Welcome back to campus
UND sets stage for fall 2026 return to campus, with thousands expected to move in this weekend
This Saturday, Aug. 22, marks Welcome Weekend on UND’s campus — the annual move-in event heralding the semester to come.
The first full day of classes kicks off on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
To prepare for the new academic year, the campus community has been hard at work preparing housing, organizing events for Welcome Weekend and rolling out the Kelly-green carpet for both new and returning students and faculty.
When more than 2,000 students move in this weekend, they’ll find a campus that has been rejuvenated throughout the summer break.
President Andy Armacost and First Spouse Kathy are excited to welcome everyone back to campus for another incredible year at the University of North Dakota.
“This is the absolute best time of year,” said Armacost. “Kathy and I love seeing campus come back to life as all our community members return for the fall semester. We’re especially excited to welcome our new students and see them experience all that UND has to offer, get connected and find their place in our community.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of the many events and opportunities happening across campus in the weeks ahead and, furthermore, as we come back together, to pay close attention to caring for all members of campus. Coming together, meeting new people, and sharing in the excitement of a new academic year are what make our UND community so special.
“Kathy and I are grateful for the thousands of people who make UND such a welcoming place to learn, discover, collaborate, and serve, and we’re excited to see what we will accomplish together this year.”
Welcome Weekend
Thousands of students are moving into campus housing between now and Welcome Weekend, and as many as 2,000 students and their families will take part in Welcome Weekend Move-In activities, starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22.
For Saturday’s move-in, the Stop Drop & Go map will guide residents to their respective buildings with directions from U.S. Highway 2/Gateway Drive.
Several temporary traffic navigation changes are planned for Welcome Weekend to maximize traffic flow.
“We are collaborating closely with the Welcome Weekend planning group, Marketing & Communications, the University Police Department, Facilities Management and other campus partners to navigate potential disruptions from nearby construction at 42nd Street and Demers Avenue,” said Troy Noeldner, director of Housing & Residence Life.
“We’ve had excellent teamwork across the board and a shared commitment to ensuring this year’s Welcome Weekend and move-in are a complete success.”
The Welcome Weekend website contains a full schedule of planned activities for students and their families.
Alternative routes to campus
As UND community members know, this summer marked the start of a long-term project at the intersection of 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue, just south of campus.
This north-south route to reach campus is closed for the next two years to redevelop the intersection and rail crossing into an underpass for North 42nd Street and two bridges, one for DeMers Avenue and another for the BNSF Railway.
In the meantime, DeMers Avenue itself is still passable through bypass roads, but detours must be taken to reach campus from the DeMers and 42nd Street intersection. Alternatives include proceeding east on DeMers to the Columbia Road overpass, or west to 55th Street North. Both of these routes can be used to reach University Avenue.
From Interstate 29, it is recommended to exit at U.S. Highway 2/Gateway Drive to approach campus from the north.
As a friendly reminder, and for your safety, please follow all posted signs, barriers and designated detours near the construction zone.
Summer relocations and renovations
The summer break saw several construction projects at UND, some of which will be ongoing this fall and into the future.
UND Today has so far reported on the most visible of projects impacting UND property. Notably, the first phase of the STEM Complex will continue being built through the next calendar year. Also ongoing is the replacement of the Fox Memorial Bridge on the English Coulee, near Twamley and Merrifield Halls, which is expected to be completed next month.
It was also recently announced that North 25th Street between University Avenue and Red Jarrett Way (just east of Albrecht Field) will be closed starting this week, through October, for reconstruction.
Students moving into the Noren and Selke residence halls, neighboring the recently renovated and rebuilt Brannon, West and McVey residence halls on the Wilkerson Quad, will find them new and improved following two summers of interior renovations.
And through the summer stretch, some departments have relocated as the University works to vacate the aging Columbia Hall located on the north side of campus.
Renovations at Gamble Hall in recent months have made room for several offices and departments. New tenants there include the departments of Psychology and Communication Sciences & Disorders, as well as the Northern Prairie Community Clinic.
Remaining at Columbia Hall is the Department of Biomedical Engineering. According to UND Facilities Management, renovations are underway at the former location of the UND Bookstore on Hamline Street, next to the University Health Facility, to eventually house Biomedical Engineering. This facility is set to be named Hamline Hall.
The department is expected to move in by early December, which will lead to Columbia Hall being closed after several decades of service to the University.
Parking changes
Summer parking rules end after Sunday, Aug. 23, according to UND Parking Services.
This means that starting Monday morning, Aug. 24, all vehicles on campus must be parked in the lot or zone matching its permit.
Review the Campus Map to understand where your permit is valid and pay attention to signage posted around campus parking lots.
This week, Parking Services shared a handful of changes to arrangements on the Burtness, Columbia Hall and Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center parking lots. Full details are available to read on the University Letter blog.
State of the University Address
Editor’s note: Watch this week’s video message from the president, also published in this week’s issue of UND Today, for a preview and invitation for upcoming events.
This week and next — in addition to the rush of Welcome Weekend activities for students — feature events for faculty and staff to help kick off the new academic year.
This Thursday, Aug. 20, is the annual State of the University Address, which will be held at the Memorial Union and streamed online for those unable to attend in-person.
The State of the University is a chance for President Armacost to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year and share his vision for the year ahead. Last year, Armacost introduced several “moonshot” goals for UND in its first full year as a Carnegie R1 research institution.
This year’s event will feature the unveiling of the UND Community Quilt that has been in the works since late last year, featuring 144 individual squares to represent the campus community.
Picnic with the Prez
Immediately following the speech will be the “Picnic with the Prez” event at University House, at 1 Yale Drive, hosted by the president and First Lady for faculty, staff and UND Foundation employees.
Lift-Off Showcase
Later in the afternoon on Thursday, UND’s Center for Innovation will host a showcase for its Innovation Moonshot Accelerator program at the Gorecki Alumni Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
This summer, the CFI hosted a program for UND faculty and researchers to further develop their University-developed properties into commercialization opportunities — a key component of UND’s goal to launch companies through the CFI. The “Lift-Off Showcase” will feature participants sharing their pitches and highlighting discoveries made over the summer months.
New Faculty Orientation is Aug. 21
On Friday, Aug. 21, at least 45 new faculty members are expected to attend New Faculty Orientation at the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, where they’ll meet University leaders and colleagues and learn about campus resources, teaching support and opportunities to launch their research programs.
The event also includes remarks from President Armacost and Provost Eric Link, a performance by Hawks in Harmony and a visit from the Fighting Hawk.
“The start of a new semester always comes with a lot of hype and enthusiasm, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially for new faculty,” Liz Legerski, professor of sociology and organizer of New Faculty Orientation said.
“Our hope is that attendees will leave orientation feeling excited about joining the UND faculty, energized for the semester, and empowered with knowledge of the resources available to them on campus.”
Faculty and Staff Town Hall
During the following week, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, is a virtual Faculty and Staff Town Hall, again hosted by President Armacost. Town Halls are a chance for University employees to engage with leadership in a question-and-answer format. The Town Hall will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is available via Zoom.
