Residential First Year & Transfer New Student Orientation Schedule @ a Glance
LUTE Welcome Week is packed with Lute traditions that will help you transition to PLU and meet faculty, staff and peers. All Fall 2026 New & Transfer Students (including new International Students) will be assigned to a peer-led LUTE Group; individual LUTE Group locations will be available on your LUTE Welcome name tag, which new students will receive at Check In.
| Required Session? | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 - EVENTS | TIME | LOCATION &/or how to ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUTE Welcome (LW) Headquarters & Recharge Room Optional: Your one-stop-shop for all-things LW; stop by if/when you have any questions! | 8:00AM-5:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Grey Area (Main Floor, North Side of Building) | |
| Required (Residents) | Move In & LUTE Welcome Check-In for Residents REQUIRED for Residents: First stop for new first-year and transfer residential students! | 9:00AM-12:00PM | Residence Halls (check your PLU email for details) |
| Student Financial Services Drop-In Hours Optional: Have questions about your financial aid? Student Financial Services is available to drop in for questions! | 9:00AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-4:00PM | Hauge Administration Building, Room 102 | |
| Center for Student Success Drop-In Hours Optional: Have questions about your schedule or registration? Drop by the Center for Student Success to speak with Academic Advisors! | 9:00AM-4:00PM | Mortvedt Library | |
| Required (Veteran Students) | Veterans Community Meeting REQUIRED for all new Lutes who are Veterans! | 10:00AM-11:00AM | Hong Conference Room - Hong 246B (Wellbeing Services & Resources) |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Residents lunch on your own | 10:30AM-1:30PM | Options for Residents: 208 Garfield, Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons, & Old Main Market (OMM) | |
| Required (Residents) | Becoming Neighbors REQUIRED for Residents: Dinner & Residential Wing Meetings hosted by Resident Assistants (RAs) | 5:00PM-7:30PM | Learn your individual wing meeting location & dinner time from your RA when you move in |
| BINGO Blast Off Optional: All moved in and looking for something to do? Come and play BINGO to win some sweet prizes! | 7:30PM-9:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) 214 (CK) |
| Required Session? | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 - EVENTS | TIME | LOCATION &/or how to ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUTE Welcome (LW) Headquarters & Recharge Room Optional: Your one-stop-shop for all-things LW; stop by if/when you have any questions! | 8:00AM-5:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Grey Area (Main Floor, North Side of Building) | |
| Snack Shack Stop by to snag some scones, coffee, and tea before the first session. Free and open to all Residential New students. Please note that no breakfast service is available prior to the first session. | 8:30AM-9:15AM | Anderson University Center (AUC) 2nd Floor Grey Space | |
| Required (All) | Welcome to PLU: Opening Keynote REQUIRED: Learn what it means to join the Lute Community: Diversity, Justice, & Sustainability (DJS), Vocation, and Lutheran Higher Education. | 9:30AM-10:40AM | Olson Gym |
| Required (All) | LUTE Group Time, Rotating Sessions, and Lunch REQUIRED: Meet your LUTE Guide & Group and get familiar with campus. While in your LUTE Group, you'll go to lunch in The Commons. Lunch is included for all students During this time, Family & Supporters are encouraged to attend Navigating the Transition or ¡Bienvenidas, Bienvenidos, Bienvenides! Did you miss connecting with your LUTE Group? Head to Headquarters (2nd floor of the AUC) to figure out where to go. | 10:40AM-4:30PM | If you are unsure where your LuteGroup is at any given time, please check your LuteGroup chat or stop by Headquarters in the AUC for assistance. |
| Rotating Sessions REQUIRED for all new Lutes! Get to know campus with Wellbeing Services & Resources, Sounds of Solidarity, Campus Safety, and the Center for Student Success | Check with your LuteGuide for times and locations | ||
| Required (All) | Welcome to the Neighborhood: Connecting with Community REQUIRED: A block party-style introduction to the Parkland community. Come snag some food & meet community resources & businesses. Reception open to New Students, Families, Supporters, & Parkland Community Members | 4:45PM-6:15PM | Foss Field (Lower Campus) |
| A Night of Improv with Clay Crows Optional: Join PLU's student improv group for a night of fun! | 7:00PM-8:00PM | Karen Hille Phillips (KHP) |
