Kick off your new semester with Roo Welcome! A chance to connect with new and returning Roos, Roo Welcome lets you explore campus resources, make new friends, learn about involvement opportunities, and get connected to your Roo community.
Roo Welcome Logo with a cartoon version of UMKC mascot KC Roo and Roo Welcome dates of August 20-September 12.

Signature Events and Traditions

Join us for some of our favorite Signature Events and UMKC Traditions

Jump into UMKC is an immersive, multi-day onboarding experience designed to connect new students with their peers, campus resources, and the Kansas City community through engaging activities and academic and career exploration.

Beginning Wednesday August 20th, new students will get the unique opportunity to explore campus  earlier than ever before. 

Save the Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - Friday, August 22, 2025

Learn more here

Kickoff the academic year with one of UMKC's largest late night events of the semester! Food trucks from local vendors, giveaways and drawings, and roving entertainment are just some of the fun you'll find. 

Find activities in, and explore, campus locations like Swinney Center, Atterbury Student Success Center, University Walkway, and Miller Nichols Learning Center. 

Interested in UMKC Fraternity and Sorority Affairs? Greek Letter organizations host tables to learn more about chapter values and missions, local philanthropies, and new member recruitment. 

Save the Date: Friday, August 22, 2025

Convocation marks the start of your academic journey at UMKC. This special tradition acts as the official welcoming ceremony for new and transfer students where they learn about university traditions, listen to welcoming words from the university chancellor, and participate in the UMKC pinning ceremony — one of our favorite and longest-standing traditions.

Save the Date - Saturday, August 23, 2025

Learn more here

New and returning students are invited to learn about campus resources, meet student organizations and their leaders, and engage with our campus community through our largest welcome event of the semester!

Choose from an array of food truck vendors, activities and games, and learn about community partners and off-campus vendors.

Are you a student organization who would like to participate in Unionfest? Sign up to attend here.

Save the Date - Saturday, August 23, 2025

RSVP here

New and returning health sciences students are invited to learn about resources that support their unique needs and engage with our campus community through a picnic on the Health Sciences District Lawn!

Lunch for graduate and professional Health Sciences students (SOM, Dental, SNHS) will be provided. More information to come from individual schools. 

Save the Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2025

It is a Union Takeover! With activities and entertainment in every room, hours of fun await. 

Save the Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

RSVP here

Graduate and Professional Students are invited and encouraged to participate in all Roo Welcome events and programs, especially if students are new to UMKC. 

Check back for more information soon!

Become a Welcome Leader

Want to help welcome and engage with new and returning students while building skills, making meaningful connections, and building your resume? Apply to be a Welcome Leader.

Welcome Leaders are returning UMKC students who are tasked with helping new students transition to campus. They will be some of the first students you meet and connect with on campus. Look out for them at Roo Welcome events, including Convocation, Unionfest, and more. 

Are you a returning student who wants to help new students begin their journey at UMKC? Make an immediate impact on new Roos as a Roo Welcome Leader! 

Welcome Leader applications open each Spring for the following Fall Roo Welcome.

Learn more here

Faculty, Staff, and Community Partners

We encourage UMKC faculty and staff, departments, offices, and community partners to get involved in our Roo Welcome programming. Help us welcome new and returning Roos to campus. 

All UMKC faculty and staff serve a vital role in the Roo Welcome experience. UMKC faculty and staff are essential in creating a positive and welcoming experience for our new campus community members. 
  • RSVP to Convocation 2025
    • Your participation is a testament to our new and returning students that they are joining an engaged and supportive community. 
    • RSVP Here - https://cglink.me/2n2/r404358 (must be logged into Roo Groups with SSO)
  • Register your unit/department/office for the Resource Fair 
  • Staff a Roo Welcome event. Be sure to note the date and times associated with each role as listed on the sign up 
  • Sign Up for Residential Life Move In
  • Encourage your office/department to plan a Roo Welcome event during the first three weeks of the semester. Be sure to submit your event on Roo Groups.
  • Encourage any student organizations you advise to register for the Student Organization Fair. 
  • Wear UMKC gear during the first weeks of school.

Register for the 51st Street Vendor Fair, to occur on Saturday August 23 from 2PM-4PM. 

Register HERE

FAQ

While students are not required to attend Roo Welcome events and programs, they are strongly encouraged to. Roo Welcome is your chance to meet new friends, discover resources and services, and connect with your Roo Community. Roo Welcome events will also count towards requirements for your First Semester Experience (FSE) course and are a great way to get started early.

Make sure you have taken your next steps with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to be properly enrolled in your first semester of courses. Log into your Application Status Page to check if you have any outstanding to-do items. Please note – access to Roo Groups can take up to 48 hours after enrollment.  

New students may receive their t-shirts in a few ways:

  • During Residential Life Move-In
  • During check-in at Jump Into UMKC
  • By stopping by the Welcome Table before, or during the first week of classes

If you are unable to find time to pickup your new student t-shirt, please contact the Office of Student Involvement by emailing umkcgetinvolved@umkc.edu

UMKC is committed to equitable access to all events and programs. Please contact Drake Summers, Office of Student Involvement at 816-235-5579 or roowelcome@umkc.edu to request an accommodation.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Office of Student Involvement at (816) 235-1407 or roowelcome@umkc.edu.