As the new academic year approaches, and the University of Houston-Victoria prepares to shift into Texas A&M University-Victoria, the university has planned two weeks of activities to welcome its students to the new year and into the Texas A&M University System.

The first two weeks of the academic year, known as the Weeks of Welcome, will feature a full slate of events designed to help students get to know the campus and each other, said Freddie Cantu, the university’s director of Student Involvement. Throughout the week, students also will have the opportunity to receive free T-shirts with the new A&M-Victoria branding. Students should remember to bring their Paw Pass student ID cards to check in at each event.

Freddie Cantu

“The Weeks of Welcome are a great way for our students to get used to the university and become part of the JAXNATION,” Cantu said. “I always encourage students to attend as many events as possible. The more they get out and meet new people and become familiar with the campus, the more the university will feel like home.”

Activities will begin on Sept. 1 with a Movie Night in Jaguar Hall Commons hosted by Residence Life. The next day, Sept. 2, is the first day of classes. The university will have a Welcome Table set up in the lobby of University Commons all day to give students information and answer any questions they might have. Later that day, students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in jaX’s Birthday Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Jaguar Hall Lobby. The event will feature free A&M-Victoria shirts for attendees, a birthday cake and a birthday card for jaX that attendees can sign. Later that day, the university will hold a scavenger hunt to help students become familiar with campus.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, students and employees can participate in the President’s T-Shirt Swap from noon to 2 p.m. in the lobby of University Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a UHV T-shirt, which they can exchange for an A&M-Victoria shirt. Afterward, the university will host the Part-Time Job Fair event from 2-5 p.m. in Galvan Community Hall inside University North. The job fair is free and open to the public. Later that evening, the university will host a Back 2 School Bingo night for students in Jaguar Hall Commons.

Thursday, Sept. 4, features several big events, starting with the Fall Volunteer Fair at 11 a.m. inside University Commons. The fair will allow students to learn about volunteering opportunities in the community. Afterwards, there will be a JP’s Pop-Up Pantry from 3 to 5 p.m. in Jaguar Hall Lobby. JP’s Market is a service open to students from both A&M-Victoria and Victoria College. The day will end with Jag Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. in downtown Victoria. The festival will be a celebration with the community to kick off the new year and welcome The Texas A&M University System to Victoria. It will feature live music, a marketplace and food trucks.

The first week will end with men’s and women’s soccer games at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday, the Splatterbeat event will be held later that night behind the Health & Wellness Center. Finally, the Student Government Association Pool Party will be held on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Jaguar Suites pool.

Throughout the second week, students who want to boost school spirit as part of the Cheer team or as a mascot are invited to CAST Tryouts from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Health & Wellness Center Studio. Mascot candidates only need to come by once to try out. Cheer team candidates should come throughout the week to learn the routines.

On Monday, Sept. 8, students will have the opportunity to learn about different parts of the university through three events. From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., the Welcome Center will host DONUT be shy…stop by the first floor of University Center. At 11 a.m., students can meet the executive board of the Student Government Association in the University Commons Lobby. Then, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., students can go upstairs in Commons to the Welcome to Your Library event.

Tuesday, Sept. 9, will feature both educational and social events for students. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., students can come by the Financial Aid office for snacks and the opportunity to get any questions they may have about the financial aid process answered. Later that morning, students can come by the University Commons Lobby for the Vision for Success event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Later that evening, students can get to know their peers at the Speed Friending event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the University Commons Multi-Purpose Room. Afterward, students are invited to attend a screening of The Conjuring Last Rights at Cinemark 12. Shuttles will be available for students who register to attend.

Wednesday, Sept. 10, will begin with a Welcome Week Photos event where students can take photos from 9 to 11 a.m. in the lobby of University Center to celebrate their first days as A&M-Victoria students. During lunch, there will be a Welcome Back Bash in Jaguar Hall Dining. Then, from 1 to 3 p.m., students can attend the first Workshop Wednesday session of the semester, hosted by the Student Success Center in University West, Room 104. The weekly workshops are sessions that help students learn skills outside of the classroom to help them succeed. This session is titled, “Let’s Talk Success.”

Thursday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day, and the university will be honoring the day with a Field of Flags activity from 2 to 3 p.m. in front of University Center. Later that evening, students can attend an Involvement Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Commons Multi-Purpose Room to learn about student organizations and involvement opportunities on campus. The second week will wrap up Saturday with men’s and women’s soccer games at 1 and 3:30 p.m. in The Cage.

Throughout the Weeks of Welcome events, students will have the opportunity to meet and get to know university employees who can support them in their higher education journey.

“I always try to attend as many events as possible,” Cantu said. “It’s a great way to meet the new students and let them know that I’m available to help them with any questions they may have throughout the year. I love to meet all the new students who join the Jaguar family.”

For more information about the Weeks of Welcome activities, contact Cantu at 361-485-4474 or cantufe@uhv.edu.