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Weeks of Welcome

By Johnny Andrews and Jon Gardiner, University Communications

After a quiet summer, campus springs to life the week that students return to campus for the start of the school year. Once move-in starts, you will see Tar Heels strolling along the brick paths, meeting up with friends between classes, recruiting their peers to join clubs in the Pit and relaxing on Polk Place.

Take a look at scenes from the past week.

View of the Old Well on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill at dusk.

Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill

The Old Well was closed for construction for most of the summer to add a sloped pathway and lower the fountain to make the campus landmark more accessible. The project was completed just in time for the start of the semester, and this photo was made the night before classes started.

A student holding another's hand as she as she runs during a welcome activity on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill

Some incoming students start their Carolina experience by participating in Carolina Kickoff, an informal introduction to UNC-Chapel Hill hosted by the Campus Y. The students move into their residence halls and then make their way to the Campus Y building, where they are greeted by cheering Carolina Kickoff counselors.

An incoming first-year college student hugging his sister outside of a residence hall on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill

Move-in is always a whirlwind of activity. However, when it is time to say goodbye to family and friends who helped with the move, quiet moments like this goodbye hug Cooper Spaeth received from his younger sister, Evelyn, are always special.

A student, her mother and grandmother smiling and laughing as they set up a dorm room.

Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill

Moving into a residence hall is a special moment for many students, not just those starting their first year at Carolina. Senior Jala Battle is no stranger to the process; she lived in this room before as an undergraduate.

A person stepping around four mirrors sitting on a grass lawn. The reflection of the mirrors creates an upside down view of a bell tower on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill

Mirrors scattered in the grass at this year’s Carolina Thrift sale during move-in weekend provided a new and fun view of Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower.

A large crowd of students in a football stadium turning their bodies and positioning their arms to spell the letter

Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill

One of the featured events of the Weeks of Welcome is the pep rally, where new students learn Carolina cheers, hear from football coach Mack Brown and watch the team practice.

A group of students playing a game with a ball called spikeball on the lawn of Polk Place on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill

At FallFest —the annual celebration featuring food, entertainment, giveaways and activities set up throughout Frank Porter Graham Student Union, in the Pit and on Polk Place — students play spikeball as the sun begins to set on Wilson Library.

Two students preparing to paint a canvas with their hand prints.

Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill

There are many ways to make your mark on Carolina. At FallFest, students add to an art installation by placing their handprints on the Cube outside Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

Two students hugging on Polk Place at the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill

Each year during the first week on campus, students gather on Polk Place for the Sunset Serenade, a free concert featuring Carolina a cappella groups. The event, held this year at the end of the first day of classes, is a chance to enjoy the music and meet up with friends before the semester really gets going.

A student drinking from the fountain of the Old Well on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill. A line of students is seen in the background as the sun shines.

Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill

Legend has it that a sip from the Old Well on the first day of classes brings students good luck — even a perfect GPA. Thousands of Carolina students line up at the well every year to test the theory for themselves.

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