The University of the Pacific’s expanded spring Week of Welcome features nearly 50 social events, athletic games and information sessions, including newly added experiences designed to immerse new and returning students in the Pacific community.

A Hot Wings chicken challenge, black-light rock climbing, farmer’s market trip and dodgeball tournament are all part of the 11-day lineup, which starts Friday with the new student and family orientation designed to help students learn how to navigate their academic journeys and campus life.

Students can enjoy a night of hot questions and even hotter wings inside Grace Covell Hall Saturday, Jan. 11 for Pacific Hot Ones, an event based on the popular “Hot Ones” show.

On Sunday, Jan. 12 buses will shuttle students to a farmer’s market at nearby Weberstown Mall to shop for fresh produce and support small businesses.

New and returning students can learn about on-campus jobs, explore clubs and organizations and make connections at the #PacificFriday Tiger Fair held Friday, Jan. 17. The Don and Karen DeRosa University Center lawn will host hundreds of Pacificans for an afternoon of games, karaoke, informational booths and much more.

Students can explore the community by volunteering for the One Bus, One Cause public-service event immediately following #PacificFriday. This year, the event will be at Black Urban Farm Association. The group’s mission is to provide locally grown pesticide-free fruits and vegetables to community members while highlighting African-American cuisine and the benefits of a plant-based diet.

“Week of Welcome is an incredible opportunity to welcome new students into their new community,” said Katherine Moreno, president of the student governing board ASUOP.

“Students will be able to participate in exciting new events and sessions, each designed to not only enable students to learn more about the enriching culture at Pacific, but to introduce them to the many on-campus resources that are accessible to them,” she added. “It’s a time to make friends and memories that will go far beyond this week.”

The week is modelled after the larger Week of Welcome in August each year and aims to connect students to the wealth of activities and resources on campus while also enabling students to engage with the larger Stockton community.

“We are thrilled to welcome back returning students and cannot wait for our new students to explore our beautiful campus,” said Vice President for Student Life Maria Blandizzi. “Our spring week of welcome is packed with events to help students re-connect, meet new classmates and hone in on their goals for spring semester.”

Other Week of Welcome highlights include:

Celebrating diversity: Attend the Cultural Fair (Jan. 14) hosted by the Center for Identity & Inclusion. The event will showcase various cultural affinity spaces on the Stockton Campus.

Getting acquainted: Play bingo hosted by the Student Leadership and Involvement Center (Jan. 14) and make vision boards with Greek Life (Jan. 15).

Learn about campus resources: Sessions include Navigating Your Pre-Health Journey (Jan. 14), Pacific Housing Information Session (Jan. 15) and a Take Care Fair to highlight mental and physical health resources (Jan. 16).

Fun gatherings: Opportunities throughout the week include karaoke nights, daily dining at the DeRosa Center Marketplace and rock climbing at Baun Fitness Center

Athletics: Students can attend Pacific’s women’s basketball games against LMU Jan. 16 and University of San Francisco Jan. 18 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The men’s and women’s swimming teams face Cal Poly Jan. 17.