The purpose of Raider Welcome is to support the successful transition of undergraduate Red Raiders by providing a coordinated series of events tied to the start of each major academic term. Through campuswide collaboration, Raider Welcome fosters early belonging, increases awareness of support services, and encourages meaningful engagement in campus life. The program plays a key role in helping students form connections, understand available resources, and build a strong foundation for academic and personal success. 

Raider Welcome aims to: 

• Provide opportunities for undergraduate students to meet peers, build relationships, and cultivate a sense of community as they begin a new academic term.
• Offer a diverse calendar of events that reflects the interests and needs of students during the opening weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Introduce students to campus services, involvement opportunities, and support resources that contribute to a successful transition. 
• Encourage early engagement in campus life, supporting persistence, well-being, and long-term connection to Texas Tech.
• Strengthen collaboration across campus units to create a welcoming, supportive environment for all Red Raiders at the start of each major semester. 

Hosting an event during Raider Welcome is a meaningful way for your office or organization to connect with students during one of the highest-engagement periods of the year. Your event can help students feel welcomed, informed, and excited about the opportunities available at Texas Tech.

Hosting a Raider Welcome event allows you to:

• Introduce students to your programs, services, or organization
• Build early relationships with students who may benefit from your support throughout the year
• Promote involvement and awareness in a friendly, high-energy environment
• Contribute to a campus-wide initiative that supports student success and belonging

Any event that helps students connect, learn, engage, or find community is a great fit for Raider Welcome.

1. Start planning your event

All Raider Welcome events must follow the standard Texas Tech event planning process. Campus Events provides step-by-step guidance on space reservations, logistics, policies, risk management, and required approvals.

Only Texas Tech students, faculty, staff, or groups sponsored by a department or registered organization may host Raider Welcome events.

Before you submit your event, make sure you have:

• Reserved your event space
• Secured Grounds Use Approval for any outdoor on-campus event
• Obtained a Temporary Food Permit if your on-campus event will serve food
• Received any additional approvals required by Texas Tech policies
• Finalized your event date, time, description, and details that are important for attendees to know

For more information about these requirements, visit the Campus Policies and Forms page.

Submitting your event to Campus Events is the final step in the planning process and should only be done after all approvals are in place.

2. Submit your event to the Raider Welcome calendar

All Raider Welcome events are submitted and approved through Campus Events. Once your event is fully planned and approved, submit it through the Campus Events system and select Raider Welcome as the event category. Events not categorized this way will not appear on the Raider Welcome calendar.

Your event submission must include:

• Event name and description
• Event date, time, and confirmed location
• Sponsoring office, department, or organization
• Host contact information
• Event image (1100x321px minimum, up to 2500x731px)
• Thumbnail or mobile image (820x410px, 2:1 aspect ratio)
• Accessibility, registration, or participation details

If you do not have an image, you may use our stock Raider Welcome images:

• Event Image
• Thumbnail/Mobile Image

Important notes:

• Allow up to two weeks for Campus Events to review and publish your event.
• For off-campus events, include the location name and full address in the Internal Event Description and select any primary location option. Campus Events will correct this during review.
• Events may not be hosted in private residences.
• Only events appropriate for a Texas Tech-sponsored initiative will be approved.
• If you have questions about the event submission process or need to change your event details after submission, contact Campus Events at campusevents@ttu.edu.

Once approved, your event will appear on the official Raider Welcome calendar.