ALVA, Oklahoma — Northwestern Oklahoma State University is preparing its Alva, Enid and Woodward campuses for the return of students for the fall 2026 semester. Residence hall move-in begins Thursday, Aug. 13. Orientation for the Alva campus is Saturday, Aug. 15. Howdy Week runs Monday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 21.
The last day to enroll in undergraduate and graduate studies classes for the fall 2026 semester is Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Fall 2026 Key Dates at a Glance
- Aug. 13-16 — Residence hall move-in, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Alva campus residence halls
- Aug. 13 — Enid campus orientation, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Enid campus. Voluntary.
- Aug. 13 — Woodward campus “Zero Day” orientation, 3 to 6 p.m., Woodward campus. Voluntary.
- Aug. 15 — Freshmen orientation, registration 8:30 a.m. and orientation 9 a.m., Percefull Fieldhouse, Alva. Required.
- Aug. 15 — Transfer orientation, 1 to 2 p.m., Joe J. Struckle Education Center, room 109, Alva. Required.
- Aug. 17 — Free student breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Alva campus
- Aug. 17 — Aloha! Northwestern, 5 to 8:30 p.m., intramural field
- Aug. 18 — Glow, Rangers, Glow scavenger hunt and yard games, 8:30 p.m., intramural field
- Aug. 19 — Club and organization fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., J.W. Martin Library lawn
- Aug. 19 — Ice cream social, 7 to 8 p.m., intramural field
- Aug. 20 — Free movie for the first 75 students with a student ID, 7 p.m., Rialto Cinema, downtown Alva
- Aug. 21 — Monroe Street block party, 9 to 11 p.m., Monroe Street between Coronado and Cunningham
- Aug. 25 — Last day to enroll for fall 2026, Alva, Enid and Woodward campuses
Residence Hall Move-In Begins Aug. 13
Students may begin moving into their residence halls from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16.
Orientation Schedules for Alva, Enid and Woodward Campuses
Orientation for freshmen and transfer students on the Alva campus is required and takes place Saturday, Aug. 15.
- Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Freshmen orientation begins at 9 a.m. in Percefull Fieldhouse, followed by breakout sessions across campus.
- Lunch is at noon in Coronado cafeteria.
- Transfer orientation runs from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Joe J. Struckle Education Center, room 109.
Orientation on the Enid and Woodward campuses is voluntary and takes place Thursday, Aug. 13. The Enid campus session runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Woodward campus hosts its “Zero Day” orientation for all students from 3 to 6 p.m.
Howdy Week 2026 Runs Aug. 17 Through Aug. 21
The Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association starts the first week of classes with a free breakfast for students at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17. The Northwestern Student Government Association then kicks off Howdy Week with its annual Aloha! Northwestern event from 5 to 8:30 p.m. the same day, featuring free food, music, inflatables and games.
The Glow, Rangers, Glow scavenger hunt and yard games begin at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, on the intramural field.
Northwestern clubs and organizations gather on the J.W. Martin Library lawn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. An ice cream social follows from 7 to 8 p.m.
Rialto Cinema in downtown Alva offers free movie tickets to the first 75 Northwestern students with a student ID for the 7 p.m. showing Thursday, Aug. 20, courtesy of the Student Government Association.
Howdy Week wraps up Friday, Aug. 21, with the Monroe Street block party from 9 to 11 p.m., featuring music, dancing and free food.
Enrollment Deadline and Fall 2026 Class Schedules
Tuesday, Aug. 25, is the final day to enroll in undergraduate and graduate studies classes for the fall 2026 semester.
View the full Northwestern fall 2026 course schedule.
Visit the Northwestern Oklahoma State University website.