From a confetti-filled walk across campus to an electrifying student block party and thrilling athletic events, the start of a new school year at University of the Pacific is packed with engaging activities and rich traditions to welcome new and returning students to Stockton.

Pacific Welcome, held annually the week before school starts, will take place Aug. 19-27. The full schedule of events can be found here.

“We cannot wait to have our students back on campus,” said Vice President for Student Life Maria Blandizzi. “We have packed Pacific’s Week of Welcome with academic programming and social activities that will give our new students an introduction to campus life and help our returning students get re-connected. This is the start of life-long connections with each other and our university.”

Orientations and move-in

Programming begins Saturday, Aug. 19 with student move-in and new student and family orientation. Pacific is on track to have its largest on-campus residential population in more than a decade, driven in part by the university’s four-year housing guarantee.

Many students will be moving into newly renovated housing. Renovations to the Quad community, a group of 10 small residential buildings on campus, were finished in mid-August with the completion of Jessie Ballantyne, Casa Werner and Casa Jackson.

Introduction to college life

Signature events kick off Wednesday, Aug. 23 with the new student convocation. A long-standing tradition at Pacific, students are welcomed to campus by faculty and university leaders, marking the start of their educational journey as Tigers, followed by a confetti parade.

President Christopher Callahan and First Lady Jean Callahan will also open their on-campus home to new students at a reception Friday, Aug. 25.

“Jean and I are excited to meet our newest class of Pacificans,” the president said. “Getting to know and engage with each of our students on a personal level is one of the best parts of our Pacific experience. We cannot wait for them to experience that connection with their faculty and fellow classmates as well.”

Connecting with the community

Students can stock up on last minute essentials during a late-night shopping spree at Target. The Target Takeover is Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 8-11 p.m. with shuttle buses departing every 30 minutes.

They can explore more of the surrounding community at Tiger Prowlin’ the Mile Friday, Aug. 25, which is also open to all staff, faculty and alumni. The Miracle Mile shopping district is filled with specialty shops, boutiques, outdoor dining and a vibrant nightlife. Many businesses and restaurants offer discounts with a Pacific ID card. A list of participating merchants can be found on the PacificCard site.

The long-standing partnership between Pacific and the Miracle Mile was reinvigorated in 2022. Since then, the two entities have benefited from the partnership and a shared commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of both.

“There is new energy throughout the Miracle Mile,” said Jean Callahan, who is a member of the Miracle Mile Improvement District board. “We have ramped up events for the Pacific community and increased the number of businesses offering discounts to students, faculty and staff. Being so close to campus, it provides the perfect place for the Pacific community to get engaged with the local community and support our local businesses.”

A complimentary shuttle bus will take students from Burns Tower to the Miracle Mile every 30 minutes from 6-9 p.m. for the event.

New this year, the entire Pacific community, including new and returning students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff, are invited to join the inaugural Pacific Day of Service. Volunteers will participate in a range of service projects at animal shelters, schools, community parks and many other nonprofits across Stockton on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Finding resources and creating connections

Other planned events will help students navigate academic resources, learn about clubs and activities and get to know their fellow classmates, including the Tiger Fair Aug. 25 on the DeRosa University Center Walkway. Student clubs, organizations and departments will help students navigate the many offerings available.

“Week of Welcome is an opportunity to see what your Pacific experience will look like,” said ASuop President Izzi Gomez ’24. “It's an opportunity to learn about all the departments on campus and see all the student-centered things we have. There’s a lot of information that that will be helpful in navigating your way through Pacific.”

ASuop, the governing student association, will host its annual block party Saturday night to bring students together for a night of music and giveaways.

Throughout the week, students can show their school spirit by cheering on the Tigers in some of their first games of the season, including men’s soccer vs. UC San Diego on Aug. 24 and women’s soccer vs. Oregon State on Aug. 27. Students get in free with their Pacific ID.