First-year students will participate in the UCM Experience kickoff Aug. 10-13.

Sponsored and coordinated by the UCM Office of Student Experience and Engagement, the program is designed to help students transition into college life, according to a news release.

“The move to college can be both exciting and daunting for students and their families as they adjust to campus life,” said Emily Bergsieker, assistant director of Student Activities. “The UCM Experience Kickoff allows incoming freshmen students to arrive on campus and move into the residence halls a few days before upperclassmen, giving them time to learn about their new home away from home. They also will have multiple opportunities to acquire the initial information and skills they will need for a successful start to a rewarding college career at UCM.”

Freshman students living in on-campus housing will arrive with their families between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, with help from The Mule Team, a group of student volunteers, faculty and staff and the executive board of Spotlight, the student-programming organization.

From 1-4 p.m., students will have the opportunity to pick up textbooks, parking passes from UCM Public Safety, and setup their rooms.

Events for students and their parents begin at 4 p.m. in UCM’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center. At 4:30 p.m. parents and guardians will participate in “Parenting a Collegian” while students will participate in team-building activities. Following dinner, students will participate in floor meetings and social activities.

Commuting and non-traditional freshman students will join the group Friday morning, Aug. 11, for Freshman Convocation, followed by meetings with academic departments. After lunch, afternoon breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics, offering important information for incoming college freshmen. Students will end the day with a movie on the football field in Audrey Walton Stadium.

Residence halls will open for occupancy by upperclassmen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Sunday, Aug. 13, as UCM’s annual Week of Welcome activities begin, university offices will be open from 1-3 p.m.

For more information about the UCM Experience Kickoff, visit ucmo.edu/kickoff.