Fitchburg State University is preparing for the upcoming fall semester, welcoming new and returning undergraduate and graduate students.
In addition to capital improvements including a new playing field and track at Elliot FIeld and ongoing renovations to academic and residential buildings, the university is preparing to launch new academic programs and initiatives to support student success.
“We are excited to welcome our new and returning students to campus for a robust in-person experience with our faculty and staff this fall,” University President Richard S. Lapidus said. “The coming academic year will look much more like the traditional university experience that our campus community and guests have come to appreciate, with in-person classes and events.”
Fitchburg State will welcome more than 650 first-year and transfer undergraduate students with the start of the semester. The incoming class includes students from 22 states. The university will also be welcoming more than 100 international students.
The majority of new residential students will move in Tuesday, Aug. 30, starting at 9 a.m. at the Wallace Civic Center. The northbound lanes of North Street will be closed to non-university traffic between Pearl and Ross Streets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The majority of returning residential students will move in Thursday, Sept. 1. There may be brief road closures around campus between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday.
Orientation activities for new students will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Fall semester classes will begin Friday, Sept. 2.
Among the early highlights of the 2022-23 academic year:
- The university will host Rock the Block, its annual club and organization fair, at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. One of the most popular student events of the year, Rock the Block connects students with the myriad extracurricular and job opportunities available on- and off-campus.
- The fifth cohort of officers will graduate from Fitchburg State’s groundbreaking police program at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at Weston Auditorium. The new officers, who will take their oaths at the ceremony, completed their bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice in May and will begin their online master’s degrees this fall. This summer they are completing a 17-week academy of defensive skills and tactical training, in addition to classroom work.
- The university’s celebration of Latinx Heritage Month will take place Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Additional details will be posted online at fitchburgstate.edu.
- Best-selling author R.A. Salvatore, a double Falcon with degrees in 1981 and 1991, will discuss “The Future of Storytelling” at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 in the main lounge at Hammond Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
- Acclaimed singer John McDermott, an original member of the Irish Tenors, will return to campus for a performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in Weston Auditorium, part of the university’s CenterStage arts and culture series. Tickets are available now at fitchburgstate.edu/centerstage.
- The university will celebrate its Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Friday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 23.
To learn more about Fitchburg State and its programs, please visit fitchburgstate.edu.