Fall Welcome Week 2026 September 8th- 18th
Hear ye, hear ye! The gates of the Kingdom of UMass Boston are now open. Gather your courage, meet fellow adventurers, discover hidden treasures across campus, and begin your greatest journey yet. Dear Beacons, Welcome to a new chapter at the University of Massachusetts Boston. This year, we invite you to experience Welcome Week: Beacon Kingdom — a celebration of new beginnings, creativity, community, and discovery. Inspired by the spirit of the Renaissance, our theme celebrates the idea of stepping into something new, embracing new perspectives, and creating something meaningful along the way. The Student Arts and Events Council (SAEC) is dedicated to creating experiences by students, for students. Throughout Welcome Week, we hope you take the opportunity to explore campus, meet new people, discover new interests, and experience all that the UMass Boston community has to offer. Your college experience extends far beyond the classroom. Join a club. Meet someone new. Attend an event. Try something unfamiliar. Some of the most meaningful parts of your time here can begin with simply saying yes. Every event we create is made possible by the creativity, time, and dedication of our student members. We are always looking for new voices, ideas, and perspectives to bring to SAEC, and we would love for you to be part of it. Connect with us on UMBeInvolved to join our mailing list, or visit us on the 3rd floor of Campus Center, Room 3100 to learn more. We hope you enjoy Welcome Week and everything the semester has to offer. Follow us on Instagram @umbsaec to stay up to date on our events throughout the year. With excitement for the year ahead, Your 2026–2027 Coordinators Samia Sadaf Diana Reynoso Dylan Dao
Welcome Week Schedule At a glance
Campus Kickoff
Fall Concert
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Campus Center Blacklight Mini Golf
King Richard’s Faire 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Beacon Marketplace
Pizza Pop-up
Monday, September 14, 2026
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Convocation
Chancellor’s BBQ
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Lawn on B
SAEC Game Show
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
IT Pop-Up Desk Stop by for information and support before or after class! Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday September 8th Ask an OL !! WOWsponsored by Ross Center: Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Student Leadership and Community Engagement (SLCE): 12-1 p.m UHS Counseling Center: 12-1 p.m. Off-Campus Living: 1:302:30 p.m. Academic & Career Engagement & Success (ACES): 1:30-2:30 p.m. MASSPirg: 3-4 p.m. UMB Recreation Intramural Sports: 3-4 p.m. Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Learn more about the campus, directions, and life at UMass Boston by asking an Orientation Leader! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace; Quinn, 1st Floor, 9am -11 a.m
Chancellor's Morning Welcome Stop by for a free giveaway, the Welcome Week schedule, and snacks! Campus Center, Upper Level, 8:30 a.m -10 a.m.
Fall Semester MBTA Pass Distribution If you purchased an MBTA semester pass before August 9, pick it up at the Point Lounge. Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Point Lounge 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Gerontology Presents: Puzzling Join the Gerontology Department and learn more about their offerings while challenging yourself with puzzles! Campus Center, Second Floor, Terrace 10 a.m -3 p.m.
Campus Kickoff Join SAEC to kick off the Fall semester with fun novelties and games! Campus Center, Front Lawn, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Rain Location: Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday IT Pop-Up Desk September 9th Stop by for information and support before or after class! Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ask an OL
!! WOWsponsored by Ross Center: Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Civil Rights and Title IX (CRTIX): 9-10 a.m. Voter Registration: 2-3 p.m. Advising Excellence: 2-3 p.m.
The Mass Media: 3-4 p.m. Study Away: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Learn more about the campus, directions, and life at UMass Boston by asking an Orientation Leader! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace; Quinn, 1st Floor, 9am -11 a.m
Fall Semester MBTA Pass Distribution If you purchased an MBTA semester pass before August 9, pick it up at the Point Lounge. Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Point Lounge 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Student Employment Fair Stop by to hear from employers and find out what job opportunities are available! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chancellor's Afternoon Welcome Stop by for a free giveaway, the welcome week schedule, and snacks! Campus Center, Upper Level, 1:30-3 p.m.
Thursday September 10th IT Pop-Up Desk
!! WOWsponsored by Ross Center: Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stop by for information and support before or after class! Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
SMCA Day
Student Equity, Access & Success (SEAS): 2-3 p.m.
