The Circuit is a FREE early move-in experience for incoming Black students (both first-year and transfer) hosted by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC). BNAACC’s mission invites support for the social, cultural, and academic well-being of Black students and Black heritage at Illinois. The Circuit embodies that mission by creating a safe and welcoming environment where our new students meet new friends, learn how to succeed at Illinois, and become a part of our wonderful community.
Participants will:
- Be introduced to Black student life at Illinois
- Develop a network of sustainable connections across the campus rooted in BNAACCs rich, culturally responsive support
- Connect with the 100 STRONG program
- Learn strategies for succeeding at Illinois from the start
Dates: August 19-22, 2024
- Monday (8/19): Move-in and Welcome Session
- Families are encouraged to attend the welcome session!
- Tuesday (8/20) - Thursday (8/22): Circuit Program
- Student participants only!
Follow us on Instagram at bnaacc_illinois !
Register by August 1, 2024!
Frequently Asked Questions
When and how long is the Circuit Pre-Orientation Program?
The Circuit Pre-Orientation Program will take place August 19th-22nd, 2024.
The program will kick off with a welcome reception on the 19th!
- Monday (8/19): move-in and welcome session
- Families are encouraged to attend the welcome session!
- Tuesday (8/20) - Thursday (8/22): Circuit Program
- Student participants only!
What is the deadline to register for the Circuit?
The registration deadline is Aug 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM CT.
I signed up for Circuit, now what?
-
First of all - Yayy! We are SO incredibly excited to welcome you into the BNAACC family! Your completed registration secures your spot in the program.
-
Double-check your housing selection and the new student checklist.
-
Please expect an email from the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (bnaacc@illinois.edu) detailing the check-in process and the program schedule. It will be sent to the student's Illinois email address throughout the summer. In the meantime, follow our Instagram page @bnaacc_illinois to see various content surrounding students'riences within Circuit.
What is the Early Arrival Housing process?
To sign-up for Early Arrival Housing, please log-in to MyHousing or contact your Private Certified Residence Hall to select a move-in time. Move-in will be on August 19th and the program will officially kick-off at 3:00 PM with our welcome session!
-
If you will live in University Housing, please log in to your MyHousing portal and select Monday, August 19th, as your move-in date. To learn more about early arrival, please reference this page: https://housing.illinois.edu/MyHousing/Move-In/Fall-Early-Arrival
-
If you will live in Private Certified Housing, please contact your facility directly for instructions and approval to move-in early. Please convey that you will be participating in our pre-orientation program.
-
Note: Friendly reminder – this program is completely FREE to you! The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center will cover early arrival costs beginning on Monday, August 19th . Please disregard the costs listed as we will work with your residence hall to get the fee covered after you arrive in August.
I cannot attend the entirety of the Circuit; should I still register?
Unfortunately, no! Students get the most out of this program by attending it, in its entirety. Eligibility for this opportunity requires that you be present for the entire program.
However, if you have a unique situation, please email Interim Associate Director Hampton at hampton5@illinois.edu !
I can no longer attend Circuit, now what?
Had a change of plans? We are saddened by this news but look forward to having you in the space during the school year. Please fill out this form https://go.illinois.edu/CancelCircuit
What types of workshops and activities will be/ available to me during the program?
-
Workshops and activities will consist of racial identity, resource, academic skill, and network development sessions, campus and community tours as well as team building activities.
-
Each day will conclude with a student-only session titled Keeping It 100, where you will get to meet and connect with upperclassmen from 100 STRONG
-
Shameless plug!! Follow them on Instagram @100strong !!
-
What should I wear?
Please dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes! There will be outdoor and indoor activities, throughout each day and tours!
Can my parents/family/friends attend?
Yes and no! Your family/friends are invited to the welcome celebration on Monday, August 19th. Then, you will say your goodbyes! The remainder of the program is exclusively for YOU!
I have additional questions, who should I contact?
