August 10, 2011

Saluki Startup to welcome new students

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Sometimes something new is so good it almost instantly becomes a tradition.  So it is with Saluki Startup, a five-day welcome to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for new students.

Set for Aug 17-21, Saluki Startup is a long weekend’s worth of activities designed to introduce new students to Saluki culture and to acquaint them with the opportunities that make SIUC the best choice for students prepared to get involved right away with research, and hands-on and service learning.


Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover Saluki Startup activities.  If you are interested in move-in, that begins at 7 a.m. Aug.17 and Aug. 18.  On Aug 18, Peter Gitau, dean of students and associate vice chancellor of student life and intercultural relations, will pick up Chancellor Rita Cheng at 6:30 a.m. at Anthony Hall to take her first to Mae Smith Hall and then to Thompson Point for move-in.  We also recommend a new feature of Saluki Startup, the Chancellor’s New Student Convocation, set for 5-6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the SIU Arena.


Here is a schedule of events for Saluki Startup:

Aug. 17

• New students begin move-in, 7 a.m. (for eligible new students with a two-year Edge Contract or an assignment to a Living Learning Community).

• Cookout, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Offered by University Housing at Trueblood, Grinnell, Lentz and University Hall.

• Family reception, 7-9 p.m.  A reception for families of new students at the Student Recreation Center (small gym) where families and students can find information about SIUC resources and Carbondale-area businesses.

Aug. 18

• New students begin move-in, 7 a.m.

• Cookout, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Offered by University Housing at Trueblood, Grinnell, Lentz and University Hall.

• Welcome Fest, 7-9 p.m.  An evening of activities, contests, free food and giveaways meant to help new Salukis learn more about SIUC and Carbondale, held at the Student Recreation Center.

• Family reception, 7-9 p.m. A reception for families of new students at the Student Recreation Center (small gym) where families and students can find information about SIUC resources and Carbondale-area businesses.

Aug. 19

• Saluki Survival Skills, 1:30-4:30 p.m.  Connect with faculty, staff, advisers and current students to learn the basics of college success.  Here’s where students meet, by college:

Agricultural Sciences -- Muckelroy -- Agriculture 102

Applied Sciences and Arts -- Quigley 140B

Business -- Lawson 141

Education and Human Services -- Wham 104 (pronounced to rhyme with Guam)

Engineering -- Engineering A111

Liberal Arts -- Brown Auditorium, Parkinson Hall 124

Mass Communication and Media Arts -- McLeod Theater, Communication Building

Science -- Neckers 240

Center for Academic Success -- Student Center, Ballroom D

Pre-major Advisement -- Student Center Auditorium

• Chancellor’s New Student Convocation, 5-6 p.m., SIU Arena.  This is the official welcome to the SIUC family and all first-year students are not only invited but also expected.  Chancellor Rita Cheng, along with faculty, administrators and guests, will formally welcome students to SIUC.

• Southern Social, 6-8 p.m., SIU Arena.  Food, fun and mingling are in store at the Southern Social, the scene to be seen complete with Marching Salukis, SIUC cheerleaders, Saluki Shakers and the football and volleyball teams.  The dining halls are closed during this event, so come join the social.

• Dawgs Nite Out, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Student Center.  Fun night!  Laser tag; silly/cool crafts including making street signs, wax hands, and dance head videos; caricaturists; Dueling Pianos; Coffeehouse Singers, all concluding with a free pancake breakfast at midnight.

Aug. 20

• Make-up New Student Orientation, 8-11 a.m., Student Center Ballrooms.  Students who haven’t attended a New Student Orientation can fill that gap here.  Register at www.orientation.siuc.edu.

• Meet Carbondale, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Trueblood and Lentz dining halls.  Carbondale is known for its friendliness, and here is a chance to see how true that is.  Community volunteers, Carbondale City Council members, Carbondale Mayor Joel Fritzler and others will be on hand to talk about Carbondale and to hand out maps and information about local businesses.

• The Inside Scoop, 1-4 p.m., Lawson Hall.  This student-led program will help new students learn what they really need to know, from students, about being SIUC students.  An ice cream social follows.

• Houses of Faith, 5-6 p.m., Rinella Field (near the Brush Towers).  Students learn about the diversity of religious, spiritual and faith-based communities available on campus.

• Sizzlin’ Saluki Barbecue, 6-8 p.m., Rinella Field (near the Brush Towers).  The Greek-letter communities on campus host this barbecue as a welcome to new students.

• Comedy Hypnotist Daniel James, 8-10 p.m., Student Center, Ballroom B.  Daniel James returns to Carbondale with his high energy, high-entertainment show.  Volunteer to be hypnotized or just enjoy the show.

• Late Night Movie, 10-midnight, Saluki Stadium.  Watch the mighty “Thor” come to life on the (fittingly) giant screen.

Aug. 21

Week of Welcome begins

• WatermelonFest with the Chancellor, 2-4 p.m., Morris Library

• Find Your Classrooms, 3:30 p.m., begin at Morris Library

Visit http://salukistartup.siuc.edu/ for more information.