Next Steps

Big Red Welcome

UNL has many traditions that students love. Through these traditions, students feel a part of the community and connected to the rich history of UNL. Our biggest tradition is Big Red Welcome!

Big Red Welcome (BRW) begins on Monday, August 17, building up to signature events throughout the week. New-student welcome programming will extend into the first four weeks of the semester. During this time, we’ll host a variety of small-group and large-scale in-person events. To find a detailed calendar of events where students can make their own custom schedule, download the Nebraska app and access the Big Red Welcome calendar. The event details and descriptions in the guide will be continuously updated as plans are solidified.

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Hi, I'm Andy! Check out my POV on Big Red Welcome!

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What to Expect

Big Red Welcome is a combination of small-group activities and large-scale events leading up to the start of classes, during which students will familiarize themselves with campus, meet new students, and jumpstart their story at Nebraska. The large, campus-wide events are called Signature Events and include the following traditions:

Playfair: The Ultimate Icebreaker
College Welcome Programs
Chancellor’s BBQ
Tunnel Walk
HuskerMania
Street Festival
…and more!

Students should mark their calendars; they won’t want to miss Big Red Welcome!

Commuter Student Connects

Students can check out the commuter student program track during BRW! We will be hosting a variety of meet-ups and events.

Connects: Want to attend our larger events, but also want to meet other commuter students? Come to a Commuter Student Connect (CSC)! CSC will be hosted before many of our large events to give you and other commuter students the opportunity to meet and attend the event together. CSC will meet at the same location as the event they are attending. Watch for the orientation leader with a sign to find the group! Check the Nebraska App for more details!

Commuter Lunch and Tour: Come join us at Cather Dining Center for a free lunch to meet other commuter students! Lunch will start at 12:00 pm on Friday, August 21st. At approx. 1:00 pm, we will have a CSC and head out for a campus tour. You will have a chance to walk the campus with a current student and ask questions while finding your buildings.

Transfer Student Connects

Students can check out the transfer student program track during BRW! We will be hosting a variety of meet-ups and events.

Connects: Want to attend our larger events, but also want to meet other transfer students? Come to a Transfer Student Connect (TSC)! TSC will be hosted before many of our large events to give you and other commuter students the opportunity to meet and attend the event together. TSC will meet at the same location as the event they are attending. Watch for the orientation leader with a sign to find the group! Check the Nebraska App for more details!

Transfer Student Welcome: Come join us in the Adele Learning Commons (Love Library North) to meet other transfer students and fun surprises! This will be a come-and-go event from 3:15-4:15 pm on Friday, August 21st.

Be sure to download the Nebraska App! The full schedule (as well as other events throughout the year) will be posted there.

Why should I participate in Big Red Welcome activities?

The Big Red Welcome schedule of events is designed to help you activate your Husker Student POWER. By participating in BRW, you will familiarize yourself with campus, start to build community and meet new people, feel reassured in your purpose for attending UNL, and get comfortable in your new home. Those are all necessary parts of a successful first semester as a Husker. Why NOT join in the fun?

Can commuter & transfer students attend BRW events outside of the CSC & TSC?

Yes! Commuter and Transfer Student Connects are designed to help those students meet each other and have a group to attend events with. If you would like to go to an event on your own or with another group, that is perfectly fine!