Annual Events

Fall Semester

Involvement Fair (September)

See what happens after classes by exploring the 80+ student-run clubs and organizations. Make connections with fellow Hawks of like interests and chat with officers from the various groups. If you would like to start a club, feel free to talk with Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation (SPLO) staff about the process.

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)

A month-long celebration of Latinx/Hispanic culture on campus hosted by the Multicultural Student Union (MSU), along with events hosted by other student-run affinity groups, such as the Hispanic and Latinx Student Association (HALSA). Events range from celebratory to educational. 

Spirit Week (October)

Hosted by the Inter-Class Council (ICC) Spirit Week brings together the community to enjoy a week of all things RWU.  From attending athletic competitions to voting on Bristol's top pizza place to an off campus trip; Spirit Week has something for everyone.

Trans Week of Remembrance (November)

Each year, Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) participates in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility about transgender people and address issues members of the community face.

Winter Illuminations (December)

As the holiday season approaches, Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation partners with the student organizations and the Office of the President to host the lighting of the non-denominational holiday tree on the D’Angelo Common. The event also features live music from RWU’s performing groups. 

Spring Semester

Jazz & Paint (February)

Part of the Multicultural Student Union's (MSU) celebration of Black History Month, students come together to paint beautiful works of art with the help of an instructor. While you paint, enjoy live jazz music from a performer.

Hawk the Block (April)

Join WQRI 88.3fm (campus radio station)  as they host this annual spring concert  featuring student bands and local talent. Bring your friends and enjoy food trucks and our student craft fair.

Cake Off (April)

Are you RWU’s next great cake decorator? Find out at the Inter-Class Council’s (ICC) annual competition where teams have 30 minutes to decorate the best cake they can. Proceeds are donated to a charitable organization which coordinates with the decorating theme.

Queer Fest (April)

Join Sexuality and Gender Alliance’s (SAGA)  in celebrating Pride Week, a week of celebration programming.  Traditional events include Queer Fest, RWU Drag Brunch and educational programming to educate the community.  

Each Semester

Dance Club Show (November & April)

Dance Club hosts a semester show that features tap, hip-hop, modern and jazz performances created by our student choreographers.  This event is a campus favorite with the audience make up of families and the campus community.

Late Night Breakfast (December & May)

Join the campus community on the last day of classes each semester for a themed breakfast in Upper Commons served by RWU faculty and staff before studying for finals. No meal plan required.

Theme Weeks

Our student organizations host theme weeks throughout the academic year. A theme week is a weeklong series of programming where there is an event every day during the designated week, all tied together by a theme. Below is a list of each theme week our organizations host throughout the year:

• Campus Entertainment Network (CEN)
  • 1, 2, 3 Weekend (Labor Day Weekend)
    A weekend of events to kick off the school year, including a hypnotist or illusionist, an outdoor movie night, and the annual Fall Concert on the Rugby Field
  • Wicked Week (October)
    A Halloween-themed week of programming, including the Halloween Carnival
  • March Meltdown (March)
    A week of programming to melt away to cold of winter and usher the campus into the warmer spring months, including the Spring Concert and Final Comedian Release Party, where the artist(s) for the Spring Concert and Final Comedian are announced to the campus community.
  • Spring Week (April)
    A week of events to celebrate the end of the academic year, including Quad Fest, the annual Spring Concert, the final comedian event, Block Party, and fireworks over the Mount Hope Bay. Spring Week is a staple of the RWU Spring Semester. 
• Multicultural Student Union (MSU)
  • Stay Woke Week (November & March/April)
    A week of events each semester to raise awareness for social justice issues, including panels, speakers, and social media campaign