| Required Session? | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 - EVENTS | TIME | LOCATION &/or how to ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUTE Welcome (LW) Headquarters & Recharge Room Optional: Your one-stop-shop for all-things LW; stop by if/when you have any questions! | 9:00AM-4:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Grey Area (Main Floor, North Side of Building) | |
| Trinity Lutheran Service Optional: Meet Pastor Jen Rude in PLU’s Red Square at 9:40am and walk over as a group to Trinity Lutheran for 10:00am worship that will include a special welcome to students. | 9:40AM-11:00AM | Meet in Red Square at 9:40am | |
| Campus Tour Optional: Join a Tour Guide from the Office of Admission for a walking tour of campus. This is a great time to bring your class schedule and scope out where all your classes are before the first day of class! | 10:30AM-11:30AM | Meet at the Anderson University Center (AUC) Clocktower (outside of the AUC, facing Red Square) | |
| PLU Community Garden Optional: Many hands make light work! Join us in harvesting produce to be donated to the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry and light garden maintenance. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle. | 11:00AM-12:30PM | PLU Community Garden (811 121st St, across the street from Ingram Hall on 121st St.) | |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Brunch on your own | 9:30AM-1:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons | |
| Required (IHON Students) | IHON New Student Orientation REQUIRED: For new International Honors students only | 1:30PM-2:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Room 133 |
| Open Swim Optional: Enjoy open swim at the PLU Pool! Open to individuals of all swimming levels. | 1:00PM-4:00PM | PLU Pool | |
| Scavenger Hunt Optional: Explore campus on a scavenger hunt! Folks who finish finding all the secret locations can turn in their completed clue sheets for a prize. Instructions for how to join the hunt will be provided to participates at the Headquarters table on the 2nd floor of the AUC anytime between 2:00pm-4:00pm. | 2:00PM -4:00PM | Get your scavenger hunt sheet at Headquarters (2nd floor of AUC) | |
| Sunset Watch at Chambers Bay Park Optional: Join for an adventure over to Chambers Bay Park to play yard games eat snacks and watch the sun set on the beach. Attendees should meet in front of Harstad Hall to check-in between 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and the group will leave to shuttle to Chambers Bay Park at 5 p.m. Attendees should RSVP by completing this form. Spaces are limited and a waitlist will be collected. | 4:30PM-10:00PM | Meet in front of Harstad at 4:30pm to leave by 5:00pm | |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Dinner on your own | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | The Commons |
| Required Session? | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 - EVENTS | TIME | LOCATION &/or how to ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUNGRY? Optional: Breakfast on your Own | 7:00AM-9:30AM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons | |
| LUTE Welcome (LW) Headquarters & Recharge Room Optional: Your one-stop-shop for all-things LW; stop by if/when you have any questions! | 10:30AM-4:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Grey Area (Main Floor, North Side of Building) | |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Lunch on your own | 10:30AM-2:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons | |
| Mashel Falls Hike Optional: We are happy to be leading a trip to Little Mashel Falls this September 1st! This is a 5.0 mile hike with an elevation gain of 500ft with stunning views of three waterfalls. This hike is a great way to experience the incredible nature of the PNW, all within an hour drive of campus. We are hoping you will tag along with us to learn more about Outdoor Rec, make some new friends, and jam out to some sick tunes on the car ride. We plan on hiking for around 3 and a half hours total, which gives us plenty of time for lots of water breaks and pictures. Outdoor Rec will be providing snacks so please let us know if you have any allergies that we need to be aware of. If you have any questions about the hike to Little Mashel Falls or anything Outdoor Rec related, please reach out to us at our email: outdoor@plu.edu or our Instagram pluoutdoor_rec! New students can sign up at imleagues.com under the Outdoor Rec tab, or on the PLU Rec App. Space is limited. | 11:00AM-5:00PM | Mashel Falls (meet Meet at the Columbia Center) | |
