UNC Asheville is gearing up for fall semester, with freshman orientation beginning Saturday, August 11, transfer student orientation beginning Monday, August 13, and day and evening classes starting Wednesday, August 15. UNCA is expecting about 475 new freshmen.

A new highlight of orientation will be a formal convocation ceremony for students and their families at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 11, on the main Quadrangle. N.C. Poet Laureate Fred Chappell will give the keynote address.

Freshmen will also be introduced to UNCA’s culture of community service through a massive community work day Monday, August 13. This fifth annual "Bulldog Day: A Time of Service" will send some 600 UNCA students, faculty and staff to 32 service projects in the Asheville community.

Freshmen will be able to check into residence halls on Saturday, August 11, and returning students will be able to move back in Monday, August 13. UNCA Alumni Association members, faculty and staff will be on hand both days to help students and their parents with the move.

Evening events, designed to introduce new students to campus life, include a talk by motivational speaker Paul Wesselman on Saturday, August 11; a game night on Sunday, August 12; a performance by comedian Al Ducharme on Monday, August 13; and movies on the Quad Tuesday, August 14.

For more information, call the University at 828/251-6600.