Stampede Week at Central
Whether you're stepping on campus for the first time or have returned after an awesome campus visit, our celebration will make sure you feel welcome at your new home!
What is Stampede Week at UCO?
UCO gets every year started right, and the first week of classes and a few days before is Stampede Week. Everything you need to do – from getting connected on campus to joining a fraternity or sorority to even getting a job – starts here. You’ll meet new people, discover all the perks of being a Broncho and get plenty of free stuff.
Step one to making the most of Stampede Week is to follow us on Instagram and we’ll keep you updated on all the events.
Stampede Week 2023
Stampede Week 2023 is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 17-Friday, Aug. 25.
Thursday, Aug. 17
- Move-in Day | 8 a.m.-1 p.m., UCO Housing
- Central Locate – Totes Ready to Be a Broncho | 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Blue Tent
Come find your classes at Central Locate! Orientation leaders (maybe YOUR orientation leader) are waiting to help you find your classes to ease those first-day jitters. Plus, get a FREE button and design your tote bag! - Singo – NBO X RHA | 7-8:30 p.m., Nigh University Center (NUC), Ballrooms
Do you have a knack for winning? Do you love music AND feel like you are lucky? This event was made for you. Singo combines your two favorite things—bingo and music. Come dot your card and maybe win some cool prizes along the way!
Friday, Aug. 18
- Move-in Day | 8 a.m.-1 p.m., UCO Housing
- Central Locate – Popsicle Palooza | 3-6 p.m., Buddy’s Lawn
Come find your classes at Central Locate! Orientation leaders (maybe YOUR orientation leader) are waiting to help you find your classes to ease those first-day jitters. - Midafternoon Market | 4-7 p.m., Buddy's Lawn
This event will have local businesses from the Edmond-OKC metro area, a bounce house and live music! The vendors will have everything you need to start your journey at UCO and show you what is available by walking, driving or taking a bus! - Movie Night | 9-10:30 p.m., NUC, Constitution Hall
Kick back and relax while watching a box office hit. There is nothing like watching a movie on a warm summer night with your new best friends.
Saturday, Aug. 19
- Move-in Day | 8 a.m.-1 p.m., UCO Housing
- Becoming Broncho | 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Engage in a hands-on, service experience with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma! Transportation will be provided. Register on UCORE. - Central Locate – Grow at UCO | 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Blue Tent
Come find your classes at Central Locate! Orientation leaders (maybe YOUR orientation leader) are waiting to help you find your classes to ease those first-day jitters. Plus, get a FREE plant and design the pot! - Bronchos Night Out | 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Old North
Start your UCO journey off with a night full of fun rides, inflatables, food, carnival games and more! You will also be able to get your Stampede Week shirt and watch the inaugural lighting of Old North.
Sunday, Aug. 20
- Prez Fest | 6-7:30 p.m., NUC, Food Court
President Lamb is so excited to meet you. During PrezFest, you will have the opportunity to chat with UCO's newest president, get a free frozen treat and maybe win some prizes.
Monday, Aug. 21 — First Day of Classes
- Central Locate | 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Human Environmental Sciences (HES), Library and Business buildings
- First-Day-of-School Photos | 9 a.m.-noon, Clock Tower
Come take your cute, first-day-of-school photos at Broncho Lake or our booth! Grab a free biscuit from Honey Bunny Biscuit Co. before class! - Fraternity and Sorority Life Fair | 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Broncho Lake
- Zipping Across the Plains | 2-4 p.m., Buddy's Lawn
Zip through UCO’s campus 35 feet in the air! - Fraternity and Sorority Life Info Session | 5-7 p.m., NUC, Will Rogers Room, Room 421
- Mentalist | 7:30 p.m., NUC, Constitution Hall
Who will be the first to give up their mind to a mentalist? This show will take you out of your seat and straight to your feet to try and get a look at what's happening on stage. - Housing First Meetings | 10 p.m., Each residence hall
Tuesday, Aug. 22
- Central Locate | 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Human Environmental Sciences (HES), Library and Business buildings
Come find your classes at Central Locate! Orientation leaders (maybe YOUR orientation leader) are waiting to help you find your classes to ease those first-day jitters. - Volunteer and Part-Time Job Fair | 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Broncho LakeBroncho Lake
- College of Business Open House Carnival | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., COB Lawn
The COB Carnival features free food, games, mini horses and more! - OBI Blood Drive | 11 a.m.-4 p.m., NUC, Heritage Room
- Bronchos at the Beach | 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Plunkett Park
Live out the last days of summer at the beach! Ride a shark, slide down a Kraken, get a wax hand and a free drink from Happy Camper! - Late Night at the Library | 8-11 p.m., Max Chambers Library
Explore the late-night options on and around campus at Late Night at the Library! Join us for free food and activities on the first floor! Outside, enjoy inflatables and bumper cars. UCO alumnus DJ Tangerine will provide the tunes while you have all the fun. Stick around to learn a UCO line dance from the vault!
