Welcome Week has an energy all its own, and it will mark the beginning of your journey as a PBA student. During these exciting opening days, you’ll take part in all kinds of activities and events, meet fellow students, begin fostering relationships with faculty, and have a lot of fun while your family enjoy their own Welcome Week Programming. Welcome Week begins with check-in where students are assigned to a “fish” group which is comprised of other first-year students and two upperclassmen who serve as your group’s Fish Leaders. This is the group you’ll be with, taking part in fun activities, athletic events, and social gatherings.
Note: Programming for parents and families will begin Friday, August 15 and conclude on Saturday, August 16.
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sailfish Start & Move-In
Check-in at your Residence Hall and settle in to your room. Then, head to Warren Library for your onboarding resources to start your Sailfish journey.
Residence Halls
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Onboarding
Gather essentials (like your PBA ID card), chat with Financial Aid, finalize your student account and billing, enjoy a photo opp with your family, and more!
Warren Library
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Week discounted price.
Campus Dining Locations
5–7 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Week discounted price.
Campus Dining Locations
5–9 p.m.
PBA LEAD Intensive
For students enrolled in the PBA LEAD program. Specific details will be sent to PBA LEAD participants.
Rubin Arena
7:30–8:30 p.m.
Sunset Social
Come meet your new fellow Sailfish as we enjoy a night under the stars with games and treats.
Baxter Green
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sailfish Start & Move-In
Check-in at your Residence Hall and settle in to your room. Then, head to Warren Library for your onboarding resources to start your Sailfish journey.
Residence Halls
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Onboarding
Gather essentials (like your PBA ID card), chat with Financial Aid, finalize your student account and billing, enjoy a photo opp with your family, and more!
Warren Library
10–11 a.m.
School of Nursing Orientation
For Students entering the PBA Nursing program.
Weyenberg Center
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
PBA LEAD Intensive
For students enrolled in the PBA LEAD program. Specific details will be sent to PBA LEAD participants.
Rubin Arena
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Week discounted price.
Campus Dining Locations
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Honors Orientation
Students entering the Supper Honors Program are invited to connect with Dr. Tom St. Antoine, the program’s director. Family members are welcomed to join!
Weyenberg Center
2–3 p.m.
Varsity Athlete Family Meeting (Parents)
Family members of incoming varsity athletes are invited to a session with Sailfish Athletics’ staff members.
MacArthur 1291-1292
3–5 p.m.
International Student Orientation
International Students are invited to meet with the International Student Services team to walk through important information regarding visas, acclimating to PBA, and more. Family members are welcome to join!
Borbe 206
4-5 p.m. Commuter Onboarding
Stop by Warren Library to get your PBA essentials, including your PBA card. Warren Library
5:30-7 p.m. Commuter Connect
Incoming commuters: We want you to get connected to the PBA community. Stop by to check-in and receive a free meal on us!
Weyenberg center
5–7 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Week discounted price.
Campus Dining Locations
7–7:30 p.m.
Find Your Fish Group
Meet your Fish Group on the Baxter Green before making your way as a group to the Opening Rally.
Baxter Green
7–8 p.m.
Family Reception (Families Only)
Parents and family members, visit with President Schwinn, the PBA Parents Council and the President’s Executive team as you enjoy Florida treats.
Warren Library
7:30–8 p.m.
Opening Rally (Students Only)
A high-energy rally led by Steering Committee to kick-off Welcome Week festivities!
Rubin Arena
8–9:30 p.m.
561 Block Party
Meet other students and various members of the PBA community. There will be food and lots of fun!
Rinker Green, Sailfish Square, Baxter Green
8–8:45 a.m.
Breakfast with Your Fish Group
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Week discounted price.
Campus Dining Locations
9–10:45 a.m.
Understanding Life at PBA (Families & Students)
Get oriented to life as a PBA student, hear from our President, and find out all that’s in store for you as members of the Sailfish family.
Rubin Arena
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fish Group Fellowship (Students)
Time in your Fish Group to learn more about your journey at PBA to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly.
Various breakout rooms
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Becoming PBA Family & Time of Prayer (Families)
Join fellow families as you hear from campus leaders and take part in a special time of prayer for your students.
Rubin Arena
12–12:30 p.m.
Family Farewell
*Final event for parents and families
Parents and families meet up with your students on Baxter Green for a shared moment and parting blessing.
Baxter Green
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch with your Fish Group
Eat lunch with your Fish Group before your group heads out for an afternoon adventure.
Campus Dining Locations
2–4 p.m.
Ready, Set, Sail!
Prepare for some Fish Group fun as you explore iconic West Palm Beach locations!
Various Locations
4:30–6 p.m.
Dinner with Your Fish Group
Students may use their meal plan.
Campus Dining Locations
6–10 p.m.
RAC-reation
A favorite tradition where we’ll enjoy friendly competition, activities and refreshing treats. Gather outside the Warren Library with your Fish Group to ride buses out to the PBA Rinker Athletic Campus.
Meet outside the Warren Library; ride buses to Rinker Athletic Campus together
10–11:15 a.m.
Welcome Week Worship
Come worship together with fellow students and hear a message from our Spiritual Life team.
Rubin Arena
11:15 a.m.–1 p.m.
Brunch with Your Fish Group
Enjoy a back-to-school brunch with your Fish Group. Students may use their meal plan.
Fraser Dining Hall
2–4 p.m.
Footwashing Tradition
A special PBA tradition. Join us for this unique time of worship and prayer as you begin your academic year.
Rubin Arena
Throughout Welcome Week you’ll take part in all kinds of different activities:
Welcome Week is just as much about welcoming families of first-year students into the PBA family as the students themselves. Families are invited to attend activities such as the Opening Rally, President’s Dessert Social, and Becoming PBA Family & Time of Prayer. Look for us at the Family Welcome Area in the Warren Library during Move-in days!
For more information about Welcome Week, please contact the Steering Committee: PbaStudents@pba.edu.
For more information about Move-In, please contact the Reslife office: Reslife@pba.edu – (561) 803-2555
Welcome Week is designed for new students starting in the fall semester. You’ll meet the Steering Committee, a student leader group that will guide you on your action-packed week. To access the Steering Committee page PRESS HERE
Make sure to connect with PBA on Facebook (Palm Beach Atlantic University) and Instagram (@pbauniversity) for campus news, events and more.
