UCR Student Affairs - Welcome Week 2026
Start your year off right with Student Affairs! Make friends, find your rhythm, and lean in to all of the great things happening during Welcome Week 2026 at UCR! All week long (and the next week) you’ll find welcoming spaces where you can drop in, meet friendly faces and learn what’s here for you. Our Student Resource Centers help you build community and feel seen. Student Life makes it easy to get involved and try new things. Recreation and counseling staff will share simple ways to stay active, balanced and confident as you start the quarter.
Be sure to check out the Welcome Week Events Hub to view all of the many events happening during Welcome Week, so you're in the know about what’s happening each day. You’ll find open houses, meet-ups and quick info sessions that fit your schedule. All activities are open to everyone, so choose what feels right for you, come with questions, leave with information, next steps, and new friends.
You belong here, and we’re excited to help you make UCR feel like home!
Hot Scots: Chancellor Hu vs. Hot Wings
Welcome to Hot Scots, UC Riverside’s parody of the popular series Hot Ones. Chancellor S. Jack Hu gets peppered with questions from UCR student Brooke Jamieson while taking on increasingly spicy wings. Between bites, Brooke and Chancellor Hu talk about leaving home, finding community on the UC Riverside campus, asking for help, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Can Chancellor Hu handle the heat? Watch Hot Scots to find out.
Back to School: UCR Welcome Week 2026
Details about giveaways, free food, and live music to line up the new school year!
All UC Riverside Highlanders are invited to celebrate the start of our 2026-27 academic year with a ton of fun and informative events hosted by various campus partners. This is a great time to discover new resources, explore the campus, and make new friends.
To add to the excitement, University Communications & Marketing and Student Affairs are hosting a giveaway to get students suited up in back-to-school spirit.
UCR Bookstore Shopping Spree Details
Welcome Week 2026 Events Calendar
You Belong at UCR
All programs, services, and events offered through Student Affairs are open to everyone, consistent with federal and state law and the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Whether you’re seeking support, joining a community, or participating in campus life, every effort is made to ensure your experience is inclusive, respectful, and accessible, regardless of background or identity.
To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.