August 12, 2009

SIUC prepares to welcome new, returning students

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- What’s called Week of Welcome 2009 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in fact will be weeks of special activities and events welcoming students to the University.

The popular tradition kicks off Aug. 20 and goes through Sept. 11. Classes at SIUC start Aug. 24.

Highlights of the 2009 Week of Welcome include:

Thursday, Aug. 20

• Residence hall move-in begins at 9 a.m. for students in the Freshman Interest Groups and the 2-Year Edge Program. Report directly to your building. Volunteers will assist with move-in.

Friday, Aug. 21

• New students who don’t qualify to move in on Thursday can move into residence halls starting at 7 a.m. Volunteers will help.

• Free move-in cookout, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Grinnell Hall, Lentz Hall, Trueblood Hall and University Hall, compliments of University Housing.

• Welcome Fest, 7-9 p.m., Student Recreation Center. It’s an evening of fun activities, contests, free food and giveaways to help students learn more about what all SIUC has to offer.

Saturday, Aug. 22

• Residence hall move-in for returning students starts at 8 a.m.

• Make-up SOAR program, noon-5 p.m., International Lounge on the second floor of the Student Center.

• Dr. Steve Taubman, comedy hypnotist extraordinaire, offers his hilarious show at 8 p.m. in the ballrooms on the second floor of the Student Center courtesy of the Student Programming Council. Some lucky audience members will be hypnotized.

• Movie Night under the stars at 9 p.m. featuring “Fast and Furious” at Sam Rinella Field. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the show.

Sunday, Aug. 23

• Class tours, 2-6 p.m., students can bring their class schedules to the Student Center entrance and Student Life Advisors will give them a guided tour so they’ll know where to find all classes.

• Greek Life Cookout, 4-7 p.m., Sam Rinella Field. The Greek family welcomes students to campus with food and music as they learn more about Greek organizations on campus.

• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Luau Beach Party, 4-8 p.m., campus lake beach. There will be free food, drinks, music, games, sports and giveaways for all.

Monday, Aug. 24

• Campus Welcome Stations, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., stop by the Woody Hall courtyard, the Free Forum Area between Anthony Hall and the parking garage, Faner Hall breezeway or the area between Life Science II and Life Science III buildings to get more information and help in finding your way around campus

• Maps by Morris, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., pick up free maps of campus and cold water at the tent on the north lawn of Morris Library. Personalized directions available.

• Free ice cream sandwiches, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the north entrance of the Student Center thanks to the Student Programming Council.

• Black Togetherness Organization Edutainment: Greek Speak, 6-8 p.m. in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. A relaxed question and answer panel session gives all the information about Greek organizations at SIUC.

• “Come Over and Let’s Hook Up,” 8-9 p.m., lower level of Grinnell Hall. This interactive dialogue challenges students to discuss the sexual aspects of college life. The Student Health Center-Wellness, the Counseling Center, University Housing and the Women’s Center are sponsors.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

• Campus Welcome Stations, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., visit Woody Hall courtyard, the Free Forum Area, Faner breezeway or the area between Life Science II and Life Science III buildings. Volunteers will offer resources and help in navigating around campus.

• Maps by Morris, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., grab free maps of campus and cold water at the tent on the north lawn of Morris Library. You can get individualized directions too.

• Free sandy candy, 11 a.m-2 p.m. at the Free Forum Area (near the parking garage). Student Programming Council is giving away candy.

• Meet Me On Main, 6-10 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center. Start off the semester right with free food, games, music, giveaways and more as you learn about the community, campus sports clubs and more. Those who participate in guided tours of the downtown business district or those who sign up as a Carbondale community volunteer are eligible for great prizes including $100 cash and round-trip train tickets to Chicago. It’s Carbondale Main Street and SIUC’s seventh annual Meet Me on Main Street event.

• Meet the Greeks, 7 p.m. in the Illinois Room of the Student Center. Find out about the various fraternities and sororities at SIUC.

• “Come Over and Let’s Hook Up,” 8-9 p.m., lower level of Grinnell Hall, interactive dialogue about college life, sex and more.

Wednesday, Aug. 26

• Tie Dye Explosion, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., a free event in the Free Forum Area near the parking garage. Student Programming Council sponsors this event where you can express yourself creating a personalized tie-dye T-shirt.

