First 56 Planning Guide

Student Involvement's University Program Council (UPC) in Student Affairs coordinates with partners across campus to host The First 56, which serves as the official welcome to new and returning students with more than 250 events provided annually. The First 56 gives students a wide variety of opportunities to build community and develop healthy behaviors during a critical time when habits are typically formed, their First 56 days on campus. In 2025, The First 56 will last from August 11 - October 5. The first 56 relies on Campus Partners to showcase student life on campus and to help students build community, discover, and utilize campus resources, and set the tone for success inside and outside the classroom.

Download a PDF version of this guide

Important Dates

  • Friday, May 23, 2025 | Preferred deadline for your event(s) to be submitted to AUinvolve to be populated in the event calendar that is promoted throughout Camp War Eagle.
  • Wednesday, July 31, 2025 | Deadline for submitting events to be promoted on First 56 marketing materials before the initiative begins.
  • Monday, August 11, 2025 | The First 56 begins
  • Sunday, August 17, 2025 | Convocation
  • Monday, August 18, 2025 | Classes begin
  • Sunday, October 5, 2025 | The First 56 ends
  • Ongoing | Continue to submit events throughout the First 56 (August 11 - October 5) to be viewable on AUinvolve

Reservations

AUinvolve

New to AUinvolve or don't have an organizational page? Feel free to skip the steps in this section and just email us at first56@auburn.edu.

  • Log into your AUinvolve account and access your organization's manage page by selecting the three lines/arrow icon in the top left corner and selecting the gear icon next to your organization's name and logo in the left side menu.
  • Select "Events" from the pop-out menu.
  • Select "Create Event" in the upper right corner.
  • In the Basic Details section, add "First 56" as an additional organization co-hosting the event.
  • In the Event Visibility section, select "First 56" as an Event Category.
  • In the Event Cover Photo section, be sure to upload a fun graphic that represents what will be happening at your event (i.e., a designed event graphic, photo from a past similar event, or an organization photo, etc.)

Campus Event Planning System (CEPS)

  • In addition to AUinvolve, some events should also be registered through the Campus Event Planning System (CEPS).
  • Visit https://cws.auburn.edu/ceps/ to learn more.

Promotion

  • First 56 Events Calendar
    • By selecting the First 56 event category when submitting your event on AUinvolve, your event will be featured on the First 56 Events Calendar that will be broadly distributed to students and live on AUinvolve.
  • When posting on social media, tag @auinvolve and use #First56 so we can share your content.
  • Digital signage is available in most spaces on campus. Two spaces to utilize are:
    • Melton Student Center
      • Log into your AUinvolve account and access the forms page by selecting the three lines/arrow icon in the top left corner and selecting the forms icon listed on the side menu.
      • Select and complete the "Melton Student Center Digital Screens Permit" Request Form with a 1920x1080 graphic.
    • Residence Hall Screens
      • Email housing@auburn.edu with a 950x950 PNG graphic no later than three business days before you want the graphic to appear.

Funding

  • The First 56 requires support from a variety of groups and relies heavily on event hosts to make it a successful, campus-wide initiative. While UPC coordinates this effort, we cannot provide funding to support all the great events that are planned and executed.
  • Student organizations, campus departments, and other groups are responsible for all aspects of funding related to their events hosted during the First 56.
  • If Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) or Sponsored Student Organizations (SSOs) would like financial support, this support can be requested through the Organizations Board (O-Board). Please visit https://involve.auburn.edu/manage-an-organization/funding-an-organization/ for more information about this process. Funding for eligible event expenses will only be offered as reimbursements, and funding is not guaranteed. Please reach out to oboard@auburn.edu with any questions.
  • All eligible reimbursement requests need to align with Auburn University Spending Policies and Procedures.

Contact

  • Email UPC staff at First56@auburn.edu with any questions or requests for assistance. We're here to help!