Welcome Weekend

August 25–28, 2023

Welcome Weekend is the beginning of many Taylor traditions. Along with Taylor’s First-Year Experience program, Welcome Weekend can help you meet new friends, make the transition academically, and provide opportunities for you to know yourself and God in a deeper way. More information about Welcome Weekend 2023 will be coming in the summer!

A Taylor student helping move in a freshman

A group of students in yellow shirts laughing

A student jumping over another student outside Bergwall Hall

Michael and Rebecca Lindsay helping freshmen move in

A student in a teal shirt helping freshmen move in

Student Body Vice President, Jorge Martinez de Santiago helping freshmen move in

Dr Michael Lindsay shaking hands with a student next to a TU golf cart

Weekend Details

Friday, August 25—Welcome Weekend begins
Early Arrivals
- Tuesday, August 22—International Orientation begins
Welcome Weekend Schedule—View the most current schedule for Welcome Weekend events. Updates will be posted regularly to the website and a printed schedule will be available at the front desk of each residence halls.

Important Notes:

There is no advanced registration or fee needed for students or parents for Welcome Weekend.
Residence halls will be open for move-in from 8 am–6 pm. We encourage all move-in activity to be completed within those hours.
Transfer students, you are invited to move in on Friday and participate in Welcome Weekend.
Move-in day for upperclassmen is Saturday starting at 10 am.

Helpful Links

Campus Map—Need help finding your way around? This campus map will provide you with building names and information. You will also be able to find a printed map at the front desk of each residence hall.
Computer and Network Registration—Connect your devices to Taylor’s WiFi.
Area Information—Lodging, Dining, Maps/Directions, etc
Weather Forecast

FAQ

Is Welcome Weekend for the entire family or just for students and parents?

Your entire family is absolutely welcome on campus, but it’s completely up to you who you choose to bring.

When do parents typically leave to head home?

You and your family are welcome to stay in the area and participate in all the events on Friday and Saturday. These events will include an Information Fair and Dedication Service on Friday afternoon and evening as well as a Parent Session on Saturday morning. Parents are then encouraged to say their goodbyes after lunch on Saturday as the rest of the programming that weekend will be for students only.

What should we do once our son/daughter is moved into their residence hall?

The residence halls open at 8 am and you will have the entire day to move in. The other events on the schedule that day are options for you when you are done moving in. Other ideas would be to make a run to the store with your son/daughter to get any supplies they need, go to Ivanhoe’s to get ice cream, check out a local coffee shop, explore campus, walk around Taylor Lake and Taylor Woods, or go to the Bishop’s Nook Campus Store. The day will really be what you want it to be. I’d encourage you to be back on campus in time for the evening dedication service, however, as I think this is such a meaningful highlight of Welcome Weekend.

Is there a reliable shuttle to take students to/from the Indianapolis or Fort Wayne airports?

Yes. The name of the company is Hoosier Shuttle. The shuttle will drop off/pick up passengers at the Cracker Barrel restaurant at exit 259 on I-69.

If we are coming from overseas, when should I arrive to campus?

For our international students/families, International Orientation takes place the week leading up to Welcome Weekend, August 22-25. The Office of International Programs oversees this event. Nate Chu is the Director of International Student Programs and can answer your questions.

After International Orientation, you are certainly welcome to stay and participate in all the Welcome Weekend events on Friday and Saturday. These events will include an Information Fair and Dedication Service on Friday afternoon and evening as well as a Parent Session on Saturday morning. Parents are then encouraged to say their goodbyes after lunch on Saturday as the rest of the programming that weekend will be for students only.

Does Taylor provide housing accommodations for parents/families on campus?

We do not have housing accommodations for parents/families. You will need to make your own arrangements. Find some lodging options in the area.

Do we have to eat our meals on campus during Welcome Weekend?

Meals will be offered in our dining facilities on campus throughout the weekend. You are invited to eat on campus and experience where your son/daughter will be sharing many meals and meaningful conversations with their friends. You are also very welcome to enjoy any of the local food options in the area.

How do we know if my student needs to take a proficiency exam?

While proficiency testing is available for all students, not all students will need to take them. When your student receives their fall schedule information from the Registrar’s Office, there should also be information about whether he/she will need to take a proficiency test. Further questions about proficiency testing can be directed to Cindi Carder at jccarder@taylor.edu. For questions regarding language placement and testing, please contact Melinda Clester at melinda_clester@taylor.edu.

When can upperclassmen begin moving in?

Returning students can begin moving in on Saturday at 10 am.

When do classes begin?

Classes begin at 5 pm on Monday with the first full day being Tuesday.

Questions?

Email WelcomeWeekend@taylor.edu.

*The First-Year Experience® is a service mark of the University of South Carolina. A license may be granted upon written request to use the term The First-Year Experience in association with educational programmatic approaches to enhance the first college year. This license is not transferable without written approval of the University of South Carolina.