Bridge Week

Welcome to your first year

Bridge Week marks the official start of the fall semester for incoming freshmen at IUPUI. Throughout the week, you'll have the chance to meet people, ask questions, and adjust to college life before your fall classes even begin.

While your Bridge Week experience may vary slightly, depending on your school or major, all first-year students will participate in activities and attend events that will allow you to explore campus, get to know fellow freshmen, learn about college expectations, and much more to set you up for success at IUPUI.

On this page

Fall 2023 Bridge Week is August 14–18!

What to expect

Schedule

Incoming freshmen are expected to attend Bridge Week activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are encouraged to attend all additional afternoon programming from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Here's an example of how you might expect a typical day of Bridge Week to look:

Example Schedule

              9:00–9:15 a.m.—Ice breakers

              9:15–11:00 a.m.—Campus tour

              11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.—Faculty meet + greet

              12:00–1:00 p.m.—Lunch break

              1:00–2:00 p.m.—Mock lecture

              2:00–3:00 p.m.—Campus expectations

              3:00–4:00 p.m.—Afternoon events + programming

 

Participation

There’s a lot to know about being a new Jaguar, and with so much to learn in only five short days, it’s essential that you attend all five days of Bridge Week. If you need to miss any part of the program, please contact us promptly at iupuifye@iupui.edu so that someone from our team can assist you.

Parking

Are you commuting during Bridge Week and need to park on campus? You may purchase a parking permit as early as August 1. Buy your permit early so you have it in time for Bridge Week! Questions? Contact IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services at permits@iupui.edu.

Meal plans

If you purchase a meal plan, it will be available to use during Bridge Week. Review this quick FAQ for additional details.

Tower Dining opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner beginning two Saturdays before the first day of fall semester classes to accommodate Bridge Week , other university programs, and students that move in early. Additionally, the Campus Center food court is open with limited hours of operation during this time. Refer to the Hours and Locations for up-to-date hours during this time.

Updated 7/28/22 for Bridge Week 2022

The fall semester meal plans, Jinx, Jawz, Jags and Jazzy, are activated early so students can use them during the Bridge Program. These plans are only available for students that do not live in Ball Hall, North Hall or University Tower.

For students moving into Ball Hall, North Hall or University Tower prior to the normal move in date (the Saturday before classes start in the fall) the Early Move In Plan is automatically assigned and charged to their bursar account.

Students that participate in the All Access 7 Day, All Access 5 Day or 14 Per Week who do not live in Ball Hall, North Hall or University Tower and move in prior to the normal move in date (the Saturday before classes start in the fall) are able to purchase the Early Move In Plan.  Call the meal plan office at (317) 274-2700 or email meals@iupui.edu to purchase this plan. Refer to the Hours and Locations for up-to-date hours during this time.

Updated 7/28/22 for Bridge Week 2022

Questions?

Contact Auxiliary Services at (317) 274-2700 or meals@iupui.edu.

 

Bridge Week: New experiences start here.

Frequently asked questions

To secure your spot in Bridge Week, all you need to do is enroll in your fall First-Year Seminar course. During orientation, your advisor can help you figure out which section is right for you.

Since Bridge Week is so essential to your success in the fall semester, your participation in all five days of program activities and sessions is expected. If you need to miss any part of the program, contact our team promptly at iupuifye@iupui.edu.

Yes, you can! Housing and Residence Life will communicate with you directly about early move-in opportunities.

If you plan to live in campus housing this fall, a prorated daily charge for your housing and meal plan will be billed directly to your bursar account.

Students who will be commuting during Bridge Week and do not purchase an early meal plan will be responsible for their own meals, as well as transportation to and from Bridge Week activities, each day.

There are no additional costs for any Bridge Week programming or activities.

Information about where to go and what to do on the first day of Bridge Week will be sent to your IU email address about one week prior to the program start date. When you arrive, plan to go directly to the location indicated in the email you received.

If you still aren’t sure where to go, don’t worry! Volunteers will be around campus to help you find your way—just look for folks wearing red “Welcome to IUPUI” shirts!

Because the details of your Bridge Week schedule are in some ways determined by your major, it’s important you check with your academic advisor to make any necessary schedule changes.

What comes next? Look forward to Weeks of Welcome!

There are four major traditions you can look forward to as a Jaguar. The first is Weeks of Welcome (WOW)—and it starts right after Bridge Week! Throughout the first two weeks of classes, you can attend events each day to learn more about all IUPUI has to offer. 

Check out Weeks of Welcome

Still curious about how to make the most of your first year?