| Do you have an existing standard welcome week program at your institution? So did we! Georgia Southern University launched its reframed and redeveloped Weeks of Welcome initiative this year. In an institution steeped with traditions, it is not easy to move away from “the Georgia Southern way" and what has been. Before fall 2012, the Welcome Week program consisted primarily of social programming and entertainment activities. Acknowledging the research in the field focused on the importance of a students' first 6 weeks on campus, the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management division at Georgia Southern University committed to being more intentional with its efforts and resources in regards to how the university engaged its students. Pulling together partners from across the division, the committee developed a 6-week long Weeks of Welcome series that combined elements of entertainment, exposure to services, traditions, and education. More importantly, the committee also identified and developed learning outcomes and a guiding framework for students participating in the 150+ activities during Weeks of Welcome to help solidify this refreshed program's future. In addition to developing learning outcomes, the committee developed an engaging, yet easy, way to track student attendance using technology. This was used to conduct assessment and provide an incentive for involvement in order to gain feedback about the students' experience during the Weeks of Welcome series. Come join the presenters of this session to learn more about how this committee redeveloped and revitalized an ordinary welcome week into a more intentional and meaningful experience for Georgia Southern University students. This interactive session will combine presentation and conversation to share new ideas being explored at other institutions. |