Black-light rock climbing, paint-n-sip mixers, a public-service project and movies are just a few of the almost 50 events that make up Pacific Welcome Week for Spring 2024—an eight-day opportunity for new and returning students to connect and sample activities and resources on the Stockton Campus.

The full schedule of events is available here.

Informational welcome sessions begin Thursday, Jan. 11 when new students move into residences, followed by new-student and family orientation on Friday, Jan. 12. Week of Welcome events run through Saturday, Jan. 20.

“This is a very important week for our students, and also an opportunity for their families to connect with Pacific,” said Josh O’Connor, Assistant Vice President for Student Life. “Each year we add more varied events and experiences. We welcome back our returning students and greet the new Pacific Tigers.

“We want all students to enjoy Welcome Week while learning about the abundance of campus resources that will prove so vital during their time on campus.”

The week is patterned after the larger Fall Week of Welcome in August each year. President Christopher Callahan said it is vital to place as much emphasis on new students who begin their Pacific journey in January.

Highlights include #PacificFriday on Jan. 19, when the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center lawn will come alive with hundreds of Pacificans visiting booths, playing games, singing karaoke and much more.

Immediately following #PacificFriday, students can volunteer for the One Bus, One Cause public-service event that was added this year. Students will travel to the Stockton Animal Shelter where they will clean cages, walk dogs and otherwise tend to the needs of dogs and cats awaiting adoption.

“We want to have our students go out and get involved in the Stockton community,” said Kim Montenegro, director of religious and spiritual life. “This is a great opportunity to engage as students and serve the public.”

Students who prefer not to interact with the animals will have the option of staying on campus to make dog toys.

Other highlights include:

• Celebrating diversity: Equity Fest (Jan. 16) will bring together many groups who add rich diversity to Pacific’s campus, including the Center for Identity and Inclusion, SUCCESS TRiO, the Community Involvement Program, student veterans and Religious and Spiritual Life. The campus will be closed on Monday, January 15 for Dr. Martin Luther King Day, but his impact on civil rights will be recognized throughout Week of Welcome.
• Getting acquainted: Paint-n-sip gatherings are scheduled by Religious and Spiritual Life (Jan. 16) and Greek Life (Jan. 17). Student resident assistants also will dine with students the evening of Jan. 13.
• Café 1851:  The grand opening of the café—which gets its name from Pacific’s status as California’s first and oldest university, chartered in 1851—will bring food and beverage service to Calaveras Hall. The first 50 students who visit the café for the grand opening (noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 17) will receive free coffee drinks.
• Learn about campus resources: Sessions include Navigating Your Pre-Health Journey, (Jan. 16), Pacific Global Open House (Jan. 17) and a career services open house (Jan. 18).
• Fun gatherings: Opportunities throughout the week include game nights, dining daily at the DeRosa Center Marketplace and rock climbing at the Baun Fitness Center
• Inter-collegiate athletics: Students can attend Pacific’s women’s basketball games against University of San Francisco on Jan. 13 and Pepperdine on Jan. 20 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The men’s and women’s swimming teams face Simon Fraser on Jan. 14.