August 13, 2007

SIUC, community ready to welcome students

by Christi Mathis

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale will welcome new and returning students with a host of special events and activities.

The Week of Welcome hospitality runs Aug. 17-26; the fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 20.

Highlights of the Week of Welcome include:

Friday, Aug. 17:

• New student move-in to residence halls. University Housing asks that families follow this schedule: last names beginning with letters A-G, 7-9:30 a.m.; H-O, 9:30 a.m.-noon; P-Z, noon-2: 30 p.m.; and open move-in, 2:30-4 p.m.

• Campus and community tours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., departing every hour on the hour from the Student Center's main entrance.

• New student cook-out, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with free food from University Housing Dining Service for students and their families at Trueblood Hall in University Park, Lentz Hall at Thompson Point, Grinnell Hall at Brush Towers and University Hall.

• Saluki Oasis, 1-4 p.m., in the International Lounge on the second floor of the Student Center. Sponsored by the SIU Alumni Association, the oasis will offer a place for students to cool off and enjoy refreshments, including Dippin' Dots, compliments of founder and SIUC alumnus Curt Jones, chair massages and giveaways, while meeting other students.

• Welcome Fest, 7 p.m., SIU Arena, Chancellor Fernando M. Treviño will welcome new students and their families as the Marching Salukis, Shakers, cheerleaders and mascots provide entertainment. The evening includes free food, giveaways and ample information about the campus and community. Families welcome.

Saturday, Aug. 18:

• Returning students move into residence halls, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Campus and community tours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., departing every hour on the hour from the Student Center entrance.

• Making College Count and hypnotist Daniel James, 7 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms. Making College Count is a free, interactive presentation created for first-year students. Free gift bags for participants and immediately after, James will entertain and delight with his comedic, hypnotic powers.

Sunday, Aug. 19:

• Campus and community tours, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., departing every hour on the hour from the Student Center main entrance.

• Presidential watermelon fest, 2-4:30 p.m. at Old Main Mall on the steps of Shryock Auditorium, with free watermelon, cold drinks and entertainment. The President's Office and New Student Programs are hosting the event during which participants can enjoy meeting President Glenn Poshard, faculty, staff and other students.

• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Luau Beach Party, 6-8 p.m., on Campus Beach with free food and fun for all.

• Ice cream social, 6:30-8 p.m., Grinnell Hall lower level.

Tuesday, Aug. 21:

• Meet Me on Main Street " Do It Downtown" scavenger hunt and welcome celebration, 6-10 p.m. The fifth annual celebration kicks off on the lawn outside the Student Recreation Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with stunt bike and skateboarding demonstrations from The Bike Surgeon, a healthy eating demonstration from The Town Square Market, washers and all sorts of informational tables. Stage entertainment includes the University's own take on "American Idol," with contestants displaying their musical talents during "Saluki Sing to Win." There's also a spin game with great prizes. Students and parents can participate in a Carbondale Main Street scavenger hunt from 7:30 to 8 p.m. by getting cards stamped at several local businesses to be turned in at the Town Square Pavilion for a chance at more prizes. Participants can win round-trip Amrak tickets to Chicago, restaurant and business gift certificates, T-shirts and more. There will be refreshments and a free blues concert at Town Square Pavilion. The Ivas John Band will play from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23:

• Student Center open house, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Registered Student Organization (RSO) Fair, 5-7 p.m. in the International Lounge on the second floor of the Student Center. The free event gives students information about the more than 400 campus student organizations.

• SPC Films presents "Blades of Glory," 7 p.m., in the Student Center auditorium.

Friday, Aug. 24:

• Back to School Bash, 4-7 p.m., Rinella Field, activities, games, free food and prizes.

• "Blades of Glory" showings, 7 and 9:30 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.

• New Student Dance, 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at the Student Center Ballrooms. Admission for students with a student ID is $2 before 11 p.m. and $5 after.

Saturday, Aug. 25:

• Dinner and a movie, starting at 4 p.m. at Rinella Field, between Brush Towers and the Student Recreation Center. Games, a free cookout 4-7 p.m, prizes, and distribution of information about student organizations culminate with an outdoor movie that will begin at dusk.

• Pan-Hellenic Recruitment, 6 p.m. at Student Center Ballrooms, opportunity to meet members of Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities.

Sunday, Aug. 26:

• SportFest, noon-5 p.m., with SIUC students competing in a variety of athletic competitions on the lower and upper Arena playing fields. Transportation starts at 11:15 a.m. and runs every 20 minutes from Lentz and Trueblood halls.

Some offices will offer extended hours during Week of Welcome. For more information and the complete schedule, look online at http://newstudent.siu.edu/wow/ or contact New Student Programs at 618/453-1000.