Six-Week Challenge

Research shows that students decide in the first six weeks of their college career if they plan to remain at the University.The Six Week Challenge was created to assist first-year students in acclimating and engaging with their peers and the University as a whole. The Six Week Challenge is intended to increase retention, promote academic and personal success, and to enhance the quality of life within the residence halls and aligns with the core values of Eastern. Students will participate in various events throughout the first six weeks; such as hall and floor socials, roommate expectation forms, meals with staff, community service events, the Roommate Game, RA programs, etc.

Attendance is tracked solely through mobile attendance and it is the student's responsibility to sign in. Attendance will be taken during the first 15 minutes of each event (for off-campus events and sporting events).

Students must attend at least 15 of the events on the calendar (including any required events) to be eligible to win hall-specific prizes. The first-year student on campus attending the most programs receives a grand prize, and all winners will be recognized at our annual ROAR (Recognizing Our Achieving Residents) Banquet in the spring semester. 

The required events for the Fall 2026 semester are:

• Mandatory Fire Safety Training on Aug. 29th, time TBA, Shafer Auditorium
• Involvement Fair/President's Picnic on Sept. 1st, time TBA, Student Center Patio
• Hall Director Night on Sept. 29th, 7-9pm, Respective First-Year Halls
• Attend at least 1 W.o.W. Trivia Series Session on either 9/2, 9/9, or 9/30
• Signing up for the IDEAL Residential Portfolio

Photos below are from Paint Night and our annual Roommate Game