Wednesday, Aug. 23
- Student Involvement Fair | 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Broncho Lake
- Dining Dollar Dash | 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Clock Tower
Grab as many Dining Dollars as you can in our money booth! You can use Dining Dollars at all on-campus dining locations! - CFAD Greatest Show on Earth | 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Plunkett Park
Join the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design for the Greatest Show on Earth—Get a free soft drink at the Happy Camper food truck and a free puffy shell taco at the Blue Donkey Cafe food truck (while supplies last). Try your hand at jewelry making, aerial dance, musical theatre karaoke, printmaking and more. Visit all six of our arts involvement booths to win a free T-shirt (while supplies last). - OBI Blood Drive | 11 a.m.-4 p.m., NUC, Heritage Room
- Party in the UCO | 8-10 p.m., NUC, Ballrooms
Sponsored by SPB, a crowd favorite, the silent disco is back! Party the night away on the channel of your choice and enjoy the arcade next door!
Thursday, Aug. 24
- Interfaith Fair | 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Broncho Lake
- CMS Open House | 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Howell Hall Atrium
Meet with various campus and College of Mathematics and Science clubs and organizations while enjoying free hot dogs and chips. Food truck Happy Camper will be on site too! - Fraternity and Sorority Life Info Session | Noon-2 p.m., NUC, Will Rogers Room, Room 421
- Cho-Chella | 5:30-11 p.m., Hamilton Field House**
Come see the DJ battle against DJ Tangerine and DJ Yuchi Boy! We will have festival vendors from 5:30-8 p.m., including hair tinsel, friendship bracelets, face painting, airbrush tattoos and permanent jewelry! We will also have Donut NV, Wicked Hangry, Psycho Taco and HTeaO from 5:30-9 p.m.! Make sure to stick around for the concert of the year, featuring our surprise guest artist!- **Clear Bag Policy—Any bags or purses must be clear plastic and be no larger than 12” x 6” x 12". The only exception to this is the allowance of bags necessary for medical equipment. All bags will be individually inspected by security personnel.
Friday, Aug. 25
- Breaking Bronchos | 10 a.m.-noon, Clock Tower
Come to the clock tower to release all your stress from the first week of school by throwing a plate with all your worries! - Forge International | 1-5 p.m., NUC
- Intramural Trivia | 7-8:30 p.m., Wellness Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Stampede week is really free?
It’s more than just free; you actually get free stuff just for showing up! Each of the events is free of charge to UCO students, so why wouldn’t you want to get involved?
What happens to the outdoor events if it rains?
You should already be following us on Instagram. This is where you’ll get the most up-to-date info about campus events. If something gets moved or canceled, you’ll see it there first. You can also call the Student Engagement Office at 405-974-2363 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Can we meet the performers who come to campus?
Some artists will have meet and greets, but it really depends on the artist. If they do, we’ll make an announcement via Twitter and at the beginning of their event.
If I’m a commuter, where should I park for Stampede Week events?
Your commuter tag makes it easy to park in the commuter lot. You can also park in the NUC visitor lot, but you still need to pay to park there.