WELC ME DAYS
Welcome to St. Thomas! We are excited to have you join us for the official kick-off to your St. Thomas experience. No matter where you are in your move-in schedule, the Virtual 2020 Welcome Days is a required comprehensive educational and social program designed to prepare you to succeed at St. Thomas. During our virtual Welcome Days you will connect with other students, staff, and faculty to learn about our university values and resources and have some fun. The schedule below provides an overview for what you can expect at Welcome Days. There will be both required and optional events. Sessions will be either synchronous (everyone logs in and participates together via ZOOM) and asynchronous (sessions you will participate in on your own over the weekend). The schedule below provides an overview and coincides with your schedule in TOMMIE LINK. Once you log into Tommie Link you will see your schedule of events and sessions listed under “Up Next For You�. That is where you will find your assigned events and links for joining.
BEFORE SEPTEMBER 3
On August 31 you will receive an email with a link to the “Countdown to Classes” video. On Sept. 3 you will log in and attend a live session as a follow-up.
SEPTEMBER 2 WEDNESDAY
5:30 PM VIRTUAL PROUD TO BE FIRST RECEPTION
SEPTEMBER 3 THURSDAY
WELCOME DAYS KICKOFF
Join us for a welcome reception for first-generation students and families. President Sullivan will give a welcome address and we will hear from current firstgen St. Thomas students, faculty, and staff.
SMALL GROUP SESSION #1 10:00-10:50 AM Meet your Welcome Days Leader and your First Year Experience (FYE)/Dougherty Family College (DFC) group for the fall semester. You will meet with your Welcome Days Leader and classmates in small groups. We’ll build off the content from this summer’s O&R program to explore your own values, the university values, and when those are tested. Your specific link will be in your TOMMIE LINK group.
11:00-11:50 AM and 12:30-1:20 PM
REQUIRED
Students will attend the following two sessions:
COUNTDOWN TO CLASSES:
Are you ready to start classes? Come learn some practical tips for academic success in this new normal. What should you expect on the first day? Do you know how to greet your professors? Get all of these questions answered and more.
BREAKING ICE THEATER:
Through theater, students will explore components and solutions for interpersonal and social issues at St. Thomas and beyond.
GROUP A
11:00-11:50 AM 12:30-1:20 PM
GROUP B
11:00-11:50 AM 12:30-1:20 PM
Countdown to Classes Breaking Ice Theater Breaking Ice Theater Countdown to Classes
Group A: DFC Cohorts 1-3, FYEX 100.01-FYEX 100.33 Group B: DFC Cohorts 4-6, FYEX 100.34-FYEX 100.66
REQUIRED
SEPTEMBER 3 THURSDAY
CONTINUED SMALL GROUP SESSION #2 1:30-2:20 PM
In this session, your Welcome Days Leader will debrief the earlier sessions, continue to help you build connections with your classmates, and review what’s still happening between today and the start of classes.
Evening Activities - STAR and DAB are hosting events every evening during Welcome Days. Getting engaged is an important part of your Tommie experience and this is a great way to start! Meet other new students, have fun, and win prizes. All events are listed in TOMMIE LINK and include links for joining. See you there!
SEPTEMBER 4-7
On your own time you will watch and reflect upon the following sessions: TOMMIE TALKS
Tommie Talks are a series of TED-talk style presentations from St. Thomas students on the topic of holistic well-being. Talks are intended to give incoming students a realistic and optimistic outlook for their personal development, social, and emotional health as a St. Thomas student.
REQUIRED
SUSTAINABILITY AT ST. THOMAS
This 3-part session will help you learn how to join fellow Tommies in creating a better world for present and future generations. You will have a chance to win sustainability-themed prizes while exploring student activities, classes, research opportunities, and actions you can take to make a difference throughout the year.
GET INVOLVED SESSIONS
Students are required to watch and respond to a reflection form. These short sessions will engage you in learning about valuable resources available to all students that can help enhance and support your St. Thomas experience. All session links are available in TOMMIE LINK. Following each session, you will be asked to complete a short reflection or answer a question or two.
REQUIRED
for all students
living on-campus
SEPTEMBER 7 MONDAY
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY MEETING #1
Community Meetings are required for all residential students. In the community meeting, you will meet others in your community, including your Resident Advisor (RA). You will learn important expectations for the coming academic year and be introduced to your living space.
GROUP I 7:00-8:30 PM
Residents of Tommie East, Brady, and Dowling Halls
GROUP II 8:30-10:00 PM
Residents of Tommie North, Ireland, and Murray Halls Your RA will provide you a ZOOM link
10:00 PM EVENING ACTIVITIES - Check out TOMMIE LINK
REQUIRED
SEPTEMBER 8 TUESDAY
9:00 AM FACULTY ADVISOR MEETING
This important meeting will introduce you to your faculty advisor and help prepare you for the advising relationship you will develop during the semester. This meeting is also your chance to discuss any last minute questions or concerns you may have before classes begin. Your meeting will be in TOMMIE LINK and will include your link to the virtual session.
3:00 PM SMALL GROUP SESSION #3 and INTERFAITH BLESSING
During this session students will connect with their FYEX 100 groups to discuss moving forward from Welcome Days into the fall and ask/address any lingering thoughts and questions they have with peers and their Welcome Days Leader. In your small group session, you will also watch together the University's Interfaith Blessing. This tradition, while virtual this year, includes a short history of St Thomas and its founder Archbishop John Ireland and greetings and a special blessing on the start of our new school year. Your link for this session is found in TOMMIE LINK.
