Weeks of Welcome
Weeks of Welcome (WoW) occur the first two weeks of the Fall semester and the first week of the Spring. These weeks are jam packed with events meant to encourage students to become engaged with fellow students, staff, and faculty. We highly encourage both new and returning students to attend events during these weeks to get a jump start on their engagement for the semester. Each time is different, so check out our Instagram (@usmstudentengagement) before the start of each semester for the full line-up of events.
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Homecoming & Family Weekend, held mid-fall, brings alumni, students, friends, parents, and families together for a weekend of Husky Pride, celebration, and fun! Events are held on both the Portland and Gorham campuses, ranging from Athletic games to music concerts. Student Engagement & Belonging hosts Octoberfest, complete with food trucks, pumpkin painting, and more, as well as our Casino Night in Lower Brooks. Visit our Homecoming & Family Weekend website for more information.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
To honor the rich cultures, histories, and futures of Indigenous peoples, each year we host an afternoon of reflection, recognition, and connection on our Portland campus. This event features Indigenous musicians, storytellers, and artists, provides a curated selection of Indigenous books from our University Store, and offers an Indigenous-inspired menu from Sodexo in the Portland Dining Hall.
Royal Majesty Drag Show
Since 2000, USM has been known for hosting the Annual Royal Majesty Drag Show, which features student drag artists. This spectacular event promises an unforgettable evening of dazzling performances, high-energy entertainment, and inspiring community spirit. Ticket proceeds from this event go to a gift fund that supports LGBTQIA+ programming at USM. Whether you’re a student or a community member, this is the perfect opportunity to support a fantastic cause and experience a night of joy, pride, and inclusivity.
Stress Relief Week
Stress Relief Week is offered at the end of each semester leading into finals week as a way to help students take short breaks from their workloads and avoid burnout. We strive to offer various opportunities for students to relax, refocus, and decompress. While events vary each year, they always have the goal of providing students with an opportunity to engage in mindfulness and mental health activities. We collaborate with student organizations and other departments to offer many activities throughout the week.
Banned Book Fair
The Banned Book Fair is hosted in the spring semester on the Portland Campus. This event is a great opportunity for the community to learn about and purchase banned books. Our partnership with our University Store helps us offer a wide variety of texts and information on why those texts are banned. There’s also always some tasty treats available for purchase from a local business!
Lewiston-Auburn (LAC) Social
Join us for a family-friendly evening full of fun at our Lewiston-Auburn Campus! Starting in 2025, the LAC Social is one of our newest traditions. This event features food trucks, carnival games, lawn games, and more to celebrate our LAC community.
Culture Fest
Culture Fest, held in the Spring semester, is an incredible celebration of world culture and the diversity that makes up USM. This is an evening filled with dance, music, food, and community resources from around the world. You don’t want to miss it!
Spring Fling
Spring Fling happens towards the end of the spring semester as a last hurrah before moving into finals. This event celebrates the return of nice weather and provides a boost moving into the end of the academic year. You can expect delicious food from local businesses, activities like giant games and inflatables, and as always, lots of fun.
Student Leadership Gala
To recognize and celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our student leaders, we host the Student Leadership Gala at the end of the Spring semester. This event is complete with food, photo opportunities, and an awards ceremony. This is a wonderful celebration that honors our recipients, as well as the work of all students, staff, and faculty who continue to create a welcoming, inclusive environment at USM.
“Class Of” Graduation Celebrations
Towards the end of the academic year, Student Engagement & Belonging hosts a variety of events exclusive to the graduating class. These events vary from year to year but what doesn’t change is us celebrating all our graduates have accomplished. In recent years, Class Of has included graduation cap decorating, luncheons, a cruise in Casco Bay, and a wine tasting.