Welcome Home, Gaels!
Welcome to Saint Mary's College of California's Weekend of Welcome! We're so excited to have you join us for our biggest event of the new year. From August 27-30, you'll dive into a mix of exciting activities designed to help you meet your fellow Gaels and feel right at home. Whether it's painting the SMC sign, showing off your backflip skills at the pool party, or watching a home game, Weekend of Welcome is the perfect way to kick off your Saint Mary's journey, make new friends, and become part of the campus community. We can't wait to share this memorable weekend with you!
Please note that all first-year students are expected to attend all events during Weekend of Welcome, unless explicitly noted otherwise. Transfer students are also welcomed and encouraged to attend Weekend of Welcome events!
Move-In Schedule
We are excited to welcome you to campus for Move-in Day! When you arrive on-campus, you will be directed to a Campus Housing station where you will receive your keys, student ID, and other important information. You will be directed to your dorm, where student ambassadors will help with unloading your vehicle.
| Move-In Day | Group | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 25 | Students attending orientation Wednesday, August 26 | Last Name A-L: 1–2 p.m. / Last Name M-Z: 2–3 p.m. |
| Thursday, August 27 | Students who attended orientation in June | Last Name A-L: 9–11 a.m. / Last Name M-Z: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
2026 Schedule
(Subject to change!)
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - First Year Student Move-In (Directions will be provided upon entering campus)
- Last Name A-L: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Last Name M-Z: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Vendor Fair & (free!) Coffee Cart, De la Salle Lawn
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Library Open House, Power Plant
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Relax & Unwind (games, music, & more!), Ferroggiaro Quad
- Student Life Meet & Greet with University Credit Union, Dryden Hall
- Honors Student Kick Off Event, Claeys Lounge, Soda Center
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Welcome Liturgy, Chapel, hosted by the Mission & Ministry Center (All are invited!)
4:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Farewell BBQ, Chapel Lawn
6:30 p.m. - Gael Welcome Walk (All new students meet at flagpole on Chapel Lawn at 6:15pm)
7:00 p.m. - Meet Your Weekend of Welcome Leader* (Families will be asked to depart campus at this time.)
8:00 p.m. - Meet Your Residence Hall! (Meetings & Socials), Various Locations
9:00 p.m. - New Student 'Throwdown,' Soda Center
10:00 p.m. - Late Night Dining, Dryden & the Pub
*Specific information will be emailed on move-in day*
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast with your WoW Group, Oliver Hall
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - New Student Academic Convocation, Chapel Lawn
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Thrive at Saint Mary's! (Rotations, Various locations departing from Convocation)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch, Oliver Hall
1:30 - 3:30 p.m - First Year Advising Cohort Meeting, Various Classrooms
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. - Transfer Take-Over, Socials & Snacks, Hagerty Lounge, De la Salle Hall
4:00 p.m. - Yes! Yes! Yes! with Jeff Bucholz & Title IX Resources, Soda Center
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Dinner, Oliver Hall
7:00 p.m. - Ice Cream with President Thompson and Ms. Deb, President's Home, Siena Hall
8:00 p.m. - WOW Event, sponsored by Student Activities & Engagement, Ferraggiaro Quad
*Specific information will be emailed on move-in day*
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Brunch Available, Oliver Hall
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Building Our Community (Rotations, Various Locations)
12:00 p.m. - 'Find Your People' Involvement Fair for New Students, Dryden Hall
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Pool Party hosted by Campus Recreation, Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Crafternoons at the Library, Power Plant
4:30 p.m. - Paint the SMC, Meet on De La Salle Lawn
4:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Transfer Night at the Pub, 1928 Pub
5:00 -7:30 p.m. - Dinner, Oliver Hall
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - 'Grow With Us,' Outside of Student Activities & Engagement (Ferroggiaro Hall)
8:00 p.m.- Residence Hall Association (RHA) 'Soiree,' Ferroggiaro Quad
9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Brunch Available, Oliver Hall
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Adventure SMC
Sidequests- Explore the Area! (Sign Up for these throughout WoW)
- Moraga Farmer's Market
- Walnut Creek shopping & dining
- Lafayette Reservoir
- Rheem/Moraga shopping & dining
Sidequests- Explore SMC (on-campus)
- Hike to the Cross
- Find the Tree of Life
- Disc Golf
- Scavenger Hunt
- Legacy Garden
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Welcome Back BBQ, De La Salle Lawn
Thrift Store Pop Up, hosted by Office of Sustainability
8:00 p.m. - Alpha Mass, SMC Chapel
9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. - Late Night Shopping at Rheem's Home Goods & TJ Maxx (exclusive to SMC students!)
Meet our 2026 Weekend of Welcome Student Coordinators!
Hello Future Gaels! My name is Hector Alexander Gonzalez (he/him). I am a third year computer science major from Gilroy, California. Besides being one of your coordinators for the 2026-2027 Weekend of Welcome, I am an admissions ambassador so you can catch me giving tours throughout the semester and welcoming new families to campus. I am also the vice president of the club baseball team and work at the financial aid office. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Hey Gaels! My name is Priscilla Araceli Guerrero (she/her). I am a third year majoring in Sociology with a minor in Dance. I am from San Francisco, California. Other than being one of your coordinators for the 2026-2027 Weekend of Welcome, I am in our very own Saint Mary’s Dance Company, and I also work for the Office of the President! I love anything coffee and pink! Can't wait to meet y'all!
Weekend of Welcome
Your guides for Weekend of Welcome are Student Leaders (WoWies), who will answer your questions, give advice and show you around!
After move-in day, you, as a new student, get to take part in Weekend of Welcome—you'll participate in activities that focus on coursework, programs that complement the curriculum, and activities that will help you get acquainted with your new home.
Move-in Day
