Oakland University's incoming students get their first taste of Golden Grizzly life on Wednesday, Sept. 2, when the Rochester Hills campus hosts its annual New Student Welcome, kicking off with a clap-in at 2 p.m. at the OU Credit Union O'rena.

The afternoon lineup includes a pep rally inside the O'rena from 2:30 to 2:50 p.m., a party at Elliott Tower at 3 p.m., student resource tents from 3 to 5 p.m., and a comedic hypnotist performance from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Oakland Center's banquet rooms, according to the university's orientation calendar. The event also includes live music, food and giveaways, and families are invited to attend.

The event lands the day before fall 2026 classes begin on Thursday, Sept. 3, giving freshmen and transfer students one last day to settle in before coursework starts.

Oakland University's Orientation and New Student Programs office describes the gathering as a signature event that brings together all new students and their families to launch the academic year. The full agenda, including performer details, is posted at oakland.edu/orientation/new-student-welcome.

Elliott Tower, the 151-foot, 49-bell carillon that anchors the campus skyline, serves as a backdrop for part of the celebration.

A fire pit gathering, described on the university's calendar as "Eats and Beats at the Fire Pit," is also planned near the P11 parking lot and the Recreation and Athletic Outdoor Complex, giving students another option to extend the day after the main welcome wraps. A specific time for that gathering has not yet been announced.

Oakland University posted about the event on X on Tuesday, Aug. 25, listing the highlights and pointing new Golden Grizzlies to the full event agenda.

First-year students do not need to RSVP for the New Student Welcome, and each student may bring up to two guests; transfer students can RSVP through links on the orientation page. The university's athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Horizon League.

Classes begin Thursday, Sept. 3.