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Under the M

Welcome Our Newest Grizzlies to Campus

Dear colleagues,

Next week we will welcome our newest Grizzlies. I love the energy these new students bring to campus as they acclimate to student life ― including moving into residence halls, making friends, and embarking on The Montana Way, UM's unique approach to college that bridges career support, whole-person wellness and leadership and service.

So many of you are working hard to prepare for our new students. I’d like to request your help with three student-oriented events and put a fun opportunity on your radar as we kick off the new academic year. For all these events, please consider wearing your Griz gear. Don't have any? UM employees get up to 25% off at the Go Griz Store!

  • Monday, Aug. 18, Move-In Day: We need your help to make campus move-in go as smoothly as possible. Please talk with your supervisor and volunteer for one or more two-hour shifts between 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. You can sign-up to volunteer with your colleagues or individually. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt or sticker and a meal in The Lodge. More information is available on the move-in volunteer page.

  • Friday, Aug. 22,  Join our students at the River Rendezvous and on the Freshman Float. From 12:30-4:30 p.m., students will congregate on Memorial Row at the Montana Museum of Art and Culture parking lot outside of the Champion Center. Come down, say hello and have a snack. Or, if approved by your supervisor, bring your own inner tube and dry bag and hop on a UDASH shuttle to Sha-Ron River Access and float back to campus. Shuttles will run every 30 minutes, with the last shuttle leaving at 3:30 p.m. 

  • Monday, Aug. 25, : Starting at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Theatre, Convocation features special guests Dr. Beth Hubble, who received the "Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award" last spring and Kyle Wonders, recently honored as one of the UM Alumni Association's 25 Under 25 program. Bring your passion for mentoring students to the after party on Brantly Beach! Students will be looking for faculty and staff who are knowledgeable about the academic disciplines. Your presence and expertise will help our new students begin their academic journeys with confidence! Also, there will be ice cream, lawn games, and swag!

Finally, please mark your calendars for 91次元 Night with the Missoula PaddleHeads at Ogren Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27. Win free tickets to this baseball game featuring Monte, the Spirit Squad, Grizzly Athletic Student Athletes, UM Club Sports, President Bodnar, and the UM Food Pantry. Check the Aug. 21 issue of Under the M to enter the drawing for free tickets!

Thank you for helping make the start of a new year special for our newest students. 

Dr. Leslie Webb 

Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management