Office of First-Year Experience
Cajun Craze

Cajun Craze

Welcome Class of 2029 and welcome back to all of our returning students! We are excited to have you here and are pleased to offer multiple activities to make your first few weeks on campus fun, educational, and most importantly- welcoming! We will be offering a variety of programming August 16th through August 30th. You can view the full schedule at the link below or look at the detailed schedule at the bottom of our page. Check back to this site often as events are added and updated frequently as we approach the Fall semester!

View the 2025 Cajun Craze Schedule

Summertime in Louisiana means inclement weather happens. Be sure to follow @ulfirstyear and @ulgetinvolved on Instagram for weather updates that may affect Cajun Craze events!

Parking/Shuttle Information

Parking information coming soon!

Campus Dining

Campus dining options coming soon!

Bourgeois Hall Rec Center

The Rec Center is located at Bourgeois Hall at 225 Cajundome Blvd. There are an array of activities for students to enjoy such as the Student Fitness Center, Aquatic Center, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and newly added pickleball courts! Be sure to check out Bourgeois Hall during Cajun Craze and bring your Cajun Card for entry.

Hours

August 16 & 17: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

August 18 – 20: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Normal hours begin August 21- see Rec Sports website for details.

KampusFM

Tune into KampusFM, the student radio station at UL Lafayette, during Cajun Craze for daily programming reminders and some sublime sounds! Stream it live here.

Week One

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

First-Time Freshman Move-In | Residence Halls | Hosted by Residential Life

Time to move into your freshman year residence hall! Please refer to the Housing and Residential Life website for more detailed move-in information.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Movie Night | Rose Garden Courtyard | Hosted by Residential Life

Stop by the Rose Garden Courtyard, located behind Coronna Hall, to enjoy a movie night under the stars.

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

First-Time Freshman Move-In | Residence Halls | Hosted by Residential Life

Time to move into your freshman year residence hall! Please refer to the Housing and Residential Life website for more detailed move-in information.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Movie Night | Union-Bayou Bijou | Hosted by Residential Life

Congratulations, you are moved in! Come rest and spend the evening in watching a movie in Bayou Bijou.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cajun Compass- Navigating Leadership | Union-Bayou Bijou | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

Session 1: Discovering your Leadership Style- Get to know your leadership personality! In this session, you'll take a fun leadership style quiz, reflect on your core values, and learn what kind of leader you naturally are. Whether you're bold and vocal or quiet and thoughtful, there's a place for your leadership here.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Meet the Dean of Students | Union- Dean of Students Suite 167 | Hosted by the Dean of Students

Come meet the Dean of Students, enjoy some candy salad, and learn about all the ways they can assist you on campus!

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Residence Hall Floor Meetings | Respective halls and floors | Hosted by Residential Life

There will be mandatory floor meetings in Baker Hall, Bonin Hall, Coronna Hall, & Agnes Edwards Hall. Meet your Resident Assistant (RA), students on your floor, and information about living on campus.

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Swamp Party | Union-Porch | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

We are kicking off your freshman year with our traditional SWAMP PARTY- a fun celebration with food, music, dancing, inflatables, tons of give aways, and the world's largest playfair experience!

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cajun Compass- Navigating Leadership | Union-Bayou Bijou | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

Session 2: Leading With and Through Others- Great leaders don’t go it alone. This interactive session focuses on building your skills for working with others, especially when things get tough. Practice effective communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution through activities and real-life college scenarios.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Dining Services Information Session | Cypress Dining Hall | Hosted by Dining Services

1:00 PM – 4:45 PM

First-Year Information Sessions | Union- Bayou Bijou | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

Get a refresher about all the ways that you can succeed in your freshman year! Session information is coming soon.

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

TheP.R.I.N.T.- It’s All Fun and Games | Union- River Room | Hosted by TheP.R.I.N.T.

The ultimate game night where good times are guaranteed, and the only rule is to enjoy yourself. Whether you are the board game boss, video game champ or uno ruler, there will be enough fun and games for everyone… because it’s all fun and games!

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Two Steppin’ Tuesday | Union- Ballroom | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience and the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership

Hey Casanova! Immerse yourself in a uniquely Cajun experience and learn how to zydeco and two-step while enjoying some late-night bites of classic Louisiana food.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cajun Compass- Navigating Leadership | Union-Bayou Bijou | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

Sesion 3: Leading with a Purpose- Want to make a difference during your time at UL? This session helps you connect your passions to leadership opportunities on campus and beyond. You’ll map out your interests, hear from inspiring student leaders, and leave with a plan for your own impact.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Dining Services Information Session | Cypress Dining Hall | Hosted by Dining Services

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Get the Scoop with Fraternity and Sorority Life | Union-Ballroom A | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

If offered the chance to join a student organization that is about personal development, empowering leadership potential, service to others, lifelong friendships, and fun... would you be interested? Please come enjoy free ice cream and learn more about these organizations - the fraternities and sororities at UL Lafayette!

5:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Class Locator Tours | Union-Plaza | Hosted by the Office of Orientation

Need help finding your classes? Bring your class schedule and let the Student Orientation Staff and SOUL Camp Mentors guide you around campus!

7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Bowl-A-Palooza | Premier Lanes of Acadiana | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

STRIKE! Come on down to Premier Lanes for Bowl-a-Palooza- a night full of bowling, arcade games, laser tag, food, and more! Transportation will be provided from the Student Union, however parking on site is also available.

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

First-Year On-Campus Job Expo | Hosted by Career Services

Want to learn more about the on-campus departments who hire student employees? The “Campus Job Expo” will provide the opportunity to connect with these departments.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Dining Services Information Session | Cypress Dining Hall | Hosted by Dining Services

12:00 PM – 2:45 PM

First-Year Information Sessions | Union- Bayou Bijou | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

Get a refresher about all the ways that you can succeed in your freshman year! Session information is coming soon.

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Rec Fest | Bourgeois Hall | Hosted by Rec Sports

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

New Student Convocation | Cajundome | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

Welcome to the academic kick-off to your collegiate journey. Join us at the Cajundome to commemorate this extremely important moment in your life... when you become a Ragin' Cajun!

For more information regarding transportation, parking, and program, please visit the New Student Convocation page.

8 PM – 10 PM

Splash Bash | Bourgeois Hall Aquatic Center | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

Enjoy a unique cinema experience at the Student Aquatic Center, floating or lounging poolside under the stars. Plus, grab some food, free giveaways, and more!

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Farmer’s Market | Moncus Park

Hop on the shuttle and ride over to Lafayette's Farmers and Artisans Market at Moncus Park, which is full of local food, drinks, and crafts. After you take a look around you can sit down under the oak trees and listen to the Cajun Jam! Please note that the farmer’s market has very limited parking, so the shuttle from the Student Union is highly encouraged.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

On-Campus Service Project

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Jig-a-Robics | Union- Ballroom | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

Week Two

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Zydeco Brunch | Union- Cypress Dining Hall | Hosted by Residential Life

Come enjoy Zydeco Brunch and music, upstairs in the Cypress Dining Hall. Meal swipes are valid and we will have meal vouchers for the first 50 students without a meal plan.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Panhellenic Recruitment Orientation | Union- Ballroom | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

This orientation is for all women who have registered for or are considering registering for Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment. You will meet your student Recruitment Counselors and get all the information you need to start Recruitment on August 28th. If you still want to register click here!

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Campus Cool Down | Boucher Street | Hosted by UL Campus Ministries

Join the all the campus ministries for some popsicles, games, and fellowship.

First Day of Classes!

7:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Donut Drop-In | Rex Street, Quad, and various academic buildings | Hosted by Student Government Association

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

First Day Flicks | Union- Porch and Evangeline Room | Hosted by Student Activities Board

Come by and take that first day of college photo at our customized photo stations. This event only takes place ONE time a year! Rep your class with your classification signs and take a photo by yourself or with friends!

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Community Meetings | Respective Halls | Hosted by Residential Life

There will be a mandatory floor meeting in Agnes Edwards, Huger Hall, Legacy Park Apartments, & The Heritage Apartments at Cajun Village. Meet your Resident Assistant (RA) and Community Assistants (CA), students on your floor/building, and important information about living on-campus

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

TheP.R.I.N.T.- Aux Cord Wars | Angelle Hall | Hosted by TheP.R.I.N.T.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Out of State Student Mixer | The Alumni Center | Hosted by Residential Life and the UL Alumni Association

Come meet other Out of State Students at this social event to learn about Lafayette and the culture of Louisiana.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

ResLife Foam Party | Rose Garden Courtyard | Hosted by Residential Life

Residence Hall Association (RHA) invites you to participate in a night of music, dance, waterslides, and FOAM.

10:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Get on Board Day | the UL Quad | Hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership

Come out and explore over 100+ amazing student organizations to see how you can get involved.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

TheP.R.I.N.T.- Network and Navigate | Union-Forum | Hosted by TheP.R.I.N.T.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

TheP.R.I.N.T.- Ragin’ Rep Night | Union-Ballroom A | Hosted by TheP.R.I.N.T.

Ragin’ Roar is coming up and what better way to get ready for the event… decorating your own t-shirt! We will have a limited number of shirts for students, and you will get a chance to paint, bedazzle, draw, and much more on your own shirt, so you can wear to Ragin’ Roar. Come out and be creative!

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Ragin’ Roar | Hosted by Traditions Board

4:00 PM

Freshmen First Down | Student Tailgating | Hosted by Traditions Board

7:00 PM

Football Game vs. Rice | Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium at Cajun Field

6:00 PM – 8:45 PM

Ragin’ Cajuns Downtown Alive! | Parc Sans Souci

Here’s a little lagniappe (“something extra”) for you! This event is a collaboration of all things UL and all things Lafayette. Enjoy amazing food, culture, shopping, and entertainment available in downtown Lafayette!