August 11, 2016
University set to welcome new, returning students
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- New and returning Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will find numerous special events and activities when they arrive for the fall 2016 semester.
There is a myriad of activities leading up to the start of classes on Aug. 22. Saluki Startup, Aug. 18-20, is a series of transition programs for all new incoming students while “Weeks of Welcome,” or WOW, features nearly three weeks of activities for all students. Weeks of Welcome will run Aug. 21 through Sept. 10.
Students can download “MySIU,” app available for Android and iOS. “MySIU” will provide the complete guide for Saluki Startup, Weeks of Welcome, and other activities during the year. A web version of the guidebook, a cost-effective way to alert students to events on campus, is also available at http://siu.edu/guidebook/.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the many events of Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome.
The on-campus festivities for students and their family members begin Aug. 18 with Saluki Startup -- an opportunity for new students to become acquainted with the university, its people and its services. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Aug. 18-19, Saluki Basecamp, a resource fair of campus departments, will be in front of the Student Center.
The New Student Convocation, featuring Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell and other university officials, begins at 6 p.m., (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) on Friday, Aug.19, in the SIU Arena, as faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this formal welcoming ceremony for new students.
The annual new student photo will take place immediately after the convocation on the SIU Arena steps, where students will get their first free SIU T-shirt. From 7 to 8 p.m., “WelcomeFest,” a local business fair, takes place on the arena concourse. The Saluki Pride Pep Rally is at 8 p.m., along with the Saluki Family Social in the arena’s Cook Club, sponsored by the Saluki Family Association and University Bookstore. Playfair, which will give everyone a chance to meet one another in a fun, exciting and engaging setting, begins at 8:30 p.m. on the arena floor. The events then move to Saluki Stadium at 9:45 p.m. for the film, “Captain America: Civil War.”
On Aug. 20, new students will be able to attend several “Saluki Success Day” workshops from noon to 4 p.m., in Morris Library; the workshops will give students additional insight into the campus and services that are available. Beginning at 8 p.m., the annual “Dawgs Nite Out” at the Student Center will offer another opportunity for students to have fun, participate in numerous activities and meet faculty and staff.
Another tradition, kicking off the Weeks of Welcome, is the Watermelon Fest, from 2 to 4 p.m., Aug. 21, on Morris Library’s front lawn. Students will have a chance to enjoy watermelon with Colwell, faculty, staff and other students.
More information, along with the event schedule for Saluki Startup, is available at http://salukistartup.siu.edu/, while the schedule for Weeks of Welcome is at http://wow.siu.edu/. Information is also available by contacting New Student Programs at 618/453-1000.