
Meet the Campus Dietitian and learn how to make simple and healthy smoothies on your own. Free samples and recipes provided. Hosted by Vandal Health Education.
- ASUI Vandal Student Lounge
Cornhole Tournament, 5-8 p.m.
Sign up at the Student Recreation Center by Wednesday for the Vandal Welcome/Intramural Sport Cornhole Tournament. Hosted by Recreation and Wellbeing. Free and open to all.
FEMFest, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
This annual tabling fair celebrates Women's Equality Day. Hosted by the Women's Center. Free and open to all.
- Idaho Commons Plaza
Women’s Soccer vs. Oregon Tech, 5 p.m.
- ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center
Women’s Volleyball vs. California Baptist University, 7 p.m.
- Memorial Gym
Screen on the Green, 8:45 p.m.
Free, family-friendly summer film series showing The Hustle. Hosted by the Department of Student Involvement and Residence Hall Association. Free and open to all.
- Theophilus Tower Lawn
Intramural Sand Volleyball, starting 10 a.m.
Looking for something for the Labor Day Weekend and you are on campus? Sign up for the Intramural Sand Volleyball tournament. There are Men’s, Women’s and Co-Rec 4-on-4 Sand Volleyball divisions. Drop by the Student Recreation Center and fill out an entry by Thursday, Aug. 29. Hosted by Recreation and Wellbeing.
- Student Rec Center
Women's Volleyball vs. Cal State Fullerton, 12:30 p.m.
- Memorial Gym
Women's Volleyball vs. University of Illinois at Chicago, 7 p.m.
- Mem Gym
View clips from Palousafest 2018, featuring an inflatable obstacle course, tilt ball and more.