Student Activities organized a kickoff event to the Spring 2026 semester, aimed to provide a space for new and returning students to find their place on campus.
Student Activities Program Coordinator Raul Leal said the goal for the event is to make students feel at home on campus and welcome everyone back.
Leal said the Welcome Back Bash is coming with a number of new items, but one of the biggest highlights is the silent disco, an event where students choose between three music channels curated by DJs.
“As they choose a different channel, their headphones will change into a different color from red to blue to green, so you can see who all is listening to the same kinds of music as you, so you can find people who have the same interests,” Leal said.
He said the department will also host a roller rink on the Edinburg campus, while Brownsville students can participate in a laser tag competition. Arcade-style games, such as Skee-Ball, Foosball and Pac-Man, will also be available.
Leal also said students can participate in DIY arts and crafts, which includes designing their own tote bags.
The program coordinator added the department took into consideration feedback from students so it can determine what to offer.
“We wanted to give a completely new take other than just basing it off of their interests, so we wanted to give them something new and unique,” Leal said.
Student Activities Student Assistant Francisco Salas said the goal of the Welcome Back Bash is to bring students together after the Winter Break.
Salas said the department wanted to create an event unlike any other before, hoping to give an experience that makes students feel a sense of belonging at UTRGV.
Student Activities Student Assistant Michaela Ruiz said the event is especially intended for students who may feel overwhelmed after a long break, including first-year students who are new to campus.
“What we would like people to experience is coming off of a long break and then not being so shell shocked,” Ruiz said. “Mostly, this is going to be for freshmen students trying to find people to mingle with.”
The Welcome Back Bash will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Health and Physical Education Building II on the Edinburg campus and from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday in El Gran Salón on the Brownsville campus.
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