Slideshow: Let the semester begin

Campus was bustling with activity as classes commenced Wednesday on the first day of UW–Madison’s Fall 2017 semester. This was the serious side of the start of the school year, while a wave of Wisconsin Welcome events, including Sunday Funday and continuing into the coming weeks, served as icebreakers. Photos by Jeff Miller and bryce richter

Photo: Students walking into entrance of Agricultural Hall

Students pass through the stately columns of Agricultural Hall on the first day of classes of the Fall 2017 semester. Photo by: Jeff Miller

For many, the first day of classes required the obligatory first hike up Bascom Hill. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Smiling student walking down Bascom Hill steps

But don't worry — it's all downhill from there. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Close-up of event notice chalked into steps

Students walk past event notices chalked on the faces of the steps leading from Library Mall to Bascom Hill. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Forward Matthew Freytag and other members of the Wisconsin men's hockey team hand out free t-shirts and coffee as they welcome students walking through Library Mall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Zach Thomas diving through a ring in an obstacle course

On Sunday Funday, part of Wisconsin Welcome Week activities, Zach Thomas dives through an obstacle course station.

Photo: Students playing ultimate frisbee

It's strictly discs as students play Ultimate Frisbee. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Ashley Neumann shows off her balancing skills on the log rolling station. Photo by: Bryce Richter

A soccer player gets a kick out of a shirts vs. skins game. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Photo: Two female students playing catch with a rugby ball

If you recognize this ball, you might be a rugby fan.

Photo: Members of karate club practicing

Members of the Shorin-Ryu Karate Club practice. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Photo: Connor Akers swinging bat at whiffle ball

Connor Akers connects during the whiffle ball home run derby. Photo by: Bryce Richter

A sign encourages students to sign up for a Rec Sports club at one of the many club sports stations during the the Sunday Funday Wisconsin Welcome event. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Witte-bound Colin Haese bonds with UW-Madison mascot Bucky Badger during residence hall move-in days. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Badger Buddy volunteers welcome and help new students moving into the southeast residence halls on Aug. 26. In the background is Ogg Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Bucky poses with Stem Immersion students

Bucky stops for a photo with STEM Immersion mentors from the Wiscience program. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Countless Badger Buddy volunteers welcome and help new students moving into Sellery Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

UW-Madison mascot Bucky Badger and countless Badger Buddy volunteers welcome and help new students moving in to the southeast residence halls at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 26, 2017. Move in continues on Aug, 29, 30 and 31, and leads into weeks of Wisconsin Welcome programming and the start of the fall semester. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

Bucky and Badger Buddy volunteers welcome new students moving into the southeast residence halls. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Countless Badger Buddy volunteers welcome and help new students -- including, at center, undergraduate James Fischer of Columbus, Ohio -- moving into Witte Residence Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 26, 2017. Move in continues on Aug, 29, 30 and 31, and leads into weeks of Wisconsin Welcome programming and the start of the fall semester. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

Badger Buddy volunteers help new students -- including, at center, undergraduate James Fischer of Columbus, Ohio -- moving into Witte Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Bucky helping unload a box from a car

Bucky helps Anders Rajka unload a boxed futon for his daughter, Emily Rajka of New Jersey. Photo by: Jeff Miller

UW-Madison mascot Bucky Badger helps new students moving into Witte Residence Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 26, 2017. Move in continues on Aug, 29, 30 and 31, and leads into weeks of Wisconsin Welcome programming and the start of the fall semester. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

Bucky helps new students moving into Witte Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

It's thumbs up for undergraduate Meghan Drahiem, from Mankato, Minn., as UW-Madison mascot Bucky Badger and countless Badger Buddy volunteers welcome and help new students moving into Witte Residence Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 26, 2017. Move in continues on Aug, 29, 30 and 31, and leads into weeks of Wisconsin Welcome programming and the start of the fall semester. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

It's thumbs up for undergraduate Meghan Drahiem, from Mankato, Minnesota, as UW-Madison mascot Bucky welcomes the new students moving into Witte Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Hunter Hefti, at right, gets Bucky Badger welcome as he moves into Witte Residence Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 26, 2017. Move in continues on Aug, 29, 30 and 31, and leads into weeks of Wisconsin Welcome programming and the start of the fall semester. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

Hunter Hefti, at right, gets a welcome from Bucky as he moves into Witte Residence Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo: Ashlyn Mattes and Madison Shell pose in their room with Bucky

Undergraduate roommates Ashlyn Mattes (left), from Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Madison Shell, of Franklin, Wisconsin, pose for a photo with Bucky. Photo by: Jeff Miller