Big Orange Welcome (BOW) is your in-person orientation to all-things UT! BOW takes place during the first six weeks of the semester. There are hundreds of events, both required and optional, all designed to welcome and support you during your first semester on Rocky Top!
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
These required programs are your Vol Essentials:
- Academic Success in Your First-Year: Multiple Days
- Intro to MyUTK & Canvas: Multiple Days
- Torch Night & Playfair: Sunday, August 20
- Vol is a Verb: Monday, August 21
- College Connect & New Vol Picnic: Tuesday, August 22
TRANSFER STUDENTS
These required programs are your Vol Essentials:
- Intro to MyUTK & Canvas: Multiple Days
- Transfer Orientation: Sunday, August 20
- Torch Night: Sunday, August 20
Download the Vol Life App
The Big Orange Welcome schedule has ALL the details you need to know to successfully navigate Big Orange Welcome including which events are required, when and where events will take place, plus so much more. The full schedule will be available in August 2023.
The BOW schedule can be found on the free Vol Life App. Download the app by following these instructions:
- Download the Vol Life App
- Sign-up using your UT email
- Search and download “Big Orange Welcome” under “Find Guides”
Once downloaded, you’ll have access to everything we have planned. It’s important you read through the tabs. They’re all filled with important details you’ll want to know.
If you need accommodations for any of our Big Orange Welcome events, please contact Student Disability Services at sds@utk.edu or fill out their Accommodations Request Form . We’ll connect you with the appropriate office to work on getting you ready to actively participate.
Big Orange Welcome FAQs:
All students are required to attend Vol Essentials (listed above) during Big Orange Welcome.
Big Orange Welcome takes place during the first six weeks of the semester! Most events are free to both new and current Vols. We encourage students to attend as many events as they can during this time!
No problem! We recommend contacting the Office of Student Disability Services by submitting their Accommodations Request Form. You can always contact them directly as well at sds@utk.edu.
Download the Vol Life app! From there, search for “Big Orange Welcome.” That’ll give you access to every event we have planned during the first six weeks of the semester. You can even personalize your own schedule. Plus, we’ll send weekly notifications via the app to help you remember when certain events are taking place.