As fall semester begins, thousands of new UC Berkeley students gather for a warm campus welcome
UC Berkeley welcomed over 9,000 new students during Golden Bear Orientation, featuring move-in, convocation, and campus resource sessions to ease their transition to university life.
Thousands of new students arrived at UC Berkeley this week for Golden Bear Orientation, a week-long program designed to help them adjust to campus life before classes begin. Activities included move-in assistance, convocation ceremonies, and introductions to campus resources and opportunities available to students. The program aims to foster connections among new students and familiarize them with Berkeley’s academic and social environment.
At Fall Convocation, Chancellor Rich Lyons officially welcomed more than 9,000 students to campus, emphasizing the importance of engagement, intellectual risk-taking, and mutual support. Lyons highlighted a student’s observation about Berkeley’s culture, noting that students ‘illuminate each other’ through collaboration and shared experiences. The event underscored the university’s commitment to fostering a supportive academic community.
Golden Bear Orientation included structured activities to help students navigate campus, meet peers, and learn about academic and extracurricular resources. Sessions covered housing, dining, health services, and student organizations, ensuring newcomers were prepared for their first semester. The program also introduced students to the broader Bay Area community and its cultural offerings.
Move-in day saw students and families arriving to settle into residence halls, with university staff and volunteers assisting with logistics. The week concluded with convocation, where students were encouraged to embrace Berkeley’s academic rigor and collaborative spirit. Orientation staff emphasized that the program’s goal was to build a foundation for student success and belonging in their first year.