In the days before (August 26-September 1) the first day of class on September 2, you’ll round out your Orientation and Transition process by participating in Panther Transition Experience! You’ll participate in small group workshops, visit and learn about campus resources, and experience UWM traditions.
Academic Welcomes offer an opportunity for you to meet with your academic unit staff and faculty as well as support services. Plan to arrive to campus no later then 10:45 a.m. allowing you time to travel to your designated location.
Make sure to bring a fully charged mobile device with you to your academic welcome. Check out the campus map.
Not sure which Academic Unit Welcome to Attend? Click the gold button below to search for your academic program. Click on your academic program and look for the School or College name. Then return to this page to view your Academic unit’s Welcome location and directions.
The Class Photo tradition will take place on Tuesday, September 1 at Spaights Plaza. As you arrive to Spaights Plaza, you will receive your limited-edition gold class t-shirt. Access to Spaights Plaza from Bolton, Arts, and the Student Union will not be available. In addition to a DJ ready to get everyone hyped up, Chancellor Gibson will welcome the class at 12:30 p.m. from the 2 level outdoor balcony of the Student Union in advance of the photo being taken immediately after. A video board with live footage of speakers and an American Sign Language interpreter with captioning will be provided.
Following the photo, students will be dismissed to pick up their lunch provided by Campus Dining underneath the Library Overhang. Dietary accommodations for gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian will be available.
Additional Information
Accessibility Accommodations
An alternative in-person Panther Transition Experience program is available for students needing mobility accommodations, with reduced campus travel. For any other accommodations students are encouraged to proactively reach out to orientation@uwm.edu at least one week in advance of their assigned program date.
Attendance, T-Shirt Pick-up, and Make-Up Program
On Tuesday, September 1, all students are required to attend the Class Photo and Academic Welcome hosted by their School/College/Unit. Students may be contacted by the academic unit if they are unable to attend their Academic Welcome.
Students who are unable to attend the Class Photo may pick up their class t-shirt at the Student Success Center, Bolton Hall, Room # 120. Please note, sizes and quantities are limited and students must present their PantherCard to receive their shirt.
Panther Transition Experience (PTE) is required for all new first-year students under 21, and strongly encouraged for new first-year students aged 21+ and transfer students.
Commuter students and all transfer students should RSVP in their admissions portal.
Students who have a conflict with their assigned date should contact orientation@uwm.edu to request approval to complete the online make-up program in Canvas.
Attendance will be taken at various points of the program and at Academic Welcomes.
Students who no show for PTE will automatically be added to the make-up program.
Be Prepared and What to Bring
Students who live in RiverView or Cambridge are strongly encouraged to review the Prowl Line information and download the Passio GO app which provides real time updates regarding the location and expected arrival times of the Prowl Line shuttle.
All programs will happen rain or shine! Plan to review the weather and dress accordingly. Consider applying sunscreen and bringing a reusable water bottle.
Locations are both inside and outside for all programs. Plan to be traveling around campus and walking or standing if you are able.
Make sure your mobile device is fully charged and consider bringing a portable charger if you have one. Many activities will incorporate the use of technology.
Commuters and Parking
August 26
All new first-year commuter students attend on Wednesday, August 26. Parking validation will be facilitated by the Off-Campus Resource Center (OCRC) and available for those that park in the Klotsche Pavillion or UWM Student Union Garage. Students will visit the OCRC during the resource exploration or at the Commuter Student Social.
Lunch is at students’ expense in the Union (11am and 2pm). The Commuter Student Social from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. will feature free popsicles from a local vendor.
September 1
Parking permits begin on September 1. If you do not have a permit, parking is available at no cost to you in the Klotsche Center Pavilion or NWQ parking structures. Please pull a ticket on entry and exit the garage by 5pm to have your parking fee waived. You will not need to insert the ticket upon exit if you exit the garage by 5pm. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early if parking on campus.
Drop In Advising – Weekdays 8/24-9/9 – University Closed on 9/7 for Labor Day
Sept 2-3: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (In Person & Virtual)
Sept 8-9: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (In Person & Virtual)
Pathway Advising | Location: Mellencamp 128
Aug 31: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (In Person)
Sept 1: Noon – 3:00 PM (In Person)
Sept 2-9: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (In Person)
School of Freshwater Sciences | Location: NWQB 2531
No drop-in schedule – email Kristina at kmschell@uwm.edu
Zilber School of Public Health | Location: Enderis 810 / KIRC 5th Floor
No drop-in schedule available.
College of Letters & Science | Location: Holton Hall 142
Sept 3-4: 9:00 AM – Noon and 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM (In Person & Zoom)
Sept 8: 9:00 AM – Noon (In Person & Zoom)
Sept 9: 9:00 AM – Noon and 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM (In Person & Zoom)
International Students
You are expected to attend UWM’s two-day in-person F-1/J-1 Student Orientation + Panther Transition Experience.
Day 1: Friday, August 28
This session will focus on topics unique to F-1/J-1 international students.
Time:
Check-in: 10 – 10:30 a.m.
F-1/J-1 Orientation: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Chemistry Building
Day 2: Monday, August 31
This session is for all new undergraduate students. Topics covered will include course enrollment, UWM technology tools, key campus resources and policies, UWM traditions, and more. See First-Year students under 21 years old schedule above.
Select “Register for the fall 2026 Panther Transition Experience for International Students” and complete the registration form.
Honors Convocation
Honors Convocation, hosted by the Honors College, is on Tuesday, September 1 from 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in the Lubar Entrepreneurship & Welcome Center.
Shuttles from South Campus – RiverView and Cambridge
The Prowl Line will be running and ready to support residents of RiverView and Cambridge with getting to main campus for Panther Transition Experience.
Additional South Campus shuttles are provided for RiverView and Cambridge residents and will be staffed at building pick-up locations and at drop-off on Maryland Ave. near Lubar Hall to support way-finding.
Students assigned to Friday and Monday Panther Transition Experience dates should plan to board the shuttle to main campus starting at 7:30 a.m. Shuttles will be available to transport students back to RiverView and Cambridge from 2:30 – 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, September 1, students who are shuttling to campus for academic welcomes and class photo should board a shuttle to campus between 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. to ensure on time arrival. Students who are late should still shuttle to main campus to attend the required Academic Welcome sessions and class photo.
Shuttles returning to south campus will pick up near Lubar Hall on Maryland Ave. beginning at 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.
University Housing Floor Meetings
Community meetings for University Housing Residents of all buildings will be on Monday, August 31 at 6 p.m. in the lounge of your residence hall floor. Community Meeting attendance is mandatory. See your Resident Assistant with questions.
