Restarting Binghamton: What’s going on during Welcome Week?
B Welcome, also known as Welcome Week, is a time to explore campus, meet your peers and have fun at the start of the fall semester. That’s still true this year!
Scheduled for Aug. 19, the first day of Move-In Days, through Aug. 31, B Welcome will unfold differently this semester, with both in-person and virtual events.
In-person events will include measures intended to promote safety and social distancing in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Binghamton University is committed to providing a safe experience for all members of our campus community, and will continue to follow guidelines set by federal, state and local authorities regarding public gatherings.
Confirmed in-person events include:
- Self-guided fun runs, walk and jogs
- Gotcha Bike Rides using free bike rentals through the Binghamton University Bike Share program
- Face mask decorating
- Walking the Meditation Labyrinth with Education Abroad
- Corn hole with the Libraries
- Bearcat Game Day, featuring a fun array of lawn games
- Movie screenings, including Space Jam, Ready Player One and Jumanji: The Next Level
- Union Undergrounds games including bowling, foosball, shuffleboard, table tennis and billiards
- Nature Preserve hikes
- Green Day Friday Fashion Show
- Frisbee Fun Day
- Discussion groups for the common read of Just Mercy
- Run the Brain
- Scavenger Hunts
… and much more! The complete calendar of all in-person and virtual events can be found at the Welcome Week website. The calendar is updated daily, so be sure to check it regularly. All events are also located on the B-Engaged Events Calendar under the “Welcome Week” tag.
Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation is also giving the semester a fun and healthy start with a range of in-person activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in and around the Rec Center and the East Gym.
Activities will include free chair massages; outdoor yoga, Zumba and Qi-gong classes; aquatic-based Float Fit workouts in the pool; outdoor body-weight training sessions; hikes; corn hole and access to the Disc Golf course.
All activities will have reduced capacities and users will be required to make an online reservation in advance. Activities will be added to the Welcome Week calendar as they are confirmed.
Have fun — safely
Here are some things to keep in mind for B Welcome and future campus activities.
- Sanitation stations will be available throughout campus during events.
- Masks are required for in-person events. Make sure you’re wearing yours — and cover both your nose and your mouth. We’ll also provide gloves as needed for some events.
- Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet. For certain events, students will be directed where to sit to encourage social distancing; for example, bleachers will be marked during movie screenings.
- Pre-register for events. Attendance must meet social distancing parameters. That means advance registration through the B-Engaged system will be required for high-demand events, such as movie showings.
- Our staff are following social distancing guidelines, PPE requirements and other safety measures during in-person events. We’ll have additional volunteers on hand during several events for crowd and density control.
- Have an event request for this academic year that’s not yet on the calendar? You need to enter it into the B-Engaged system for approval, and then request a space through B There before promoting or marketing your event. During this process, event approvers will meet with you to go over safety protocols and social distancing.
A lot more fun to come
B Welcome is just the start of the semester! Campus life is full of opportunities to unwind, relax, up your health game and connect, from intramural sports, fitness opportunities, games and events both in-person and virtual.
The coronavirus pandemic has posed challenges, and we’re continuing to monitor and adjust to conditions as needed. Stay safe, have fun and welcome back.