June 21-23, 2024
Power Up Weekend is an optional, extended orientation experience for first-year students admitted for the Summer or Fall semester. Over the weekend, you will stay two nights in a residence hall, meet other new Huskers and participate in activities that will help you get familiar with campus.
How to Register
- Log in to MyRED to register starting Thursday, April 25, 2024.
- Use the "Admissions" drop-down menu, select "Undergraduate", click on "Power Up Weekend Reservations" (under the "New Student Enrollment" section) and complete the online registration form.
- Pay the $250 fee via credit card or check. We provide a limited number of $125 scholarships for Pell Grant-eligible students. Upon registration, the system will verify if you qualify for the Power Up Weekend scholarship and automatically award the scholarship, if applicable.
- Complete the required online waiver forms, which will be emailed to you. If you're under 19, students need a parent/guardian to complete the forms and submit them using the email address they provided the university.
- Register for Online or In-Person Orientation in MyRED when reservations open May 2. Power Up students are encouraged to register for the June 21 In-Person Orientation date.
The registration and payment deadline is June 7. Spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis, and the event may be full before June 7. We do not offer refunds for cancellations after June 7.
To comply with program guidelines, Power Up participants are expected to be enrolled in fall semester courses prior to June 21. As stated in the Event Code of Conduct, students are not to leave the assigned program area at any time. This is to ensure they have the best experience as well as for safety and liability reasons. If we discover a student has violated this rule, we contact parents/guardians immediately.
Sample Student Schedule
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| Friday, June 21, 2024 | |
| Late afternoon and evening |
|
| Saturday, June 22, 2024 | |
| Morning |
|
| Afternoon and evening |
|
| Sunday, June 23, 2024 | |
| Morning |
|
Lodging
Students will spend two nights (Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22) in Abel residence hall. Students who need accommodations on Thursday or Sunday night due to early arrival or late departure can reserve and pay for extra nights ($60/night) within the event registration in MyRED. Students will be randomly assigned to one roommate of the same gender for the weekend. Gender-inclusive housing is available. We do not accept roommate requests during this event, and our pairings are not related to Fall University Housing assignments. Power Up Weekend is a great opportunity to meet new people and begin creating a network of peers at Nebraska.
Residence halls are only open to students. The Graduate Hotel in downtown Lincoln is our Power Up Weekend host hotel for parents and family members. Our hotel block is available June 20-23 at a discounted rate of $124/night, including breakfast. For other local hotel options, check out our Husker Preferred Hotels.
As stated in the Event Code of Conduct, students are not to leave the assigned program area at any time. This is to ensure they have the best experience as well as for safety and liability reasons. If we discover a student has violated this rule, we contact parent and families immediately.
Parent and Family Activities
The Office of New Student Enrollment invites parents and families of Power Up Weekend participants to events Friday evening through Saturday.
Friday, June 21
We will host a reception at the Graduate Hotel from 6:30–8 p.m. CDT as an informal opportunity to meet other parents, family members and university staff.
Saturday, June 22
Parents and families are invited to the following events:
- Downtown Walking Tour and Farmers Market: 9–10 a.m. Meet in the lobby of the Graduate Hotel.
- State Capitol Tour: 10:45 a.m. Meet inside the North Entrance of the Capitol at 10:45 a.m. as the tour begins at 11 a.m. and will last approximately one hour.
- East Campus Dairy Store: 2–3 p.m. Enjoy free, locally made ice cream on East Campus, where optional East Campus tours will be available.
- Brewery Hop in the Haymarket: 4–6 p.m. Enjoy some of Lincoln's craft breweries.
- 4–5 p.m. Bierhaus Maisschaler
- 5–6 p.m. Kinkaider Brewing Co.
Additional details are provided at the event check-in and Orientation on June 21.
Arriving in Lincoln
Flying
New Student Enrollment offers transportation to and from Lincoln (LNK) airport Thursday through Monday during Power Up Weekend. You may sign up for this service on your Power Up reservation in MyRED.
If you plan to fly into Omaha (OMA) airport, the best transport option is OMALiNK, a licensed airport shuttle service. Contact OMALiNK for pricing information.
Driving and Parking
Students driving to Power Up Weekend park in the lot west of the University Health Center. Look for the New Student Enrollment flags to direct you.
See Map- Students attending In-Person Orientation on Friday, June 21: Use the Orientation parking pass you receive upon orientation arrival to remain in the same lot during the weekend.
- Students attending Orientation on another day or participating in Online Orientation: A Power Up parking permit is provided upon your arrival in the lot between 3:30–5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 21.
Drop-off Parking
Limited meter parking is available along 17th Street west of Abel Hall (860 N 17th St.) and in the lot east of the Abel-Sandoz Welcome Center (830 N 17th St.).
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking spaces are available in the lot east of the Abel-Sandoz Welcome Center (860 N 17th St.) for drivers with state-issued handicapped permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a Power Up Weekend reservation and an orientation reservation?
Yes. Power Up Weekend and Orientation are two separate programs. Orientation is required, while Power Up is an optional extended program. The June 21 orientation date is exclusively reserved for Power Up Weekend participants, so we recommend choosing this date so your Orientation experience occurs during Power Up Weekend.
When should I arrive for Power Up Weekend, and when is it over?
We recommend arriving by Thursday (June 20) evening. Orientation check-in begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 21. After orientation is over on Friday (3:30 p.m.), orientation leaders guide participants to Power Up Weekend check-in. Power Up Weekend concludes by 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 23.
Students participating in Online Orientation or attending In-Person Orientation on a date other than June 21 do not need to arrive in Lincoln until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21. Power Up Weekend check-in is from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at the Abel-Sandoz Welcome Center.
What should I bring?
Clothes:
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Jeans
- Socks
- Athletic shoes
- Sleepwear
Bedding:
One extra blanket (sheets, a pillow and a pillowcase will be provided)
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Bath Towel
- Flip Flops (shower shoes)
Miscellaneous:
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Snacks; All meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners) are provided
- Umbrella
- Water Bottle
Can parents and family members attend? Are they needed at check-in?
Parents and family members do not attend Power Up Weekend but can attend an optional reception Friday night at the Graduate Hotel, walking tours of campus and downtown and other activities. Students can check in independently.
I'm attending In-Person Orientation on Friday. Will the day be over before Power Up Weekend check-in?
Yes. Orientation leaders guide students to Power Up Weekend check-in after your orientation day is over.
Should I eat before I come to Power Up Weekend?
Participants eat dinner together early Friday evening as part of the program.
I'm attending In-Person Orientation Friday. What should I do with my luggage?
Please do not bring your luggage with you to orientation. You'll have time to return to your car after your orientation day is over. If you will not have a car at orientation, please email nse@unl.edu to make luggage storage arrangements.
Can I stay on campus an extra night before Power Up Weekend begins or after it ends?
Yes. Please indicate that you need an extra night of accommodation in a residence hall on your Power Up Weekend registration. An extra night of accommodation is $60 and does not include meals. This option is available for participating students only.