Big Orange Welcome (BOW) is your in-person orientation to all-things UT! BOW kicks off on January 18 and continues through 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!
All new students are required to attend Winter Welcome on January 18 or 19. You will choose your date when you register for New Vol Orientation.
Check-in for Winter Welcome will begin at 2pm. The program will run from 3pm – 5:30pm.
**NOTE: Residence Halls will open on January 19 at 8pm. Please keep this in mind when selecting your Winter Welcome date!**
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 January 2024.
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 Winter Welcome on either January 18 or 19.
Yes! You will select your date for Winter Welcome when you register for New Vol Orientation!
Yes! Please email orientation@utk.edu or call 865-974-4546 and we can get you rescheduled!
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.