Thunder U

Thunder U is the required, in-person portion of your incoming Orientation experience. Thunder U offers a chance to connect with key resources, like your Ace, find and meet other incoming T-birds, and get connected to start your school year off on the right foot!

Before Thunder U

Complete Online Orientation (must be completed prior to Thunder U, can be found on the right side of your mySUUportal)
Complete the New Student Checklist

Students will be emailed the full Thunder U schedule with additional information from both the Student Onboarding and Retention Office and their Ace. If you are unfamiliar with campus locations, check our campus map for more information.

If you have specific questions about Thunder U, please contact your Ace! If you aren't sure how to contact your Ace you can email thenest@suu.edu.

Thunder U Spring 2026 Schedule

January 5: Recommended Attendance

Monday, January 5

For all Thunder U Activities, please wear the badge that you receive at check-in in order to gain access to the event. All Thunder U Events are for incoming students only.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast and Buddies (Student Center, Starlight Room #208)
- Take it easy this morning with a bowl of cereal and meet new friends.

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Aviation Hangar 1 Tour – Starting Each Hour (SUU Aviation)
- Take flight with a behind-the-scenes look inside SUU’s Aviation Hangar 1! Tours start every hour, perfect for Aviation students or anyone curious about what it’s like to soar with the T-Birds.

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Move it Morning - High Fit (Student Center, Living Room #101)
- Join us for a fun, high-energy workout that’ll get your heart pumping and your mood soaring. All fitness levels welcome, just bring water, good vibes, and your best moves!

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Veterans Student Orientation (Student Center Theatre)
- Veteran Students only.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Campus Resource Tours (The Nest, #178)
- Get a kickstart to becoming familiar with campus and it’s commonly used resources such as the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Career Center, Academic Advising, and more!

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Parent and Family
- Optional Parent and Family Meeting (Student Center Church Auditorium #155)

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Crafts - Decorate Your Dorm! (Student Center, Starlight Room #208)
- Make your dorm feel like home! Join us for a fun crafting session where you can create your own décor, posters, signs, and more, to personalize your space.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

New Student Lunch (Student Center, Living Room #101)
- Lunch is available to incoming students only.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Community Service Project (Student Center, Starlight Room #208)
- Serve. Connect. Grow. Spend some time giving back through a meaningful service project that supports our local community while building friendships and memories.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Trivia Throwdown and Gamer Showdown (Student Center, Living Room #101)
- The ultimate brain-and-game challenge! Join us for a night of quick thinking, friendly competition, and gaming fun. From trivia rounds to gaming showdowns, it’s your time to shine and score big!

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Open Mic and Mocktails (Student Center, Living Room #101)
- Sip, sing, and socialize! Enjoy handcrafted mocktails while students take the mic to share music, poetry, comedy, or anything creative. Whether you’re performing or just vibing, it’s the perfect low-key night to unwind and connect.

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Open Rec Night! (PE Building)
- Enjoy access to basketball, racquetball, pickleball, volleyball, and more!

January 6: Mandatory Attendance

Tuesday, January 6

For all Thunder U Activities, please wear the badge that you receive at check-in in order to gain access to the event. All Thunder U Events are for incoming students only.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Thunder U Check-In (Student Center Ballroom #145)
- Please check-in to receive your free SUU T-Shirt and credentials to participate in events throughout the remainder of the day.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (MANDATORY)

SUU Resource Fair (Student Center)
- Get to know familiar faces across campus and learn more about what SUU has to offer you. Participate in a BINGO game to meet as many resources as you can and be entered in to win prizes!

