Dear newest Notre Dame families,
We are excited for your arrival on campus to officially begin your experience at the University of Notre Dame! We hope that the coming years will be ones of growth for your student in both mind and heart.
Welcome Weekend Detailed Schedule
You and your family can now access a detailed schedule of Welcome Weekend events. We hope these descriptions help you identify the various opportunities and requirements for you and your family throughout your weekend experience.
Some Welcome Weekend events include optional RSVP forms or opportunities to pre-submit questions for select Question & Answer conversations. Please explore the listed programs and events of interest to you and complete these submission forms as needed or desired.
As you can see in the Welcome Weekend schedule, on Saturday, Aug. 19, students will attend the First Lecture Series, a component of Welcome Weekend required of all first-year students. Today, your student received instructions to register for their preferred First Lecture. Since registration is on a first-come basis, we encourage all students to explore options and register as soon as possible.
All first-year students must register for one First Lecture before August 9, 2023. Beginning today, you can browse the First Lecture Series and register for your preferred First Lecture. Each lecture is limited according to space capacities. Since registration is on a first-come basis, we encourage you to explore options and register as soon as possible.
Will your student be arriving on campus alone?
All students who plan to arrive at Notre Dame alone (unaccompanied by family, friends, or guardians) should let us know by Monday, Aug. 14. This information will help our community welcome your student in the best way possible. Today, your student received a link to complete a form indicating this information.
Newly Launched Summer To-Do List Items
Because the welfare of each student and the values of our community are so important, the University has adopted AlcoholEdu and Building Community the Notre Dame Way as two programs that are part of our comprehensive prevention efforts for new students. These programs cover topics such as appreciating the diverse individuals who make up our community, forming healthy relationships, being safe on and off campus, and providing information and prevention skills for high risk topics.
Today, your student received an email with details on how to complete both of these programs. They are required for all new students, and successful and timely completion of them is necessary as a component of their Moreau First Year Experience course grade. These programs are now open and must be completed prior to August 17, 2023.
AlcoholEdu
The first program, AlcoholEdu for College, is a nationwide, evidence-based online module that will provide students with education on these topics and help them develop critical skills to make more thoughtful and intentional decisions. Alcohol and drug use are significant issues in the lives of students in college, and this affects individuals as well as families and friends. Like many universities, our community is impacted by alcohol and other substance use. We promote the health and well-being of all students, and as such, illegal drugs are prohibited at Notre Dame. We encourage all students to be aware of new dangers nationally due to substances such as fentanyl being found in recreational drugs obtained without a prescription like oxycodone or adderall. The University’s policies on illegal drugs and controlled substances can be found in du Lac: A Guide to Student Life. AlcoholEdu is designed to help students develop critical skills to make more thoughtful and intentional choices, reduce the negative consequences of alcohol use, and prepare to join a strong community of individuals working to make Notre Dame a safer and healthier community.
Building Community the Notre Dame Way
As a University community, we care deeply about preventing all types of harm. Racism, other types of discrimination, harassment, and interpersonal violence are troubling challenges in our nation, and they have absolutely no place at Notre Dame. Building Community the Notre Dame Way (BCND) is designed to help prevent these instances from occurring and provide students with skills and strategies to join our community’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Additional Resources
Despite our best efforts at prevention, if students are impacted by interpersonal violence or acts of discrimination, know that your University stands ready to support all students. SpeakUp is a tool students can use to share their experiences, and a variety of other resources exist to offer confidential support and alternative reporting options.
Each of these required programs will help students prepare to contribute to sustaining a safe, caring, and inclusive community. Please know that we and our colleagues across the University are committed to your student's development and formation.
We wish you safe travels to campus, and we look forward to welcoming your student home soon!
Sincerely,
Emily Orsini
Program Director for New Student Engagement and Formation
Division of Student Affairs
E. Andrew Whittington
Director of First Year Programs
Center for University Advising
