Thousands of students are returning to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Saturday, Aug. 13, for a new school year, and there will be plenty of free activities to welcome them back to campus.

The move-in day return to campus will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the parent dinner for students and their parents from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Diamond Café.

Freshman Convocation

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, Freshman Convocation welcomes all new students to campus with feature presentations by university leaders. Faculty members participate in regalia as a show of support and commitment to the success of UALR students. The event will be held at 10 a.m. in the University Theatre in the UALR Center for Performing Arts. Interim Chancellor Dr. Zulma Toro will offer the university welcome and Dr. Julien Mirivel will deliver the keynote address. 

After convocation, students can get in the Trojan spirit with lunch, a pep rally, and an organizational fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the DSC Mall. They also can catch “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall.

Students can begin the first day of school with free donuts and coffee from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, in the Donaghey Student Center Foyer. In the evening, students can attend a karaoke session at 7 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall.

The official campus kickoff for the new academic year is the University Assembly Meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, in DSC Ledbetter Hall. During the assembly, UALR will welcome its new chancellor, Dr. Andrew Rogerson. In addition, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Zulma Toro will discuss the new student success initiative, the Trojan Experience, the university’s diversity and inclusion plan, and enrollment.

The weekend will begin with tailgating at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the UALR Coleman Sports Complex, followed by the first women’s soccer match against Northwestern State at 7 p.m.

Other welcome back activities include T-shirt exchanges, Trojan Wars, ice cream with UALR Public Safety, and Meet the Greeks. For a complete list of back-to-school activities, visit the Trojan Daze website.

In the upper right photo, UALR students move to campus during the 2015 Move-in Day. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/UALR Communications.