Welcome, Vikings!
We have a full lineup to help get you ready for a fantastic semester.
Welcome Week Schedule
January 2026
Welcome Back Booth
Hosted by: Orientation Office
Time: 11 am-2 pm
Locations: Marsh Dining Hall and North Dining Hall
Welcome back, Vikings! Stop by the Orientation Office’s Welcome Back Booth to get ready for the spring semester. We’re here to help you navigate your first week, answer questions, and share helpful resources. Whether you need directions, tips, or just a friendly face to start your day we’ve got you covered!
Group Exercise Classes Begin
Hosted By: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Class Hours: Visit our webpage for group exercise schedules
Location: Gassett Fitness Center
The Gassett Fitness Center offers weekly group exercise classes as a benefit of your membership which is covered by student fees for registered students and as a benefit of employment for university employees. Our nationally certified instructors are here to welcome you to class and to motivate, encourage, and challenge you – helping you achieve much more than on your own. Spring classes begin on January 20.
Esports Lounge Hours Begin
Hosted By: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Esport Lounge Hours of Operation: visit our webpage for Esports hours
Location: Ellison Campus Center- ECC 010
A space for all gamers, the Esports Lounge re-opens for the fall semester! Drop-in play is available for all students on our state-of-the-art PCs and gaming consoles! No previous gaming experience is necessary to try out our space.
Gassett Fitness Center Spring Hours Begin
Hosted By: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Location: Gassett Fitness Center
Spring hours begin on Tuesday, January 20:
Monday-Thursday, 6:30 am-8 pm; Friday, 6:30 am-6 pm; Saturday, 10 am-3 pm; Sunday, 12 pm-5 pm.
Math Learning Center Spring Open House
Hosted By: Math department
Time: 10 am-5 pm
Location: Sullivan Building 307
Stop by the Math Learning Center – and grab coffee, water, or a snack!
Math Learning Center (MLC) is here to support your success! Join us during Welcoming Week in the Sullivan Building (3rd floor). In-person and Remote tutoring for any course involving math. Come say hello, grab a treat, and find out how the MLC can support you this semester!
Spring Involvement Fair
Hosted by: Student Involvement and Operations
Time: 4-6 pm
Location: North Dining Hall
Join us for the Student Involvement Fair, your one-stop opportunity to explore all the ways to get connected on campus! Over 50+ student organizations, campus departments, and involvement opportunities will be on display. Whether you’re interested in joining a club, getting involved in leadership, or just seeing what Salem State has to offer, this is the place to start. Come meet fellow students, grab some free swag, and find the group or cause that inspires you!
Women’s Basketball Game vs. Worcester
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 5-6:45 pm
Location: Twohig Gymnasium, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our women's basketball team as they take on Worcester State!
Intramural Sports Mixer
Hosted by: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Gassett Fitness Center Rec Courts
Interested in spring intramural sports? Get to know the intramural staff, connect with other players, and sample some appetizers at this mixer! This will be the best way to find a team to play with for intramural basketball, soccer, pickleball, or softball.
Men’s Basketball Game vs. Worcester
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 7-8:45 pm
Location: Twohig Gynasium, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our men's basketball team as they take on Worcester State!
Career Closet Kickoff
Hosted by: Career Services
Time: 11 am-3 pm
Location: Ellison Campus Center Career Closet Room 108
Kickstart your spring semester in style! Join us for the Career Closet Kickoff on Thursday January 22, where you can shop for free attire and gear up for the Job & Internship Fair. Everything is free and yours to keep. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a few new items to your wardrobe and dress to impress your next employer.
Student Success Summit
Hosted by: First Year Experience
Time: 4:30-7 pm
Location: Ellison Campus Center
The annual Success Summit features a motivational keynote speaker, workshops, and a panel discussion designed to help students begin their spring semester on the right foot!
Paint Nite
Hosted by: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
Location: Gassett Fitness Center- Rec Courts
Join your fellow Vikings and get creative as we host paint nite on our campus. All supplies and materials will be provided. Appetizers and beverages will be served.
Welcome Back STEP and ESP
Hosted by: Student Success and First Year Experience
Time: 10 am-12 pm
Location: Mezzanine (Upper North Dining)
Those in the STEP or Emerging Scholars Program are welcome to swing by the mezzanine to grab a bagel, connect with our coaches, mentors and program coordinator and make sure you've selected your coaching session for the semester.
Welcome Week Wind Down
Hosted by: Orientation Office, Student Wellness CARE, Counseling and Health Services and 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Time: 3-6 pm
Location: Ellison Campus Center- Vet's Hall
Take a break and unwind with the Orientation Office, Student Wellness CARE, Counseling and Health Services and 91´«Ã½ and Recreation during Welcome Week Wind Down! Relax and recharge before the weekend with soothing activities like massage chairs, stretching, aromatherapy, and make-your-own tea bags and sugar scrubs. Whether you stop by for a few minutes or stay for a while, this is your space to de-stress, refresh, and end your week the Viking way calm, cared for, and ready for what’s next.
