MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Thousands of West Virginia University students will begin returning to Morgantown next week as residence hall move-ins get underway and the university launches nearly two weeks of Welcome Week activities surrounding the start of the fall semester.
The university’s Welcome Week schedule runs Aug. 12-23 and includes activities for commuter students, residence hall move-in, late-night recreation, a fair featuring more than 200 student organizations, Sunday Night Lights at Milan Puskar Stadium, and the debut of Mountaineer Midway and Movie Night.
West Virginia University enrolled 26,046 students across its three campuses in fall 2025, including 23,532 students at the main campus in Morgantown, 1,210 at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley and 1,304 at WVU Potomac State College in Keyser, according to enrollment figures from the university’s Office of Data and Analytics.
WVU also operates Health Sciences locations in Charleston and Martinsburg, although those are not counted as separate campuses in the three-campus enrollment figures.
Carrie Showalter, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Life, says move-ins for students living in university residence halls begin Thursday, Aug. 13, and continue through Saturday, Aug. 15, with fall classes scheduled to begin Aug. 18.
“From the moment students arrive on campus, we want them to know they are part of something bigger than themselves,” Showalter said.
“Welcome Week creates opportunities to explore new experiences, make meaningful connections, and discover the people, places, and resources that make the WVU community feel like home.”
See also: Watch the Sunday Night Lights livestream starting at 8:15 p.m
WVU move-ins begin Aug. 13
Welcome Week activities begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, when commuter students are invited to Blaney House, the official residence of the university president, for food, outdoor games and an opportunity to meet WVU President Michael T. Benson.
Residential students begin arriving the following day during scheduled move-in times that continue through Saturday, with university police officers and Housing and Residence Life staff scheduled to assist students during the process.
The first weekend includes several late-night activities, beginning with Midnight Mountaineer from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 14, at the Student Recreation Center, where activities will include archery tag, pickleball and trivia.
WVUp All Night, the university’s late-night weekend program at the Mountainlair, begins at 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, with food, entertainment and activities for students.
The schedule continues Sunday afternoon with the Student Organization Fair, where students can learn about more than 200 student organizations from 2-4 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.
Class of 2030 to gather at Milan Puskar Stadium
First-year students will gather at Milan Puskar Stadium on Sunday evening for Sunday Night Lights, a signature Welcome Week event that begins at 7 p.m. with activities on Mountaineer Field.
Members of the Class of 2030 will sign their class flag, watch a performance by the Mountaineer Marching Band and gather for their official class photograph, with a livestream of the event scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m.
“Every Mountaineer’s journey is unique, but they all begin with the opportunity to connect,” Vice President for Student Life Gary G. Furbee II said. “Welcome Week introduces students to the people, traditions, and experiences that define WVU while reminding them that they are an important part of a community that is invested in their success.”
New Mountaineer Midway planned before classes
A new event joins the Welcome Week schedule Monday, Aug. 17, when Mountaineer Midway and Movie Night begins at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Life Sciences Building.
The gathering will include carnival games, food trucks and other outdoor entertainment on the evening before fall classes are scheduled to begin.
“This year, we’re excited to build on the traditions that make Welcome Week so special while introducing new experiences like Mountaineer Midway and Movie Night that will bring our Mountaineer community together in fresh and engaging ways before classes begin on Aug. 18,” Showalter said.
Adventure, community service and wellness activities are also scheduled throughout Welcome Week, with programming continuing through Aug. 23.
PRT extends hours during Welcome Week
West Virginia University’s Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system will operate on extended hours during the initial days of Welcome Week, including Sunday service outside its regular operating schedule.
The PRT is scheduled to operate from 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13; 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16; and 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.
Regular PRT hours are 6:30 a.m.-10:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, while the system is normally closed Sundays.
Additional adventure, service, and wellness activities are scheduled through Aug. 23 as students begin the fall semester in Morgantown.