If you have any further questions, please call (217) 333-2092. During the summer, we are open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can reach us by email at bnaacc@illinois.edu.
Meet the 2024 Student Co-Coordinators!
Schedule
Date | Time | Activity (Locations provided at check-in on 8/19!) | |
---|---|---|---|
Monday, 8/19 | Will Vary | Move-in to your residence hall. Follow instructions from your hall. | |
11am - 2:00pm | Circuit Check-in & Resource Fair. Stop by to grab your welcome materials and mingle with campus partners! You can come at any point in the identified window. | ||
3pm - 5:30pm | Welcome Session! Guests will learn how to support their students, and students will begin to get to know one another. A meal is provided. | ||
Tues., 8/20 | |||
7 - 8:30 am | Breakfast! | ||
9:30 - 10 am | Check-in! | ||
10 - 10:30 am | Morning Energizer! | ||
10:30 - 10:40 am | Traveling Through Circuit: A program overview! | ||
10:40 - 11:10 am | Time Travelers' Workshop: A Journey Through BNAACC's History | ||
11:10 - 11:20 am | Rest Stop! Take a break! | ||
11:20 am - 12:00 pm | Expedition Collaboration: A Team Travel Challenge Activity | ||
12 - 1 pm | Lunch! | ||
1:10 - 3 pm | A Campus Quest: Tour Your New Home! | ||
3 - 3:15 pm |
|
||
3:15 - 4:00 pm | Wellness Voyager: A Journey to Better Well-Being W/ the Counseling Center | ||
4:15 - 5:15 pm | Oh, The Places You'll Go! Navigating Study Abroad and Career Opportunities | ||
5:30 pm | Dinner! | ||
On Your Own | Passport Entry: Daily Journal Reflections |
Wed. 8/21 | ||
7:00 - 8:30 am | Breakfast! | |
9:30 - 10 am | Check-in! | |
10 - 10:30 am | Morning Passport to Energy: Start Your Day with a Boost! | |
10:30 - 11 am | Team Trek: The Ultimate Adventure Challenge | |
11 am - 12:30 pm | Brunch with Black Faculty & Staff | |
12:30 - 12:45 pm | Passport Photos: Let's Capture The Moment! | |
12:45 - 12:55 pm | Rest Stop! Take Break! | |
1 - 1:50 pm | Journey Through Academic Success W/ the Jefferies Center | |
1:50 - 2:10 pm | Travel To Class! | |
2:10 - 3:00 pm | Global Classroom Experience: A Mock Journey Through Learning | |
3 - 3:15 pm | Rest Stop! Take A Break! | |
3:15 - 4:10 pm | Navigating Support: A Journey Through Crisis Support Strategies | |
4:20 - 5:10 pm | Soaring Together: A Team Building Activity | |
5:20 - 6:30 pm | Keeping It 100 & Dinner: Student Only Q&A Session | |
Thurs., 8/22 | ||
7:00 - 8:30 am | Breakfast! | |
9:30 - 10 am | Check-in | |
10 - 11:30 am | Sail to Solidarity! Meet the participants in La Casa's and the Native American House's Programs and review the purpose of the collaboration! | |
11:30 am 12 pm | Solidarity Snapshots: Take a Group Photo! | |
12 - 1:30 pm | Lunch! | |
1:30 - 4:00 PM | Cruise Through The Community: Visit Notable Places in Champaign-Urbana! | |
4 - 4:30 pm | Check-in! | |
4:30 - 5:00 pm | Travel Reels: Reviewing Your CU Adventures | |
5 - 6:30 pm | Global Citizenship: Navigating Civic Engagement Across Cultures: Dinner, Discussion, & Dance! | |
6:30 - 6:45 pm | Destination Insights: It's Survey Time! | |
6:45 - 7:00 pm | A Whole New World: Travel To Sights & Sounds | |
7pm - until | ILLINOIS Welcome Week: Sights & Sounds | |