SEPTEMBER 8 TUESDAY
CONTINUED 5:00 PM VIRTUAL OUT OF STATE STUDENT RECEPTION
Whether you are coming from a different state or different country, St. Thomas invites you to this virtual reception to meet other peers who have traveled far to be a Tommie. Please attend to meet new people and learn about resources for our out of state students. Please check TOMMIE LINK for ZOOM link.
7:00-10:00 PM COMMUNITY MEETINGS #2
REQUIRED
Community Meetings are required for all 4-year students, both residential and off campus. In the Community Meeting, you will meet others in your community, including your Resident Advisor (RA), or Commuter Mentor (CM). You will learn important expectations for the coming academic year. On campus residents will also be introduced to their living spaces.
GREAT TOMMIE GET-TOGETHER
Jump online for this fun, get-to-know-you event. This is a fast paced, creative event where the entire first-year class gets to know each other in a hilariously fun environment - virtually!
GROUP I
7:00-8:30 PM 8:30-10:00 PM
GROUP II
7:00-8:30 PM 12:30-1:20 PM
Great Tommie Get-together Community Meeting #2 Community Meeting #2 Great Tommie Get-together
Group I: Off-Campus Students and Residents of Tommie East, Brady, Dowling, Grace, Mid-Campus Flynn, and Morrison Halls Group II: Dougherty Family College Students, Residents of Tommie North, Ireland, and Murray Halls
10:00 PM EVENING ACTIVITIES - Check out TOMMIE LINK
TOMMIE LINK U I U
U
U
TOMMIE LINK is our St. Thomas student engagement system for events, student clubs and organizations and most importantly, your Welcome Days schedule! You will access all your Welcome Days event links through TOMMIE LINK. Learn more about how to see your personalized schedule and links for Welcome Days events, how to get your event pass ready, how to participate in involvement paths, and explore all the many resources available for you to get engaged by visiting TOMMIE LINK Tutorials
CONNECT WITH A WELCOME LEADER!
Throughout the weekend, your Welcome Days Leaders will be hosting an open ZOOM room. Pop in to ask questions, connect with current students who have experience at St. Thomas, and connect more with one another. Friday, Sept. 4: 10-Noon and 2-4 PM ZOOM link Saturday, Sept. 5 10-Noon and 2-4 PM available in Sunday, Sept. 6 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM TOMMIE LINK! Monday, Sept. 7 10-Noon and 2-4 PM
ST. THOMAS CARE KITS
Creating a Culture of Care - we support each other in keeping our campus and community members safe and healthy. Please pick up your care kit that includes two additional face coverings, thermometer, hand sanitizer, and tips for staying healthy and engaged this fall. We are all in this Together!
Visit TOMMIE LINK to sign up for time and location to pick up your Be Purple Shirt and Care Kit! TOMMIE TUESDAY
On Tuesdays...we wear PURPLE! Be ready for Tommie Tuesday and pick up your FREE Be Purple t-shirt.
GOOSECHASE
Throughout Welcome Days, participate in the online scavenger hunt app Goosechase to learn more about campus. Learn about campus resources, connect with fellow Tommies, and get set up on the road to success during your first year at St. Thomas. Simply download the Goosechase app on your mobile device, create an account using your St. Thomas email, and join the “Welcome Days 2020” game to get started. Then be sure to check on the activity feed and see what your classmates are up to. And, of course, we’ll have some essential Tommie gear prizes for the top finishers.
DINING SERVICES
Dining Services is pleased to offer both returning popular locations and some exciting new ones! Our two main dining centers, The View (located in the Anderson Student Center) and the new Northsider (located in our new Residence Hall Tommie North), both offer dine-in seating based on availability. If seating is full or if you prefer to take your meal to go, both offer to go options. We invite you to explore the different offerings for each dining location by reviewing their menus and offerings online. Due to safety protocols, please be sure to allow enough time when planning your meals and we invite you to explore all the options as you plan your schedules this fall. We look forward to welcoming you! Thursday September 3 The View 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Summit Marketplace 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday September 4 The View 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Summit Marketplace 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday September 5 Fall Meal Plans begin @ 4:30 PM The View 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Summit Marketplace 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Northsider 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Sunday, September 6 The View 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Summit Marketplace 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Northsider 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday, September 7 The View 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Summit Marketplace 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Northsider 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Scooter’s 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM T’s 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday, September 8 The View 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Summit Marketplace 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Corner Market 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Northsider 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Scooter’s 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM T’s 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Looking for help connecting to the internet or intranet at St. Thomas? Wondering what technology will be available to you and what you should bring to campus? Please visit the Information and Technology Services (ITS) website HERE for more information including hours and contact information.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
The daily Mass schedule will resume in the Chapel on Tuesday, September 8 with Masses at 7 AM, 12:10 PM and 5:05 PM. Confessions will be held Monday-Friday @ 11:30 AM and Monday-Thursday @ 3:15 PM starting that week as well. WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday @ 5:30 PM and Sunday @ 11 AM & 5:30 PM
We inarethisall Together!
Division of Student Affairs