• Pan-Hellenic Sorority Recruitment, 5-8:15 p.m. at Lesar Law School on Greek Row. Register at www.SIUGreeks.com.

• Autumn Mist, 7-8:15 p.m. in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. share their insights on the “dos and don’ts” of college life.

Thursday, Aug. 27

• Student Center Open House, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. All kinds of fun and games, giveaways and more.

• Pan-Hellenic Sorority Recruitment, 5-9:15 p.m., Lesar Law School on Greek Row. Sign up at www.SIUGreeks.com.

• Registered Student Organization and Volunteerism Fair, 5-7 p.m., J.W. Corker Lounge and ballrooms on the second floor of the Student Center. This free Student Development event gives you a look at many of the more than 400 Registered Student Organizations and how you can get involved.

• Free movie -- two showings of “Star Trek,” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Student Center courtesy of Student Programming Council.

• “We Can Make You Laugh” game show, 7:30 p.m., Roman Room, first floor of Student Center. Can you keep a straight face amidst the hilarity to win money and T-shirts? They’ll select contestants at random.

Friday, Aug. 28

• Pan-Hellenic Sorority Recruitment, 5-10 p.m., Lesar Law School on Greek Row. Register at www.SIUGreeks.com.

• Free movie -- “Star Trek,” two showings at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. from the Student Programming Council in the Student Center’s second floor auditorium.

• Hammered Beach Bash, 8-11 p.m., campus lake beach. It’s an evening of free food, drinks and games.

• “Come Over and Let’s Hook Up,” 8-9 p.m., lobby of University Hall, interactive dialogue about college life, sex and other things.

• Pandemonium: Welcome Back Dance, 9 p.m., ballrooms on Student Center’s second floor. The Pan-Hellenic Greek Council welcomes all college students, particularly freshmen, to come enjoy a night of fun. Admission is $5 and requires current student identification.

Saturday, Aug. 29

• Pan-Hellenic Sorority Recruitment, 10:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Lesar Law School, register at ww.SIUGreeks.com.

• “Back to the Pound- Saluki Fest 2009,” 3-7 p.m. on the steps of Shryock Auditorium. The Dave Matthews Tribute Band is featured and there’s all kinds of free food, music, give-a-ways, inflatable games and toys and much more from Student Programming Council and University Housing.

• Family Carnival, 5-8 p.m., Student Recreation Center’s small gymnasium. Bring the kids for a family event with snacks, games and fun. While you’re there you can find out about activities and services the center has for families and single parents.

• National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Smokers Rush, 7-9 p.m., ballrooms at Student Center, featuring Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma.

• Free movie -- two showings of “Star Trek,” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Student Center courtesy of Student Programming Council.

Sunday, Aug. 30

• Res 2 Rec: Welcome Back Games and Cookout, 2-6 p.m. at Sam Rinella Field and then 6-9 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center. Come enjoy free food, fun, games as you make new friends and renew old acquaintances. At the center, there will be rotating demonstrations of interactive classes and competitive games offered by the intramural sports program.

• Dive-in Movie. Yes, not a drive-in but a dive-in movie where you can lounge in the pool or on the deck and enjoy a free movie, 9-11 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.

Monday, Aug. 31

• Residence Hall Association Social, 7-9 p.m., Grinnell Hall’s lower level. Meet the new Residence Hall Association executive board and SIUC Housing staff members as you enjoy free pizza and learn how you can get involved.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

• Ice Cream Social: Black Togetherness Organization Edutainment, 8-9:15 p.m., Grinnell Hall lower level. Open to all on-campus residents, it’s a chance to learn more about the organization that promotes personal leadership development.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

• Roadmap to Success: Black Togetherness Organization Edutainment, 8-9:15 p.m., Grinnell Hall lower level. It’s an informative discussion about how to succeed as an SIUC student.

Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12

• SIUC Leadership Conference, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Student Center. Current and aspiring student leaders will gather

Some offices will have extended hours of operation during the early Week of Welcome days. For more information, the complete schedule, or details about various dining options, look online at http://wow.siu.edu/ or contact New Student Programs at 618/453-1000.