NEW West Chester University Students To Move-In August 21 & August 22!
The countdown is on for the arrival of West Chester University’s newest Golden Rams — the members of the Class of 2029! Landing in Ram Country in stuffed vehicles on Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., first-year and transfer students will unload, haul, and unpack everything needed for college life as they move into their West Chester University North Campus residence halls. Groups of new students will check-in by residence hall floors, receive their Ram Card student IDs, and move into their new homes via pre-selected timeslots. WCU student resident assistants, alumni, and staff will be on-hand to greet, as well as help maneuver carts filled with duffel bags, suitcases, comforters, pillows, laptops, books, room décor, and everything in between!
Returning WCU sophomores, juniors, and seniors will move into their on-campus residences on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24. The first day of in-person classes for all WCU students will be Monday, August 25.
WCU has been quite fortunate to have experienced an extended period of enrollment stability and is planning to enroll around 17,400 undergraduate and graduate students. With an increase in online graduate offerings, efforts are being made to expand the University’s graduate student population. Official fall 2025 enrollment numbers will be available on the 15th day of class.
This fall will mark the first phase of President Laurie Bernotsky’s vision to increase long-term housing on campus. Through innovative planning and efficient use of existing infrastructure, WCU will launch a major renovation and expansion project in October that will begin to add an additional floor onto each of its 11 South Campus apartment buildings. By vertically expanding each apartment building, the University will add 220 new beds to its overall residential housing complement — without the need for additional land development or the expansion of its South Campus footprint. Matlack Court, the University’s temporary modular housing community that was constructed this past summer, will provide consistent housing availability for returning students throughout the four phases of construction that will be completed over a five-year period. The initiative is the first major residential construction effort on WCU’s campus since the opening of Commonwealth Hall in August 2014.
WELCOME WEEK HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 22, 23 & 24
Rolling out the purple and gold carpet, a “RAMTASTIC” Welcome Week will be held for new students as they settle into their new homes and get ready to study hard during the academic year ahead. Here are just a few Welcome Week highlights:
- RAM RALLY UNDER THE LIGHTS
Friday, August 22, from 8 – 10 PM (LOCATION: Farrell Stadium)
A super high-energy celebration featuring fireworks, Rammy (WCU’s beloved mascot), Cheer Team, Dance Team, lots of prizes, free Ram swag, and an awesome performance by the renowned Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band! This spirited tradition is open to all new students, returning Golden Rams, WCU faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community!
- WELCOME TO THE BOROUGH
Saturday, August 23, from 10 AM – 1 PM (LOCATION: West Chester Borough)
Students will catch a shuttle from Asplundh Concert Hall, known fondly as the “Castle Building,” to travel to the center of town to get to know their new community. Featured will be a Coffee Crawl, miniature golf, succulent planting, community engagement, and freebies at the community Grower’s Market.
- WCU’s VERY FIRST CONVOCATION CEREMONY WILL WELCOME NEW STUDENTS
Sunday, August 24, from 1:45 – 2:45 PM (LOCATION: Hollinger Field House)
Held in their honor, new WCU students will be officially welcomed during the University’s first Convocation Ceremony. A fun-filled event for all new students, President Laurie Bernotsky and student leaders will inspire the Class of 2029 with encouraging messages and tips for college success. Student groups will perform and Rammy will give high-fives!
- WCU’s New Students Will Create a Human Formation of “2029” --- Their Class Year!
Sunday, August 24, 2:45 – 4 PM (LOCATION: Academic Quad)
As a special WCU tradition, new students will exit their Convocation Ceremony in Hollinger Field House at 2:45 p.m. and gather on the Academic Quad to form the numbers 2-0-2-9 for their class photo. Following the human formation (!), students will enjoy water ice from the Kona Ice truck and receive their exclusive Class of 2029 t-shirts.
CAMPUS LOCATIONS (Campus Map: https://www.wcupa.edu/campusMap/)
North Campus Residence Halls:
· Killinger Hall 115 W. Rosedale Ave.
· Goshen Hall 125 N. Campus Dr.
· Tyson Hall 225 N. Campus Dr.
· University Hall 180 University Ave.
· Allegheny Hall 121 W. Rosedale Ave.
· Brandywine Hall 709 S. New St.
· Commonwealth Hall 715 S. New St.
· Schmidt Hall 225 W. Rosedale Ave.
Asplundh Concert Hall: 700 South High Street, West Chester, PA
Farrell Stadium: 855 South New Street, West Chester, PA
Hollinger Field House: 150 University Avenue, West Chester, PA