Saluki Startup
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Last Updated: Aug 07, 2026, 02:44 PM
Saluki Startup is your ultimate introduction to SIU, designed to help new students connect, explore campus, and become part of the Saluki family. Make sure to check back for updates on Saluki Startup. You won’t want to miss these exciting events and the chance to kick off your SIU journey.
Wednesday, August 12
Opening Day for Residence Halls: New Student Move-In
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | New Students with Last Names A-M
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | New Students with Last Names N-Z
Saluki Family Information Station - Not sure where you need to go? Stop by an Information Station and get directions, a campus map, and meet some new Saluki faces!
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Student Center Lawn
Sweet Goodbyes - Once you are settled into your residence hall, join the New Student Programs for a complimentary sweet treat. Food trucks will be on-site.
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Student Center Lawn
College of Business and Analytics Ice Cream Social - Please join the College of Business and Analytics for an Ice Cream Social. Mix and mingle with other new business students, current students, faculty, and staff.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Rehn Hall, East Lawn
Thursday, August 13
New Resident Orientation - University Housing will be hosting a First-Year Resident Orientation to help new students acclimate to their new home and educating them on resident expectations.
9:00 a.m. | Neely Hall & Thompson Point Residents |Student Center Ballrooms
10:30 a.m. | Mae Smith & Schneider | Student Center Ballrooms
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Student Services Building Room 150/160
Light Up The Lake - The boat dock will be glowing all night with glow-in-the-dark activities and games. Meet new, fellow Salukis while enjoying activities, snacks, a DJ and FREE giveaways. Come on out for an exciting night at the boat dock as we Light Up the Lake!
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Becker Pavilion
Friday, August 14
Academic Orientations
9:00 a.m. | Check your college/school below for more information
College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences - We’re excited to have you as a part of CALPS! Learn more about everything we have to offer, meet your peers, and join your program faculty in breakout activities!
9:00 a.m. | Muckelroy Auditorium, Agirculture Building Room 102
College of Arts and Media - CAM’s Academic Welcome is an opportunity for new SIU students to meet the College of Arts and Media community and learn more about their academic home. The program will include a welcome from Dean Hong Cheng, introductions from the directors of CAM’s six schools, and a student panel featuring advice and insight from current students. New students will also have time to socialize, meet one another, and connect with faculty and staff from their academic programs.
9:00 a.m. | Communications Building, Northlight Studio, Room 1251
College of Business and Analytics New Student Meeting - Welcome new College of Business and Analytics students! Be sure to attend this meeting to kick off the semester strong, connect with faculty and peers, and learn about the resources and opportunities available to help you succeed.
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Morris Library, Guyon Auditorium
College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics - Welcome to the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics! We will be serving pancakes and knowledge. We will have a panel of current students at 10:00 am. Come start off the school year strong!
9:00 a.m. | Engineering Building Room A-111
9:00 a.m. | Student Recreation Center
College of Liberal Arts First-Year Academic Orientation - Join us at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center! Deans, faculty, and staff will participate in team-building events with students. Lunch included. Further details and registration sent through email.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center
Envision Your Future with the SoE! - Make the SoE the first stop on your academic adventure! Map out your goals for the future by creating vision boards with the School of Education and exploring our fair!
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Wham 302
Exploratory - Saluki Success Initiative
This Academic Orientation will take place on Thursday, August 13 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Student Services Building Room 150/160
Total Solar Eclipse Livestream Watch Party - SIU students from multiple departments will be streaming the total solar eclipse live from Leon, Spain. Join us to watch this SIU Carbondale NASA SolarSTEAM livestream. Doors open at noon. Free event. Hosted by School of Physics.
12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Neckers Building 240
Classroom & Campus Tours - Join Orientation Leaders for a guided tour of important locations on campus that include lecture halls, study areas, resources, food outlets, and fun hangout spots. Sponsored by New Student Programs.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Student Services Building 1st Floor Lobby
Commuter Student Welcome Dinner - FREE welcome dinner for new commuter students to meet, learn about resources, and enjoy all-you-care-to-eat food at Lentz Dining Hall. After dinner, we'll walk to Saluki Stadium for the Saluki Kickoff Pep Rally. Spouses/partners/children welcome. Registration Preferred.
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Lentz Dining Hall Room #1
Saluki Kickoff Pep Rally - Be part of the excitement as we welcome the Class of 2030. A Class of 2030 photo will be taken, and filming for an SIU commercial will take place during the event. Come ready to participate, cheer and celebrate — Go Dawgs!
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Saluki Stadium
Late Night at the REC - Join us for a late evening of volleyball, climbing walls, basketball, movie in the pool, and a host of other activities at the Student Recreation Center!
9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Student Recreation Center
Saturday, August 15
Break-Fest Crawl - Join New Student Programs for a fun crawl of our favorite breakfast restuarants and cafés. Pick up your special postcard featuring participating Carbondale coffee shops, cafés, and local gathering spots. Once you have your postcard, explore the community at your own pace through September 4 by visiting participating locations, making a purchase, and collecting a stamp at each stop. Complete your postcard and return it to our office by September 4 to be entered into a raffle for a special prize!10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Meet at Student Center Starbucks to begin | Crawl Locations include Harbaugh's Cafe, Blend Tea & Crepe Lounge, and Lost Forest Coffeehouse & Pub
Dawgs Nite Out - Games, inflatables, free food and more are all at DNO! Free for students with your ID. Kickoff the semester with a night out on the Student Programming Council. Sponsored by Office of Student Engagement.
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Student Center
Sunday, August 16
Coffee Connection and Brunch - 9:50 am Coffee Connection and Brunch @ New Room Coffee Shop with Saluki Art Table 10:30, Worship 11:45-12:15 Student Grow Group. Free student study snack packs. Rides or questions call Lisa @618-525-2022. Hosted by Campus ministries/New Room Global Methodist Church
9:50 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 607 E College, Carbondale
Campus Tours - Join University Housing staff for a guided tour of important locations on campus.
10:00 a.m. | Grinnell Hall
11:00 a.m. | Lentz Dining Hall
Class of 2030 Convocation
All new first-year students and faculty are invited to participate in Convocation, the ceremonial beginning of a student's academic career.
12:30 p.m. | Check In at Tedrick Welcome Center
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Shryock Auditorium
Chancellor's Welcome Fest - Kick off the semester with one of our long-standing campus traditions! Take part in our tradition by hanging out with incoming peers while meeting Chancellor Lane, SIU faculty, staff, and students. There will be a DJ, games, dunk tanks, tie-dye, sweet treats, giveaways, and more!
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Shryock Lawn
Welcome Back BBQ - Join us for Mass at 11:15am followed by a BBQ at the Newman Center. Hosted by Newman Catholic Student Organization!
11:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 715 S Washington St Carbondale