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Freshman Induction

Welcome, Class of 2021

We are delighted you are joining Indiana University’s vibrant community of scholars.

Freshman Induction is a key component of the first day of Welcome Week. Along with two other important events during your years at IU—the annual IU Bloomington Honors Convocation and Commencement—it is a celebration of your academic aspirations and success.

Like all great universities, IU conducts ceremonies such as this with fanfare and pageantry. There is music as well as brief remarks by Provost Robel and the student body president. Freshmen are invited to repeat the Indiana Promise, and they receive a keepsake IU pin. After the ceremony, there is a traditional picnic on the grounds of nearby Woodburn Hall.

Freshman Induction, which lasts about 45 minutes, takes place in the beautiful IU Auditorium in the heart of campus.

The 2017–18 Freshman Induction will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the IU Auditorium. Tickets are not required for the event.

Details for the big day

What: Annual Freshman Induction Ceremony

Where: The Indiana University Auditorium, which is located in the heart of the Bloomington campus. There are several options for parking near the Auditorium.

When: The 2017–18 Freshman Induction Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Doors open: An hour before each ceremony. Attendees are advised to arrive by 1:45 for the first session or by 3:45 for the second.

Tickets and seating: There are no tickets and no reserved seats.

Reservations are required: The IU Auditorium seats approximately 3,200 people. Freshmen and their families will select the ceremony that best fits their schedule for the day. If the 2 p.m. session fills up, attendees are directed to RSVP for the 4 p.m. session.

What to wear: Come as you are! Induction is held at the end of Move-In Day, and casual attire is just fine.

Why attend? In the words of a former freshman: “The Induction ceremony made me feel like I was finally officially starting at IU. Meeting the faculty and university administration was impressive.”

Picnic

After the ceremony, freshmen and their families are invited to a picnic, which is held on the grounds of nearby Woodburn Hall, which is located southwest of Showalter Fountain. Woodburn Hall is ahead on the left as you exit the Auditorium.

People at the Freshman Induction picnic

The Indiana Promise

I promise that:

  • I will be ethical in my academic work.
  • I will take personal responsibility for what I say and what I do.
  • I will respect the dignity of others, treating them with civility and understanding.

Resources for freshmen

All of these offices are here to support and help you as you become a university student. We’ll tell you more about each of them at Freshman Induction, but you can get a head start by checking out their websites.

Contact Us

Office of University Events

1000 E. 17th Street
Bloomington, IN 47408
  • Email: iuevents@indiana.edu
  • Phone: 812-855-3762

Office of First Year Experience Programs

326 N. Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
  • Email: fye@indiana.edu
  • Phone: 812-855-4357

IU Auditorium

1211 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
  • Phone: 812-855-1103