Bear Essentials
Aug. 20, 2025
Welcome Home!
Check out all of the events scheduled to welcome you to the Fall 2025 semester.
Bear Essentials is Your Weekly Student E-Newsletter- Distributed every Wednesday during the semester, announcements and events can be submitted online.
KU Freshmen Move-In Parking Pass - Please check your KU email for your move-in letter from Chief Drezek. Your move-in parking pass is attached to that email. Print the pass and place it on your dashboard so it’s clearly visible before move-in day.
Find Your Class Buildings - Refer to this building code list to find the building where your classes are located.
Employee of the Month - Acknowledge our staff on campus who have gone above and beyond supporting KU's Mission. Submit an Employee of the Month nomination today!
Save the Date: Fall '25 Involvement Fair- Sept. 3, 4-7 p.m., MSU 218.
Registration for Sorority Recruitment Now Open - Interested in joining a sorority? Sign up now to participate in recruitment, get to know the chapters of our social Greek life on campus.
Tickets for Pride night at Reading Fightin' Phils (Sept. 10) - Free tickets at Boxwood or MSU Desk. Register for free bus on Engage. 5:30 bus or 6:45 game time.
New Library Hours - Rohrbach Library has new hours! Visit us Sunday 2–10:30 p.m., Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Register for Rape, Aggression and Defense Training - Provided by Public Safety and Police Services. Free to female students. 6 p.m. Sept. 15 (Old Main 22B), Sept. 16 and 18 (Old Main Georgian Room). You must attend all three sessions to complete the RAD program. More information on R.A.D.
Avoid Tickets: Register Your Vehicle Today! - All students who have a vehicle on campus must register their vehicle through MyKU > Resources tab > Vehicle Services. Once registered, please ensure your parking decal is properly displayed on your vehicle and that you are parked in your assigned lot. Questions, please contact KU Business Services: 610-683-4825.
Parking Ticketing will Begin Immediately - It is imperative that your vehicle is registered and in compliance before you arrive to campus. Questions regarding tickets, please contact KU Police Services: 610-683-4860.
KU Card & Parking Permit Hours - Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
KU Campus Store Made Some Big Changes! - Convenient counter service, web order pickup location, refreshed art department, expanded apparel area. We invite you to visit us in our newly remodeled space!
Bookstore Accounts for physical course materials and supplies - If you are receiving financial aid in excess of your tuition, fees, meals, etc., you may qualify for a bookstore account to purchase course-required books and supplies. Obtain and submit a request form online from the Student Accounts Office (no later than September 5).
KU Campus Store Extended Hours - KU Campus Store is open extended hours for move-in! Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dixon Marketplace Extended Hours - Thursday and Friday 9 a.m.-midnight, Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-midnight.
KU Campus Store Buy More, Save More Move-in Sale - Save on apparel and gifts! $10 off $49 | $20 off $99 | $40 off $199. Pick an apparel or gift item from our mastery bin when you spend over $200.
Looking for an On-Campus Job? - Check out the job opportunities on Handshake, which is the job and career platform. Go to the Job tab and filter on-campus jobs, then follow the instructions to apply.
Events
Welcome Week - Check out the Fall 2025 Welcome Week Schedule. Activities are planned throughout the next week and beyond. Don't miss the fun!
Thu. Aug. 21
New Student Move-In - Review the schedule. Main Street will be one-way, westbound from College Blvd. to Luckenbill Rd. beginning at 7 a.m.
David Hall Mentalist Show - Unforgettable magic, mind reading and audience interaction. 7 p.m. in South Dining Hall Room 1.
Campfireball: Interactive Storytelling - The Campfireball is a storytelling show crafted in the moment around the lives and stories of the audience. On the DMZ Lawn (green area between residence halls, South Campus) from 9-11 p.m.
Fri. Aug. 22
Maximize Your Buzz - What every college student needs to know about alcohol education. O'Pake Keystone Fieldhouse. 9 a.m.
Zero Shades of Gray - Sexual assault awareness and prevention. O'Pake Keystone Fieldhouse. 10 a.m.
Poster Sale - Back-to-school = time to decorate✨ Come find the perfect poster for your dorm walls at the Poster Sale! 9 a.m.-4 p.m. On the DMZ.
Convocation - 1 p.m. O'Pake Keystone Fieldhouse.
Crafting & Cookies: Freshmen Welcome Event - 9-11 p.m. at Boxwood House. Come join us to relax, chill and craft with beads at the Women's Center and the LGBTQ+ Resource Centers at Boxwood.
Paint KU - The most epic DJ paint party night to kick off the Fall semester in painted style! 9 p.m.-midnight, DMZ Lawn.
New to KU Trivia - 7–9 p.m. in South Dining Hall Room 1! Enjoy walking tacos, play New to KU Trivia on Kahoot, win prizes!
Cultures United: Movie Screening - 9-11 p.m.: Join us for a movie screening of "Bend It Like Beckham!" Try British sticky toffee pudding and Indian samosas! Multicultural Center.
Sat. Aug. 23
Philly Sports Trivia - Think you know the Birds, Phils, Sixers and Flyers? Come join KUAB and prove it at Philly Sports Trivia Night. 4 p.m. in MSU 218.
1 Reason Why Not - Introducing solutions to many of life's mental health challenges for today's college students. 10 a.m. O'Pake Keystone Fieldhouse.
Glow Party - DMZ, 9-11 p.m.
Sun. Aug. 24
Goat Yoga - Start your semester with some zen and bleats! 9-11 a.m. DMZ.
Petting Zoo - Get ready to pet, play, and pose with the cutest crew on campus! 11 a.m.-2 p.m. DMZ.
Amazing Wellness Race - Join us for the Amazing Wellness Race, a campus-wide adventure celebrating mental health, movement and mindfulness on Sun., Aug. 24th from 11am-2pm, MSU 218!
Mon Aug. 25
First Day of Classes
Ask Me Stations - North Campus. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Welcome Picnic - 4-7 p.m. DMZ.
Tue. Aug. 26
Ask Me Stations - North Campus. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Welcome Back Bash - 5-9 p.m. DMZ.
Wed. Aug 27
Ask Me Stations - North Campus. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monsters University Movie and Bingo Night - Join us for a movie night filled with laughs, screams, and school spirit👹Play bingo and win prizes along the way! This event will begin at 7 p.m. in MSU 183.