University of Sydney welcomes students back to campus
After months of online learning during the pandemic, Welcome Week 2022听(14-18 February) will kick off with a combination of both in-person and online events. The University of Sydney Union will host (16-18 February), featuring live music, an outdoor cinema, food trucks, and hundreds of clubs and societies to join.听
In response to the challenges students have faced during the pandemic, the University tripled its investment in Welcome Week for 2022 and provided grants for student organisations to increase their already substantial contribution to student life.
鈥淲e are welcoming our students back with a celebration that offers everything that makes campus life special,鈥� said聽.听
鈥淯niversity isn鈥檛 just about what you learn in the classroom. It鈥檚 about experiences, connections and friendships that can shape your life for decades to come.
"For students returning to our campuses and those joining us for the first time, the last two years have often been difficult and isolating. While the safety of our community remains paramount, it鈥檚 also important that as much of the student experience as possible is delivered in person, on campus."
We are welcoming our students back with a celebration that offers everything that makes campus life special.
USU President Prudence Wilkins-Wheat said excitement was high among the student community. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait to come back,鈥� said the聽fifth-year聽Arts/Law student.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 Welcome Fest will be the biggest ever and there鈥檚 a real feeling of hope and anticipation among the students as campus life returns. Those of us who can are looking forward to attending classes in person, and we can鈥檛 wait to dive into all the other experiences that university offers.鈥�
Semester 1 will begin after Welcome Week on 21 February, with a聽. Remote options will be available for those not yet able to attend campus.
As campus life returns, the University will continue to follow public-health guidance, taking all reasonable precautions to minimise the transmission of COVID-19.听The聽聽will apply to all on-campus activities.
Welcome events on campus
- 聽This traditional, ceremonial welcome marks the official opening of the new academic year and the USU Welcome Fest. Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson and Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Mark Scott will welcome students to the University of Sydney community.听16 February, 10-11am,聽The Great Hall, Quadrangle, University Ave
- 聽The main stage opens on 16 February at 11.30am, with a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony.听Throughout Welcome Fest, the main stage will host live music, along with demonstrations and performances from USU clubs and societies. There will be dance performances, political debates, a medieval combat demonstration and more.听16-18 February, various times, lawns outside the Great Hall
- 聽There will be movies on the big screen under the stars, plus free popcorn and lollies and live opening entertainment from DJ Ruby J.听16-17 February, 6-10pm, Law Lawns,聽Sydney Law School, Eastern Avenue
- 聽Join the University of Sydney Union (USU) as a free member to access聽student-run clubs and societies聽which聽offer the chance to meet new friends and get involved in campus life. With more than 180 clubs on show at the Welcome Fest stalls, there鈥檚 something for everyone.听
- Meet the聽聽This multidisciplinary team of students designs, manufactures and launches high-power rockets, with their work winning gold and silver in聽international rocketry competition, the Spaceport America Cup. They will display their custom-built rockets, including the Silvereye, winner of the competition's 10,000 ft category in 2019. The Silvereye is more than two metres long and can聽reach speeds approaching the speed of sound.听14 February, 11am-5pm,聽Cadigal Green
- 聽On first glance, this interactive art installation appears to be a typical store with a range of everyday products. But every item carries the name and story of an individual who has experienced slavery. The pop-up installation will raise awareness about modern slavery and show聽.听16-17 February, 9am-4pm, 18 February, 9am-3pm, outside聽Sydney Law School, Eastern Avenue
- 聽Facts, fun and freebies are on offer at the聽Library marquee. Welcome Week is a chance to explore the Library, a home away from home for students. Join a Big Library Tour or solve the puzzles in the Library Escape challenge.听Various library activities until 25 February,聽Fisher Library
- Sustainability at Sydney聽Free bike check-ups, safe cycle-route planning, virtual biodiversity treasure hunts and daily Sustainability Trail Tours across campus 鈥� it鈥檚 all on offer at the Sustainability at Sydney stall. Learn about聽聽and how to get involved.听16-18 February, 9am-4pm, Law Lawns, Eastern Avenue