Women’s Ice Hockey Games vs. Framingham State
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 6 pm
Location: Rink, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our women's hockey team as they take on Framingham State!
Salem Trolley Tour
Hosted by: Orientation Office
Time: Tour 1: 11 am and Tour 2: 1 pm
Location: Marsh Bus Stop (Pick-up and Drop- Off)
Enjoy discovering downtown Salem and all it offers with shuttle service to and from campus with the Orientation Team. Pre-registration required!
Athletics Winter Homecoming
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 11 am-3 pm
Location: O’Keefe Complex, Rink and Gym
Our Winter Sports Homecoming Celebration will include honoring the 40th anniversary of the Viking Women's Basketball Team's National Championship! We will also celebrate legendary coach and Athletic Director Tim Shea and unveil the 1000-point banners for men's and women's basketball.
Women’s Basketball Game vs. Westfield State
Hosted By: Athletics
Time: 12 pm
Location: Twohig Gymnasium, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our women's basketball team as they take on Westfield State!
Women’s Ice Hockey Game vs. Rivier
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Rink, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our women's hockey team as they take on Rivier!
Men’s Basketball Game vs. Westfield
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 2 pm
Location: Twohig Gymnasium, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our men's basketball team as they take on Westfield State!
Men’s Ice Hockey Game vs. Westfield
Hosted by: Athletics
Time: 7 pm
Location: Rink, O’Keefe Complex
Come cheer on our men's hockey team as they take on Westfield State!
Movie Night at the Dining Hall
Hosted by: Orientation Office
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Marsh Dining hall
Join us for a cozy Movie Night in the Dining Hall as we screen the classic hero film Superman! Grab dinner, bring some friends, and settle in for a night of action, nostalgia, and good vibes. It’s the perfect way to unwind and enjoy a fun evening on campus!
Dr. MLK Jr. Campus Celebration
Hosted by: Inclusive Excellence
Time: 9 am-3 pm
Location: North Campus
Join us on Monday, January 26 for a day of unity, celebration, and reflection in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following the King Center’s lead, this year’s theme is Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way. Join us to spark conversations, take collective action to create meaningful change.
Rec Skate
Hosted by: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: Rockett Arena
Stop by the Rockett Arena on Monday during community time! Free skate is available from 11 am-noon, and stick and puck time takes place from noon-1 pm. Skates are not provided, and all participants must sign the Gassett Fitness Center facility access waiver ().
First-Year Student Coaching Meeting
Hosted by: First Year Experience
Time: 4:30-5:15 pm
Location: MLK, Ellison Campus Center
New first-year students will have an opportunity to meet with their Student Success Coach, get an overview of the semester, set up their regular meeting schedule, and enjoy some pizza!
Hazing Prevention Network Workshop
Hosted by: Greek Council with Student Involvement and Operations
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Veteran’s Hall, Ellison Campus Center
91´«Ã½'s Greek Council is hosting the Hazing Prevention Network on campus to provide a campus wide workshop on hazing prevention. This workshop is designed for fraternities, sororities, club sports teams, and other student organizations committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and safe new member experience with outcomes aligned with the organization mission.
Residence Hall Association (RHA) Info Tabling
Hosted by: Residence Life
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: North Dining
Stop by to meet the Residence Hall Association and learn how you can get involved in shaping on-campus living! RHA advocates for residents, hosts fun events, and builds community in the halls. Swing by to connect, ask questions, and discover how you can make an impact!
Titi Me Explico: What Do I Need to Know About Bad Bunny to Make the Most of the Superbowl Halftime Show
Hosted by: Inclusive Excellence
Time: 1:30-3 pm
Location: Charlotte Forten 123 (Behind Starbucks), Harrington Campus
Join us for this bilingual multimedia interactive program to get ready for the Super Bowl halftime show. This year, it will be headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, marking a historic moment as the first predominantly Spanish-language performer for the main halftime event.
Join us for themed snacks, giveaways, and discussion. We will talk about why Bad Bunny is one of the most important pop stars of our time, and we will share some of his hits that will most likely be part of his performance. Through this program you will learn the Spanish terms and Puerto Rican cultural references that will help you de-code the performance and impress your friends.
Esport Mixer
Hosted by: 91´«Ã½ and Recreation
Time: 3-5 pm
Location: ECC Commuter Lounge
Get to know the esports program by talking to the esports staff and indulging in some light food and drink! Learn about what the esports program has to offer, including drop-in play, tournaments, and competitive opportunities.
Berry IOP Fellows Welcome Reception
Hosted By: Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: Forten 123 (Behind Starbucks), Harrington Campus
Join us in welcoming our spring 2026 Berry IOP Fellows: , physician and public servant, and business leader, civic innovator, and champion for equity. This is an opportunity for you to meet them and learn about the programs they will be hosting during their fellowship. Stop by for 10 minutes or join us for the entire reception. Refreshments will be provided.
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Contact Us
Questions for the orientation team? Get in touch with us!
Orientation
352 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970