1. Office of First-Year Experience
  2. Cajun Craze

Cajun Craze

Cajun Craze Logo

Welcome Class of 2030 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 20th through August 28th. 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!

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!

Waiver

All students that participate in Cajun Craze must fill out a one-time waiver. Click here to fill out the waiver.

Parking/Shuttle Information

Prior to the first day of classes, 8/20-8/23, commuter students can park at Cajun Field and take the shuttle to Rex Street on campus OR there is free parking at:

  • Girard Park Circle Parking Garage (floors 1-3)
  • 101 Mildred St
  • 119 E. St. Mary Blvd
  • Commuter lots on St. Julien Street at the Health Sciences Campus. Shuttle service is available at the shuttle stop located one block away at the garage at 611 St. Landry Street. View the Main Campus & Health Sciences Campus Zone Map on the Zone Listings & Maps webpage for details. View the transit webpage for a list of the shuttle stops.

 

Starting 8/24, regular parking rules are in effect, which means the above lots are permit and/or paid parking only. Free parking is still available at Cajun Field. View the transit webpage for shuttle stops and more information.

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 20: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

August 21: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

August 22 - 23: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

August 24 - 27: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

See Rec Sports website for details.

Cajun Craze Detailed Schedule

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

Karaoke Night | Dupre Library | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

No need to lower your voices in the library tonight! Come prepared with your go to karaoke song or just sit and listen with your new classmates.

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.

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Late Night in the U | Student Union | Hosted by the Office of First-Year Experience

Board games, video games, puzzles, adult coloring sheets, karaoke, we have it ALL at Late Night in the U! We will also have a showing of Project Hail Mary starting at 7:40pm.

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Farmer’s Market | Moncus Park

Head 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 parking at nearby businesses surrounding Moncus Park will result in you being towed.

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, and tons of giveaways!

8:00 PM 

Mini World Cup Soccer Tournament | Cafe Chi Alpha | Hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship

Come be a part of the 2026 UL World Cup!

10:00 AM

Sunday Morning Worship | Café Chi Alpha | Hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Ministry

Join us for a time of contemporary worship and a great Biblical message! Come a few minutes early to grab a cup of coffee!

10:00 AM

Worship with RUF | Parish Church | Hosted by Reformed University Fellowship

Join us for Sunday morning worship, connect with a local church near campus, and join us for a home cooked meal afterwards.

10:00 AM, 6:00 PM, 9:00 PM

Sunday Mass | Our Lady of Wisdom | Hosted by Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church

2:00 PM - 4:00 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! NSC is required for all first-time students.

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

6:00 PM – 7:00 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. 

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Class Glow-cators | Union-Plaza | Hosted by the Office of Orientation

Grab a glow stick and explore campus as you find your fall classes before the first day! Along the way, Student Orientation Staff (SOS) and SOUL Camp Mentors will be there to help you navigate campus, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident and ready to start your first semester.

8:00 PM

Freshman Karaoke Battle | Cafe Chi Alpha | Hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship

Come showcase your talent and win cash prizes!

First Day of Classes!

7:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Donut Drop-In | Rex Street and most academic buildings | Hosted by Student Government Association

Grab a donut and merch and meet your student leaders (while supplies last)!

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

First Day Flicks | Union- Evangeline Room and outside Dupre Library | 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!

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

RUF Ultimate Scavenger Hunt | Union- Evangeline Room | Hosted by Reformed University Fellowship

Connect with other students and eat free food while completing a campus-wide scavenger hunt for prizes!

6:00 PM

Burger Bash | Café Chi Alpha | Hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship

Come to Chi Alpha's epic Burger Bash! There will be food, games, prized, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends!

6:00 PM

First Week Fair | Baptist Collegiate Ministry | Hosted by Baptist Collegiate Ministry

Join us for a carnival-inspired hang complete with games, food, and giveaways! 

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 – 1:30 PM

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

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

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.

4:00 PM – 5:30 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. 

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Rec Fest | Bourgeois Hall | Hosted by Rec Sports

The Department of Recreational Sports is excited to host our 12th annual back to school kick-off event: Rec Fest! We’ll have tons of activities throughout the night that showcase our facilities, equipment, programs, and awesome student staff! 

9:00 PM

Late Night Worship | Cafe Chi Alpha | Hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship

6:00 PM – 8:45 PM

Ragin’ Cajuns Downtown Alive! | Parc Sans Souci 

This event is a collaboration of all things UL and all things Lafayette. Enjoy amazing food, culture, shopping, and entertainment available in downtown Lafayette!

Parking is available in the Parc Auto Du Centre-Ville Garage (121 E Vermilion St.), however there will also be transportation for students from the Student Union on McKinley Street.