Join Student Multicultural Affairs for fun activities while learning about everything the SMCA office has to offer! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m
UHS General Medicine: 2-3 p.m
Fall Concert
Inclusive Excellence: 2:30-3:30 p.m Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Join SAEC for our annual fall concert featuring Boston local artists. Enjoy free food trucks, lawn games, and local artists playing old favorites and new! Campus Center, Front Lawn, 6 p.m. - 9: 15 p.m. Rain Location: Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Ballroom
IT Pop-Up Desk Stop by for information and support before or after class! Friday Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium September 11th 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Campus Center Day Campus Center T-Shirt Decorating
!! WOWsponsored by Ross Center: Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join Campus Center and Event Services for T-Shirt Decorating and learn more about what their office has to offer! Campus Center, First Floor, Terrace 11 a.m. -3 p.m.
Campus Center Blacklight Mini Golf Join Campus Center and Event Services for a Blacklight Mini Golf night! Enjoy free mini golf, meet new friends, and learn more about all Campus Center has to offer. Campus Center, Third Floor, Ballroom 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
Saturday King Richard's Faire 2026 SAEC for a trip to King Richard’s Faire! Tickets will be September 12th Join available at the Student Activities Office, Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Suite 3400 beginning on Tuesday, September 8th 2026. Tickets will include bus transportation to and from the faire, as well as entry tickets. $42 per Ticket for Students, $53 per Ticket for Staff, 2 per Valid UMB ID 5 Pine Street, Carver, MA, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
IT Pop-Up Desk Stop by for information and support before or after class! Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday September 14th Beacon Marketplace
A returning campus center tradition - check out local artists and vendors and their handcrafted products! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Gerontology Presents: Puzzling Join the Gerontology Department and learn more about their Tuesday offerings while challenging yourself with puzzles! th Campus Center, Second Floor, Terrace September 15 10 a.m -3 p.m.
IT Pop-Up Desk
!! WOWsponsored by Writing Center: 2:30-3:30 p.m Advising Excellence: 2:303:30 p.m. Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Stop by for information and support before or after class! Campus Center, Upper Level, Atrium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Study Away Fair Interested in studying abroad during your degree at U Mass Boston to places like Japan, Spain and Argentina? Interested in studying through the national student exchange program to places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada? Attend the Fall 2026 study away fair! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m
Pizza Pop-Up Join SAEC for the opportunity to help us break our record and hand out over 600 slices of free pizza as quickly as we can! Campus Center, Plaza, 12 p.m., while supplies last
Wednesday September 16th Community Engagement Fair
!! WOWsponsored by Academic & Career Engagement & Success (ACES): 2-3 p.m UMB Recreation - Fitness: 2-3 p.m UMB Recreation Intramural Sports: 2-3 p.m. Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Over 20 non-profits will be on campus to promote volunteer and internship opportunities. Stop by to learn about how you can make a positive impact throughout Boston! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m
2026 Orientation Reunion Summer 2026 Orientation Students - join us for a reunion with your OLs! Stop in to say hi and enjoy free snacks and games while catching up with your OLs. Orientation may be over, but your relationships don’t have to be! Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Point Lounge, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m
Convocation Thursday Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco for our annual Fall September 17th Join Convocation, the official welcome for the 2026-2027 Academic Year! Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Ballroom, 11 a.m.
Chancellor's BBQ Grab a bite to eat, enjoy free novelties including decorating your own belt and bracelet making, and take the opportunity to meet new people over a delicious BBQ meal! Campus Center, Plaza/Quad, 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Lawn on B
Friday September 18th ! WOW!sponsored by UMB Dining: 11 a.m - 12p.m Stop by for information before or after class! Campus Center, 1st Floor, Terrace
Join SAEC for our annual take on a Boston destination! Enjoy a glow in the dark park, games, free food, music, and more. Grab a friend or make a new one at the glow event of the season! Campus Center, Front Lawn, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
SAEC Game Show Join SAEC for a chance to win great prizes at our game show! Meet new people and test your general knowledge. East Residence Hall , Dining Commons 8:30p.m. - 9:30 p.m.