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (MANDATORY)

New Student Induction (America First Event Center)
- All are welcome to attend the New Student Induction Ceremonies! A live stream of the event will additionally be conducted in the Student Center Church Auditorium #155. Following the induction ceremony, students will process beneath the Carter Carillon Bell Tower located on Upper Campus.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (MANDATORY)

Carter Carillon Bell Tower Tradition
- The official welcome to new students as they are surrounded by cheering faculty, staff, students, alumni, and administration. New students walk east, which symbolizes the sunrise or the start of the student’s new chapter at SUU. Parents and family, please cheer for your student on the west side of the Bell Tower. TBirds, please cheer on our incoming class from the east side of the Bell Tower.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM (MANDATORY)

New Student Lunch (Student Center Living Room)
- Lunch is available to incoming students only.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM (MANDATORY)

ACE Meeting
- Please refer to communication from your ACE (Peer Mentor) regarding meeting times. Meeting Locations are as follows:
  - Aedin (Education Building, Room #102)
  - Aiden (Education Building, Room #103)
  - Aimee (Education Building, Room #202)
  - Angelie (Education Building, Room #111)
  - Anna (Education Building, Room #215)
  - Benjamin (Education Building, Room #203)
  - Brooklyn (Education Building, Room #205)
  - Brynley (Education Building, Room #104)
  - Chad (Business Building, Room #120)
  - Christian (Business Building, Room #242)
  - Collin (Business Building, Room #243)
  - Elijah (Business Building, Room #244)
  - Emilie (Business Building, Room #246)
  - Fae (Business Building, Room #119)
  - Gwenivere (Business Building, Room #251)
  - Harper (Business Building, Room #250)
  - Isabel (Bristleconehall Building, Room #116)
  - Lauren (Bristleconehall Building, Room #118)
  - Liz (Bristleconehall Building, Room #205)
  - Nathan (Bristleconehall Building, Room #206)
  - Niki (Bristleconehall Building, Room #218)
  - Njomi (Bristleconehall Building, Room #219)
  - Ryan (Bristleconehall Building, Room #222)
  - Samantha (Bristleconehall Building, Room #311)
  - Sunny (Bristleconehall Building, Room #318)
  - Tanner (Bristleconehall Building, Room #320)
  - Yazmine (Bristleconehall Building, Room #322)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

College Meetings - Refer to Thunder U Badge
- Business (Hunter Alumni Center Gilbert Great Hall #203)
- Education and Human Development (Education Building Room #215)
- Health Sciences (PE Building #101)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (Education Building Room #104)
- CSTEM (Science Building Room #114)
- Performing and Visual Arts (Student Center Theatre)
- Undeclared/Exploratory Studies (Student Center, Church Auditorium)
- Aviation (Student Center Starlight Room #208)

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tradition Time (America First Event Center)
- Join us for an unforgettable assembly introduction to some of the most cherished SUU traditions that will become part of your story during your time at SUU. Tradition Time is a moment to feel the energy and pride of being a part of something much bigger—your new home on campus. Welcome Home, TBirds!

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Interest Group Breakouts
- 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament (PE Building Gymnasium)
  - Who runs the court? Come solo or with a team to get your basketball on and emerge as the king (or queen!) of the court. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team.
- Vinyl Record Painting (Student Center, Starlight Room #208)
  - Head to the Student Center Starlight Room to mosey through some groovy vinyl records, paint, and contribute your favorite tunes to the Thunder U 2026 Playlist!
- Trendy Flowers (Convention Center)
  - Head to the Convention Center to make your own custom bouquet of flowers!
- Gamer’s Corner (Wing)
  - Join us for Nintendo Switch, pingpong, and more!
- Speed Friending (Living Room)
  - Come get to know your fellow TBirds and make a few fast friends during your Thunder U experience.

Is Thunder U Required?

Thunder U (orientation) is required for all new students under SUU Policy 6.5 IV-B-4K.

Incoming first-year students are required to attend Thunder U.
Transfer students are required to attend Thunder U.
Non-Traditional students (over the age of 25, married and/or with children) are required to attend Thunder U. We also host a Non-Traditional Student Mix and Mingle during Thunder U, be sure to check for it on the complete schedule.
International students are required to attend both the International Student Orientation and Thunder U.
Veteran students are required to attend Thunder U and should connect with the Veteran Resource and Support Center to attend their Military Connected Orientation.
Online campus students are exempt from attending Thunder U. Students with all online courses that are registered as a "main campus" student are still required to attend Thunder U. For questions about your campus designation, please contact your Ace.
Parents of T-Birds Both in-person open houses and online orientation for parents are available through Parent and Family Services.