Fall Welcome Weekend Celebrates New College of Charleston Students

At the College of Charleston, we don’t just welcome our new students on campus, we celebrate them! And this year’s celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever!

With fall 2026 classes beginning on Monday, Aug. 17, the College is getting the new semester started early with an entire Fall Welcome Weekend for new students!

Fall Welcome Weekend kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 15, with First Night Charleston and culminates with the New Student Convocation – the College’s annual gathering in the Cistern Yard where students embark on their own intellectual journeys at the College of Charleston with much fanfare – on Sunday, Aug. 16.

The College’s convocation has long been a significant event, introducing students to the institution’s academic traditions, history, symbols and mottos, and lighting the way for the experiences, opportunities and memories that lie ahead. It all starts as they walk through Porter’s Lodge – the same archway they will walk through when they depart the Cistern Yard at graduation – marking the beginning of their time at the College.

The newly redesigned convocation experience enhances this tradition. One of the biggest changes is how students will make their way to the Cistern Yard for convocation: After gathering for the Party on the Green, the new students will take the Cougar Walk from Rivers Green to the Cistern Yard.

Between an enhanced convocation and some brand-new events, staff from the Office of Student Involvement, Campus Recreation Services, the Athletics Department, the Department of Residence Life and the Life Design Center have created a fantastic new Fall Welcome Weekend for students.

“Reimagined and new programming, along with a dynamic new convocation format that includes special effects, will increase student engagement and excitement for an unforgettable experience,” says Michael Duncan, associate vice president for student engagement.

Fall Welcome Weekend 2026

Saturday, Aug. 15

First Night Charleston
7:30–9:30 p.m.
TD Arena

The official welcome to campus for first year students starts here! First Night Charleston kicks off their college experience with a pep rally, fun events, music, food, games, giveaways and more!

Sunday, Aug. 16

Party on the Green
4:30–6:15 p.m.
Rivers Green

Party on the Green is the main gathering for students before the Cougar Walk and convocation. The event brings our newest Cougars together for an afternoon of music, food, games, giveaways and fun. It’s an opportunity for students to relax, meet new people, reconnect with friends and celebrate the start of a new academic year.

Transfer Student Dinner
5:30–6:45 p.m.
Simons Center lobby

All transfer students are invited to dinner with President Andrew T. Hsu, Provost Suzanne Austin and Executive Vice President of Student Affairs Alicia Caudill. Following dinner they will walk as a group to the Cistern Yard for convocation.

Cougar Walk
6:15 p.m.
Rivers Green to Cistern Yard

Cougar Walk is a new College of Charleston tradition that welcomes incoming students as they make their way from Party on the Green and other locations on campus to convocation in the Cistern Yard. Accompanied by the Cougar Pep Band, new students will walk together through campus while receiving spirit items and giveaways along the route. The Cougar Walk is designed to build excitement, create lasting memories and celebrate the beginning of each student’s journey as a new member of the campus community.

New Student Convocation
7 p.m.
Cistern Yard

New Student Convocation is the official academic welcome for all incoming students and marks the beginning of their college experience. During this longstanding tradition, students gather in the Cistern Yard to hear from campus leaders, celebrate the start of the academic year and be formally welcomed into the College community. Convocation serves as the culminating event of Fall Welcome Weekend and signifies the beginning of each student’s academic journey at the College of Charleston, lighting the way for the experiences, opportunities and memories that lie ahead.

For more information about the College of Charleston Fall Welcome Weekend, download our guidebook: