View all Roo Welcome events on RooGroups

Spring 2026 Roo Welcome takes place Tuesday, January 20 through Friday, February 6.

Roo Welcome is a chance for you to explore campus resources, learn about involvement opportunities, and connect with your Roo community. 

Personalize your Roo Welcome schedule on RooGroups where you can also find many more events happening throughout the first three weeks. All new students are encouraged to participate in Roo Welcome activities. See below for some of our signature UMKC Roo Welcome Traditions. 

• Campus Resource and Student Organization Fair: Thursday, Jan. 22, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Student Union, 401.  Jump-start your semester at the Student Organization and Resource Fair! Join the Office of Student Involvement, student support offices, and UMKC student organizations to discover new opportunities, connect with the campus community, and make the most of your UMKC experience.  
• ​​​​​​New Student Night @ the KC Men's Basketball Game: Wednesday, Jan 28, 7:00 p.m., Swinney Center. Cheer on the KC Men's Basketball team as they take on the Denver Pioneers. Be one of the first 100 students and score a FREE Kansas City Athletics rally towel - perfect for waving when the Roos take the win! Don't miss the action.
• Union Takeover: Friday, Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Student Union. The Office of Student Involvement is taking over the Union for a full night of games, food, and nonstop vibes. Grab your friends, explore every corner, and enjoy the ultimate campus hangout - Roo style! Theme to be announced soon!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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. More information to come soon...

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.

More information to come for Fall 2026 soon. 

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:

• 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.