2024 News 2024: A new academic year on the SouthCoast begins

UMass Dartmouth welcomed new and returning students for another extraordinary year of discovery, opportunity, and achievement

The new academic year at UMass Dartmouth is in full swing as students resume their studies on the SouthCoast.

On Sunday, September 1, more than 1,000 first-year students called UMass Dartmouth home as they moved their belongings into Balsam and Spruce Halls.

This fall, nearly 1,400 new undergraduate students, more than 50% of which are students of color, will embark on their higher education journey.

UMass Law celebrated another year of growth after welcoming the largest and most diverse class in the school's history, which includes 146 students, 38% of whom are students of color.  

After a day of moving in and arranging their rooms, first-year students participated in the Corsair Olympics. This UMassD tradition saw the first-year residence halls and a commuter team competing in athletic competitions, puzzles, creative challenges, and other activities. At the end of the night, Balsam Hall was crowned victorious.

As first-year students flocked to the campus amphitheater for New Student Convocation, the 2024-25 academic year officially began. The ceremony provides an opportunity for incoming students to receive words of encouragement and guidance from university leadership, faculty mentors, and student leaders. Afterward, the All-Campus Picnic brought together new and returning students, faculty, and staff for a unifying afternoon of food, fun, and games.

At Convocation, student speaker Kerin Caldwell, an Orientation Leader and senior Health & Society major, told her peers, "There is so much on this campus that is set up for your success academically, career-wise, emotionally, and physically. It is up to you to utilize them. Now go out there and make it a great day to be a Corsair!".

The next day, September 4, classrooms and labs began to fill up as the first day of fall semester classes started, and another extraordinary year of discovery, opportunity, and achievement at UMass Dartmouth was underway.