| Yin Yoga w/ PLU Football Optional: Join some of the PLU Football Team to practice Yin Yoga. Modifications will be available to ensure all individuals are able to participate, including beginners. | 11:00AM-11:30AM | Lawn in front of Hauge Admin | |
| Wang Center Info Session Optional: Come learn about studying away during your time at PLU. It's never too early to start planning for your study away trip(s)! | 12:30PM-1:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) 203 | |
| Open Swim Optional: Enjoy open swim at the PLU Pool! Open to individuals of all swimming levels. | 1:00PM-4:00PM | PLU Pool | |
| Board Games Optional: Connect with your fellow students over board games and snacks! From the strategic to silly, we'll have a wide variety of classics and new entries available for you to borrow. Your Board Game Host and a team of LuteGuides will be on hand to give introductions on different games. Feel free to come on your own or bring friends you're excited to crush in friendly competition! | 1:00PM-4:00PM | AUC 203 (Regency) | |
| Spin Class Optional: Spin is a full body workout and a highly effective way to build cardiovascular strength and endurance. Designed for all ages and fitness levels, Spin offers a challenging 45-minute ride with fun, energizing music. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your heart pumping while you burn some serious calories. Sign up on the PLU Rec app or imleagues.com under the Group X Tab. | 5:00PM-6:00PM | Harstad 109 | |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Dinner on your own. | 5:00PM-8:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons | |
| Required (Residents) | Love Where You Live: Community Building REQUIRED for all Residents Gathering for residential students in their communities | Check for emails & posters in your residence halls for specific starting times | Check for emails & posters in your residence halls for specific starting times |
| Required Session? | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 - EVENTS | TIME | LOCATION &/or how to ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUNGRY? Optional: Breakfast on your own | 7:00AM-8:30AM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons & Old Main Market (OMM) | |
| LUTE Welcome (LW) Headquarters & Recharge Room Optional: Your one-stop-shop for all-things LW; stop by if/when you have any questions! | 8:00AM-9:45AM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Grey Area (Main Floor, North Side of Building) | |
| Required (All) | LUTE Group Energizers REQUIRED Warm up for the day with your LUTE Guide and new friends! | 8:30AM-8:55AM | Find your individual LUTE Group meeting location printed on your name tag, which you received at Check In |
| Required (All) | Academic Advising Meetings REQUIRED: Meet with your advisor to get off to a great start! | 9:00AM-9:30AM | Find your individual Advising Group meeting location printed on your name tag, which you received at Check In. If you don't have your nametag, stop by LW Headquarters! |
| Required (All) | Gather for Bell Ringing REQUIRED: Congregate in Red Square for the annual tradition of ringing the bell & processing to Convocation | 9:35AM-10:00AM | Red Square |
| Required (All) | LUTE Tradition: Convocation REQUIRED: A PLU tradition to open the academic year! | 10:00AM-11:00AM | Olson Gym |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Lunch on your own | 10:30AM-2:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons & Old Main Market (OMM) | |
| Required (Transfers) | Transfer Coffee Mingle with Faculty Required: Come meet with faculty & departmental leadership in your academic programs! This is a chance to ask questions about your intended major, make sure you're on track with your academic plans, and get to know the faculty who make PLU a great place to learn. | 11:15AM-12:00PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Atrium (Lower Level) |
| First Day of Fall Semester You got this, Lutes! | Starting at 12:15PM | Tip: check out your classroom locations during LUTE Welcome weekend ahead of your first day so you know where to go! | |
| HUNGRY? Optional: Dinner on your own | 4:30PM-7:30PM | Anderson University Center (AUC) Commons & Old Main Market (OMM) |
We Look Forward to Meeting You
LUTE Welcome Week – New Student Orientation is an exciting series of experiences designed to welcome new students to PLU’s vibrant community and allow you to get connected, to be involved and to stay informed.
Interested in finding a job, studying abroad, and/or joining a club? Your LUTE Group guide will connect you to these resources and more, while you make friends with fellow Lutes.
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